Carson High graduate T.J. Duncan was at a crossroads last year when he tried to qualify for the Reno-Tahoe Open.
What followed was possibly the most frustrating -- and encouraging -- day of his golf career. Despite a costly mistake that kept him from qualifying for the RTO, his performance was good enough to help him decide to pursue the dream of playing professionally.
It's also an unfortunate reality his day last year at Coyote Moon in Truckee may be the closest that Duncan ever comes to playing in a PGA Tour event. Unlike in past years, the RTO will not have a qualifying round denying top local players the chance to play in a PGA event. The RTO is strictly just offering sponsors exemptions to several golfers this year.
While the odds may look slim for Duncan to make the PGA Tour, he's still plugging away like hundreds of other golfers in the "minor leagues" of golf. Duncan began playing full-time this year on the Gateway Tour.
There are about 170 players on the tour, which is featuring 16 three-round and four-round tournaments this summer in the Phoenix, Ariz., area. The tour is designed to give players hoping to make the PGA Tour some experience.
Duncan is using the tour to prepare for his first attempt at qualfying for the PGA Tour this fall at Dayton Valley Golf Club. Dayton is again hosting the first stage of the PGA qualifying.
Those who advance past the first stage, make it to the second stage. Those who make past the second stage, advance to the PGA Qualifying School for a chance to qualify for the PGA Tour.
In essence, Duncan's odyssey began last year during that fateful round in Truckee. After 18 holes, Duncan was in a three-way tie for two qualifying spots into the RTO.
In the playoff, a marshall picked up Duncan's ball and put it in his pocket. Duncan went on to hit the wrong ball and was disqualified.
"I made the mistake of not paying attention," Duncan said. "It's kind of tough to swallow at the time. But I take full responsibility for it. You learn from it."
Duncan noted the other two players deserved to play in the RTO just as much as he did.
But the performance also convinced Duncan to take a shot at playing professionally.
"I was teetering on going out and playing before I tried to qualify," Duncan said. "Playing well definitely helped in making my decision. It was definitely nice to play well. It was really encouraging."
Duncan is obviously disappointed he won't have another chance to qualify for the RTO.
"It's a little unfortunate that the local guys won't be able to qualify," he said.
While Duncan has yet to make the cut on the Gateway Tour, he hasn't been that far off, finishing in the middle of the pack on a regular basis. The top 70 players plus ties make the cut on the Gateway Tour.
During one event, Duncan missed the cut by one stroke after shooting a 76-68. He missed the cut in another event by two shots after firing a 72-74.
Duncan said he hasn't been able to put two consistent rounds together.
"I've been kind of struggling," he said. "You just need to get on a roll and get your confidence going.
"I really haven't been playing that well. I'll get it going sooner or later."
Duncan said he's looking forward to playing at Dayton. He said Dayton general manager Jim Kepler and his staff have done an outstanding job of putting on the tournament.
"It's nice that we have it in our backyard," Duncan said. "It's a great golf course. It's a shot makers golf course. Growing up in Nevada, I also like the wind."
After leading Carson to the Northern 4A title in 1996 as a senior, Duncan went on to play at Nevada for his father, Tom Duncan, who is still the Wolf Pack men's golf coach. He then transferred to the University of Oregon where he finished his college career in 2001.
It may seem unusual for a son to leave a program coached by his father, but T.J. said he took advantage of a chance to play in the Pac 10.
"It didn't really factor into my decision," said T.J. about playing for his father. "I loved playing for my dad. I think it was more just to challenge myself."
Charles Whisnand is the Nevada Appeal Sports Editor.
