After failing to crack the top five in their past two tournaments, the Blue Devils' putting and consistent play were key to their third place finish at the Intercollegiate at the Devils' Ridge Golf Club in Holy Springs, N.C.
From the opening day, No. 25 Duke was steady on the green, carding collective 289 and 285 in the first two rounds of the tournament.
Pacing the Blue Devils was junior Michael Schachner, who finished the tournament in fifth place with a 4-under 212.
Playing his final round at 2-under par, Schachner propelled himself seven spots up the leaderboard, giving him his second top-five finish of the year.
"Michael Schachner had a great tournament with steady play, as his game is beginning to come into form," interim head coach Brad Sparling said. "His best game comes out during the end of the season."
Freshman Jeff Edelman-who entered the tournament as an individual-recorded a career-best 65 on the opening day, which helped him to place fifth at the end of two rounds. Edelman was unable to capitalize on his early momentum, shooting a 3-over 75 to finish in ninth place-still his best finish of the year.
Competing for the Blue Devils in his first spring tournament after sustaining a back injury, Michael Quagliano shot well over the first two rounds and was tied for 15th place Friday. Struggling to match his early success, the junior ended the tournament in 30th after shooting a 6-over 78 on the final day.
Senior Jake Grodzinsky entered the final day after recording two even-par rounds, but ended the tournament with a 2-over 74 to tie with fellow Blue Devil Clark Klaasen for 20th place.
After a difficult week in which the team attended the memorial service for former head coach Rod Myers, Sparling said the team was finally able to shift its attention back to the golf course.
"It has been incredibly difficult for them to keep focused during the year," Sparling said. "But after going to the service, the team found their form of closure to thank and say goodbye to Coach Myers."
After its strong finish, Duke's next challenge will be the ACC Championships April 20-22 at Old North State Club in Baden Lake, N.C. The Blue Devils will face tough competition in Clemson and Georgia Tech, which are ranked 11th and 12th, respectively.
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