Will Archibeque started playing golf when he was eight, following in the footsteps of older sister Sara and brother in-law Matt Hunton.

On Friday, he continued taking steps in pursuing an education and playing golf by signing with New Mexico Military Institute. NMMI golf coach Randy Doerhoefer made the trip from Roswell to welcome his new recruit.

“I’m looking forward to having Will because he is a quality person,” Doerhoefer said. “You can recruit just about anybody you want, but when you got someone of his talent and good character It makes it a lot easier on your team, it makes it more enjoyable on the team, which on our level, we’re trying to process him into a Division I program.”

Doerhoefer said his players are mostly from small towns don’t get the exposure someone from Albuquerque might receive.

Mike Archibeque, Will’s dad, said he thinks NMMI is a great choice for an education and getting the opportunity to play golf.

“That how is goes ,” the senior Archibeque said. “You want to follow your child’s dreams. That’s what Will has always wanted to do, so it’s the best of both worlds.”

Archibeque won the Sun Country Junior PGA tournament when he was younger, and took the District 4-3A championship in 2007.

Portales coach Andy Correll said it is an opportunity for Archibeque to get a good education and play golf.

“I’m extremely proud of him,” Correll said. “He’s got a bright future ahead of him. I’m know him since he was a little. Everyone here has had a little part in him getting to where he’s at. It’s been a lot of hard work on his behalf.”

Archibeque said it feels like a dream come true.

“I’ve spent my whole life trying to find a place to play golf, so here I am,” Archibeque said. “NMMI (offers) a great education, (and) college golf is something I’ve always dreamed about.

“Doing bigger and better things and having an education from NMMI will help me to succeed in life at no what I do.”