Nov. 17, 2017

SAN DIEGO -- Chris Riley, head coach for the Torero men's golf program, is excited to announce his first recruiting class he has signed to national letters of intent and scholarship agreements for the 2018-19 school year. Coach Riley, along with assistant coach Logan Goulding, is excited to welcome Remington Hirano (Honolulu, Hawaii), Evan Kawai (Honolulu, Hawaii) and Jack Whisler (Scottsdale, Ariz.).

"I'm very excited to have these three young men coming to USD next fall," said head coach Chris Riley. "Logan and I couldn't be happier with this group as our first recruiting class. We can't wait for them to join our Torero family."

Remington Hirano, a senior at Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii, often plays with teammate Evan Kawai. In July 2017, Hirano advanced to match play at the 70th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, notched a top 10 finish at the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships, and made the cut at the IMG Junior World Championship at Torrey Pines. Twice, he has represented Hawaii in the Junior America's Cup. In December 2017, Hirano will play in the Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Championship for the second time, after winning a local qualifier by ten strokes. He looks forward to representing USD at tournaments and improving under the guidance of his college coaches.

"States Coach Riley, "Remington is a very consistent player, hits lots of fairways and is a great putter."

Evan Kawai was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. He currently attends Punahou School and is enjoying his final year in high school. Evan lives with his two parents, Keith and Marché, an older brother, Carter, and his Chihuahua named Roxy. He began golf when he was 7 years old at the Casey Nakama Golf Development Center at the Olomana Golf Course. At age 9, he began taking lessons under Lance Suzuki, a local professional who had success on the Japan and PGA tour. He has competed in numerous events: Junior PGA Championship, Big I Junior Golf Championship, The Optimist, IMG Junior World Golf Championships, and Junior America's Cup. Evan is excited to live out his dreams as a Californian, and even better, a Torero!

"I'm excited to have this young man join the team," said Chris Riley. "He is a grinder and is going to put up some great scores!"

Jack Whisler, born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, attends Chaparral High School. His best junior golf finishes were a 6th place in the Billy Horshel AJGA and winning the 2017 D1 High School Team State Tournament placing in the top 10 individually junior and senior year. He picked up a club for the first time in 8th grade and loved the game every second since, and has been with the same golf coach for five years. Jack looks forward to USD being his home the next four years. It has all of the resources academically and athletically that will give him endless opportunities in the future.

"Jack is a great young man with a great golf game," added Riley. "His potential at USD is endless."