The University of Florida Men’s Golf team used the low total of the day to propel up the team standings to take second overall at the NCAA Championships. The Gators posted the low-round total of 279 (-9) Saturday to move the team from eighth to second, finishing with a four-day tournament total of six-under, 1,146 at the Crosswater Golf Club. Oklahoma State won the championship with a score of 1143 (-9).

Florida began the day knowing that it needed good start to keep its championship hopes alive. Starting on the difficult back nine, the Gators quickly collected nine birdies and an eagle to close the gap on the leaders. The team made a significant gain on the par-three, 13th-hole where four of five players made birdie. 

Freshman Billy Horschel (Grant, Fla.) carried the momentum of his eagle on the 18th-hole to the front nine where he sank three more birdies to put the pressure on Oklahoma State and Wake Forest. Horschel tied for 10^th overall at his first NCAA Championship by carding a four round total of 69-74-76-67 = 286 (-2).

Playing in his final collegiate event, senior Matt Every (Daytona Beach, Fla.) did his part to bolster the team effort by saving his best round of the tournament, a four-under 68, for the last day. Every recorded five birdies and one bogey to finish in a tie for 15th with a four-round total of   287 (-1).

Senior Brett Stegmaier (Madison, Conn.) also tied for 15th after going even during his final collegiate round. Senior James Vargas (Miami, Fla.) tied for 27th following back-to-back rounds of 72 (E). During their four-year careers at Florida, the trio of Every, Stegmaier and Vargas combined on several accolades, including six individual medals, 17 team victories and seven All-American honors.

Rounding out the Gator lineup was freshman Toby Ragland (Jacksonville, Fla.), who wrapped up a successful season by finishing in a tie for 50^th after a final round of 74. Ragland finished the year strong by recording a 72.3 stroke average during the final three tournaments.

Despite a valiant effort, the Gators went into the clubhouse trailing the Cowboys, who had five holes remaining and a two stroke lead. Oklahoma State’s Jonathan Moore sealed the Cowboy’s victory by sinking birdies on the 16th and 18th holes. He also took home the individual medal with a 12-under, 276 total over four days.

Florida finishes as the runner-up for the fourth time in school history, which ties Georgia Tech, Houston and Michigan for the NCAA lead. The Gators have also won four NCAA titles (2001, 1993, 1973 and 1968), which is tied for fourth all-time in NCAA history.    

This is the tenth top 10 national finish turned in by the Gator program in 2005-06 - men’s basketball (No. 1), men’s golf (No. 2), women’s tennis (No. T-3), gymnastics (No. 4), men’s swimming & diving (No. 5), volleyball (No. T-5), women’s golf (No. T-6), men’s indoor track & field (No. 9), men’s tennis (No. T-9) and women’s swimming & diving (No. 10).

Team Results

Top 10 Individuals

Florida Results

Florida Score Cards

Matt Every

Billy Horschel

Brett Stegmaier

James Vargas

Toby Ragland