USC Defeats Prairie View A&M in USC Challenge

Men’s Golf | March 24, 2024

Los Angeles, Calif. — After an extended break following the conclusion of the John A. Burns Invitational on the shores of Hawaii, the Trojans took to their home course on Friday (Mar. 22) at Rolling Hills Country Club, to face Prairie View A&M in an 18 hole match ahead of The Goodwin, which will start next Thursday (Mar. 28). USC topped the Panthers by 29 strokes in the 6 count 4 format and finished the day in a total of 18-under (270). 
 
Senior Krando Nishiba found his form on Friday at the familiar track and after a bogey on two, bounced back to finish his front nine with 3 birdies and an eagle on the par-5 6th. When he turned to the back, he shot his cleanest 9 of the season, finishing 5 holes under par and closing out his round with back-to-back birdies on 17 and 18. His round of 8-under (64) was a match-best for both teams and his lowest round of the season. 
 
Sophomore Antonio Safa was under-par for his entire round, making two birdies on the front and doubling that number on the back with 4 birdies on the back. Safa looked at home at Rolling Hills, finishing his day at 5-under 67.
 
Graduate Sam Lape played his round right on the heels of his sophomore teammate, slotting in one stroke behind Safa at 4-under 68. With just one bogey on his round, Lape made a total of 5 birdies, with 3 on the front and 2 on the back. 
 
Freshman Nico Dominguez and junior Gavin Aurilia mirrored each other on Friday afternoon, both carding rounds of 1-under 71. Dominguez was in front of Aurilia on the first nine with a score of 35, compared to 37, but Aurilia closed out strong in 34 on the back compared to the freshman’s 36. 
 
Senior Shane Ffrench competed throughout the day, but a couple bad breaks early kept his scores from being in the red figures. His round finished in 11-over 83. 
 
The results from the match at Rolling Hills help to prepare the Trojans as they head into the most competitive stretch of the season, starting with The Goodwin hosted by Stanford which will take place at the iconic TPC Harding Park from March 28 – March 30.
 
USC ROLLING HILLS INVITATIONAL
ROLLING HILLS COUNTRY CLUB
LOS ANGELES, CALIF
MAR 22, 2024/PAR 72/7,135 YARDS
TEAMS (2) 
 
USC:
Krando Nishiba – 64 (-8)
Antonio Safa – 67 (-5)
Sam Lape – 68 (-4)
Nicolas Dominguez – 71 (-1)
Gavin…