Photo by: Chuck Marvel
Men's Golf Hosts 39th Annual Graham/Knowles Memorial Tournament
8/20/2025 9:40:00 AM | Men's Golf
PHOTO GALLERY
VALENCIA, Calif. - A fantastic day was had by all as a full field of golfers teed it up at the 2025 Graham/Knowles Memorial Golf Tournament, proudly presented by Premier America Credit Union. The tournament, which returned to Valencia Country Club after being held at Lakeside Golf Club in 2024, was played on Monday, Aug. 18.
The tournament, a signature fundraiser for CSUN men's golf, broke the fundraising record for the Graham/Knowles event, becoming the most successful in the tournament's 39-year history. The Graham/Knowles committee, led by CSUN head coach Jim Bracken, offered a special acknowledgment to Premier America Credit Union and their team for their exceptional support as the tournament's presenting sponsor. The committee also acknowledged fellow sponsors: Galpin Ford, Under Armour, gobatri, Lucky Golf, and the Valencia Wealth Management Group for their continued support.
Premier America President and CEO Rudy Pereira, along with a host of Premier America Credit Union staffers, played in the event. Pereira presented the CSUN men's golf program a check for $20,000 during the dinner portion of the festivities.
"Our relationship with Premier America Credit Union is fantastic," said Bracken. "Their support is so meaningful, as is the support we receive from our network of alumni. It was also very special to celebrate the 2000 Big Sky Conference championship team. It was a great day, the course was in great shape, and it's just so special to get the support that we do from our alumni and boosters."
The foursome led by a trio of former Matadors, Nick and Ryan Fowlkes and Nick Pikor - along with David Soloman - carded a 19-under par total to claim team championship honors. Jenny Lee claimed a pair of wins on the course, capturing Closest to the Hole on No. 7 and Longest Drive for the women on No. 17. Jacob O'Keefe won the Longest Drive for the men, while Dayden Beman claimed the final Closest to the Pin award on No. 3.
Numerous CSUN golfers, both past and present, were on hand for the festivities. The annual tournament has raised nearly $400,000 to benefit a scholarship and the men's golf program's operational budget. The committee also announced that more than $10,000 was raised during the silent auction portion of the event, a new record for the tournament.
The annual tournament, which was called the Ben Graham Invitational for 35 years, was renamed the Graham Knowles Memorial in 2024 to honor a pair of former CSUN legends. Graham was a member of the CSUN men's golf team from 1973-1978. He was a three-time NCAA All-American and was a major contributor to the golf program. Knowles, who lettered for the Matador men's golf team from 1974-77, passed away on September 25 at the age of 68. A local product from Agoura High School, Knowles began his Matador career in 1974 as a member of head coach Bill Cullum's NCAA Division II National Championship team. He earned honorable mention All-America accolades as both a freshman (1974) and as a sophomore in 1975.Â
Monday's event was also a special day in the program's history as CSUN celebrated the 25th anniversary of its last conference championship team. Several key members of the 2000 Matadors' Big Sky championship team (Paul D'Ambra, Lance Dombroski, Manny Hays, Anthony Marciano, and Tim Wren) were in attendance at the event.
#GoMatadors
VALENCIA, Calif. - A fantastic day was had by all as a full field of golfers teed it up at the 2025 Graham/Knowles Memorial Golf Tournament, proudly presented by Premier America Credit Union. The tournament, which returned to Valencia Country Club after being held at Lakeside Golf Club in 2024, was played on Monday, Aug. 18.
The tournament, a signature fundraiser for CSUN men's golf, broke the fundraising record for the Graham/Knowles event, becoming the most successful in the tournament's 39-year history. The Graham/Knowles committee, led by CSUN head coach Jim Bracken, offered a special acknowledgment to Premier America Credit Union and their team for their exceptional support as the tournament's presenting sponsor. The committee also acknowledged fellow sponsors: Galpin Ford, Under Armour, gobatri, Lucky Golf, and the Valencia Wealth Management Group for their continued support.
Premier America President and CEO Rudy Pereira, along with a host of Premier America Credit Union staffers, played in the event. Pereira presented the CSUN men's golf program a check for $20,000 during the dinner portion of the festivities.
"Our relationship with Premier America Credit Union is fantastic," said Bracken. "Their support is so meaningful, as is the support we receive from our network of alumni. It was also very special to celebrate the 2000 Big Sky Conference championship team. It was a great day, the course was in great shape, and it's just so special to get the support that we do from our alumni and boosters."
The foursome led by a trio of former Matadors, Nick and Ryan Fowlkes and Nick Pikor - along with David Soloman - carded a 19-under par total to claim team championship honors. Jenny Lee claimed a pair of wins on the course, capturing Closest to the Hole on No. 7 and Longest Drive for the women on No. 17. Jacob O'Keefe won the Longest Drive for the men, while Dayden Beman claimed the final Closest to the Pin award on No. 3.
Numerous CSUN golfers, both past and present, were on hand for the festivities. The annual tournament has raised nearly $400,000 to benefit a scholarship and the men's golf program's operational budget. The committee also announced that more than $10,000 was raised during the silent auction portion of the event, a new record for the tournament.
The annual tournament, which was called the Ben Graham Invitational for 35 years, was renamed the Graham Knowles Memorial in 2024 to honor a pair of former CSUN legends. Graham was a member of the CSUN men's golf team from 1973-1978. He was a three-time NCAA All-American and was a major contributor to the golf program. Knowles, who lettered for the Matador men's golf team from 1974-77, passed away on September 25 at the age of 68. A local product from Agoura High School, Knowles began his Matador career in 1974 as a member of head coach Bill Cullum's NCAA Division II National Championship team. He earned honorable mention All-America accolades as both a freshman (1974) and as a sophomore in 1975. Monday's event was also a special day in the program's history as CSUN celebrated the 25th anniversary of its last conference championship team. Several key members of the 2000 Matadors' Big Sky championship team (Paul D'Ambra, Lance Dombroski, Manny Hays, Anthony Marciano, and Tim Wren) were in attendance at the event.
#GoMatadors
Sevian Frangipane Spotlight S-A Week
Tuesday, April 10
31st Annual Ben Graham Memorial
Friday, August 25