In some respects, it seems like time has dragged on interminably for Katie Kempter as she’s geared up for her LPGA Tour debut. In other ways, now that the big moment is almost here for the former University of Denver golfer, the time has seemingly flown by.
“I look at it that I’ve prepared for this event for nine years,” Kempter said in a recent phone interview. “I’m just excited and I want to play. I”˜m ready to go.”
Just 10 months after turning pro, the 22-year-old begins her rookie season on the LPGA circuit on Thursday (March 25) at the Kia Classic at La Costa in Carlsbad, Calif. Colorado Golf Hall of Fame inductee Jill McGill will make her 2010 LPGA debut at the same event.
For Kempter, it’s been a remarkable run to get where she’s gotten so quickly. Last June she graduated from DU after winning three times in college and being named to the all-Sun Belt Conference team each of her four seasons. In her last two years in college, the Pioneers finished sixth and fifth in the NCAA Championships.
After turning pro in late May and gearing up by playing in state opens and the like, Kempter barely advanced out of the first stage of LPGA Tour qualifying, tying for the last available berths with ex-DU teammate Dawn Shockley. Kempter needed a last-round 69 to make the final stage.
In December at the five-round LPGA Q-school finals, Kempter left nothing to chance, finishing second behind only the much-heralded Amanda Blumenhurst.
“It’s always been a dream to play the biggest and the best,” said Kempter, who has qualified for five USGA championships. “I didn’t ever doubt myself, but for it to happen so soon was exciting. Coming right out of college, I thought, “˜Why not continue what you’re doing — playing at the highest level?’ I’ve always been a scrappy golfer, and that’s the way I was all through Q-school. A year ago I was asked what my plan was, and I said ideally I’d play on the LPGA Tour for 18 to 20 years, then coach college golf.”
Considering what Kempter has accomplished so far, it’s been a stellar first step along her career path. Probably the biggest downside is that there are only 26 tournaments on the 2010 LPGA schedule, the fewest since 1971. Just two years ago, there were 34. In addition, half of the LPGA tournaments this year will be played outside the U.S.
Kempter said she’ll get into a minimum of 11 LPGA events this season, and the total could go up to 17 if things fall into place. In off weeks she’ll play some state opens — the HealthOne Colorado Women’s Open is on her schedule June 2-4 — and up to three Futures Tour events. Kempter also plans to try to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open at a Colorado site — at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs on May 31.
“It’s unfortunate there aren’t more (LPGA) events to play, but I take it for what it is,” she said. “All rookies are in the same boat, so you have to take advantage of your opportunities. But I’m excited about the new experience.”
Kempter still stays in periodic contact with DU head coach Sammie Chergo and assistant Lindsay Hulwick, as well as some of her former teammates. In fact, Kempter attended a DU tournament last month in Tucson, Ariz. For her part, Chergo calls Kempter “one of the hardest-working student-athletes we’ve ever had in our program.”
“I know Sammie and Lindsay are always there for me if I need them,” Kempter said. “I bounce ideas off of them and talk about golf life. I spoke with (Chergo this week) and we talked about getting ready. I told her I was my typical self the week before a tournament: grumpy, crusty and analytical.”
As far as help with her golf swing goes, Kempter continues to work with her longtime coach, Bill Harvey of Albuquerque, where Kempter grew up and where she moved back to last month. Besides helping Kempter with her golf game, Harvey caddied for her during the Q-school finals and will do likewise at six tournaments this year, including next week’s Kia Classic.
“Bill keeps me relaxed, which is good because I don’t want to over-think things,” Kempter said of Harvey, the head professional at Arroyo Del Oso Golf Course in Albuquerque.
Kempter hasn’t competed since winning the Hawaii State Open late in December. She took a look at La Costa in preparation for next week’s event, and she’s done a lot of prep work with Harvey.
“I felt like that was better for me, but I won’t know if that’s the right decision until after,” she said. “But I had almost 2½ months between the first stage and the final stage of (LPGA Tour) qualifying, and I only played two Suncoast events during that time. My body and mind know the difference between competition and casual golf, and I think I have another gear to switch into. It’s in me. I’m prepared for this, and I need to know that.
“I’m hitting the ball real well, and feel like I’m putting well. Everything is coming together. Things are where they need to be right now.”
Kempter doesn’t have any close friends on the LPGA Tour, though she’s gotten to know Blumenhurst a little and she has veteran Stephanie Louden as her assigned “big sister” on the circuit. As to how she’ll feel when she starts competing against some of the biggest names in women’s golf, only time will tell.
“That remains to be seen,” Kempter said. “Anybody would be lying if they said they’d be perfectly comfortable (the first time) playing alongside Lorena Ochoa or Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson. On the other hand, you have to know, “˜I belong out there too.’ It’ll be a fun learning experience.”
But Kempter doesn’t want to be just satisfied with being out on the LPGA Tour. She aims to make some headway in short order.
“What I’d really like to do is be Rookie of the Year and start to get noticed for the (2011) Solheim Cup,” she said. “And I’d like to get five top-10 (finishes). But the most important thing is that I embrace this. Not everyone gets this opportunity, and I don’t want to squander it. I want to have fun and continue loving what I do. There’s no point putting stress on yourself; it does no good. So I’m going to go play, and the rest will take care of itself. If my goals are met, they’re met.”
