GAINESVILLE — Florida golfer Ricky Castillo’s star turn during the U.S. team’s recent Walker Cup victory thrust him into the stratosphere of the game’s amateur ranks.
The rest of the golf world took notice and began to envision his professional future, a consideration counter to Castillo’s long-range plan and commitment to the Gators.
The 20-year-old’s focus instead is to finish his sophomore season strongly and help UF’s program shake off its postseason malaise, beginning with Sunday’s start of the 54-hole NCAA Regionals.
“I’m enjoying college and I’m getting better in college — that’s how I’m seeing it,” Castillo said Thursday by telephone during a layover at Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport.