This isn't exactly what the Gators envisioned when they took the course in Atlanta on Sunday to play in their last tournament before the postseason.
In golf, a sport that focuses on the individual, you don't often hear a coach begging for a stronger team effort.
In 2008, the Gators had national-championship aspirations while winning the Southeastern Conference, but after the season, the team, which was full of seniors, was dismantled.
Fast starts haven't been one of the Gators' strengths this season.
This week might prove to be a glimpse into the future for the Gators.
The Southeastern Conference had a strong showing in the Schenkel E-Z-Go Invitational this weekend, but excuse the Gators if they aren't too happy with their performance in the tournament.
While students are looking forward to the relaxation that comes with the end of the semester, the No. 5 UF men's golfers are looking forward to the end of school for a different reason.
With first and second place out of reach, the Gators men's golf team went into the final round of the Southern Highlands Collegiate with third as its objective.
While the UF women's golf team may be disappointed with this tournament in the short run, in the long run this week might prove to be the one they look at as the one that catapulted them to the next level.
Although the UF women's golf team will be a couple of hours away from Gainesville, it will feel very much at home in this weekend's tournament.
After two first-place finishes to start the season, the Gators could not continue their dominance against some of the best teams in the country.
The Gators are focused.
Despite not winning the tournament, the UF women's golf team will return to Gainesville a better squad.
The second round of the Kiawah Island Intercollegiate in South Carolina on Monday gave the UF women's golf team a chance at instant redemption after a difficult first round Sunday.
Golf may be an individual sport, but the Gators are going to need a better team effort if they are going to succeed this season.
Much like a baby learning how to walk, the inexperienced UF women's golf team stumbled to the ground in its first event of the season.
The muffled melody of the UF fight song at the nearby softball game rang through the air as Toby Ragland attempted a birdie on the seventh hole of a playoff.
The UF men's golf team has no excuses.
After a long trip to California, the UF women's golf team will have a long trip back to Gainesville.
Tuesday was a step in the right direction for the UF women's golf team but also a step back.
Solutions by The State News
