Senior Ricky Castillo celebrates with a fist bump after making a par-putt in a playoff on 18 to win his third collegiate victory at Mark Bostick Golf Course at the VyStar Credit Union Gators Invitational on Sunday, Feb. 12.
Castillo Named SEC Golfer of the Week
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 | Men's Golf
Ricky Castillo earns the honor after his third collegiate victory and second at the Gators Invitational.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Florida men's golfer Ricky Castillo was named the SEC Golfer of the Week, the conference office announced Wednesday. The Gators have won the first two spring weekly conference awards in back-to-back seasons.
He earns the honor for the second time in his career after picking up his third collegiate victory last weekend at the VyStar Credit Union Gators Invitational. The senior also won the event for the second time in his career.
After a Castillo bogey on 18, he and Georgia Southern's Mason Williams, who shot a par on 18, entered a playoff after both were tied at 11-under through 54-holes. Playing in his second straight playoff for individual honors, Castillo wasn't going to let this one slip in front of his family, who was attending the home event for the first time. Williams went bogey and Castillo sank an emotional par-putt.
Castillo shot all three rounds in the 60s (67-63-69) and turned in a 63 (-7) in round two, tying his career-low and event-low round record, which he set in 2020. Florida's 18th individual champion at the Gators Invitational, he didn't make a bogey until his last hole in round two. Through 54-holes over the weekend, he made 14 birdies compared to only three bogeys; he now has recorded 404 career birdies.
The Orange and Blue travel to Southern Highlands (Feb. 26-28) to wrap up the month of February before the final two regular-season tournaments.
SEC Men's Golf Weekly Awards
He earns the honor for the second time in his career after picking up his third collegiate victory last weekend at the VyStar Credit Union Gators Invitational. The senior also won the event for the second time in his career.
After a Castillo bogey on 18, he and Georgia Southern's Mason Williams, who shot a par on 18, entered a playoff after both were tied at 11-under through 54-holes. Playing in his second straight playoff for individual honors, Castillo wasn't going to let this one slip in front of his family, who was attending the home event for the first time. Williams went bogey and Castillo sank an emotional par-putt.
The moment Ricky Castillo became The Vystar Credit Union Gators Invitational Champion 🏆 #GoGators 🐊 pic.twitter.com/rvtiqr5TwT
— Gators Golf (@GatorsGolf) February 14, 2023
Castillo shot all three rounds in the 60s (67-63-69) and turned in a 63 (-7) in round two, tying his career-low and event-low round record, which he set in 2020. Florida's 18th individual champion at the Gators Invitational, he didn't make a bogey until his last hole in round two. Through 54-holes over the weekend, he made 14 birdies compared to only three bogeys; he now has recorded 404 career birdies.
The Orange and Blue travel to Southern Highlands (Feb. 26-28) to wrap up the month of February before the final two regular-season tournaments.
SEC Men's Golf Weekly Awards
| Player | School |
|---|---|
| Golfers | |
| Ricky Castillo | Florida |
| Mateo Fernandez de Oliveria | Arkansas |
| Rafe Reynolds | South Carolina |
| Freshman | |
| Cameron Tankersley | Ole Miss |
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