JC Deacon has a deep roster, and he’s not afraid to use it.
As second-year head coach of the men’s golf team, Deacon runs a meritocracy.
If you don’t play well in qualifying leading up to a tournament, don’t expect to start. In that vein, UF will bring just two players who competed in the Carpet Capital Collegiate, freshmen Sam Horsfield and Jorge Garcia, to this weekend’s Dick’s Sporting Goods Collegiate Challenge Cup.
Florida will bring the five-man lineup of Horsfield, Ryan Orr, Garcia, Ryan Celano, and Gordon Neale to compete at the Golf Club of Tennessee in Kingston Springs, Tennessee, on Friday.
Horsfield will be looking to ride the momentum from his impressive play at the Carpet Capital Collegiate on the weekend of Sept. 11. The freshman tied for fourth, finishing at 1-under par in the first tournament of his college career.
"I wasn’t surprised at all that he finished in the top five in his first event ever." said Deacon.
"He’s so poised. He’s so confident and calm. He doesn’t panic. He knows exactly what he’s doing. ...He’s going to be a real on-course leader for us this year."
Playing behind Horsfield will be junior Ryan Orr.
Despite not making the starting lineup for the season-opener, Orr remained focused, shooting 14-under in three rounds of qualifying to earn a spot in Kingston Springs.
"I can’t imagine how he felt not being included in the first tournament," Deacon said of Orr.
"He didn’t complain one time, he didn’t sulk, and he said to me before we left, he said, ‘don’t worry about me coach I’m gonna get up and be alright.’ And, you know, it wasn’t only talk, he played unbelievable this last week."
Jorge Garcia will be playing his second college tournament in the three slot this weekend.
Despite finishing 12-over in his first competition, Garcia bounced back to shoot the Gators’ second best score in qualifying last week, solidifying his place in the starting lineup for Friday.
"Jorge has been struggling a little bit and is just trying to get his confidence back," Deacon said.
"Coming home this week and earning his spot in qualifying, he didn’t depend on me to pick him, and that’s really, really important to me and . . . that helps him build his confidence."
Sophomore Ryan Celano and freshman Gordon Neale round out the starting lineup and will play the four and five slots.
After a disappointing seventh place finish in the Fall season’s opening tournament, coach Deacon stressed the need to improve on putting.
In an effort to get them out of their comfort zone, Deacon took his players to The Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club, where the Gators practiced putting on unfamiliar greens.
Although none of the starters have played at the Golf Club of Tennessee, Deacon is confident that the course will complement Florida’s play style.
"It (has) wider fairways and it’s longer and it fits right in with...the skill set that the guys on our team, that we’re taking, have," Deacon said.
"Not to put any pressure on the guys, but I think it’s a course that matches up well with us and we should have a good chance to be very competitive."
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Ryan Orr swings during Day 1 of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 14, 2015, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.
