Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A blend of the past and present toted bags Friday morning to Mark Bostick Golf Course.

They all had one trait in common: a passion for the University of Florida men's and women's golf programs.

"This day means everything to our programs," UF men's coach J.C. Deacon said. "Many people are proud of where our programs are at right now."

Rightfully so.

The Florida men's team won the NCAA championship for the first time in 22 years earlier this year. In an event coordinated by the boosters to support the program, Gators Golf Day teed off under sunny skies on Friday, and plenty of familiar faces made the rounds.

The annual event features current and former Gators golfers playing with boosters to raise money for the men's and women's golf teams.

Gator Golf Booster President Chris Lembo appreciated those who turned out or made contributions.

"A lot of alumni made their way back to Gainesville to participate," Lembo said. "Ricky Castillo and Yuxin Lin, two players from last year's championship team, could not make it today, but both of them sent their golf bags as a donation to the fundraiser."

Participating in Gators Golf Day is not something new to Matthew Kress, a UF sophomore from Saratoga, Calif. Kress was part of the championship-winning team last season. He considers this the most important day of the year for the Gators besides competing for the national championship, and as reigning NCAA men's champions, it made this year's event more meaningful.

And while the Gators have gotten off to a slow start this fall, Kress said they have the same amount of firepower as last season.

"There is going to be some growing pains," Kress said. "We have a bunch of new guys this year who are good but lack the experience of playing golf in this type of environment."

This year's tournament featured an exceptional group of Gator alumni.

Sarah Gallagher, who won the U.S. Senior Women's Amateur Champion title in early October, played for the Gators in the early 1990s. "It is important for current players to see past Gators come back and support the program," Gallagher said. "Reuniting in Gainesville with my old teammates and sharing memories of our years here is a unique opportunity."

Not every former Gators athlete in attendance played golf at UF. Shane Matthews is known as the two-time Southeastern Conference Player of the Year as the quarterback of Coach Steve Spurrier's first UF teams.

He spent 14 seasons in the NFL and is a longtime Gator Golf Booster who started playing golf when he was a UF freshman.

"I have so much respect for the golfers on our team because it is hard to win," Matthews said. "Coach J.C. Deacon has done a tremendous job with these kids."

Former standout UF golfer Sam Horsfield returned to campus to help the program. Horsfield made his LIV Tour debut in 2022 and currently plays on Majesticks GC with Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson.

Horsfield played two years on the team and credits his days at Florida as the foundation for his recent success.

"Giving back to the Gators and the Gator community is something I want to be a part of," Horsfield said. "Playing in this tournament is going to be fun and hopefully raise a good amount of money for the program."

Playing against Horsfield in another group was seven-time PGA Tour winner Billy Horschel.

Horschel is from small-town Florida and grew up as a Florida Gators fan. Coming back to the University of Florida has been a part of Horschel's busy schedule since he turned pro.

"I feel like it is my duty to come back and participate in an event like this," Horschel said. "It is a great day to get everyone back together to support the team, especially because of everything Gator Golf has done for my career."

Horschel and others reiterated how important it is to stay connected to the programs where many of them launched successful careers. They want to see what the Gators do next.

Deacon is eager for this upcoming season, too.

"We have young and exciting players on our team this year who hold their own," Deacon said. "They have shown signs of being able to compete at the highest level. The key for them is to not make the same mistakes twice and to create good habits."

Deacon cherishes his connections with Gators of the past, present and future. The Gators discovered what the view from the mountaintop looked like in 2023 and will soon see if they can get back there.

"It was never easy with our team last year," J.C. said. "The guys hit clutch shots when we needed them and always found a way to be great."

They celebrated with their most devoted supporters on Gators Golf Day 2023.