USC Men’s Golf Posts Top Five Finish in Fall Finale at Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate

Men’s Golf | October 20, 2024

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – USC men’s golf finished with a one-under par, 287 total in the final round and four-under-par for the tournament (860), to secure fifth place out of 14 teams at the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate on Sunday, Oct. 20, in Alpharetta, Ga. 

The Trojans stood their ground in the final round, recording their third top-five finish of the fall season. USC counted a 71-71-72-73 (287, -1) and totaled 860 (-4) for the three rounds. The Trojans bested six top-25 squads, including two top-ten teams on the final leaderboard. Duke won the tournament at 28-under par (836).

“We did a really good job of preparing for the tournament and the golf course.  There was a lot of acclimating from the time we landed until the final putt went in, as Georgia didn’t resemble California or Dallas, out last tourmanent,” head coach Mark Hankins said. “We locked in and played three really good rounds; team depth was very apparent, and to shoot three rounds under par at this golf course is really solid. We posted four guys in the top 30, just a really good week for our program.”

Senior Gavin Aurilia led the charge for the Trojans as he was one-under par in the final round and finished three-under par total. Aurilia recorded his third top-25 finish of the fall season, as he tied for 15th. The senior’s final round included a 33 (-3) on the front nine posting four birdies on the front side of the course. 

“I think we can take a lot of positives and confidence away knowing that we can compete against the top schools in the country,” Aurilia said.

The senior continued on about his early success this season:

 “I am pleased with three top 20s this fall. Two of them really set up good for me, but this one was different, I only hit two drivers each day, so it made me use other strengths of my game.”

Sophomore Jack Jerge followed Aurilia as he posted a 71 (-1) in the final round to bring his total to even par, tying him for 28th. Freshman Jack Buchanan went even-par in the final round, as he rounded out his tournament at one-under par and tied for 20th in the field. 

Junior Antonio Safa produced a 73 (+1) in the final round, as he claimed a par on every hole except for a bogey on No. 14. Safa ended his fourth tournament tied for 28th as he was even-par across the three rounds. 

Sophomore