The Florida men’s golf team will host its only home tournament of the year this weekend after a second place finish in the first spring tournament at the Sea Best Invitational in Jacksonville.
Florida’s second place finish at TPC Sawgrass’ Dye’s Valley Course was its third second place finish in the last four tournaments dating back to September.
Coach J.C. Deacon said he is excited to host the SunTrust Gator Invitational and that it will be nice to have a tournament on familiar turf.
"We’re on a really good track right now, we’ve been playing good golf, and we beat some great teams last week up in Jacksonville," Deacon said. "I think we need to just keep doing the same things and keep working hard and try not to put too much pressure on ourselves."
The Gators will have seven golfers teeing off at the Mark Bostick Golf Course for the home tournament, with the lineup consisting of junior A.J. Crouch, sophomore Ryan Orr, freshman Alejandro Tosti and seniors Eric Banks and J.D. Tomlinson.
Redshirt sophomore Conor Richardson and freshman Ryan Celano will be competing as individuals.
This rotation will be the sixth different starting five for Deacon since starting his first season as coach in the fall.
"I think the most encouraging thing is how competitive it is just to get in the lineup," Deacon said. "Ryan Celano was one of our best players in the fall and he wasn’t able to crack the top five this week for our home tournament."
Crouch is coming off of a second place individual finish after shooting 2-over-par at the Sea Best Invitational.
Deacon said Crouch has become more comfortable on and off the course which is helping his performance.
"He’s just playing great golf and pretty much everyday that he comes out he’s more comfortable with who he is off the golf course," Deacon said. "I think he’s added a lot of positives in his life there and he’s just a happier person overall and I think that really helps his golf."
Crouch isn’t the only golfers that has stepped up his game for the Gators as of late.
Banks logged his best finish of the year in the last tournament finishing tied for fifth place while Tosti and Orr finished tied for 17th.
"A lot of guys are finding their way," Deacon said. "Guys are growing and getting better and pushing each other and we’re really developing a culture of a family. These guys are really starting to help each other and pull each other and it’s really fun to be around."
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Ryan Orr tees off on Day 2 of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 16 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.
