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The Gators won 3 1/2 points in their match-play final Sunday against Vanderbilt — the nation’s top-ranked team — to win the SEC Championship at Sea Island Golf Club in St. Simons Island, Georgia.
https://twitter.com/GatorsGolf/status/1650194263450300423
The victory marks Florida’s 16th conference title in program history and its first since 2011.
https://twitter.com/GatorsGolf/status/1650201085808721921
“[Vanderbilt] just [has] the most incredible program,” Florida head coach J.C. Deacon said after the match. It took everything for us to beat [them] today. That says it all about my guys. We got an incredible team and we won the SEC Championship.”
SEC hardware coming 🔜 to Gainesville 🏆
⛳️ Snaps Vandy's back-to-back SEC title streak
⛳️ First SEC title under J.C. Deacon
⛳️ Ties LSU for 2nd-most SEC team titles (16)@GatorsGolf pic.twitter.com/i2EMRpZZAB— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) April 23, 2023
Sunday Final
Florida seniors Ricky Castillo and redshirt freshman Matthew Kress won their matches five up with four holes to play before senior John DuBois won four of the last seven holes to win his match one up and clinch the match-winning point.
MATCH CLINCHING POINT 🐊
For the first time in 12 years, @GatorsGolf wins the Men's Golf #SECChampionship 🏆🐊 pic.twitter.com/6D5mCpY4ih
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) April 23, 2023
Senior Fred Biondi built a three-up lead with eight holes to play, but the São Paulo, Brazil, native finished his match tied after only 17 holes once DuBois clinched the winning point.
Senior Yuxin Lin was the Gator who lost his match Sunday. The lefty lost three of the first four holes en route to a five and three loss.
Saturday Quarters and Semis
After earning the number three seed for Saturday’s quarterfinals, the Gators defeated number six Ole Miss before they knocked off number two Texas A&M in the semifinals. Florida won four of its five matches against the Rebels before it won three matches against the Aggies.
Kress won both of his matches Saturday to finish undefeated in match play and lead the Gators with three points. The Saratoga, California, native clinched Florida’s match against Ole Miss with a two and one victory.
Stepping up big all week 🫡
Kress wins his match 2&1 for Florida’s clinching point ✅#GoGators 🐊 pic.twitter.com/AjqZwA08hm
— Gators Golf (@GatorsGolf) April 22, 2023
Biondi also prevailed in both of his matches Saturday to finish with 2 1/2 points this weekend.
Fred's birdie gives Florida its second point❗
3&2✅#GoGators 🐊 | @FredBiondi pic.twitter.com/haO2c2qLCK
— Gators Golf (@GatorsGolf) April 22, 2023
Castillo won his match against Ole Miss and DuBois won his match against Texas A&M as both seniors finished with a winning match-play record (2-1). Castillo (-3) and DuBois (-1) led Florida in the 54-hole, stroke-play format with a pair of top-20 finishes.
Final numbers from stroke play 📊#GoGators 🐊 pic.twitter.com/ZjQFtcGhwM
— Gators Golf (@GatorsGolf) April 21, 2023
NCAA Regionals
After celebrating their SEC title, the Gators will return to links on May 15 to compete in the NCAA Regional Championship. The location of the three-day, 54-hole tournament will be determined on May 3 and the selection show will air on the Golf Channel.
