COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Four former San Diego State men's golf players were named to the Mountain West 25th Season Team, the league announced on Thursday ahead of the MW Championship. The four selections were the third most in the league on the 25-man team.
The four Aztec golfers on the team include Puwit Anupansuebsai (2018-22), Aaron Goldberg (2004, 2006-08) and current PGA Tour players Xander Schauffele (2013-15) and J.J. Spaun (2009-12).
Anupansuebsai, a two-time PING third-team All-American (2019-20 and 2020-21) and the 2019-20 Mountain West Golfer of the Year, is the only SDSU men's golfer to make the all-MW team four times (2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22). Anupansuebsai, whose 72.10 scoring average ranks eighth in recorded school history (entering 2023-24 season), recorded the lowest season scoring average in program history (69.59 in the shortened COVID season in 2019-20) and broke through in 2020-21 with three individual victories (one loss in playoff), including the MW Championship and the next event at the NCAA Kingston Springs Regional, four top-5 finishes and five top-20 showings out of nine events. For his career, he was also a two-time Golfweek Honorable-Mention All-American (2020 and 2021), two-time MW Golfer of the Week, a two-time Mountain West All-Academic Team (2020-21 and 2021-22) honoree, and a four-time individual champion (second most in program history).
Goldberg, meanwhile, was a two-time PING All-American (honorable mention in 2006-07 and third team in 2007-08) and a two-time Golfweek honorable-mention All-American (2006-07 and 2007-08). A three-time all-MW selection, Goldberg was the MW Golfer of the Year for the 2007-08 campaign, a five-time MW Golfer of the Month and a two-time individual champion. Goldberg's 71.96 career scoring average ranks fourth in program history (entering this season), while his 92 rounds of par or better are the most. His 70.71 scoring average in 2006-07 is the second lowest in program history and his final national scoring rating of sixth that season is the best in program history.
Schauffele, currently the No. 2 ranked player in the world by Data Golf and No. 3 by the world's official golf rankings (WGR), Schauffele made the most of his three seasons at San Diego State after transferring from Long Beach State, ranking second in career finish percentage (79.4), third in scoring average (71.50), and tied for fourth in par or better rounds (69) and eagles (16). A third-team All-American by both PING and Golfweek in 2014-15, Schauffele posted a 70.84 scoring average as a senior, which ranks seventh in SDSU single-season history. He was also a three-time all-MW selection (2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15) and seven-time MW Golfer of the Week. Schauffele has been even better as a professional, racking up seven career wins and over $44 million in official winnings, capturing the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and playing in two Ryder Cup events and two Presidents Cup events apiece.
Spaun had one of the best careers at San Diego State with the most victories in recorded history (5), while ranking first in eagles (21), second in par or better rounds (85), fourth in finish percentage (78.0) and total birdies (154), and tied for sixth in scoring average (71.73). A two-time PING All-American (second team in 2011-12, third team in 2010-11) and two-time Golfweek All-American (second team in 2011-12, honorable mention in 2010-11), three-time all-MW pick and four-time MW Golfer of the Month, Spaun was the MW Golfer of the Year for the 2011-12 season. Spaun captured three individual titles that season, while posting the ninth-best scoring average in SDSU single-season history (70.82). Spaun tied for third at the 2011 NCAA Championships in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the best recorded finish in program history, and then tied for 13th the following year in Pacific Palisades, California, helping the Aztecs advance to match play for the first time in school history. Spaun defeated California's Max Homa, 4&3, but SDSU lost to the Bears, 3-2, overall. In the professional ranks, Spaun has one career victory and over $11 million in official winnings.
San Diego State returns to action, April 26-28, at the Mountain West Championship at Emerald Valley Golf Club in Cresswell, Oregon. The Aztecs have won each of the past two championship events.
Mountain West All-25-Year Men's Golf Team
Hugo Townsend, Boise State
Daniel Summerhays, BYU
Connor Jones, Colorado State
Martin Laird, Colorado State
Trevor Clayton, Fresno State
Charlie Beljan, New Mexico
Jay Choi, New Mexico
Sam Choi, New Mexico
Gavin Green, New Mexico
Spencer Levin, New Mexico
Puwit Anupansuebsai, San Diego State
Aaron Goldberg, San Diego State
Xander Schauffele, San Diego State
J.J. Spaun, San Diego State
Johan de Beer, TCU
Jeremy Anderson, UNLV
Shintaro Ban, UNLV
Derek Ernst, UNLV
Harry Hall, UNLV
Kurt Kitayama, UNLV
Ryan Moore, UNLV
John Oda, UNLV
Eddie Olson, UNLV
Kevin Penner, UNLV