The Gators tied its third all-time in history score by par to collect their third team title in the regular season finale.
NAPLES, Fla. – The No. 12 Florida men’s golf team continued the trend of bringing hardware back to Gainesville with a victory at 17-under at the Calusa Cup on Tuesday.
Behind a final round of 17-under, tied for third all-time in program history by par, the Gators defended its team title in the regular season finale for the third victory this season. The win marks the third consecutive year UF has won the final regular season event (2024 Calusa Cup & 2023 Augusta Hakskins Award Invite).
Florida entered the final round at Calusa Pines Golf Club five shots behind Louisville, who they edged out by one stroke as the Cardinals finished 16-under and a final round of 11-under. The Orange and Blue moved into the lead early in the final round with a 7-under start through holes 2-5 and never looked back, eventually reaching 18-under on one occasion. Florida beat No. 4 LSU by 35 strokes, No. 8 Virginia by 48 strokes and No. 10 UCLA by 17 strokes.
The victory was the 30th tournament title under head coach J.C. Deacon in 11 seasons. This is the third straight season of three-plus wins under him and the seventh season of multiple wins, including the last five consecutive.
All five UF golfers shot under par in the final 18 holes, led by Ian Gilligan and Jack Turner with 5-under 67s. The top two Gators tied for 3rd and ended 4-under overall. Gilligan logged his season’s fourth and career 14th total top-3 finish in his 41st collegiate stroke play event. The outing was a season-best finish for Turner, marking his best finish since a runner-up at the SEC Championship last year, which starts on April 23rd. In Turner’s two appearances at the Calusa Cup, he has finished T3 & 3rd with a combined score of 8-under 424.
Luke Poulter continued his strong spring season with a solo 6th and a final round of 4-under 68. He placed 3-under for the tournament and has shot par or better in five of his last six rounds. Matthew Kress was a stroke back today with a 3-under 69, regrouping from his opening round of 78. Kress produced back-to-back rounds of under par (71 & 69) for a T16 performance. In his last four stars, he has finished T6-T9-T9-T16.
Pacing the Gators in the opening round, freshman Zack Swanwick had 1-under 71 to conclude his ninth tournament and fifth appearance in the lineup. He earned a season-best finish in a tie for 7th at 2-under overall.
Florida begins the first part of the postseason at the SEC Championship (April 23-27) at St. Simons Island, Ga. at Sea Island Golf Club. Following the conference tournament, the Gators will learn its NCAA Regional selection on April 30, live on Golf Channel.
###
