By TODD GARVIN
Glasgow Daily Times
June 09, 2007 12:13 pm
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Local golfers Taryn Durham and Marci Turner will hit the links Monday in hopes of attaining the dream of any golfer, the U.S. Open.
Durham is set to tee off at 8:15 in the morning at The Village Links of Glen Ellyn in Illinois while Turner will begin at 9:30 at Keith Hills Country Club in Buies Creek, N.C. Both women will also play in the afternoon as part of the grueling 36-hole format.
“I’ve done it about three times this year,” Turner said of the marathon day. “I’m used to it so I don’t think it’s going to be a huge deal.”
Turner will have to place in the top 5 at her event to qualify for the Open, which begins on June 28 at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Pine Needles, N.C. The number hadn’t been set for Durham’s sectional.
“If I was to make it, it would definitely be at the top of my career, for sure,” Durham said. “I feel good. I had a lesson yesterday. I met with a guy who kind of helps me and I was hitting it really well.
“So, I feel good about it.”
Durham will have a familiar face with her at the event as her dad, Terry, will be on her bag. Turner’s stepfather, Johnny Proffitt, will caddie for her.
“I hope he can last,” Durham joked after saying her usual caddie, Kent Bulle, had to prepare to qualify for the Kentucky Amateur. “He is used to walking 36 and watching me play, but not carrying a bag.”
Although Turner is comfortable with her stepfather, she’s more comfortable with her game as she tries to achieve one of her goals: playing in an LPGA Tour event.
“I’m hitting a lot of fairways and greens,” she said. “Hopefully that will help me next week. My coach at (University of Tennessee) all spring told me to shoot even par for each qualifying round and that should be good enough.
“I’m excited about going. I guess I’m just watching how I’m playing right now and making sure that everything is comfortable before I go.”
Durham agreed with Turner that something around even par should be good enough to advance to the grandest stage in women’s golf. To qualify, both women will have to achieve that on a course they have never seen until a practice round Sunday morning.
“I don’t know anything about it,” Durham said. “I heard it’s really nice, but that’s about it.
“It will probably be tough, I’m sure.”
Todd Garvin can be reached at tgarvin@glasgowdailytimes.com or 678-5171, ext. 234.
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