Nov. 20, 2013
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State men's golf head coach Ryan Donovan announced the signing Wednesday of PJ Samiere (Kailua, Hawaii/Punahou HS) and Blake Abercrombie (Rocklin, Calif./Rocklin HS) to National Letters of Intent. The two talented high school seniors will join the Aztecs next fall and will be eligible to compete during the 2014-15 campaign.
"We are very excited for PJ and Blake to be joining the Aztec family," Donovan said. "PJ has a natural feel for the game and is mentally tough. He will provide an immediate impact for our team."
Samiere brings a strong résumé with him to Montezuma Mesa, highlighted by quarterfinal appearance at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship last July at Martis Camp Club in Truckee, Calif., just one week after he advanced to the round of 32 during the U.S. Amateur Public Links at Laurel Hill Golf Club in Lorton, Va.
Earlier in the summer, Samiere captured first place at qualifiers for both tournaments, carding a collective 134 (66-68) at Ala Wai Golf Club in Honolulu to secure a spot in the U.S. Amateur Public Links, while emerging victorious in a playoff for the U.S. Junior Amateur after recording a combined 140 (68-72) at Waikoloa Resort in Waikoloa, Hawaii.
In addition, Samiere posted low rounds in 2013 qualifiers for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships (68), Adams Golf Junior Championship (68) and Manoa Cup (t-1st, 66). He also tied for third at the Calloway Junior World qualifier (149) and landed in the fifth position at the Dave & Buster's Junior Classic (149).
During his junior campaign at Punahou High, Samiere claimed the individual crown at the Interscholastic League of Honolulu (ILH) Championships last April when he fired a combined 139 on rounds of 67-72, before helping his squad capture the team title at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Championships (HHSAA) with a third-place score of 141 (65-76).
Earlier this month, Samiere was chosen to play in the Asia Pacific Junior Cup, finishing with a 2-0-1 record in match play to help Hawaii capture the tournament championship over Japan for the first time in five years.
Meanwhile, Abercrombie competed at the 2013 U.S. Amateur as well after finishing third in the qualifying tournament at Yolo Fliers Club in Woodland, Calif., with a collective score of 143.
"Blake is a true athlete and is going to be a fierce competitor," Donovan said. "He played football for three years and his work ethic will fit right in with our program."
In addition, Abercrombie logged four top-10 performances in junior competition earlier this year, highlighted by an individual title at the IBA Sacramento Junior Golf Classic, where he fired a combined 138 on rounds of 71-67, after posting a runner-up score of 146 (73-73) at the Junior Tour of Northern California (JTNC) Summer Series III in Gilroy, Calif. He also finished third at the Junior Golf Association of Northern California's (JGANC) Tournament of Champions in Napa, Calif., where he carded a 2-under 70 and tied for 10th at the San Diego Junior Masters with a collective 7-over 217 at Sycuan Resort.
In 2012, Abercrombie captured the NGCA Sacramento Valley match play title and logged a third-place effort at the Sacramento Junior Easter Championship (147), which featured a tournament-low round of 71 over the final 18 holes. He also competed at the California State Amateur in Santa Barbara, where he shot a 153 (74-79) during stroke play.
A 2012 first-team all-Sierra Foothill League selection and two-time captain at Rocklin High, Abercrombie also played football for three seasons as a prep, earning defensive player of the year honors as a member of the freshman squad.
San Diego State will open its 2014 spring schedule, Feb. 17-19, when it competes in The Prestige at PGA West in La Quinta, Calif.
SDSU Men's Golf Fall Signees
Name Hometown (High School)PJ Samiere Kailua, Hawaii (Punahou HS)Blake Abercrombie Rocklin, Calif. (Rocklin HS)