Most metal objects remaining unused for four winter months will rust. The Michigan men's golf team's clubs didn't, but the Wolverines' play did.

Michigan finished 13th out of 18 at the UCF/Rio Pinar Intercollegiate in Orlando, Fla. It was the team's first tournament since competing at the 49er Collegiate Classic in October. Michigan's three-round total score of 907 was 30 strokes behind the tournament winner, Lamar University.

In a tournament that featured weather more commonly associated with a Michigan February than a Florida one - frost on the course delayed play at the start of both days - the Wolverines struggled to get back into the flow of competition.

"We were a little disappointed going out there and showing the rust that we did," Michigan coach Andrew Sapp said. "We missed too many eight- and 10-foot putts."

Michigan sat in a tie for seventh place at the end of the first day, which ended with the second round suspended with four holes to play. The Wolverines shot 304 in each of the first two rounds before improving their team total to 299 in the final round.

Some individuals did show improvement similar to the team's over the course of the tournament, especially Michigan's low-scorer, Brandon Duff. The senior finished in a tie for 18th place. He shot a 5-over par 77 in the first round, but improved to shoot 74 and 73 in the second and third rounds, respectively.

It's too early in the spring season to tell how much the players have improved as a result of winter training, but there were positive signs amid the unpracticed showings.

Senior Christian Vozza returned to competition after missing the final tournament of the fall season with a shoulder injury. Vozza completed his first tournament back with a three-round total of 228 and was "pain free" according to Sapp.

Despite the team's struggles, the coach was glad to have his team return to competitive play.

"It was good to get out of the snow and come down (to Florida)," Sapp said. "Hopefully, this will help us prepare for the rest of the spring season.

The Wolverines will have two weeks to shake off the remaining rust before they fly south again for the Puerto Rico Classic.