Monday, September 9
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
USC Men’s Golf Opens Up the 2024-25 Season in Arizona
September 07, 2024 | Men's Golf
Second-year head coach Mark Hankins leads the charge, as they open with the Southern Dunes Invitational
LOS ANGELES - USC men's golf opens as the host school under second-year head coach Mark Hankins at the inaugural Southern Dunes Invitational, as it brings in seven other teams to compete in its fall opener Monday, Sept. 9 - Tuesday, Sept. 10 at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes G.C. in Maricopa, Ariz.
COMPETITIVE SLATE: Eastern Michigan, Fresno State, Georgia State, Grand Canyon, Kansas State, Kennesaw State, San Diego, *USC
*Host School
WHERE: Ak-Chin Southern Dunes G.C. (Par 72, 7,546 yards).
WHEN: The two-day event will begin Monday, Sept. 9, at 8:00 a.m. PT, with the second round following the conclusion of the first. The third round will be played on Tuesday, Sept. 10, starting at 8:00 a.m.
LIVE SCORING: Live results can be found on Golfstat here.
LINEUP: Antonio Safa
Safa was the team's No. 1 throughout most of last year, leading the team in rounds of par or better (14), rounds under par (9), rounds in the 60s (6), and birdies (110). The junior posted one of his best finishes in the latter part of the season, as he was 15th at the final Pac-12 Championship. Safa also debuted at the U.S. Amateur this summer and finished two strokes away from advancing to match play.
Gavin Aurilia
Aurilia is one of the squad's senior leaders; he has been playing at a high level since attending the U.S. Amateur for the second time in his career. Aurilia played in 11 of the 12 tournaments for USC last year and posted one top ten finish. During the 2023-24 season, he had a stroke average of 72.90, producing three rounds in the 60s and six under par. He was third on the squad with 90 birdies and had one eagle during his junior year.
Nicolas Dominguez
Dominguez is one of two sophomores in the lineup and had his name called plenty of times during his freshman campaign. He played in 11 of the 12 tournaments for USC. During the 2023-24 season, the sophomore ranked third on the Trojans with nine rounds of par or better while posting two rounds in the 60s.
Jack Jerge
Jerge is the second of the sophomores and the newest member of the lineup, having transferred from St. Mary's to USC. Jerge was an All-WCC Conference Honorable Mention player and recorded four top 15 finishes during his freshman year. Jerge posted a scoring average of 72.2 and competed in 11 of the 13 events for the Gaels.
Jackson Rivera
Rivera is a common name that many Trojan fans know, as he has competed in two NCAA Regionals. The junior was hurt most of last season, as he only played in two tournaments for USC. During those tournaments, he posted a stroke average of 71.70, had two rounds of par or better, and had one round in the 60s.
QUOTABLE:
"I am really excited to be back on the road with the team with the new guys, excited about that and looking forward to staying focused on my process and enjoying it out there," Safa said.
"I think we all have pretty good expectations, each of us has an individual goal and just excited to play in this new season. My goal for the year is to try and finish with a good individual finish in one tournament and take it one shot at a time," Dominguez said.
"I'm super excited, new school, new environment, we have new guys on the team, but my goal is still the same to compete and try and win a golf tournament," Jerge said.
FOLLOW THE TROJANS
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.
COMPETITIVE SLATE: Eastern Michigan, Fresno State, Georgia State, Grand Canyon, Kansas State, Kennesaw State, San Diego, *USC
*Host School
WHERE: Ak-Chin Southern Dunes G.C. (Par 72, 7,546 yards).
WHEN: The two-day event will begin Monday, Sept. 9, at 8:00 a.m. PT, with the second round following the conclusion of the first. The third round will be played on Tuesday, Sept. 10, starting at 8:00 a.m.
LIVE SCORING: Live results can be found on Golfstat here.
LINEUP: Antonio Safa
Safa was the team's No. 1 throughout most of last year, leading the team in rounds of par or better (14), rounds under par (9), rounds in the 60s (6), and birdies (110). The junior posted one of his best finishes in the latter part of the season, as he was 15th at the final Pac-12 Championship. Safa also debuted at the U.S. Amateur this summer and finished two strokes away from advancing to match play.
Gavin Aurilia
Aurilia is one of the squad's senior leaders; he has been playing at a high level since attending the U.S. Amateur for the second time in his career. Aurilia played in 11 of the 12 tournaments for USC last year and posted one top ten finish. During the 2023-24 season, he had a stroke average of 72.90, producing three rounds in the 60s and six under par. He was third on the squad with 90 birdies and had one eagle during his junior year.
Nicolas Dominguez
Dominguez is one of two sophomores in the lineup and had his name called plenty of times during his freshman campaign. He played in 11 of the 12 tournaments for USC. During the 2023-24 season, the sophomore ranked third on the Trojans with nine rounds of par or better while posting two rounds in the 60s.
Jack Jerge
Jerge is the second of the sophomores and the newest member of the lineup, having transferred from St. Mary's to USC. Jerge was an All-WCC Conference Honorable Mention player and recorded four top 15 finishes during his freshman year. Jerge posted a scoring average of 72.2 and competed in 11 of the 13 events for the Gaels.
Jackson Rivera
Rivera is a common name that many Trojan fans know, as he has competed in two NCAA Regionals. The junior was hurt most of last season, as he only played in two tournaments for USC. During those tournaments, he posted a stroke average of 71.70, had two rounds of par or better, and had one round in the 60s.
QUOTABLE:
"I am really excited to be back on the road with the team with the new guys, excited about that and looking forward to staying focused on my process and enjoying it out there," Safa said.
"I think we all have pretty good expectations, each of us has an individual goal and just excited to play in this new season. My goal for the year is to try and finish with a good individual finish in one tournament and take it one shot at a time," Dominguez said.
"I'm super excited, new school, new environment, we have new guys on the team, but my goal is still the same to compete and try and win a golf tournament," Jerge said.
FOLLOW THE TROJANS
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.
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