GAINESVILLE — During a picturesque day at Mark Bostick Golf Course, Florida golfer Jack Turner dials in his distances as coach JC Deacon keeps track.
A gap wedge away, Paula Francisco hits pitch shots while coach Emily Glaser looks on.
Teammates are scattered about the practice area, fine-tuning their games and pushing one another.
Together, the two teams have produced five tournament wins apiece, risen into the top-3 in the national rankings and earned simultaneous No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2017.
The Florida women’s team enters the Tallahassee Regional on Monday ranked No. 3. Next week, the men open NCAA play in Columbus, Ohio, ranked No. 2.
The top five finishers in each of six regionals advance to the NCAA Championships later this month.
“It’s awesome,” Francisco said. “Both of us have been ambitious and wanting to succeed, and achieve some great things. You see it in the work. No one is talking and just hanging out. Everyone is here at the course working for something.
“That’s pretty cool.”
Gators’ golfer Jack Turner, left, and Paula Francisco, are Florida’s top players for top-3 teams entering the NCAA tournament. (Bella Rosa/UAA Communications and Maddie Washburn/UAA Communications)
Titles ultimately trump rankings.
Deacon and Glaser’s teams appear poised for postseason runs after both came close to SEC championships.
Francisco became Florida’s first individual champion since Maria Torres in 2016. But the Gators — SEC runner-ups in 2025 — fell during the semifinals of match play to Auburn.
The following week, the men’s bid to repeat as SEC champions ended with a loss to Ole Miss in the finals.
The success of Deacon’s program, highlighted by conference and national titles in 2023, has inspired Glaser and her players to raise their games.
“It’s been fun to watch them,” Glaser said. “I’m sure that makes our athletes motivated – they see what’s possible. We’re two separate programs, so we have to focus on our needs and what it requires to be an elite team. But I do think having success leads to future success, and that kind of permeates through the building.”
The offices of Glaser, now in her 14th season, and Deacon have sat a bump-and-run away from each other since he arrived in 2014.
Their programs have combined for 78 wins — 41 for Glaser and 37 for Deacon. Yet never have both programs operated at such a high level simultaneously.
“Success breeds success,” Deacon said. “They’re pushing us. We’re pushing them. The standard around Gator golf has gone up. When their team’s winning, or we’re winning, it’s not a huge celebration anymore.
“It’s kind of what’s expected.”
UF golfer Luke Poulter (right) and coach JC Deacon discuss strategy during Poulter’s victory at the 45th annual Schenkel Invitational during the 2025 season. (Photograph by AJ Henderson / Georgia Southern Athletics)
Along the way, the two teams have formed a close-knit bond on and off the golf course, including a group chat among players.
“There’s a lot of confident athletes in the building right now, and just good vibes,” Glaser said. “We support the guys when they play well, and vice versa. It creates a nice environment.”
Francisco and Turner, each team’s scoring leader and No. 1 player, set the tone, but both lineups are deep.
They are among a nation-leading five golfers selected to compete during the annual Palmer Cup, scheduled for July 3-5 in Ireland.
Francisco, a native of Spain, will compete for the international team, while fifth-year senior Megan Propeck will tee it up for the 12-member U.S. squad. Turner, who hails from Rhode Island, will face teammates Luke Poulter of England and Zack Swanwick of New Zealand in the men’s competition.
Francisco, a junior, and sophomore Siuue Wu recently qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open, set for June 4-7 at Riviera Golf Club in Southern California.
Propeck, a Virginia transfer, said Florida’s success might appear expected in a state synonymous with golf. But the Gators do not take it for granted.
“There are a lot of really good schools,” Propeck said. “It’s a testament to the culture around here. When you see both men’s and women’s teams in the top five, you know they’re doing something right.
“It really says something.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com