With only one tournament left in the regular season, UF men’s golf coach JC Deacon is not worrying about the results.
Instead, the first-year head coach is focused on solidifying his postseason lineup.
The Gators are coming off of a 12th place finish in the Chris Schenkel Invitational in Statesboro, Georgia, that was shortened due to the final day being rained out.
To make up for the lost round, the team will play in a one-day, head-to-head match against UNF on Friday before heading to West Point, Mississippi, to compete in the Old Waverly Collegiate Championship on Monday.
"We’ve had a little bit of time off to get going and recharge our batteries, so I expect a great effort out of all of them," Deacon said. "I think we’ve just got to get more reps under our belt and keep playing hard, and really establish the five guys who are going to be there at (Southeastern Conference Championships) and the postseason."
During the off week since the Schenkel Invitational, Deacon said senior Eric Banks has stepped up and earned his spot in the lineup.
Banks has played in six tournaments this season for the Gators, with his best finish coming at the Sea Best Invitational in February when he shot 6-over-par for a share of fifth place.
Deacon said this was the first time Banks has stepped up in a qualifying round against his teammates.
"He earned his spot this week for the first time this year," Deacon said. "He shot 72-68 this weekend and beat the guys pretty good, so he won that spot.
"The two of us have had some great conversations about course management and managing his game, and kind of the maturity that he needs to take his game to the next level," Deacon said. "We saw it the last two rounds at the Schenkel tournament, then he came home and really dominated the qualifying this week."
While the Gators are making sure not to look past the Old Waverly Collegiate Championship, the team’s focus is on the postseason.
"The postseason is what it’s all about," Deacon said. "You know the guys on the PGA tour, they prepare for the Majors, and the postseason, SECs, Regionals, and Nationals for us — that’s our Majors."
"They happen in succession but that’s what you build up for all year. … We have two seniors that this is it for them. So if you can’t get fired up right now, nothing will be able to get you going."
Follow Ryan Summers on Twitter @RyanSummers18
Eric Banks putts during the first day of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 14.
