Underdog is not often heard when describing Florida, especially with a home-field advantage.
However, when the Gators host the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Saturday, that’s exactly what they will be.
The field for this weekend will consist of highly ranked teams such as No. 9 Arkansas, No. 2 Auburn, No. 20 Florida State, No. 19 Central Florida and No. 12 North Florida — none of which will allow Florida to walk away with an easy win like it has done in years past.
“I don’t think that there’s any question from a rankings standpoint, we are definitely underdogs,” coach Buddy Alexander said.
Although they aren’t on top of the rankings, the Gators aren’t letting that affect their confidence.
“I’m not too concerned with rankings, I’m just trying to have my team ready to play and we’re just trying to get better every day,” Alexander said. “I know if we play well, we’ll be hard to beat.”
Junior T.J. Vogel, who hopes to grab his second win of the season this weekend at the Gators’ home course, is also confident in his game and the rest of his team.
Vogel said he views his teammates, specifically junior Tyler McCumber, as some of his biggest competition in the tournament.
Florida has won the past eight Gator Invitationals, and it has been a while since highly ranked teams like Arkansas have come to play in the tournament.
“Maybe those guys are here because they knew that this was a rebuilding year and they’re anxious to end our streak,” Alexander said.
“I’m just happy to have them come to town and (I am) looking forward to this year’s invitational, which should be one of our best in quite a while.”
Besides facing new competition at the tournament this weekend, the Gators will also be fielding a new player, Zach Lee.
Lee, who was referred to as the team’s mystery player by Alexander during a Monday press conference, is a redshirt senior who transferred to Florida from Furman.
According to Alexander, he has been playing well and therefore will be competing as part of the team this weekend.
The newcomer will join Vogel, McCumber and freshman Eric Banks in Florida’s lineup, but the final spot is still up for grabs.
Junior Tommy Mou, freshman Thomas Stewart and senior Michael Furci are playing in practice to determine who will take the fifth spot in the weekend rotation.
The other two will still compete as individuals..
“I have confidence in my team,” Alexander said. “I know we have advantages playing here.”
“Whether or not our good is good enough to keep up with somebody else’s good remains to be seen.
But on our home golf course, I think our good will be pretty competitive.”
