Palmer Cup Tabs Castillo for U.S. Team
Freshman Ricky Castillo is one of six athletes selected for the 2020 U.S. Arnold Palmer Cup team.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida freshman men’s golfer Ricky Castillo will proudly represent the United States at this summer’s Arnold Palmer Cup, the Golf Coaches Association of America announced Wednesday. The annual Ryder Cup-style competition will take place from July 3-5 at the Lahinch Golf Club in Ireland.
Listed as the No. 2 amateur in the world, Castillo becomes the seventh Gator selected for the Palmer Cup. He is one of six athletes chosen for the 2020 U.S team, joining Emilia Migliaccio (Wake Forest), Kaitlin Milligan (Oklahoma), John Pak (Florida State), Kaitlyn Papp (Texas) and Davis Thompson (Georgia). Kate Golden of Texas and Arizona State’s Armen Kirakossian will serve as Team USA’s coaches.
“It’s a great honor to be a part of the U.S. Arnold Palmer Cup team,” said Castillo. “To be able to represent my country and Arnold Palmer is just a dream come true.”
Since beginning at Florida in the fall, Castillo has posted a 70.1 scoring average through 21 rounds of competition. In all seven of his collegiate appearances, Castillo has finished inside the top 25 individually.
Additionally, Castillo opened his spring season with back-to-back individual titles, claiming the crown at the Sea Best Invitational and VyStar Gators Invitational by a combined 11 strokes. The Yorba Linda, Calif., native then followed those performances with an impressive 5-under 211 at Southern Highlands Collegiate to tie for sixth. Through his nine rounds this spring, Castillo has shot a collective 26 under with a scoring average of 67.78.
Quotable
JC Deacon, Head Coach
“What an incredible honor it is to represent your country. The Palmer Cup is such a special event and Ricky is perfect for it. He has a great appreciation for the traditions of the game and playing in Mr. Palmer’s event for the United States is a moment he won’t ever forget.”
2020 U.S. Arnold Palmer Cup Team
Name
School
Ricky Castillo
Florida
Emilia Migliaccio
Wake Forest
Kaitlyn Milligan
Oklahoma State
John Pak
Florida State
Kaitlyn Papp
Texas
Davis Thompson
Georgia
Gators Selected to the Arnold Palmer Cup All-Time
Year
Name
2004
Matt Every
2005
Matt Every
2007
Billy Horschel
2008
Billy Horschel
2010
Tyson Alexander
2011
Bank Vongvanij
2016
Sam Horsfield
2018
Andy Zhang
2020
Ricky Castillo
