Living the dream
UF golfer Ian Gilligan, Gators bound for Augusta National Golf Club
GAINESVILLE — What Florida golfer Ian Gilligan thought was a typical team meeting instead became a dream come true.
A trip to play Augusta National Golf Club also represents an act of generosity, kindness and kinship he’ll never forget.
As players and coaches congregated after a qualifying round Wednesday, Matthew Kress stood up and offered Gilligan his coveted spot. He will now be among six UF golfers who’ll join coach JC Deacon to tee it up today at the home to the Masters and a club as exclusive as any on Earth.
“I was in shock. I did not expect that at all,” Gilligan told the Orlando Sentinel. “I feel like I don’t even know if I should take the spot. I feel bad. He obviously earned it.
“I was like, ‘You shouldn’t do this,’ but he was insisting.”
Kress will remain in Gainesville, without a hint of regret, while Gilligan enjoys the round of a lifetime five years after he faced his own mortality.
“Everyone’s told your whole life you got to make a difference in someone else’s life — you got to try to help other people,” Kress told the Sentinel on Thursday. “We all hear that message, but I think very few people act on that.”
The opportunity arrived earlier this week at breakfast, when Kress learned from another teammate Gilligan had requested a round at Augusta National from the Make-a-WishFoundation during his lowest, darkest time as a 15-year-old diagnosed with lymphoma.
Kress immediately recalled his experience from the Gator Good Guys Invitational on Jan. 20, an annual tournament at TPC Sawgrass to help raise money to fight cancer.
“They’re telling us about how they make these kids dreams come true,” Kress said. “And I was like, ‘Well, I am playing Augusta and he’s not. That dream still hasn’t come true.’ So by a simple decision I can make that dream come true.
“So why not?”
The chance to play Augusta National doesn’t come often.
In the Gators’ case it helps club Chairman Fred Ridley is a UF graduate, member of the 1973 national championship team and a current Board of Trustees member.
Gilligan, though, is new to
the Gators. He transferred in August 2023 from Long Beach State, where he was Big West Freshman of the Year and Big West Golfer of the Year during his two seasons.
The 20-year-old from Reno, Nev., will be key as the Gators push to defend their 2023 national title.
A round at Augusta National is an unexpected bonus thanks to Kress.
“That’s just super cool of him to do that,” Gilligan said. “Obviously you want a teammate like that. When someone does that for you, it’s something that I’ll probably remember for the rest of my life.”
Fifth-year senior John Dubois, of Windermere, a key cog in the 2023 title team, is equally excited to tee it up. He and the Gators visited the prestigious venue in April and watched a Monday practice round.
Today will be a far different experience as the club ramps up for the Masters in two months.
“Now it’s going to be quiet,” he said. “There’s not going to be a single divot out there. It’s just going to be like, hold your breath and how beautiful it is.”
While Kress will miss out on the round, he’ll walk away with an experience
unlike any other.
When he found out about Gilligan’s wish, Kress got his father’s phone number from Deacon to learn more.
“I’m like, ‘Hey, this is what I’m hearing, is this story accurate? I don’t want to make stuff up,’ ” Kress said. “He was like, ‘It’s completely true. We just never made it happen because of COVID and then Augusta National being Augusta National.’ ”
One day Kress will get his own chance.
“If it’s the last thing I ever do, he’s going to play Augusta National,” Deacon said.
Hearing his coach’s vow, Kress said he plans to get there on his own.
“I hope I will be playing in April someday,” he said. “Hopefully [the invitation] comes in a nice white envelope.”