True North: The History of UF Men’s Golfers at the U.S. Open
By Alexander Vafeas, Sports@CJC
The U.S. Open has long been known as the America’s national golf championship. It should come as no surprise that the University of Florida’s men’s golf team, with its own rich history, has long been intertwined with the tournament.
UF’s proud connection to the U.S. Open begins with two-time winner Andy North. North played for the Gators from 1969-72, racking up three first-team all-SEC and three All-American nominations.
North won his first U.S. Open at Cherry Hills in 1978 with a score of 1-over, beating out legends like Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player for the title. North captured his first major title, thanks in large part to his ability to stay consistent and avoid high rounds.
North’s second U.S. Open title would come seven years later at Oakland Hill Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where the former Gator would be the only player to finish the tournament under par with a 72-hole score of 279 (-1).
North went on to have a lengthy career in broadcasting for ESPN, where he still covers golf.
Two Gators at Pinehurst
The U.S. Open attracts golfers in all stages of their careers, from professionals to amateurs. One of those amateurs is current Gators golfer Parker Bell. Bell took part in this year’s 124th edition of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, missing the cut by two strokes.
“What an unforgettable experience competing in my first major championship at the U.S. Open,” Bell said via his Instagram. “I learned so much about what it really takes to play at the highest level and can’t wait to get back.”
Bell started off his major championship debut a bit rocky, shooting a 7-over 77 in the first round to give himself an uphill battle to make the cut. With nothing to lose, Bell came out with a more aggressive strategy in the second round.
“I just decided that I am going to use this club [driver] to my advantage and try and have as many wedges in as possible,” Bell said with a smile.
Bell bounced back to car an even-par 70 in the second round.
The Tallahassee native was the first current Gators golfer to compete in a U.S Open since Fred Biondi in 2022. Biondi missed the cut in Brookline, Massachusetts, after finishing 12-over following rounds of 79 and 73.
Florida men’s golf head coach J.C. Deacon, who made it out to Pinehurst to watch Bell, reiterated just how important having Gators compete in majors is to the program.
“I think it kinda makes it [playing in majors] more obtainable,” Deacon noted. “They see someone who they work out with everyday, who they eat with everyday, practice with everyday playing in this tournament and beating a lot of the best players in the world. That kind of makes them think, ‘If he can do it, I can do it’.”
The other Gator in this year’s field, Billy Horschel, teed up for his 12th career U.S. Open.
Horschel, who played for UF from 2006-09, made the cut at even par, before recording consecutive rounds of 4-over 74 to finish the weekend T41. The PGA Tour veteran, who has 10 career professional victories, stressed the importance UF has had his development as a golfer and a man.
“Without UF, I wouldn’t be out here on the PGA Tour,” Horschel said. “I love giving back to the University of Florida. It’s near and dear to my heart.”
Horschel’s best Open finish came in 2013 at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. Horschel finished in a four-way tie for fourth at 5-over, finishing four strokes behind champion Justin Rose. putting him ahead of names like Rickie Fowler and Luke Donald.
Gator Golfer Turned Caddie
Florida doesn’t just churn out golfers who compete in the U.S. Open. This year’s Open also had a former Gator on the bag. Ryan Orr, who played for Florida from 2013-17, caddied for Jackson Suber.
Orr played in 41 tournaments for the Gators and won the Sea Best Invitational in 2017. A product of JC Deacon, Orr believes that his time with Florida gave him the skills he needed to play and caddie at a high level.
“Being at Florida prepared me immensely for everything that was involved with this week,” Orr said. “Buddy Alexander, J.C. Deacon and John Handrigan prepared me in every aspect possible for professional golf and now helping out my good buddy Jackson Suber here at the U.S. Open.”
With Orr as his caddie, Suber finished 73rd after a surprising surge to make the cut at 2-over. However, a third-round score of 11-over par knocked Suber out of contention.
Other Former Gators
Another former Gator with a long history in the U.S. Open is Camilo Villegas, who has competed in eight U.S. Open over the course of his 20-year professional career.
Villegas’ best finish came in 2008, when the Columbian national would finish T9 at Torrey Pines. Villegas would record a 4-over finish to fall just five shots shy of winner Tiger Woods.
Villegas was set to play in the Cherry Hills Club qualifier in Canada this season but withdrew just before the start of the qualifier.
A few other Gators also tried to qualify for this year’s tournament, including Nido.
Nido, who played at UF from 2017-20, competed at The Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Florida, in the final round of U.S. Open qualifying — also known as “Golf’s Longest Day.”
Nido’s bid to qualify, however, fell just short in Jupiter. After his attempt to qualify, he took the time to reflect on what the U.S. Open means to him and collegiate golfers.
“The U.S. Open is, in my opinion, the greatest major, the greatest golf tournament there is,” Nido said. “It has all the history. and it’s amazing that anyone can qualify.”
Other Gators to win a Major
While Florida only has one alum who won the U.S. Open, two other Gators have won a major championship. Mark Calcavecchia won the Open Championship in 1989 and Tommy Aaron won the Masters in 1973.
Calcavecchia, who went to UF from 1978-80, spent more than two decades on the PGA Tour. He racked up 13 wins, although his most memorable came at Royal Troon.
“It was a great couple weeks in my life,” Calcavecchia noted when asked on the Matt Adams Golf show about what winning the Open Championship meant.
Calcavecchia came close in multiple other majors including a runner-up finish at the 1988 Masters and a fourth-place showing in the 2001 PGA Championship. The one major that always eluded him, however, was the U.S. Open, with his best finish coming by way of a T14 in 1989.
The only other Gator to win a major championship is Aaron, who took home the green jacket in the 1973 Masters Tournament. Aaron played three seasons at Florida from 1956-59 before turning pro.
Aaron won the Masters at 5-under par beating out J.C. Snead and Jack Nicklaus for his only major championship win.
Aaron also made the cut at Augusta in 2000 at the ripe age of 63, surpassing Gary Player as the oldest golfer to accomplish the feat.
Posted: June 19, 2024
Category: Covering the U.S. Open
Tagged as: 2024 U.S. Open, Covering the U.S. Open
