Golf runs in Warsaw sophomore Aaron Turner's family.

His sister, April, played for the Tigers from 1997-2000. And his father, Bob, is his high school coach.

But don't think that just because his father is the coach it is easy for Aaron on the course.

"Having him for a coach is good and bad," said Aaron. "It's good sometimes because he helps me improve and knows how everybody else on the team is doing. It's bad sometimes because he seems harder on me. He expects me to do well."

Bob mirrors Aaron's thoughts on the subject.

"(Coaching Aaron) is difficult and rewarding also," said Bob. "It's difficult because I find myself being harder on him than the others because I don't want anyone to think I am favoring him. But let me tell you, he's earned everything he's done - the NLC, and going to state. He's also at an age where he doesn't want his dad around all the time.

"It's good because I get to spend a lot of time with my son. There won't be too many years left that I will be able to do that. He's 17, and -"

"Dad, I'm 16," Aaron pipes in.

"Okay, he's 16 and will be going to college soon," Bob continued, "so our days together are limited. I cherish being able to spend this time with him."

On Monday afternoon, Aaron and Bob were at Rozella Ford, practicing one last time before leaving today for the state finals practice at Prestwick Golf Club in Avon. Aaron will compete in the individual state finals Wednesday, but it won't be the first time he has seen the course.

"You could call him a golf rat," said Bob. "He used to tag along with a lot of my former players when he was younger, so he is familiar with the golf course. He' grown up on it."

And when Aaron steps on the course Wednesday, he will probably see several familiar faces.

"Most of the names that will be down there he already knows," said Bob. "He played against most of them last summer in th junior summer tour (the Mountain Dew Junior Tour). It will be just another day at the golf course for him, only at a higher level. Right now Aaron is playing very well. The big thing is for him to play within himself."

Although Aaron knows about his competitors, he will face another challenge at the state finals. For the first time in his high school career, he will be facing the challence of competing in a high school meet without his team.

"Now I am playing for myself," said Aaron. "If I make a mistake on the course, I wont be able to rely on my teammates to help pull me through and make it to the second day."

And with the high quality competition at the state finals, it will not be easy to make it to the second day of competition.

"The top nine spots and anyone who is within six strokes of the leader advance to the second day," said Bob. "I think if Aaron shoots in the low 70's he should make it to the second day."

Another challenge Aaron will face is the weather.

"It;s supposed to be hot and humid and it's supposed to rain," said Bob. "Aaron tees off at 8:40 in the morning, and hopefully he will finish before the rains come. I think that will be a big advantage for him."

And what about Aaron's older sister April?

"When we were younger, she used to try to beat me," said Aaron. "But the past few years we haven't really played each other as much."

"They have become friend more as opposed to their earlier days," said Bob. "In fact, April followed him through the entire 18 holes of the regional Friday. I think that is a tribute to her and to him."

The Turner family will look for continued success Wednesday when Aaron competes in the state finals. He tees off at 8:40 a.m. at Prestwick Golf Club in Avon. [[In-content Ad]]