Katie Kempter said there wasn’t any sense of redemption involved, but the former University of Denver golfer rebounded in a big way from the disappointment of a near-miss in U.S. Women’s Open qualifying earlier this week.
Kempter made three double bogeys in her second round of qualifying Monday at the Broadmoor, falling a single stroke shy of a playoff for a spot in the U.S. Women’s Open. But two days later, she shot an even-par 72 Wednesday at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club to share second place after the first round of the HealthOne Colorado Women’s Open.
“I want to win this, just like every other player who steps out here,” said the LPGA Tour rookie.
Lisa Ferrero of Lodi, Calif., a former University of Texas golfer and winner of the 2000 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, was the only competitor to break par Wednesday, firing a 2-under 70. The Futures Tour player, a late entrant for the tournament, made five birdies during her opening round.
Five players share second place at 72, including Loveland amateur Bethany Buchner, the 2009 5A girls high school state champion. Also at that figure are Kempter, fellow LPGA Tour player Moira Dunn, 2001 champion Tamara Beckett of Australia and Canadian Salimah Mussani.
Amateur Somin Lee of Denver, who won the 5A state high school girls title last week, had the round of the day even though she isn’t playing in the championship per se. Competing only in the pro-am portion of the event, she made an eagle and eight birdies, and figures she would have shot about 67 if she had putted everything out.
But Lee was playing a set of tees 729 yards shorter than the championship setup.
“If I played in the championship, I’d have to play from the back,” said Lee, winner of the last three CWGA junior championships. “I was making like every single putt today.”
On the other end of the spectrum was LPGA Tour player Jill McGill, a Colorado Golf Hall of Famer who qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open on Monday. The Cherry Creek High School graduate struggled to a 77 on Wednesday.
“It was a beautiful thing,” McGill said sarcastically. “”¦ This is going to be the greatest comeback ever.”
Kempter, McGill, Dunn, Kris Tamulis (73) and Samantha Richdale (73) are all LPGA Tour regulars who are taking advantage of an off-week on Tour to compete in the Colorado Women’s Open.
“Anything to stay fresh,” said Kempter, who’s just a year removed from her days as a DU golfer. “I just love to play golf, so it doesn’t matter what I’m playing in. I just want to play. And it’s nice to have an atmosphere where you can have fun but still be competitive. That’s what I like about this event.”
Kempter was 2 under par through nine holes on Wednesday, but played the back nine in 2 over and bogeyed her final hole.
Buchner, who just finished her freshman year on the University of New Mexico golf team, likewise shot 72 despite a final-hole bogey. After the first of three rounds, she leads the amateur competition by one stroke.
Meanwhile, Dunn, who ranks 80th on the 2010 LPGA money list, birdied her final two holes on Wednesday.
“It’s great to have someplace to play (this week) that’s competitive,” Dunn said. “You can play with anyone and count everything, but it’s not the same as playing in the tournament.”
