There was a time, not so long ago, that arguably the biggest name in women’s amateur golf worldwide was Kimberly Kim.
After all, she was — and still is — the youngest winner in the history of the U.S. Women’s Amateur (14 in 2006). And three other times, she finished runner-up in USGA championships — twice in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links and once in the U.S. Girls’ Junior.
And after her one — and, as it turned out, only — season as a University of Denver golfer, she qualified at The Broadmoor and made her pro debut at the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open. Then in the fall of that year, she earned her LPGA Tour card in her first time trying as a pro. But after competing on the top women’s tour in the world, the Hawaii native lost her card at the end of 2011.
Ever since then, it’s been an uphill battle for Kim (pictured above) to live up to the extremely high standard she set for herself as a teenager.
“At first it was (difficult),” she said Wednesday after completing the first round of the HealthOne Colorado Women’s Open at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in northeast Denver. “But I think I was playing bad for so long that now I don’t really worry about it. Now I’m just trying to build up.”
Earlier this month, Kim missed out on her chance to earn an LPGA Tour card for 2016 after failing to advance out of stage I of qualifying. But on Wednesday, she showed some positive signs in shooting a 2-under-par 70 at GVR and sharing third place after the opening round of the 21st Colorado Women’s Open.
Karinn Dickinson of Scottsdale, Ariz., a former University of Washington golfer, made six birdies and fired a 5-under-par 67 to grab the day 1 lead. Allison Emrey of Charlotte, N.C., a former Wake Forest golfer who recently turned pro, stands in solo second place at 69.
A total of 10 players broke par on Wednesday, with Kim being one of them despite bogeying her final two holes.
“I was playing really solid at the start,” said the just-turned 24-year-old, who lived in Pueblo for a time before moving back to Hawaii. “I was hitting it really well. On the back (nine), I think I was thinking of my score too much so I screwed up at the end.
“This course is tough. It’s kind of tight and the greens are rolling really fast, which is good. But it’s set up tough.”
This is Kim’s second time playing the Colorado Women’s Open. She placed 38th two years ago. But Wednesday marked the best of her four competitive rounds at GVR as she carded five birdies and three bogeys.
“I’m starting to play better overall,” she said. “I was injured at the beginning of the year (broken right hand) so maybe the break helped me.”
Meanwhile, considering the record three-day scoring total for a Colorado Women’s Open at GVR is 7 under par (Becca Huffer in 2013), Dickinson (left) is certainly off to a good start with her 5-under 67.
“I went in with the mindset of no expectations — just to have fun,” said the 26-year-old, who played in the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open. “I haven’t been playing great lately, so it’s great to finally put a good round together. Everything just came into place today. These greens here are fast, they’re good, and they can be tricky. But I felt like I stayed patient and calm and let the game come to me.”
Dickinson has status on the Symetra Tour, but has played on that circuit just twice this year. She helps in the golf shop at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, and plays in state opens and Cactus Tour events, but is skipping Q-school this year.
“I really haven’t been dialed in with my game as much I’d like this year, so I kind of took time off to regroup, go back to the drawing board and make a new plan,” she said.
Despite missing the cut in her only previous Colorado Women’s Open appearance, Dickinson called the CWO “probably my favorite tournament of the year.”
Kupchos Hosting Emrey, Who Shoots 69: Last year, amateur Jennifer Kupcho from Westminster finished second at the Colorado Women’s Open and ran away with low-amateur honors.
Kupcho, who recently advanced to the round of 16 at the U.S. Women’s Amateur, isn’t back this year as she’s already headed to Wake Forest to prepare for her first season as a college golfer. But her parents, Mike and Janet, were still at Green Valley Ranch on Wednesday as they’re serving as a host family for competitor Allison Emrey (left), who wrapped up her college career at Wake Forest in the spring.
And, coincidentally, Emrey sits in second place after Wednesday, having shot a 3-under-par 69 with Mike Kupcho caddying for her.
The Kupchos met Emrey at the Women’s Western National Amateur earlier this summer and suggested she look into competing at the CWO. Emrey turned pro in July and has since advanced to stage 2 of LPGA Tour qualifying. The Colorado Women’s Open is her fourth event as a pro.
“I have a great caddie,” said Emrey, who made five birdies and two bogeys on the day. “There’s a few challenging holes (at GVR), but Mr. Kupcho helped me out a little bit as far as where to hit it — a good plan and a safe plan. If you can navigate around the course and take the best odds, you’re going to play well out here.”
Notable: The top Coloradan on the scoreboard after Wednesday’s first round is Symetra Tour player Ashley Tait of Littleton, who posted a 2-under-par 70 and shares third place. The 2008 CWGA Stroke Play champion made three birdies and one bogey on the day. … Rachel Sweeney of Highlands Ranch, who teamed with Megan McCambridge to win the 2014 CWGA Mashie Championship, leads the amateur standings after round 1, in which she shot a 1-under-par 71. Sweeney plays college golf at Lewis University in Illinois. … The field will be cut to the low 44 players and ties after Thursday’s second round of the 54-hole tournament, which concludes on Friday. … Two Coloradans who have won the Colorado Women’s Open in the last decade, Becca Huffer (2013) and Erin Houtsma (2005), struggled considerably in round 1. Huffer carded an 82 and Houtsma an 81.
For scores from the Colorado Women’s Open, CLICK HERE.
