Journal-News.com

MASON — Carling Coffing's professional golf career is now official, and she has the paycheck to prove it.

A week after missing the cut at her first Duramed Futures Tour women's professional golf event in Decatur, Ill., Coffing not only made the cut at this weekend's Duramed Championship, but finished in a six-way tie for 53rd place.

That finish earned her a first-ever professional paycheck of $676.

The Middletown golfer said this weekend's event at The Golf Center at Kings Island was another stepping stone in her young professional career.

"I made the cut this time and that was really exciting for me," she said. "Next week, I want to make the cut and play better on Sunday."

With dad Tom Coffing serving as caddy, the Middletown High grad and former high school state girls golf champion began the day tied for 20th, but a pair of bogeys and a double bogey on three of the final four holes led to a final-round 6-over-par 78 on Sunday, June 22.

"My game's been a little bit off all week in certain areas," the 2008 Ohio State University women's team player of the year said. Coffing saw limited practice time before the Kings Island event because of a nagging wrist injury that requires constant rehabilitation.

"It was exciting to have all these fans out to see me this week, but I was having some troubles in a few spots of my game. But I'll get it back, I'm not worried. I felt good out there, and I had a really good time," she said.

Tom Coffing said he's very encouraged by how his daughter hung with the star-studded international field. Twelve countries, 25 states and Puerto Rico were represented in the final field.

"A local girl was here battling with talent from all over the place, and she held her own," Coffing said. "She can play with anybody out there."

Carling Coffing says she'll head to Columbus for a few wrist rehab sessions, then it's off to the next Futures Tour event: June 27-29 at the Horseshoe Casino Classic at Lost Marsh Golf Course, in Hammond, Ind. just outside Chicago.

Stephanie Otteson of Wilson, N.C. won the Kings Island event. She finished at 9-under for the tournament to edge Canada's Jessica Shepley by one stroke. Otteson earned $15,400 for her first career win.

California's Mindy Kim, a first-round co-leader with Otteson, finished third overall just two strokes back.

The Futures Tour is the official development tour of the LPGA.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2851 or jbombatch@coxohio.com.