This weekend, it wasn’t stars in the eyes of Florida’s men’s golf team. Instead, it was clouds. Traveling from the Sunshine State to an overcast Las Vegas, Nevada, was a sad sign for the Gators.
In their last tournament, the men’s team was able to come together for a win at the Gators Invitational, which was its sixth consecutive victory at the tournament. Being on their home course made a world of difference for the team who had yet to take home a stroke-play victory this season. Now, back on the road, the Gators were struggling once again to maintain consistent play.
The team’s first round of 18 began at 12:50 EST, which made for an early morning in Vegas. Parker Bell was notably absent. The Florida native has been out of form following his first PGA appearance over the summer.
Despite an early end to his PGA debut, Bell was a major component to the golf team’s success last season. However, this year has been a series of off weekends. So far, he is without a top ten finish in the 2024-25 season.
His teammates made headway in his absence this weekend, though, as fellow junior Matthew Kress finished the first 18 as the team’s best scorer at 4-under. This put him at T-20 overall, and allowed the team to improve to 19-over and finish in the top 10.
Another dreary afternoon on day 2 in Las Vegas made for more dreary play for the Gators. However, the team maintained 10th place through 36 holes.
A bright spot in the day was Kress’ 2-under round. On the par 72 course, Kress marked the lowest score for the Gators through the first two days. He topped the Gator’s individual scores with an overall finish at T-16.
Sophomore Jack Turner also finished under par for the first time this weekend. He played a clean round with four birdies and only one bogey on the back nine. Despite double bogeying on hole five, he was set up well to continue his jump in the standings.
The final day of the Southern Highlands Collegiate featured a run of ups, downs and, finally, more ups for the Gators. The team started its rounds on the back nine around midday.
Sophomore Jack Turner opened the day with three quick birdies in his opening nine holes. He ended the day 4-under, putting him at 1-over for the tournament and earning eighth place in the final tally.
Junior Matthew Kress is no stranger to west coast conditions as a California native. His consistent play through 54 holes allowed him to finish out the tournament in ninth place after concluding 2-over.
The Gators’ final Vegas surprise came on the 18th hole for sophomore Luke Poulter. Despite carding a 79 in both the first and second rounds of the tournament, Poulter pulled together a final-hole eagle. He was the only Gator to sink a shot two strokes early. This last minute boost sent the Gators to T-5 in the overall standings to conclude the three-day event.
Florida will return to the south for the Schenkel Invitational in Statesboro, Georgia. The team will be one of 14 in the stroke-play match beginning on March 21 and ending on March 23.
Contact Brooke Bastedo at Brooke.bastedo@gmail.com. Follow her on X @BrookeBastedo
