First Round Concludes in Alabama

Sunday, November 8

Vestavia Hills, AL

Florida Gators

Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate

First Round Concludes in Alabama

Sunday, November 8, 2020 | Men's Golf

The Florida men's golf team finished the first round of play at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate.

By: Morgan Perry

VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. – The Florida men's golf team sits in a tie for ninth place after shooting an even 280 at the conclusion of the first round of play in Alabama.

Joe Pagdin led the way for the Gators, carding a 2-under par 68 to sit in a tie for 12th individually and at the top of the Gators leaderboard. The freshman has demonstrated consistently valiant play throughout fall competition. After beginning shotgun play off of the ninth hole, Pagdin quickly went 1-over par after a bogey shot on the 11th hole. Demonstrating poise beyond his years, he kept his composure and finished the round with three birdies.

Giovanni Manzoni sits right behind his teammate, carding a 1-under par 69 after an eagle hoisted him up on the leaderboard. After a difficult back nine which began with a birdie and ended with two bogeys, the junior locked in, carding a birdie and eagle against one bogey to end the round tied for 18th individually.

Fred Biondi battled the ups and downs of the Old Overton course, finishing the first round even and poised to move up in the individual standings at the commencement of the second round.

Freshman Tyler Wilkes and sophomore Ricky Castillo rounded out the Gators lineup, both finishing 3-over par and tied for 57th as the first round concluded.

The Gators will look to rise in the standings when they take the course tomorrow beginning at 11:25 a.m. ET.

Head Coach JC Deacon's Take
On the first round…
"It was a long day having the practice round this morning and first round in the afternoon. It was a lot to take in for our guys, who have all never seen the course before. Old Overton is a special place, but takes a little getting used to."

On today's scorecard…
"(Joe) Pagdin and (Giovanni) Manzoni played fairly solid today. Other than that, we were average at best. Having seen the course twice now, we will have a better opportunity to make some birdies and close this gap on the leaderboard. We need a great day tomorrow to get back in and we are playing well enough to do it."

Results
Team Leaderboard

Pos.	Team	Score
1	Georgia	265 (-15)
2	Vanderbilt	270 (-10)
3	Auburn	273 (-7)
4	Tennessee	274 (-6)
5	Alabama	276 (-4)
6	Mississippi State	278 (-2)
T7	South Carolina	279 (-1)
T7	Ole Miss	279 (-1)
T9	*Florida*	*280 (E)*
T9	Arkansas	280 (E)
11	Missouri	281 (+1)
12	Texas A&M	282 (+2)
T13	LSU	283 (+3)
T13	Kentucky	283 (+3)