University Southern California Trojans
USC Men's Golf Takes Aim At NCAA Championships
May 29, 2000 | Men's Golf
May 29, 2000
UP NEXT The USC men's golf team travels to Opelika, Ala., to compete in the 2000 NCAA Men's Golf Championships hosted by Auburn University on the Grand National Lake Course May 31-June 3 (Wednesday-Saturday). There is a 30 team field, plus six individuals made up 10 teams from the West Region, nine from the Central and 11 from the East. The first group tees off at 7:12 a.m on Tuesday. After two rounds, the field is cut to 15 teams and 9 individuals.
THE COURSE Grand National is one of seven complexes on the acclaimed Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail that span the state of Alabama. This $16 million golf facility features two 18-hole championship courses built on the 600-acre Lake Saugahatchee, with 32 of the 54 holes draped along its shores. Grand National has played host to the prestigious 1997 Nike Tour Championship and the 1998 LPGA Tournament of Champions. The championship Lake Course was named by Golf Digest as the 4th best new public course in America when it opened in 1993. With 12 holes hugging the shore, the Lake Course is one of the most attractive public courses in the country. The quartet of par threes is as good as any in the nation. The signature 15th hole, a 180-yard island green, is the prettiest hole on the Trail.
2000 USC MEN'S GOLF The Trojans opened the spring season with a win at the University of Arizona's Ping Intercollegiate. USC entered the final round down a stroke, but then fired a one-over-par 285 to take the title. It was the first tournament victory for the Trojans since winning the U.S. Intercollegiate in April of 1997. USC's team score of 848 (seven stokes ahead of host Arizona) was the lowest team score by the Trojans since scoring 845 at the Taylor Made Red River Classic in October of 1996. For the season, the USC has seven top 10 finishes, inlcuding a second-place finish at the William Tucker Intercollegiate in early October and a fourth-place finish at the NCAA West Regionals. The Trojans are led by walk-on junior Alex Kuyumjian, who has a stroke average of 72.7 in six tournaments. Sophomore Kevin Stadler is close behind at 72.8 in 12 tournaments.
LAST TIME OUT Juniors Kuyumjian and Nick Jones each shot 211 to lead the USC men's golf team to a fourth place finish at the NCAA West Regionals held in Fresno, Calif., on May 18-20. USC shot 848, including a season-low round of 275, to finish behind tourney champ Arizona (839), UNLV and BYU (both at 843). For Kuyumjian, it was a career-low score that included rounds of 69 and 68, while Jones added a season-best round of 67. Overall, the Trojans shot five rounds in the sixties, as freshman David Oh fired a personal-low 67 and sophomore Kevin Stadler tallied a 68. Kuyumjian and Jones finished tied for ninth, while Stadler (214) tied for 29th, Oh (216) tied for 38th and senior Nick Webb (222) tied for 79th. Michael Beard of Pepperdine took the individual title with a score of 204. For USC, it was the lowest team score since shooting 848 in winning the team title at the Ping Intercollegiate back on Feb. 1.
LIVE STATS Follow the tournament hole-by-hole at www.auburn.edu/athletics/.
USC Post-season Bios....
NICK JONES Junior Carlsbad, Calif. THIS YEAR: Junior Nick Jones has the fourth-best stroke average for USC this season at 74.4. His best performance was in leading the Trojans to the team championship at the Ping Intercollegiate on Jan. 31-Feb. 1. Jones finished second with a 69-70-69--208. This is the lowest three-round score for the Trojans this year and the lowest for USC since Roger Tambellini shot 205 at the same tournament back in 1997. Overall this season, Jones has three top 20 finishes, including a ninth-place tie at the NCAA West Regionals. 1998-99: Nick played in 10 tournaments for USC as a sophomore ... stroke average of 74.9 was third best on the team ... qualified for the U.S. Amateur this past summer after shooting 141 (70,71) to finish second at Pauma Valley, Calif ... shot a season-best 215 (73, 70, 72) to finish ninth and help pace the Trojans to a fifth place showing at the Tennessee Invitational in Knoxville, Tenn ... shot a 216 (75, 71, 70) and finished 18th at the ASU Thunderbird Invitational in Tempe, Ariz. 1997-98: Nick played in nine tournaments for USC as a freshman, including the Pac-10 Championships and NCAA West Regional ... finished with a stroke average of 75.4 ... led the Trojans at the ASU Thunderbird/Savane Invitational (216, sixth) and tied with Charlie Woerner for the team lead at the NCAA West Regional (222, 42nd). HIGH SCHOOL: Nick won the 1996 San Diego County CIF high school championship while at San Marcos High in Carlsbad, Calif. ... he was an All-League performer and on the Academic Honor Roll for all four years ... in 1997, he was also the Palomar League Most Valuable Player and the Academic Golf Captain for San Diego County ... qualified for the second stage of U.S. Open qualifying ... was 12th at AJGA tournaments at Mission Hills and Aviara. PERSONAL: Born on March 9, 1979, in Edina, Minn., Nick is majoring in business at USC. Most thrilling moment in sports -- "Winning the San Diego CIF Championship because it was my first big win." The funniest thing that ever happened to him on the course -- "Playing nine holes with Bill Murray and Scott Simpson." Biggest Sports Hero--"Michael Jordan because he was the best at what he did and he showed class in victory and defeat." Favorite pastime away from golf -- "I enjoy spending time with friends and my hobbies are billiards, basketball and ping pong." Why he chose to attend USC -- "Because of the combination of great academics and athletics."
