Kamloops native Adam Niles is in his first year at Western New Mexico University (Image Credit: Western New Mexico Mustangs)

By Chad Klassen

ADAM NILES

Kamloops’ Niles excelling at college-level golf in New Mexico

Sep 17, 2020 | 3:08 PM

KAMLOOPS — Adam Niles is settling in nicely at Western New Mexico University. The 18-year-old from Kamloops is playing golf with the Division II school.

“The reason I came down south is so I can golf all-year round,” Niles told CFJC Today via Zoom from the Western New Mexico University campus . “I could’ve stayed in Canada, but there’s no point when you can’t golf through November, December, January, February.”

He’s one of eight golfers on the team and he’s excelling in his first couple of weeks as a freshman. The Mustangs held nine qualifying rounds to determine this week’s travel team, consisting of five of the golfers, and Niles made the cut. He posted the second-best score.

“It feels good. I just wanted to play well. I didn’t really think I was going to, but then once I started playing the first couple rounds and realized I was fourth, fifth going into the second weekend of qualifying, I realized if I put some good rounds together I could get into the top five, so I ended up doing that and now I’m in top five, so I’m excited about that,” he said.

Stay Ahead of the Curve with Kamloops' Trusted Property Manager - Rohit Kumar

May 20, 2025

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: You can't have your cake and eat it, too

21h ago

Two and Out

PETERS: Funny how some psychoactive substances are acceptable in public and some aren't

Jun 13, 2025

It means he’ll compete in the season-opening tournament hosted by Western New Mexico University this weekend.

Niles says the courses in New Mexico suit his long game more than ones in Kamloops.

“My home course, Rivershore, is definitely a lot more difficult than the courses we play down here,” he said. “I hit it far on my team, so I get to use that to my advantage because the courses here aren’t as narrow. At this elevation [1,800 metres], the ball goes even further. [Coaches] are telling me just hit it as far as you possibly can, go find it, wedge it onto the green, take your two putts and par, [or] hit it close and make birdie.”

Niles is living on the university campus, located in the small town of Silver City, New Mexico. It has a population of 9,500 people and is known as the hometown American outlaw and gunfighter Billy The Kid. The Kamloops kid is adjusting to life in New Mexico, also known for its spicy cuisine.

“It’s definitely been a bit of a culture change coming down here. There’s a lot of spicy food and I’m not really big into spicy food,” Niles joked. “I knew that coming in, but a lot of my friends here are picking on me that I don’t really eat anything like that. I stay away from the red and green chiles and all that type of stuff.”

Niles is majoring in business management. He’s hoping to use college golf as a pathway to the pros, but if that doesn’t work out, he would like to work in the golf business.