Gators coach Deacon to lead ’21 Palmer Cup squad

GAINESVILLE — Arnold Palmer’s unprecedented impact on golfwas felt some years ago in the childhood home of JC Deacon in Toronto.

Deacon’s father, Cam, was a lifelong fan. Older brother Jeff later would name one of his sons Palmer.

Deacon now has his own connection to The King.

The Florida Gators head coach was recentlynamedheadcoach of the International squad during the 2021 Palmer Cup, a showcase event for the top college golfers.

“It’s a huge honor,” Deacon said. “The Palmer name’s a big deal in our house.”

Co-founded with the Golf Coaches Association of America in 1997, the Palmer Cup is one of the many ways the family and deep foundation of the late golf great Arnold Palmer support various levels of the game.

After he was named coach, Deacon said Roy Saunders, a UF graduate who married the former Amy Palmer, sent a congratulatory note, stealing a page from his father-in-lawwhowas famous for similar gestures.

“I’ve gotten to know Roy really well,” Deacon said.

Deacon has worked with the Palmer Cup’s International team selection committee for three years.

He learned recently he will serve as assistant captain to University ofWashington head coach Alan Murray during the 2020 Cup, rescheduled forDec. 21-23 at Bay Hill Club & Lodge, home to thePGATour’s ArnoldPalmer Invitational.

Murray’s original assistant and fellow Irishman Barry Fennelly will not travel to Florida due to the pandemic.

But the 37-year-old Deacon said the Palmer Cup ultimately is all about the golfers.

“It’s a really, really neat opportunity for the kids who get involved,” Deacon said.

The event features a Ryder Cup-style format with 12-person teams splitting into pairs to play matches, followed on the final day by head-to-head singles.

A top player himself and reigning Florida Open winner, Deacon is a longtime fan of match-play competition, though his allegiances can be tricky.

Deacon has tended to side with the Internationals during the Presidents’ Cup, none more than when longtime friend and fellow Canadian Graham DeLaet played on the 2013 team. Mike Weir’s shocking 2007 win against Tiger Woods in Montreal is a personal favorite of Deacon.

“Massive, massive fan,” Deacon said.

Meanwhile, Deacon cheers the American during the biennial Ryder Cup, largely due toWoods.

“It’s a big balance,” Deacon said. “I love the United States of America. It’s done somuchforme andmy career andmy family. I’ve lived here longer than I have in Canada.

“But I was born in Canada and it’s always going to be really, really special tome.”

When it comes to the Palmer Cup, Deacon is all in on the Internationals, though he could find himselfwith mixed loyalties.

In December, and likely beyond, the event will pit Deacon against his star player with the Gators, sophomore phenom

Mike

Weir

Ricky Castillo, the top-ranked amateur in theworld. Joe Pagdin, a freshman from England, and Giovanni Manzoni, a junior from Italy, have a shot to make the 2021 International squad.

“It’ll be fun; I compete against Ricky in everything, whether it’s Ping-Pong or golf,” Deacon said.

Intensifying competition further, Texas Tech coach Greg Sands, among Deacon’s closest friends in coaching, will head the American side next year during the 2021 event at Rich Harvest Farms outside Chicago.

But whoever comes out on top, Deacon wants to make sure his players leave with lifetimememories.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun and hopefully an experience these kidswill never forget,” he said.