Buoyed by great performances from two new players, the Tufts golf team tied for 11th place at this weekend's Duke Nelson Invitational. The Jumbos shot a combined 312 on Sunday, besting their score of 320 from the day before. This total of 632 was enough to make the top half of the 25 teams in attendance.
Rensselaer won the tournament held at Ralph Myhre Golf Course, with St. Anselm, Manhattanville, Hamilton and Skidmore taking second through fifth place, respectively.
The par-71 course gave the team some trouble, but senior tri-captain Cal Shapiro saw many positives in this weekend's effort.
"We could have done better, but I'm happy with the placement," Shapiro said.
Another senior tri-captain, Luke Heffernan, was especially proud of the new players: senior Lindsay Walker and freshman Sebastian Vik. Heffernan spoke especially highly of Vik, saying that the rookie was "playing really well and had a great weekend."
In terms of individual scores, Vik's two-day, 12-over 154 tied for 24th overall and Walker's 157 tied for 39th. Walker, however stated that both he and the team have "room for improvement" and was especially critical of his own performance despite his placement.
"If [the team] can get five guys playing real well, we can do some damage," Heffernan said. Both captains stressed the depth the two rookies added to the team, allowing the Jumbos to perhaps go further in playoff tournaments than they have in previous years.
When asked about the reason for their success at last weekend's invitational, both captains were quick to give credit to their coaches as well as the community that is the Tufts golf team. "Assistant coach Matt Malone was with us on every hole, a huge confidence boost, and we have the unrivaled coaching ability of Bob Sheldon," Shapiro said.
The Jumbos get another opportunity this weekend with the Williams Invitational, which will provide a tune-up for the NESCAC Qualifier Oct. 2. and 3. The captains feel confident that the team, with Vik, Walker and fellow tri-captain Dan Moll, is strong enough to contend at the NESCAC tournament.
