Just about halfway through the first year of his head-coaching career, men’s golf coach J.C. Deacon is creating an atmosphere on and off the course that will set the precedent for what’s to come.
Through six tournaments last season the Gators only finished in the top five as a team once when they tied for third at the Shoal Creek Intercollegiate tournament.
With the Gators fourth-place finish this weekend, the team has finished in the top five of four tournaments this season through six events — doubling their total from last year.
The players attribute this success to the change of the team dynamic and culture.
"I think his big thing is high energy. It’s always being positive," senior J.D. Tomlinson said when asked about Deacon’s effects on the team since taking over this season. "It’s not actually technique or stuff on the golf course, it’s more just be positive, be happy and be happy that you’re playing golf."
With eight returning players from the 2013-2014 roster, the team has experience coming from guys who have played full seasons and have had their share of disappointing finishes.
With the addition of three freshmen and a new head coach, the Gators have already surpassed last season’s results and feel their best play is yet to come.
Deacon attributes some of the team’s success to the maturation of players and especially the play of Tomlinson through recent weeks.
"I have leaned heavily on him, probably more than anyone on the team," Deacon said. "He’s the one I put the most pressure on not only to play well but to be a leader and to show the guys how we need to do it to get to the next level. It took a little while, there’s been some growing pains for sure, but the last especially two or three weeks, he’s been exceptional and he’s really starting to make a difference on and off the course for us."
With the team stringing together quality finishes and playing team golf even though it is an individual sport, Deacon thinks the program is headed in the right direction.
"I think we’re starting to contend every week. You know we’re in the top four again this week and it’s a long way from finishing 14th, our first event," Deacon said.
"We’re constantly there, we’re around the leaders or around the last groups and that’s where you want to be."
Follow Ryan Summers on Twitter @RyanSummers18
J.D. Tomlinson swings during Day 1 of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 14 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.
J.D. Tomlinson swings during Day 1 of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 14 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.
