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Photo by: John McGillen/USC Athletics
Trojans Men’s Golf Ready for New Schedule in 2024-25
September 03, 2024 | Men's Golf
LOS ANGELES - Second-year head coach Mark Hankins and USC men's golf will start with a new tournament on the schedule, as it begins the 2024-25 campaign with the Southern Dunes Invitational, Sept. 9-10 at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz.
Under Hankins, the Trojans will have a new look this year, as USC returns only four players and brings in a cast of three freshmen and one sophomore to the mix. Headlining the group of returners are junior Antonio Safa and senior Gavin Aurilia; both players made a recent appearance at the 124th U.S. Amateur in Chaska, Minn. During the 2023-24 season, Safa posted the best stroke average for the squad, averaging 71.30, while Aurilia compiled a 72.90 average in 31 rounds of golf. Those two, alongside senior Jackson Rivera, and sophomore Nicolas Dominguez will be the experience as USC undergoes its latest installment in program history.
As the Trojans undergo this fall start, they are on the right path after a plethora of summer tournament success outside of collegiate golf. Safa continued his growth on the course, posting a runner-up finish at his national championship, the XCVI Campeonato Nacional Amateur in Mexico. He followed that with a 21st placement at the Pacific Coast Amateur before heading to Minnesota for the U.S. Amateur. Another steady returner for the Trojans who joined Safa at the Nacional Amateur is sophomore Nicolas Dominguez. Dominguez wrapped that tournament tied for 8th at one-under par. Dominguez played in 11 of the 12 tournaments for USC last year and posted a 73.40 stroke average during that span.
Senior Aurilia will look to be a mainstay in the lineup as he enters his final campaign as a Trojan. Aurilia joined Safa up north, where he was the first Trojan to punch his ticket to the 124th U.S. Amateur. The senior made his second appearance in the event, also playing in the 122nd U.S. Amateur after his sophomore year. Aurilia will again be a solid piece of the lineup as he recorded 31 rounds with a 72.90 stroke average last season.
While the team's veterans have already seen success through their years of play, the next generation awaits their chance to hit the links for USC. This freshman class has already produced quality junior and amateur results, as they look to contribute to team success this fall. Redshirt Tyler Greenspahn picked up his first WAGR counting amateur win at the Chicago District Golf Association Amateur Championship. Greenspahn fought his way through match play to the championship, where he rallied from a two-hole deficit to claim the 104th CDGA Amateur Championship. The 19-year-old player has made considerable strides in his game since coming to USC and will be a viable option for the starting five. Another player to watch is freshman Jack Buchanan. Buchanan is the highest-ranking freshman on the team, with a World Amateur Golf Ranking of 748 as he enters his collegiate career. The South African native has 12 top-10 finishes and three wins. He recently placed eighth at the English Under 25 Championship and second at the Junior Orange Bowl International event in January. Jaden Dumdumaya wraps up the freshman class as his WAGR is currently 1681st with a recent win at the McClure Cup in January.
Sophomore Jack Jerge—a transfer from Saint Mary—will be another player to watch, as he already has success in college golf. Jerge placed 33rd in the California Amateur Championship and comes to USC after posting a fourth-place finish at the West Coast Conference Championship while competing at St. Mary's last season.
The final player to keep an eye on this season returning to the USC lineup after a medical red-shirt year is junior Jackson Rivera. Rivera has been a key member throughout his tenure with the Trojans. The junior played just two collegiate matches last year before taking the medical leave. Rivera currently has two NCAA individual berths to his name, is ranked 125 in WAGR and will hope to lead the Trojans to their first team berth since 2019.
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 (formerly Twitter) @USCMensGolf.
Under Hankins, the Trojans will have a new look this year, as USC returns only four players and brings in a cast of three freshmen and one sophomore to the mix. Headlining the group of returners are junior Antonio Safa and senior Gavin Aurilia; both players made a recent appearance at the 124th U.S. Amateur in Chaska, Minn. During the 2023-24 season, Safa posted the best stroke average for the squad, averaging 71.30, while Aurilia compiled a 72.90 average in 31 rounds of golf. Those two, alongside senior Jackson Rivera, and sophomore Nicolas Dominguez will be the experience as USC undergoes its latest installment in program history.
As the Trojans undergo this fall start, they are on the right path after a plethora of summer tournament success outside of collegiate golf. Safa continued his growth on the course, posting a runner-up finish at his national championship, the XCVI Campeonato Nacional Amateur in Mexico. He followed that with a 21st placement at the Pacific Coast Amateur before heading to Minnesota for the U.S. Amateur. Another steady returner for the Trojans who joined Safa at the Nacional Amateur is sophomore Nicolas Dominguez. Dominguez wrapped that tournament tied for 8th at one-under par. Dominguez played in 11 of the 12 tournaments for USC last year and posted a 73.40 stroke average during that span.
Senior Aurilia will look to be a mainstay in the lineup as he enters his final campaign as a Trojan. Aurilia joined Safa up north, where he was the first Trojan to punch his ticket to the 124th U.S. Amateur. The senior made his second appearance in the event, also playing in the 122nd U.S. Amateur after his sophomore year. Aurilia will again be a solid piece of the lineup as he recorded 31 rounds with a 72.90 stroke average last season.
While the team's veterans have already seen success through their years of play, the next generation awaits their chance to hit the links for USC. This freshman class has already produced quality junior and amateur results, as they look to contribute to team success this fall. Redshirt Tyler Greenspahn picked up his first WAGR counting amateur win at the Chicago District Golf Association Amateur Championship. Greenspahn fought his way through match play to the championship, where he rallied from a two-hole deficit to claim the 104th CDGA Amateur Championship. The 19-year-old player has made considerable strides in his game since coming to USC and will be a viable option for the starting five. Another player to watch is freshman Jack Buchanan. Buchanan is the highest-ranking freshman on the team, with a World Amateur Golf Ranking of 748 as he enters his collegiate career. The South African native has 12 top-10 finishes and three wins. He recently placed eighth at the English Under 25 Championship and second at the Junior Orange Bowl International event in January. Jaden Dumdumaya wraps up the freshman class as his WAGR is currently 1681st with a recent win at the McClure Cup in January.
Sophomore Jack Jerge—a transfer from Saint Mary—will be another player to watch, as he already has success in college golf. Jerge placed 33rd in the California Amateur Championship and comes to USC after posting a fourth-place finish at the West Coast Conference Championship while competing at St. Mary's last season.
The final player to keep an eye on this season returning to the USC lineup after a medical red-shirt year is junior Jackson Rivera. Rivera has been a key member throughout his tenure with the Trojans. The junior played just two collegiate matches last year before taking the medical leave. Rivera currently has two NCAA individual berths to his name, is ranked 125 in WAGR and will hope to lead the Trojans to their first team berth since 2019.
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 (formerly Twitter) @USCMensGolf.
Trojans Live 09.16.24: Gavin Aurilia
Monday, September 16