ALEX KUYUMJIAN Junior Thousand Oaks, Calif. THIS YEAR: Junior-college transfer Alex Kuyumjian has been the biggest suprise for the Trojans this season. Kuyumjian walked on the team at mid-season and has shown he can play at a very high level. Through six tournaments, Kuyumjian leads USC with a 72.7 stroke average. In his last three tournaments, his average is 71.1. He burst on to the scene at the Pac-10 Championships by shooting 71-72-70-67--280 to finish tied for seventh. He came back at the NCAA West Regional and shot 69-68-74--211 to finish tied for ninth. JUNIOR COLLEGE: Kuyumjian was WSC Player of the Year twice at College of the Canyons in Valencia, Calif. ... He had a 73.4 stroke average his freshman year and averaged 72.2 his sophomore year ... Won four out of 10 tournaments his sophomore year. HIGH SCHOOL: Kuyumjian was All-Marmonte League his junior and senior seasons at Westlake High in Westlake Village, Calif. ... Led team to a state championship in 1996 by placing second individually at state. PERSONAL: Born on January 9, 1979, Alex is a sociology major at USC. Most thrilling moment in sports--"Beating Steve Pate three ways on the golf course." Favorite pastime away from golf--"Going to Vegas with my friends." Biggest sports hero--"Robert Gomez because of his determination to stay out on tour. Even after all the adversity he's been through, he sticks with it." Why I chose to attend USC--"It's a great golf program and a world-class academic institution."
DAVID OH Freshman Cerritos, Calif. THIS YEAR: Freshman David Oh came to USC with impressive credentials and has been an instant contributor to the Trojan squad. He's been playing especially well of late and is coming off a 38th place showing at the NCAA West Regional (where he shot a career-low 67) and an 11th place tie at the Pac-10 Championships (where he had two rounds in the 60s). His stroke average on the season is 74.6. HIGH SCHOOL: At Whitney High in Cerritos, Calif., Oh developed into one of the top junior golfers in the country ... in 1998 he garnered junior All-American second-team honors and was named to the All-Southern California junior team for the second consecutive year ... also was named the 1998 Delphic League MVP... in 1998 and 1999, was the AJGA Nabisco Mission Hills Desert junior champion ... won the 1997 CIF individual championship ... was the 1995 Junior World champion in the 13-14 age division. PERSONAL: Born on March 28, 1981, David plans to be a business major at USC. Most thrilling moment in sports--"Winning my first national tournament, the junior world, when I was 13. Also, when I won my first AJGA tournament when I was 17." Favorite pastime away from golf--"Hanging out with my friends." Biggest sports hero--"Michael Jordan because he has accomplished so much and has never been viewed negatively. That's something I hope to accomplish as well." Why I chose to attend USC--"It's a great school and it has an outstanding reputation."
KEVIN STADLER Sophomore Englewood, Colo. THIS YEAR: Sophomore Kevin Stadler has been USC's most consistent golfer this season. He has a stroke average of 72.8 in 12 tournaments. He started out the season strong, finishing no lower than 25th in his first seven tournaments, including a runner-up finish at the Northwest Classic and a fifth-place showing at the Windon-Memorial Classic. He struggled early in spring but rebounded at the Maxwell Invitational with a third-place finish. Leads USC this season with five rounds in the 60s. 1998-99: Kevin played in seven tournaments as a freshman ... had a stroke average of 76.8 ... won the 1999 Colorado State match play ... made the cut at the Western Amateur ... shot a four-under-par but just missed qualifying for the U.S. Amateur this past summer ... played his best golf at the ASU Thunderbird Invitational in Tempe, Ariz. with a score of 222 (73, 77, 72), to finish in 46th place. HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior at Kent Denver School in Englewood, Colo., Kevin won the Colorado High School state championship and was a second-team 1997 AJGA Rolex All-American. He also won the 1997 Junior World Championships (he and his father, Craig, are the only father/son champions in the history of the event). PERSONAL: Born on February 5, 1980. Kevin is the son of former Trojan team member and current PGA star Craig Stadler (the 1982 Masters Champion). He is an undeclared major at USC.
