Florida Gators

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. –  After winning their quarterfinal match against Ole Miss, the Gators lost in the semifinal round of the SEC Championship to Alabama.

Florida came close to advancing to the finals losing on the 18th hole.

Freshman John Axelsen out the Gators on the board first winning on the 15th hole after converting his birdie putt. This was Axelsen's second match play win of the day after taking his quarterfinal match 3&2.

This would be the only win Florida would claim in the semifinals as Gordon Neale's attempt to send his match to extra holes fell just short on the 18th green.

Freshman Chris Nido was sitting all square in the 18th fairway when Alabama claimed its third point and the win.

Like Axelsen, Nido came up big for the Gators in the quarterfinals beating Ole Miss' Beau Briggs 4&2 after winning the 16th hole to help the team advance.

This is the second consecutive season that the Gators advanced to the semifinals of match play. Florida and Alabama are the only two schools to advance to the semis in both years of the new match play format.

Now, the Gators await where they will travel to for the NCAA Regionals. The selection show will be on Golf Channel on May 2nd at 5:30 p.m.

Coach's Take:
On emotions of the week
"So man highs and lows this week it was unbelievable. Obviously, really disappointed to leave without the SEC title, but man our guys left it all out there. We lost to a great Alabama team." -- Coach J.C. Deacon 

On memories of the week
"I can't ask anymore from our players, Coach Leon, and Coach Hart. Our players had their backs against the wall after day 1 and responded like champions. I will remember those final two rounds of stroke play for a long long time. Though we didn't get the win we came here to get, I have so many great memories of our team this week. They are tough and that makes me proud." -- Coach J.C. Deacon

Match-ups:
Quarterfinals - 3-2-0

Florida Player	Ole Miss Player	Result
John Axelsen	Josh Seiple	W-3&2
Andy Zhang	Cecil Wegener	W-2&1
Chris Nido	Beau Briggs	W-4&2
Alejandro Tosti	Kerry Sweeney	L-3&3
Gordon Neale	Braden Thonberry	L-2&1

Semifinals - 1-3-1

Florida Player	Alabama Player	Result
John Axelsen	Lee Hodges	W-4&3
Andy Zhang	Davis Riley	L-4&3
Gordon Neale	Davis Shore	L-1UP
Chris Nido	Will Furr	A/S
Alejandro Tosti	Jonathan Hardee	L-3&2

Up Next : 
The Gators will now await to see where they will travel for NCAA Regionals. The sites for regional play include Raleigh, N.C., Bryan, Texas, Columbus, Ohio, Kissimmee Fla., Norman, Okla. and Stockton, Calif.

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