Dickinson fires 5-under 67 to lead CO Women’s Open by 2

Washington native shoots six birdies in first round

Kristen Hicks

Playing in just her second Colorado Women’s Open, Karinn Dickinson of Mukilteo, WA birdied the first hole and made five other birdies along with just one bogey to post an impressive 67 (5-under) for a two-stroke lead at the 21^st HealthONE Colorado Women’s Open at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club. Dickinson played in 2013 as a professional after graduating from the University of Washington but missed the cut. She wasted no time making up for lost ground carding four birdies on the back nine of the difficult par-72 layout.

Just two behind in solo 2^nd is Allison Emrey of Charlotte who posted a respectable 3-under round of 69. Emrey, a recent graduate of Wake Forest, was the #21 ranked U.S. collegiate in 2015 and was an All-American and All-ACC first teamer.

In a tie for 3^rd place at 2-under par 70 are five players including former University of Denver golfer Kimberly Kim who won the US Women’s Amateur at a record 15 years of age, and played in four U.S. Women’s Opens before her 18^th birthday.

Rachel Sweeney of Highlands Ranch, CO, a junior-to-be at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL, is the current low amateur after posting a 1-under par 71. One stroke behind at even par is Lisbeth Brooks of Waunakee, WI who recently graduated from Campbell University in North Carolina.

In the pro-am competition amateur Molly Greenblatt-Welch of Denver, who played her college golf at San Jose State,    and professional partner Olivia Jordan-Higgins of Jersey, UK hold a narrow one-stroke lead after posting a 7-under par 65. Tied for second place a stroke back at 6-under are Molly’s husband Chris Welch and his pro partner Emily Childs of Alameda, CA and Bev Hoffenberg of Denver and her pro Ashley Tait of Littleton, CO. Both Welches and Hoffenberg are Trustees of the Colorado Open board as are five others of the top 13 teams competing in the pro-am.

The $75,000 purse includes $60,000 for the championship contestants and $15,000 for the pro-am competitors. All competitors play again Thursday with a cut to the low 40% and ties of the championship field and 40% and ties of the pro-am teams after the second round. Only Friday’s final round players will be eligible for a share of the $75,000 purse, with $11,000 going to the winner of the 2015 championship.

Parking and admission are free to the public and spectator reservations are not required at the HealthONE Colorado Women’s Open.

Click here for complete first round results of the championship.