NICK WEBB Senior Turlock, Calif. THIS YEAR: The steady veteran Nick Webb is third on the team with a 74.0 stroke average. He has three top 12 finishes this season, including a tie for fifth at the William Tucker and a tie for fourth at the Ping Intercollegiate. His round of 65 at the Ping was the lowest round by a Trojan since 1996. 1998-99: Nick played in 12 tournaments as a junior ... finished with the fourth best stroke average on the team at 75.1 ... qualified for the U.S. Amateur this past summer by shooting 139 (69, 70) to finish first in the qualifying round held at Del Rio Country Club in Modesto, Calif ... shot a team-best low round of 67 at the Ping Arizona Intercollegiate in Tucson, Ariz, as he finished in 10th place (USC finished second overall) ... had three top-20 finishes for the season ... placed 16th at the Morris Williams Intercollegiate in Austin, Tex. (224) and the Cleveland Golf Southwestern at Westlake Village, Calif. (218). 1997-98: Nick played in 11 tournaments as a sophomore ... finished tied with Charlie Woerner for the team's lowest stroke average at 74.3 ... had six Top 25 finishes ... shot a season-low 69 in the first round on the Taylor Made Red River Classic (217, seventh) ... led the Trojans at three tournaments, including the U.S. Intercollegiate (220, 10th). 1996-97: Nick played in 13 tournaments as a true freshman ... ... had Top 10 finishes at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate (fifth, 214), the Southwestern Intercollegiate (216, 10th) and the U.S. Intercollegiate (215, 10th). HIGH SCHOOL: At Turlock (Calif.) High, Nick was a three-time Central California Conference MVP ... was the runner-up at the AJGA Aviara Tournament while firing 65 in the second round (a course record)... qualified for the junior amateur. PERSONAL: Born Feb. 23, 1978, in Modesto, Calif., Nick is a fine arts major at USC. Biggest sports hero -- "Jerry Rice because he seems to get better as he gets older." Most thrilling moment in sports -- "Shooting a 65 (-7) and tying the course record at the Ashworth-Golfweek Aviara Junior Tournament in August of 1996." The funniest thing that ever happened to me on the course -- "Once, I forgot my golf shoes and had to play a tournament in my tennis shoes." Why I chose to attend USC -- "Because the academic and athletic programs are second to none."
HEAD COACH KURT SCHUETTE
In his first three seasons at USC, Kurt Schuette's teams made the cut at the NCAA Finals, with two top-10 finishes and a No. 3 national ranking. After only a year of coaching the men's team at USC, Kurt Schuette was elevated to the position of Director of Golf in 1996, overseeing both the men's and women's programs. In 1994-95, his first season as a head coach at Troy, Schuette directed the USC men's golf team well beyond expectations . . . all the way to a fifth-place finish at the 1995 NCAA Championships, and he earned District VIII Coach of the Year honors (Pac-10, Big West and WCC). It was USC's highest national finish in 20 years and the eight strokes that separated USC from the championship matched the closest Troy has ever been to the national title. Not bad for a newcomer. Then in 1995-96, he led the Trojan men's team to its second consecutive Top 10 finish with a ninth-place showing at the NCAAs. And under his guidance, Brian Hull earned first-team All-American honors. Schuette was also honored by being selected to serve on the NCAA District VIII Advisory Committee. In 1996-97, Schuette kept the Trojans ranked between No. 3 and No. 7 all year with three All-Americans in the lineup and eventually finished 14th at the NCAAs. USC returns to the NCAAs this year (after a two year absence) with a young squad that has finished strong in the last few tournaments. With AJGA Player of the Year Hunter Mahan entering Troy in the fall, the future looks bright for USC golf. Schuette, 37, came to USC after six successful seasons (1988-94) at Pepperdine. During his tenure in Malibu, he led the Waves to four WCC crowns and was the 1993 WCC Coach of the Year and Pepperdine athletic department Coach of the Year. His teams were ranked as high as 16th in the nation and the 1993 team participated in the school's first-ever NCAA Golf Championship. Schuette recruited four of the five players on the Pepperdine team that won the 1997 NCAA championship.Schuette attended Santa Barbara City College, where he rapidly progressed, earning All-Western State Conference honors. He earned a scholarship to Pepperdine, serving as captain in 1984 and 1985. Schuette was an All-West Coast Conference selection in 1985 and graduated in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in communications and marketing. On July 27, 1996, Schuette and his wife Glenna were married in Santa Barbara. They and their dog Sunny currently reside in Mar Vista.
Kurt Schuette at a Glance:
Recruited or Coached . . . * One PGA Tour winner and one two-time Nike Tour winner. * Five Nike Tour players * Ten Division I All-Americans * 16 All-Pacific-10 Conference selections * 23 Division I tournament medalists (& 16 team titles) * Numerous state amateur and open winners * 1997 U.S. Amateur medalist (Roger Tambellini) * 1998 Women's NCAA Champion & 1999 Collegiate Player of the Year (Jennifer Rosales)
