Tuesday, September 10
Maricopa, Ariz.
All Day
USC
vs
Southern Dunes Invitational
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
Photo by: Slate Mitchell
USC Men’s Golf Brings Home the Southern Dunes Invitational Team Title
September 10, 2024 | Men's Golf
The Trojans picked up their first team title since 2020 and head coach Mark Hankins first career win at USC as they won by seven strokes at the Southern Dunes Invitational
MARICOPA, Ariz. – USC men's golf picked up its first team win since 2020 and the first win under second-year head coach Mark Hankins, as it posted a 28-under-par total at the Southern Dunes Invitational on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes G.C. in Maricopa, Ariz.
"We had a great plan for this tournament, preparation was spot on, and the guys executed the plan," Hankins said. "It was great to see key contributions from the entire team and Gavin's second round 65 and runner-up finish was a difference maker. "
Senior Gavin Aurilia was at the forefront of the win, posting his best career finish as the runner-up individual. The senior followed rounds of 69 and 65 with a one-over par, 73 final round to solidify his spot as the runner-up individual. Aurilia finished two strokes ahead of his previous career best at the Cowboy Classic (Apr. 2, 2024), where he was seven-under-par.
"I finally pieced everything together for three rounds. A lot of times, I miss the fairway or miss a couple of putts and that take me out of contention, Aurilia said. "This tournament, my ability to hit the ball far and make putts put me in the right place."
Aurilia went on to talk about why he has been so successful at the Southern Dunes G.C.
"I like the way it sets up my game, I feel like I can boom it however far I want. I make a lot of putts, because the grass is similar to what I grew up on. Every time I play there, I hit my driver well, if you hit it out there and get it in the right place you will have success."
The Trojans posted a team total of 836 (-28), which is their best outing since they posted a 835 (-29) at the 2019 N.I.T. This first win of the season was a team effort, as all five starters had at least one counting score. In the final round, the four counting scores were 69-70-72-73 (-4).
Sophomore Jack Jerge fired the best round for the Trojans with a 69 moving him up five spots into a tie for 8th, giving him his third collegiate top ten finish.
USC's Antonio Safa tied with Jerge in the 8th spot, as he was five-under-par for the tournament after finishing with a 70 (-2) in the final round. Safa recorded five birdies in the afternoon but fell victim to one double-bogey and bogey. The top-ten finish is his first at USC.
In his first tournament since the fall, junior Jackson Rivera placed tied for 17th at two-under par. Sophomore Nicolas Dominguez rounded out the lineup, as he was tied for 24th at even par.
Three Trojans finished their first collegiate tournament as individual competitors: Tyler Greenspahn, Jack Buchanan and Jaden Dumdumaya. Greenspahn had the best outing, tying Dominguez for 24th place at even par. Greenspahn's final round was up-and-down, with six birdies and five bogeys to finish with a 71 (-1).
USC stays in the desert for its next tournament as it heads to the Tucker Invitational hosted by New Mexico Friday, Sept. 20 through Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Championship Course at UNM in Albuquerque, N.M.
For more information on the USC men's golf team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com. Fans of the Trojans can follow the team on Instagram and on X @USCMensGolf.
TEAM LEADERBOARD
"We had a great plan for this tournament, preparation was spot on, and the guys executed the plan," Hankins said. "It was great to see key contributions from the entire team and Gavin's second round 65 and runner-up finish was a difference maker. "
Senior Gavin Aurilia was at the forefront of the win, posting his best career finish as the runner-up individual. The senior followed rounds of 69 and 65 with a one-over par, 73 final round to solidify his spot as the runner-up individual. Aurilia finished two strokes ahead of his previous career best at the Cowboy Classic (Apr. 2, 2024), where he was seven-under-par.
"I finally pieced everything together for three rounds. A lot of times, I miss the fairway or miss a couple of putts and that take me out of contention, Aurilia said. "This tournament, my ability to hit the ball far and make putts put me in the right place."
Aurilia went on to talk about why he has been so successful at the Southern Dunes G.C.
"I like the way it sets up my game, I feel like I can boom it however far I want. I make a lot of putts, because the grass is similar to what I grew up on. Every time I play there, I hit my driver well, if you hit it out there and get it in the right place you will have success."
The Trojans posted a team total of 836 (-28), which is their best outing since they posted a 835 (-29) at the 2019 N.I.T. This first win of the season was a team effort, as all five starters had at least one counting score. In the final round, the four counting scores were 69-70-72-73 (-4).
Sophomore Jack Jerge fired the best round for the Trojans with a 69 moving him up five spots into a tie for 8th, giving him his third collegiate top ten finish.
USC's Antonio Safa tied with Jerge in the 8th spot, as he was five-under-par for the tournament after finishing with a 70 (-2) in the final round. Safa recorded five birdies in the afternoon but fell victim to one double-bogey and bogey. The top-ten finish is his first at USC.
In his first tournament since the fall, junior Jackson Rivera placed tied for 17th at two-under par. Sophomore Nicolas Dominguez rounded out the lineup, as he was tied for 24th at even par.
Three Trojans finished their first collegiate tournament as individual competitors: Tyler Greenspahn, Jack Buchanan and Jaden Dumdumaya. Greenspahn had the best outing, tying Dominguez for 24th place at even par. Greenspahn's final round was up-and-down, with six birdies and five bogeys to finish with a 71 (-1).
USC stays in the desert for its next tournament as it heads to the Tucker Invitational hosted by New Mexico Friday, Sept. 20 through Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Championship Course at UNM in Albuquerque, N.M.
For more information on the USC men's golf team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com. Fans of the Trojans can follow the team on Instagram and on X @USCMensGolf.
TEAM LEADERBOARD
| Place | Team | R1 | R2 | R3 | Total | Par |
| 1st | USC | 279 | 273 | 284 | 836 | -28 |
| 2nd | GCU | 279 | 286 | 278 | 843 | -21 |
| 3rd | Fresno State | 276 | 296 | 282 | 854 | -10 |
| 4th | San Diego | 288 | 283 | 284 | 855 | -9 |
| 5th | Eastern Michigan | 290 | 281 | 286 | 857 | -7 |
| 6th | Georgia State | 289 | 288 | 282 | 859 | -5 |
| 7th | Kansas State | 287 | 289 | 287 | 863 | -1 |
| 8th | Kennesaw State | 290 | 289 | 286 | 865 | +1 |
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