USC Men’s Golf Opens Up the 2024-25 Season in Arizona

Men’s Golf | September 07, 2024

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 8:30 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 8:30 a.m.

LIVE SCORING: Live results can be found on Golfstat here.

LINEUP:

1. Antonio Safa
2. Gavin Aurilia
3. Nicolas Dominguez
4. Jack Jerge
5. Jackson Rivera

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…