Recent DU Grad Kempter Secures LPGA TOUR Card

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Former University of Denver women's golfer Katie Kempter (Albuquerque, N.M.) secured her LPGA Tour Card finishing tied for second in the Final Qualifying Tournament at the LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla., becoming the first women's golfer in Pioneer history to accomplish such a feat.

The former Pioneer shot a blistering 4-under par 68 in the final round to move up four spots and finish two strokes out of first place. Playing through tough weather conditions that saw two postponements due to heavy rains, Kempter finished the five-round tournament with an impressive 7-under par 353 (70-69-73-73-68) and a purse of $4,250.

"Considering the conditions of the course after the heavy rains the past two days, today was great weather and the course ended up being very scoreable," Kempter said. "I just focused on what I needed to do, taking my opportunities when they presented themselves and making all my putts when I needed to. I was also fortunate enough to have my dad caddy for me this last round, which was great because we had a blast together and it really kept things loose."

With her second-place finish, Kempter earns Priority List Category 11 status for the 2010 season, alternating with players 81-100 on the 2009 LPGA Official Money List.

"I'm very happy and proud for Katie and what she has accomplished today," said head coach Sammie Chergo.  "She proved herself as a student-athlete at DU, earning Academic All-America honors four times, and is embodying what the mission of the women's golf program is all about. She has a true passion for the game and was one of the hardest working student-athletes we have ever had in our program."

Amanda Blumenherst from Scottsdale, Ariz., finished first with five-round total of 9-under par 351 (72-71-73-67-68), while the previous day's leader Marianne Skarpnord of Norway slipped one spot to finish tied with Kempter for second with a five round total of 7-under par 353 (76-66-70-70-71).

In early October, both Dawn Shockley (Estes Park, Colo.) and Kempter finished tied for 27th at the Sectional Qualifying with a 2-over par 290 to advance to this week's tournament. Shockley finished the Sectional with scores of 74-72-74-70, while Kempter carded scores of 77-70-74-69 at the par-72 Dinah Shore course at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Consistent with the LPGA's history of being a true global tour, the 106-player field features players from 20 countries. South Korea is represented by nine players, followed by Canada (6) and Spain (5). Australia has four representatives, while Colombia, Sweden and Thailand each have three. Germany, Japan and Mexico each have two players in the field, and the countries of Denmark, Ecuador, France, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa and Venezuela each have a single representative.

Within the United States, 29 states are represented in the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament, with California leading the way with 12 athletes. Florida and Arizona have four, while Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, North Carolina, Nevada and Texas each have a trio of hopefuls. Additionally, there are four amateurs in the field, looking for a breakthrough performance to warrant the start of their professional golf careers.

The five-day final qualifier was played on both the Legends and Champions courses at LPGA International, with a 72-hole cut to the low-70 players and ties.

The top 20 players at the conclusion of the event will earn Priority in Category 11. In the event of a tie, a playoff will decide the 20th position. Players finishing in the 21st-30th spots will earn Priority in Category 16, followed by 31st-40th, who will receive Priority in Category 20.

POST-TOURNAMENT INTERVIEW - LPGA.com

Q.  Well, congratulations on a long week of nice golf.  Talk about how it feels to be done and to have played so well.

KATIE KEMPTER:  I don't think it has settled yet.  I could go play another 20 holes of golf right now.  I had so much fun this whole week, even the rain delays and everything.  I got lucky enough.  My swing coach was on the bag with me this week until yesterday when he went to Mexico this morning.  So my dad jumped on my bag.  When we were on the rain delay on Saturday, my caddy went up 50 minutes north and played nine holes of golf.  Anytime I can play with him, which is a lot when I'm home, I get a little bit more confidence, even when he kicks my butt.  So, just the whole week, you know, I had a blast.  My whole goal this week was to come out and win and lets enjoy the experience, because you never know if you're going to get this chance again. 

Q.  This is your first time at qualifying school.  Has it sunk in yet that you will be playing on the LPGA Tour next season?

KATIE KEMPTER:  I don't know.  I don't think it had sunk in quite yet.  It has been a dream and a goal since I picked a club competitively.  To actually think it is going to happen, I don't think it has hit me yet.