Last weekend, the Wake Forest Men’s Golf team travelled down to Puerto Rico to compete in their first spring tournament of the year at the Palmas Del Mar Collegiate. Entering play on Thursday, the Demon Deacons ranked No. 25 in the country and were playing for the first time since late October.
The field included several teams ranked within the top 100, including No. 43 TCU and No. 69 Michigan, two teams that challenged Wake Forest throughout tournament play. The course itself, which is located in Humacao, Puerto Rico, is played at 7,117 yards and consists of four par fives.
Things started out solid for Wake Forest, with the four representatives combining for a six under in the first round. Both junior Nicholas Prieto and sophomore Jorge Hao shot a 72 on Thursday, with a double bogey on 14 derailing a strong start for Prieto.
Senior Jakob Melin found his stroke of consistency on day one in Puerto Rico, as the native Swede carded a respectable two under 70. The real tablesetter from the Deacs, however, was junior Tom Haberer. After shooting a solid 35 on the first nine, Haberer turned on the jets.
In his second nine, he collected three birdies without bogeying a single hole, as he finished his day with a four under 68. At the day’s end, the Demon Deacons held a two-shot lead over Southern Illinois.
The second round of play also proved to be a success for Wake Forest, with Nicolas Prieto shining above the rest. Following a bogey on one, Prieto dialed in and completed his round without shooting above par on another hole. His five under 67 was matched by his teammate in Haberer, who dominated the course on Saturday.
Even with TCU scoring a combined 15 under in round two, it wasn’t enough to give them the lead heading into Sunday, as the Deacs and Horned Frogs entered the final round tied at 13 under.
With Wake Forest needing a surge from their best players against another top golf program, the final round shaped up to be a fun one. Prieto, who started out shaky the day prior, was not only able to birdie the first hole, but managed to do the same on two and three. A 32 on the front nine from the junior gave the Demon Deacons enough breathing room to attack this tough course.
Consistency and perseverance from both Hao and Haberer sealed the deal for Wake Forest, as their combined seven under par aided their eventual victory in Puerto Rico.
“This is the third win for these guys this season, and shooting 26 under is very impressive coming out of the gate,” Coach Jerry Haas said on Sunday. “Congratulations to Tom Haberer on getting his first win as a Demon Deacon. Also to Nick Prieto for his runner-up finish. They carried us to victory this week.”
Next up for Wake Forest is La Quinta, Calif., where the Demon Deacons will take part in The Prestige tournament from Feb. 16 to Feb. 18.
