When asked to explain Bank Vongvanij’s latest individual tournament title, his third in a 2010-2011 season that has seen him finish no lower than 15th, Florida men's golf coach Buddy Alexander answered simply.
“He’s just better than most of the players out here,” he said.
Vongvanij’s Schenkel Invitational victory was one of the high points in a bittersweet day for Florida, who saw their hopes for a team title end in a playoff against Auburn.
The Gators entered the day six strokes behind the Tigers but evened the score to force the playoff.
Vongvanij’s 1-over-par 73, his worst round of the tournament, was enough to give the senior the one-stroke victory over Auburn’s Kyle Kopsick and North Florida’s Kevin Aylwin.
Sophomore Phillip Choi turned in his third consecutive under-par round, shooting a 1-under 71 to finish in fourth.
Fifth-year senior Andres Echavarria shot a 1-over-par 73 to finish tied for 11th.
Echavarria has finished every spring tournament in the top 20 thus far, and Alexander believes Echavarria's maturity has allowed him to be so consistent. He has also grown into his place as a leader of the team, embracing his role as the captain.
Another bright spot for the Gators was the play of sophomore Tyler McCumber. McCumber’s 1-under-par 71 made Sunday his second consecutive day in the red numbers.
His 20th-place showing is a good sign for a player who has struggled thus far in the spring.
“He was really solid for us in the fall, but has been erratic so far in the spring,” Alexander said. “We’re really not our best as a team unless he is playing at a high level.”
Florida will play its last regular-season tournament at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Invitational in Awendaw, S.C., on March 27-29.
There, the No. 4 Gators will be looking to capture their first team victory since the Gator Invitational in February. They will also be anxious to erase the memory of a heartbreaking loss to Auburn this weekend.
