The Charleston Shootout turned out to be anything but.
No. 27 Florida turned in the only under-par team score of the day (1-under, 287) and cruised to an easy 15-stroke victory at the two-day event in Hollywood, S.C., claiming the team’s second tournament title of the spring season.
“It was another good, solid day out there for us,” coach Buddy Alexander said. “We’re very happy to get the win on a course that played much harder (Tuesday).”
While the other 13 teams in the tournament struggled to break par on the event’s second day, the Gators maintained their lead on the field thanks to a 1-under 71 from junior Tyler McCumber and a 2-under 70 from freshman Eric Banks.
McCumber eagled the par-5 fifth hole on his final round before carding two bogeys on the back nine and closing with a birdie on 18. Banks led the Gators with a five-birdie effort against three bogeys in the final round.
Although Banks and McCumber led Florida in the third round, junior T.J. Vogel wasn’t far behind, shooting an even-par 72 to complete the tournament at 10-under and finish first individually, one stroke ahead of defending tournament champion Jacobo Paston of Charleston Southern.
“T.J.’s win was awesome,” Alexander said. “He’s been incredibly good for us and I don’t see why it has to stop. He’s incredibly consistent and just has a drive to get better every time out.”
The win was the second individual title of the season for Vogel, who also captured the win at last month’s Sea Best Invitational.
While the men staved off the field in South Carolina, the women’s team didn’t fare as well in New Orleans at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate Championship. After starting the final round within eight strokes of the leader, the Gators shot a 17-over 305 to finish in 10th place (+34, 898), 21 strokes back of tournament champion Duke.
Mia Picco led Florida on the day with a 3-over 75 on the par-72, 6,105-yard course at the English Turn Golf and Country Club.
