MALIBU, California – Reinforcements are on the way for the Pepperdine men's golf team as head coach Michael Beard introduced three graduate transfers and one incoming freshman who will join the Waves this fall.
 
Sam Choi (New Mexico), Luke Gifford (South Florida) and Roberto Nieves (Delaware) will all utilize a COVID-19 redshirt season to play a fifth year of collegiate golf. Brady Siravo joins as a freshman from Northern California.
 
In 2022-23, Pepperdine will return two players who were in the lineup for the 2022 NCAA Championships as the Waves made it to the national semifinals, and three players overall. The Waves ended the season ranked #4 by Golfweek/Sagarin, #5 in the Bushnell Golfweek coaches poll and #6 by Golfstat.
 
Here's information on the signees:
 
Sam Choi – Anaheim, Calif. – Anaheim Discovery Christian HS – New Mexico
 
Currently #35 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings ... 2021 and 2022 PING All-American honorable mention selection ... 2020, 2021 and 2022 PING All-West Region honors ... Four-time All-Mountain West Conference first team honors ... The 2019 MWC co-Freshman of the Year ... 2021-22 stroke average of 70.44, ranking second in New Mexico single-season history ... Ranked 44th by Golfweek/Sagarin and 47th by Golfstat following the 2021-22 season ... Seven top-five finishes in 13 events this past season, with 26 of 39 rounds at par or better ... Won the 2020 John Burns Intercollegiate and tied for first at the 2021 Mountain West Conference Championships (though fell in a playoff) ... Ranked 29th by Golfstat after the 2020-21 season, when he averaged 70.83 strokes per round ... Helped UNM to team titles at the 2019 and 2021 Mountain West Conference Championships ... Competed at three NCAA Regionals ... Career scoring average of 71.11 in 122 rounds (59 of them under par) ... Named to the 2020 U.S. Arnold Palmer Cup team ... 2022 CoSIDA Academic All-District first team ... 2020 and 2021 GCAA All-American Scholar.
 
Choi says: "It means a lot to me to be coming to Pepperdine because I've heard great things about this golf team and knowing that I will be part of this big-time program is something that I was dreaming about. And I truly believe that Coach Beard and Coach Zambri will make me a better golfer and a better person. I'm looking forward to having some fun with this great group of guys. I know I will be there for them and we will get better every day."
 
Luke Gifford – Boca Raton, Fla. – Spanish River HS – South Florida
 
2020 PING All-Southeast Region honors ... 2021 American All-Conference first team ... Ranks fourth in career scoring average at South Florida (72.03) ... Led the team in 2020 with a 71.04 scoring average and ranked 70th by Golfweek/Sagarin at the end of the pandemic-shortened season ... Was at 72.28 this past season ... Competed at the 2022 NCAA Championships and at three NCAA Regionals ... Helped the Bulls to the 2021 AAC championship ... Co-medalist at the 2019 Marquette Intercollegiate ... Career scoring average of 72.03 in 119 rounds ... 2020 and 2021 GCAA All-American Scholar ... Three-time AAC All-Academic team.
 
Gifford says: "I chose to play my fifth year at Pepperdine in an effort to push myself as a person and as a player. In my final year of college golf, I felt it was important to be challenged in a new environment, competing against the best players, both at Pepperdine and on the road with their impressive schedule. I also wanted a chance to learn under coaches with proven track records such as the ones Coach Beard and Coach Zambri have. Finally, Pepperdine's incredible facilities and courses, along with California's ideal weather, made it an easy decision to call it my new home. I can't wait to get out to Malibu to meet my teammates in person and begin our run toward a successful season and a national championship."
 
Roberto Nieves – Miami, Fla. – Christopher Columbus HS – Delaware
 
2021 and 2022 All-Colonial Athletic Association first team ... Holds the three lowest single-season stroke averages in Delaware history (70.58 as a senior, 70.65 as a sophomore and 71.35 as a junior) ... Holds the career scoring record at 71.71 in 99 rounds ... Also set record for most rounds in the 60s (29) ... Won the 2020 Loyola Intercollegiate and the 2021 Wildcat Fall Invitational ... Eight-time CAA Golfer of the Week ... Competed at the 2022 NCAA New Haven Regional ... 2021 GCAA All-American Scholar.
 
Nieves says: "Pepperdine was an easy choice for me when deciding where to play for my fifth year. After connecting with Coach Beard and visiting Pepperdine's stunning campus, I was sure I wanted to spend my last year of eligibility with the Waves. Pepperdine golf performs at the highest level and has the competitive player environment I'm looking for to help me grow. I'm looking forward to spending the upcoming year in great weather, competing with and against the best, and chasing a national title. I'm excited and thankful for this opportunity."
 
Brady Siravo – Sacramento, Calif. – Jesuit HS
 
Siravo has ranked in the top 100 on the Junior Golf Scoreboard and in the top 150 in the Rolex AJGA rankings ... Advanced out of local qualifying to the final qualifying round for the 2022 U.S. Open ... Qualified for the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur and made it to match play ... Competed at the 2021 Junior World Championships ... Has three top 10 finishes at AJGA tournaments ... At Jesuit, made the CIF state championship as a freshman ... Won 2018 Parochial Athletic League and 2022 Delta League titles ... A four-year varsity athlete ... Father, Bobby, played college golf at San Jose State.
 
Siravo says: "The connection that I have been able to build with the coaches is a huge reason that I chose Pepperdine. Their ability to relate to the players and understand what is in the player's best interests really stood out to me. They have a phenomenal schedule and have some of the best facilities in the nation. The community at Pepperdine was very appealing to me because I feel that everyone is a part of it and no one is left behind or stuck in the shadows."