Only one amateur has won the HealthOne Colorado Women’s Open in the 14-year history of the tournament, but if Wednesday is any indication, the professionals certainly shouldn’t take anything for granted this year.
Three amateurs broke par in the first round of the Women’s Open at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, including last year’s runner-up, and another shot even-par.
“We have a lot of great amateurs in Colorado, and we have a good turnout this week,” said Colorado State University golfer Kasey Claussen. “I can definitely see an amateur winning this.”
Becca Huffer, a two-time Colorado state high school champion, fired a 2-under-par 70 Wednesday to lead the charge for the amateurs. Other amateurs breaking par Wednesday were Claussen (71) and Australian Alison Whitaker (71), who plays college golf at Duke. Matching par was Erie’s Molly Dorans, who will play collegiately at Montana State beginning in the fall.
All of them will be trying to join Paige MacKenzie as amateur champions of the Colorado Women’s Open. MacKenzie won by five shots in 2006.
One pro who isn’t backing down from the amateur challenge is Kelly Schaub of Fort Collins, a part-time Futures Tour player who matched Huffer’s 70. Despite playing poorly this year, Schaub was in good form Wednesday, making four birdies, including a chip-in on No. 18.
“Honestly, I’ve been looking at a career change,” the 29-year-old Greeley native said. “I’m torn about it. It’s been a struggle this year. When I play well it’s great, and when it’s bad it’s real bad. I think a lot of it is trying too hard. But today I had my mom (Cindi) on the bag, and I felt relaxed. It was like I was back in junior golf. There were no worries.”
As for Huffer, though she’s just 18, she’s a legitimate contender for the title this week. She finished second at Green Valley Ranch last year, three shots back of champion Walailak Satarak.
Huffer went on to be named the Colorado Women’s Golf Association Player of the Year in 2008, and posted the best stroke average for the Notre Dame women’s golf team as a freshman.
On Wednesday, Huffer hit 16 greens in regulation and made three birdies and one bogey.
“I really like this course,” the Denver resident said. “My game is in good shape, and today I took advantage.”
Huffer sees no reason why she shouldn’t contend for the title this week, especially with the experience she’s gained in the last year.
Asked if she’s taking aim at the top spot, Huffer said, “I might as well. I always want to do better, and I’m a better player than I was a year ago.”
Like Huffer, Claussen grew up in Colorado. The 20-year-old attended Fort Collins High School and now is a senior-to-be at CSU. This past season, she was named to the All-Mountain West Conference team and she tied the CSU women’s single-round record with a 67.
“I don’t have any expectations other than I expect myself to play well,” Claussen said after her two-birdie, one-bogey round.
Whitaker, who grew up in Melbourne, Australia, is no stranger to being in contention at Colorado tournaments. She won the CWGA Match Play title in 2006, the same year she finished third at the Colorado Women’s Open.
“This course sets up well for me; it’s a bit of a thinker’s course,” said Whitaker, a senior-to-be at Duke, which finished sixth at last week’s Women’s NCAA Championship Finals. “Today, I basically just kept it on the straight and narrow, and had it inside of 15 feet a lot, which helps on this course.”
While several amateurs shined Wednesday, some top pros struggled. Satarak, who’s won the last two Women’s Opens, shot an 80, playing her last seven holes in 8 over par. And Denver’s Dawn Shockley, who’s making her pro debut after winning the NCAA East Regional earlier this month, posted an 84.
