The college golf world had better beware, because the Blue Devils are playing well and are again confident about their national championship prospects.
After a slow start to the spring season, Duke has been resurrected by two top-five finishes in its last two tournaments. After a strong fourth-place finish two weekends ago, the Blue Devils returned to Georgia this weekend and came home with a tie for second place in the Cleveland Golf/Augusta State Invitational by shooting a three-round total of 866--only five shots behind the winner, Minnessota--at the Forest Hills Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.
"We had not played very well earlier this year because we didn't have a chance to practice," sophomore Nathan Smith said. "But I knew everyone was capable. It was just a matter of time before everyone would get their games going."
En route to its finish, Duke had to battle against a field that included three of the top five teams in the nation, two of which they defeated--the Clemson Tigers and the Georgia Bulldogs. In fact, the Blue Devils' defeat of the Tigers marks the second time in as many tournaments that the No. 2 team in the nation has fallen to Duke.
"We put a pretty good whoopin' on a lot of teams this weekend," Smith said. "I was so impressed with these guys today. I am so proud of them."
Smith once again led the Blue Devils by posting three rounds at 70 or better. His work earned him the right to play against Clemson's Matt Hendrix in a sudden-death playoff for the title. Hendrix came out on top by making a par on the first hole, leaving Smith with second place honors. The finish was Smith's second top-five in his last two tournaments.
Adding to Smith's play were senior Mike Castleforte, who finished in a tie for eighth; sophomore Alex Wilson, who tied for 35th; senior Rob Beasley, who finished in a tie for 44th; and freshman Jamie Dickey, who placed 81st.
As Duke prepares for next week's tournament and the ACC Championship in two weeks, it feels confident that it can come out on top, especially with the likely return of sophomore Ryan Blaum.
"When we get Ryan back, there is no doubt about it," Smith said. "We are one of the top three teams in the nation. I really think we are capable of winning the national championship."
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