WILMINGTON, N.C. – Former UNC Wilmington women’s golf standouts Stephanie Otteson and Michelle Jarman, now travel partners on the Duramed FUTURES Tour, find themselves in Kansas City this weekend after experiencing some success early in the 2008 season.

            Otteson and Jarman are set to compete in the Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City Championship Thursday through Saturday (May 16-18) in Leawood, Kan.

            “For the past few weeks, my game’s been kind of coming together,” Jarman said late Wednesday. “It’s been a whirlwind for us. Sometimes we don’t know what state or time zone we’re in.”

            Otteson, who turned professional last year, has made the cut in five of the six tour events this spring, collecting $2,167 in prize money. The best finish for the Wilson, N.C., product came on April 27 when he tied for 23^rd at the Jalapeno Duramed Golf Classic in McAllen, Texas.

            Otteson competed in nine events last year and made seven cuts, totaling $5,044. She made 24 tournament appearances in her three-year career at UNCW after transferring from Appalachian State. She ranks seventh on the all-time list with a 78.76 stroke average from 2004-06.

            Jarman, meanwhile, picked up her biggest paycheck as a pro last week in the El Paso Golf Classic. The Wilmington native shot a 74-72-70=216 to tie for 29^th overall and pocket $632. She has made two cuts in five appearances in her debut year, totaling $1,132.

            Jarman is the school’s all-time stroke leader with a 76.46 clip in 40 tournaments. She played a record 119 rounds from 2003-06 and won four individual titles.

            Otteson and Jarman, who both made it through U.S. Open local qualifying earlier this week in Pinehurst, will each be trying to collect part of the $90,000 purse available during the 54-hole event at Leawood South Country Club.

            “It’s one of the nicest courses we’ve played on so far,” said Jarman. “It’s in perfect condition and if you stay out of the rough, you’ll be fine. It’s very, very challenging, but we’ve played it twice already.”