USC Men’s Golf Brings Home the Southern Dunes Invitational Team Title

Men’s Golf | September 10, 2024

MARICOPA, Ariz. – USC men’s golf picked up its first team win since 2020 and the first win under second-year head coach Mark Hankins, as it posted a 28-under-par total at the Southern Dunes Invitational on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes G.C. in Maricopa, Ariz.

“We had a great plan for this tournament, preparation was spot on, and the guys executed the plan,” Hankins said. “It was great to see key contributions from the entire team and Gavin’s second round 65 and runner-up finish was a difference maker. “

Senior Gavin Aurilia was at the forefront of the win, posting his best career finish as the runner-up individual. The senior followed rounds of 69 and 65 with a one-over par, 73 final round to solidify his spot as the runner-up individual. Aurilia finished two strokes ahead of his previous career best at the Cowboy Classic (Apr. 2, 2024), where he was seven-under-par.  

“I finally pieced everything together for three rounds. A lot of times, I miss the fairway or miss a couple of putts and that take me out of contention, Aurilia said. “This tournament, my ability to hit the ball far and make putts put me in the right place.”

Aurilia went on to talk about why he has been so successful at the Southern Dunes G.C.

“I like the way it sets up my game, I feel like I can boom it however far I want. I make a lot of putts, because the grass is similar to what I grew up on. Every time I play there, I hit my driver well, if you hit it out there and get it in the right place you will have success.”

The Trojans posted a team total of 836 (-28), which is their best outing since they posted a 835 (-29) at the 2019 N.I.T. This first win of the season was a team effort, as all five starters had at least one counting score. In the final round, the four counting scores were 69-70-72-73 (-4). 

Sophomore Jack Jerge fired the best round for the Trojans with a 69 moving him up five spots into a tie for 8^th, giving him his third collegiate top ten finish. 

USC’s Antonio Safa tied with Jerge in the 8th spot, as he was five-under-par for the tournament after finishing with a 70 (-2) in the final round. Safa recorded five birdies in the afternoon but fell victim to one double-bogey and bogey. The top-ten finish is his first at USC.

In his first tournament since the fall, senior