OCALA – Redshirt junior Andres Echavarria picked up his first individual title Thursday as the Florida men’s golf team won the five-team Golden Ocala Invitational, the final tuneup before Monday’s announcement of the NCAA regional fields.
Coach Buddy Alexander’s Gators had a two-round total of 545, 31-under-par at the Ron Garl-designed, par-72, 6,735-yard Golden Ocala Golf Club course. That was good for a 29-stroke victory over runner-up North Florida (574). Florida State was third, four shots behind the Ospreys and one shot ahead of UCF. South Florida totaled 601 to finish fifth.
“I think our guys came to play and that was the biggest difference,” Florida coach Buddy Alexander said. “Our guys came out ready to compete and they really played great golf. Obviously I’m excited for Andres to get his first collegiate win.”
Echavarria had rounds of 7-under 65 (a career best) and 5-under 67 for a 12-under 132 total (career best) that was to beat out three teammates. Seniors Tim McKenney (67-68—135) and Tyson Alexander (70-68—138) were second and third, respectively, and junior Bank Vongvanij (70-70—140) was fourth.
Freshman Phillip Choi rounded out Florida’s lineup by finishing with a 1-under-par total of 143 (72-71) that left him in a tie for the 11th place. Another freshman, Tommy Mou, played as an individual and finished in a tie for eighth place with a 142 total (71-71).
GOLDEN OCALA INVITATIONAL / Ocala, Fla. / Golden Ocala Golf Club / Par 72; 6,735 yards
Team scores: 1. Florida 545 (272-273) (-31); 2. North Florida 574 (288-286) (-2); 3. Florida State 578 (284-294) (+2); 4. UCF 579 (286-293) (+3); 5. South Florida 601 (303-298) (+25).
Top individuals: 1. Andres Echavarria (Florida) 132 (65-67) (-12); 2. Tim McKenney (Florida) 135 (67-68) (-9); 3. Tyson Alexander (Florida) 138 (70-68) (-6); 4. Bank Vongvanij (Florida) 140 (70-70) (-4); T5. Drew Kittleson (FSU) 141 (69-72) (-3), Joe Byun (North Florida) 141 (72-69) (-3) and Kevin Aylwin (North Florida) 141 (73-68) (-3); T8. Tommy Mou (Florida) 142 (71-71) (-2), Simon Ward (UCF) 142 (71-71) (-2) and David Griffin (South Florida) 142 (71-71) (-2) ; T11. Phillip Choi (Florida) 143 (72-71) (-1) and Doug Letson (Florida State) 143 (70-73) (-1)