It was with a fifth-place finish in a qualifying tournament at Fairwood Golf & Country Club in Renton, Washington, that the 58-year-old earned her ticket to the 62nd Senior Amateur Open on August 7, during a single-round event.
“It’s make or break,” agreed Sandra Turbide, in a telephone interview. “Everyone is very nervous and there are never any big games because the players are always nervous. You never know what can happen either, so it’s about staying in the game.”
The Jonquière native has lived in Vancouver since 1997, which is one of the reasons she chose the Renton qualifying tournament, “just a few hours from home.” She spent a few days in Saguenay last week, taking the opportunity to play a round at the Chicoutimi Golf Club. She then headed to Toronto, where the Canadian Amateur Championship is taking place this week.
Sandra Turbide played a round at the Chicoutimi Golf Club last week. (Rocket Lavoie/Archives Le Quotidien)
Sandra Turbide admits that her qualification for the American Senior Open was in extremis, on her fourth attempt in her career.
“There were five places and I finished tied for fifth with two other players. It was close,” sighed the Jonquiéroise. “I hadn’t played my best game so I didn’t think I was going to qualify, but I saw that the last scores weren’t that high.”
In Seattle, the U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur Open will begin with two qualifying rounds among the more than 120 players. The top 64 positions will then compete in a match play format, which consists of individual confrontations. Much like in tennis, losing in the round against your opponent means the end of the competition.
“It’s really different, it’s the kind of formula that we see less, but which is popular in Europe,” put into context Sandra Turbide, who has already participated in some match play events during her career.
“But I always lost in the first round so this time I would like to get through at least one round,” she announced.
The tournament is organized by the USGA, the United States Golf Association. “When the USGA organizes an event, it’s always bigger,” concluded Sandra Turbide.
