-Story by David Shefter of the USGA
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – Fifteen Californians qualified for this week’s U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, but after match play concluded on Tuesday at Big Canyon Country Club, only Michael Turner remains among the quarterfinalists.
Ten months ago, that might not have seemed possible. Not that the 57-year-old from Sherman Oaks didn’t have the talent. This, after all, is his 11th USGA championship and fifth since turning 50. But in November, Turner underwent knee-replacement surgery and it wasn’t until May that he could begin hitting balls again.
At last year’s Senior Amateur at Wade Hampton Golf Club, the pain in his left knee became so unbearable that it affected his play. Thanks to lots of Advil, Turner managed to reach the Round of 16 before losing to eventual runner-up Pat O’Donnell.
“It’s pain-free [now],” said Turner after he defeated fourth-seeded Tom Brandes, of Bellevue, Wash., 2 and 1, in the Round of 16 in Tuesday’s searing heat. “It’s really nice to be playing golf pain-free. There were some complications [from the surgery], but I turned the corner in May and June, and [my knee] started getting stronger.”
For more, please continue reading at USGA.org.
