Gators deliver first SEC title in men’s golf since 2011 for coach JC Deacon

Florida’s first SEC title in men’s golf since 2011 ultimately came down to a 15-foot par-saving by senior John Dubois against top-ranked Vanderbilt.

But the Gators’ path to the program’s 16th conference championship began in 2014 with the unlikely hire of JC Deacon to replace retired legend Buddy Alexander.

Deacon’s ability to lure top players to Gainesville has not always delivered results. But Sunday in Sea Island, Ga., the Gators’ talent and depth would not be denied by the Commodores.

[ No. 8 Gators’ deep, talented golf team gives coach JC Deacon hope, options ]

Dubois’ winning putt capped UF’s 3-1 win against the two-time defending conference champions and nation’s No. 1 team, according to Golfweek. Vanderbilt’s Reid Davenport failed to answer, missing a 5-footer to three-putt the par-4 18th and squander a 3-up lead over Dubois during the final eight holes.

Standing off to the side of the putting surface, Deacon soon high-fived Dubois before each awaited Daveport’s effort.

With the SEC championship decided, Deacon shared a long and choked-up embrace with wife, Jessi.

“I just never was sure it was ever going to happen, but it’s the one I wanted the most,” Deacon told the SEC Network’s Peter Burns. “They have the most incredible program and it took everything for us to beat them. That says it all about my guys. We got an incredible team.”

Florida coach JC Deacon (left) speaks to Ricky Castillo and Fred Biondi during the 2022 Sea Best Invitational won by the Gators. (Leslie White / Courtesy photo)

Senior star Ricky Castillo and redshirt freshman surprise Matthew Kress, both of California, won their matches 5&4. A victory over Matthew Ridel gave Kress a 3-0 match-play record.

Kress, who hails from Saratoga in Northern California, recalled pleading with Deacon in 2020 for a chance to play for the Gators.

“It’s crazy of where I was couple years ago and with COVID hitting and a lot opportunities drying up and I basically begged (Deacon) to give me a chance,” Kress said. “I don’t think I’ll ever know why he gave me a chance, but I’m sitting here today.”

Deason immediately chimed in, “This is why, bud.”

Kress also recalled a bold prediction he recently made to Deacon.

“A couple of weeks ago I was sitting in his office and it wasn’t the first time I told him that before I leave here I was gonna put a ring on his finger, and it wasn’t going to be his wedding ring,” Kress said.

Florida senior Ricky Castillo, shown in 2022 in Windermere, won his match 5&4 against Vanderbilt to help the Gators' to the SEC championship. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)

Dubois, the 2022 SEC individual champion, left nothing to chance with his clutch par to avoid a playoff.

Waiting the fairway of a tied match were Gators’ team captain Fred Biondi and Commodores’ star Gordon Sargent. Sargent, the nation’s top-ranked player, had himself overcome a 3-down deficit. But Biondi knotted the match with a 5-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th hole following a exquisite wedge shot from 152 yards.

Meanwhile, Dubois missed right his approach to the 18th green to leave him with a difficult shot to a fast, firm green. But after a deft pitch, the former Class 1A state champion from The First Academy in Orlando hit a perfect putt.

[ UF golf coach J.C. Deacon returns Gators to prominence ]

“About six feet out, I was like, it’s gotta go in — and sure enough it did,” Dubois said. “It was an awesome moment.”

Looking on were members of the team who had not qualified for the match but drove up Saturday night cheer on their teammates. Athletic director Scott Stricklin also was among the overjoyed Florida fans on hand.

Florida's John DuBois, of Florida, shown in 2022 in Windermere, sank a par-saving 15-foot putt on the final hole to cap the Gators' first SEC title since 2011. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)

Deacon acknowledged their support. The 40-year-old also thanked former AD Jeremy Foley for hiring him.

Deacon was an assistant coach from UNLV who offer a lesser resumé than those seeking to replace Alexander, who led the Gators to eight SEC titles (1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2003, 2011) and two national championships (1993, 2001).

“Jeremy Foley took a shot on an assistant coach a long time ago,” Deacon said. “I told him I’d come here and give them a ring. So Jeremy, this one’s for you.”

This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Edgar Thompson at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @osgators.