BOULDER CITY, Nevada — The Sam Houston men's golf team leads by three strokes following the opening round of the Western Athletic Conference Championships at the Boulder Creek Golf Club on Friday.
 
The Bearkats shot 14-under 274 on the par-72, 7,482-yard course to stay ahead of New Mexico State which is in second at 277. Grand Canyon (280) is in third followed by Seattle (283), Utah Tech (287), Tarleton (287), Abilene Christian (289), Southern Utah (290), Utah Valley (290), UT Arlington (293), Stephen F. Austin (294) and California Baptist and UTRGV (298).
 
Bret Gray is tied for second in the individual standings. He shot 6-under 66 and is two strokes off the lead.
 
Josh German is one shot back in a tie for fourth place after shooting a 5-under 67. Samual McKenzie is tied for seventh at 3-under after carding a 69.
 
Kristoffer Max shot even par 72 to move into a tie for 21^st. Jack Randle sits at 7-over following a round of 79.
 
The field will play 18 holes Saturday and wrap up the tournament with the final 18 holes on Sunday.