The application process for 2010 LPGA Tour qualifying opened recently, so Alison Whitaker has an eye on the future even as she tries to finish her amateur career on a high note.
The Australian who now lives in Denver hopes to be competing on the best women’s tour in the world starting in early 2011. But while that’s always in the back of her mind, her immediate focus is on winning the CWGA Match Play title for the second time in the last five years.
Whitaker (pictured) took another step toward that goal on Wednesday when she chalked up a 2-and-1 semifinal victory over University of Denver golfer Anna Christenson at CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora. The win earned the former Duke golfer a berth in Thursday’s 36-hole championship match against qualifying medalist Dana Zamprelli of Castle Rock. Zamprelli, a sophomore-to-be on the University of Wyoming golf team, advanced when 2005 champion Becca Huffer withdrew before Wednesday’s semifinals due to a problematic skin reaction.
“I was a little disappointed” at winning by default “because it would have been good for me to play Becca because she’s a very good player,” said the 19-year-old Zamprelli, who shot a career-best 3-under-par 70 in Monday’s stroke-play qualifying at CommonGround. “The practice (round) was good, but it wasn’t what I wanted.”
Whitaker, a top-four finisher in three of the last five HealthOne Colorado Women’s Opens, will be a formidable opponent. The 2010 Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Golf Scholar-Athlete of the Year has won her three matches 9 and 7, 5 and 3 and 2 and 1. Unofficially, she’s gone a combined 12 under par in 43 holes.
“I’m striking the ball probably the best I ever have,” the 24-year-old said. “It’s a really cool feeling. It’s nice to have confidence in shots, especially on a course like this where you really need to be on the right spots on the greens and need to give yourself short putts. Here, if you’re inside of 20 feet you have a chance of holing it. If you’re outside 30 feet you have a chance to three-putt.”
On Wednesday, Whitaker was 2 under par through 17 holes. Still, Christenson was just 1 down after making an 18-inch birdie on No. 16, but a three-putt on 17 secured the victory for Whitaker.
“The best thing about it is I have a chance to win it now,” said Whitaker, the 2006 Match Play champion. “The more times I can put myself in that position, the more experience I’ll get and the better I’ll be for it when I go into some of the bigger events.”
Whitaker made it to the semifinals of the 2005 U.S. Women’s Amateur and will represent Australia in the 2010 World Amateur Team Championships that will take place in Argentina in October. But don’t get the impression that she’ll take an opponent lightly in an event like the CWGA Match Play.
“If you take anything for granted in golf, especially in match play, you’re going to go home that night with a big loss on your hands,” Whitaker said. “I’ve learned from experience that you don’t take anything for granted and you don’t underestimate anyone. That happens a lot with players who have done the big thing and come into smaller state tournaments thinking they’re a big fish in a small pond. They learn pretty quickly that you can’t think like that. These girls are quality players and anyone can shoot under par on any given day. You need to expect that to happen and not let your guard down at all.”
But Whitaker fully admits that she’s eager to soon turn professional and hopefully compete on the LPGA Tour.
“I’m getting everything ready (for Q-school), which is exciting,” she said. “I’m looking forward to it. I believe that’s where I should be. I like to think the Tour could use someone like me to shake it up a little bit. I just love golf and I’ve got a big appreciation for the game. I’m looking forward to going do it. My ball-striking is great. If I can get my short game into shape, I think I can be competitive.”
While Whitaker and Zamprelli will square off for the open-division championship on Thursday, Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Kim Eaton will face Colorado State University women’s assistant coach Susan Jennings for the senior division title. In the semifinals, Eaton defeated Marianne Ceriani of Rolling Hills 7 and 5, and Jennings beat Kathy Malpass of Hiwan 4 and 3.
Elsewhere at CommonGround on Wednesday, two competitors recorded holes-in-one on the same hole, No. 2. Suzy Burley made hers from 115 yards, while Jill Gaschler chalked up her ace from 140 yards.
