DALTON, Ga. — The University of Florida men’s golf team finished the Carpet Capital Collegiate with a tournament total of 893 (+29) for a finish in 12th place. Florida wrapped-up 24 strokes behind winners Alabama and South Carolina.
“The course played a little easier today that it had earlier in the weekend because the wind finally laid down for a little bit,” head coach Buddy Alexander said. “Overall, we are not pleased with the outcome of this weekend, and I’d say we have a long way to go before we can call ourselves a good team.”
The low finisher for Florida was senior Manuel Villegas (Medillin, Colombia), who fired a one-under par third round to finish tied for 28th with a score of 74-76-71 = 221 (+5). Villegas began his final round shooting four-under through his first nine holes, highlighted by an eagle and two birdies, before struggling on the back half.
Junior Toby Ragland (Jacksonville, Fla.) enjoyed the top round for the Gators Sunday, shooting in red numbers, posting scores of 75-79-68 =
222 (+6) to finish in a tie for 35th place. His final round got off to a great start after birdying six of his first nine holes. Sophomore Tyson Alexander (Gainesville, Fla.) shot 74-76-74 = 224 (+8) to wrap-up his weekend, finishing with a share of 44th
After shooting a career-low 75 on Saturday, sophomore Chappell Brown
(Palm Beach, Fla.) got into trouble with a triple-bogey and three bogeys on the day. His total of 77-75-77 = 229 (+13) tied him for 60th place in his Gator debut. Redshirt freshman Robbie Wight (Palm Beach, Fla.) rounded out the Florida scorecard in 74th with a 77-82-74 = 233 (17) for the weekend.
“We were young and a little inexperienced this weekend. We put some guys in there to get some exposure to see where we’re at right now,” Alexander said. “Toby stepped up for us today, and Manny had a good round, as well. We’ll get back home and do some qualifying to make sure we’re ready for the next tournament.”
The Gators will be in action again from Sept. 22-23, when they travel to West Lafayette, Ind., for the PING/Golfweek Preview Invitational, hosted by Purdue at the Purdue Golf Club.
Florida Results
T28 – Manuel Villegas (74-76-71—221)
T35 – Toby Ragland(75-79-68—222)
T44 – Tyson Alexander (74-76-74—224)
T60 – Chappell Brown (77-75-77—229)
T74 – Robbie Wight (77-82-74—233)
Team Results
T1. Alabama
T1. South Carolina
3. Georgia Tech
4. Auburn
5. Duke
6. Georgia
T7. Wake Forest
T7. Tennessee
T9. Tennessee – Chattanooga
T9. Texas Tech
11. East Tennessee State
12. FLORIDA
13. Clemson
T14. Augusta State
T14. TCU
16. Georgia State
17. Vanderbilt
18. North Carolina State