 Once a 16-inch metal rod was attached to his spine, the curve of Duke’s back was set at 38 degrees, within the range of normal, and that’s where it has stayed ever since.Months later, back playing for Arkadelphia High School, he won medalist honors in a high school district golf tournament while wearing a back brace.In 1987, he was the Arkansas High School Medalist at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock.