Colorado University Athletics
Former and Future Golfers Advance at U.S. Women's Open Qualifier
May 13, 2008 | Women's Golf
BOULDER - Former University of Colorado standout golfer, Erin (Kerr) Houtsma, along with incoming freshman Emily Childs, made it through the first round of qualifying for the 2008 U.S. Women's Open on Monday afternoon.
Houtsma qualified at the Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, Ariz. as she led the pack with a two-under 70, while Childs battled unfavorable weather conditions in Half Moon Bay, Calif. and carded an 80.
Houtsma was a four-year letterwinner at Colorado and became the first CU women's golfer to advance to an NCAA Regional, doing so in 2002 and 2003 while bettering a dozen school records along the way. She was a four-time Most Valuable Player for the Buffs and a two-time Big 12 All-Conference Honorable Mention selection. As a professional, Houtsma won the 2005 Colorado Women's Open and she is a four-time winner on the Cactus Tour. Her father, Steve Kerr, lettered in golf for the Buffs in the late 1970's, making the duo the first father-daughter tandem in school history to play the same sport as a Buffalo.
Childs already boasts an impressive resume and the high school senior will continue to add to it over the next few months before she joins the Buffs in the fall. Childs is fresh off a win at the women's San Francisco City Golf Championship, 22 years after her father, John, won medalist honors. She also became the first female to make the cut at the 80-year-old Alameda Commuters Golf Tournament as she was six-over par after two rounds at the Chuck Corica Golf Complex in Alameda, Calif., and went three-over for the final two rounds to finish in a tie for 31st.
Current Buffalo sophomore Christine Kim also participated in a regional qualifier, but missed the cut after shooting a 77. Kim will be a top-returner for the women's golf team next fall and she hopes to continue her training throughout the summer and carry her success into her junior year.
Monday's events served as initial qualifiers for various sectionals that will determine the field for the 2008 U.S. Women's Open, set for the Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minn., June 23-29. Both Houtsma and Childs will compete in the final qualifier on June 9 at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
