PARAMUS, N.J. – Florida head coach J.C. Deacon was beaming as he walked off the par-4 18th green at Ridgewood Country Club on Monday evening.
“He was focused on every, single, shot,” exclaimed Deacon, who is on the bag for his star senior Ricky Castillo for as long as Castillo lasts at this 122nd U.S. Amateur.
Judging by Castillo’s play Monday – an opening 1-under 70 as cool as the SoCal native’s look these days (shades, pukka shells and a second chained cross necklace) – Deacon may want to plan on at least a few more days away from campus.