Story No. 13: Kim Kaufman wins the Volvik Championship and later stars on LPGA
The Volvik Championship was an event that definitely tested the mental fortitude of everyone in 2014. Unfortunately, mother nature just did not cooperate and the Volvik Championship was shortened to 36-holes and we had to finish on Monday.
Kaufman shot a 1-under 71 through her first 18-holes and was in position to make a run at her second Epson Tour victory.
When the run finally dissipated, Kaufman blitzed the field with a 6-under 66 over her second 18 holes and won by four shots.
Her meteoric rise to the LPGA Tour has been well documented. She had LPGA membership through Category 17 on the Priority List by finishing T23 at LPGA Qualifying Touranment in 2013, but was mainly focusing on the Epson Tour.
At the urging of her agent, she went to play the North Texas LPGA Shootout and wound up finishing in a tie for fourth, one stroke behind Michelle Wie.
The rest is history. The Epson Tour saw her just one more time at the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Women’s Health Classic in Greenwood and then she played the LPGA Tour the rest of the season.
She didn’t just play, she contended. She finished 64th on the CME Race to the Globe and will be out on Tour all year in 2015.
In Kim’s words…
The Volvik championship was one of the longest and most grueling events I played all year. With the weather and delays I played Saturday and Monday. I was a couple shots back going into the final round and made a commitment to not look at a leaderboard that day. I knew I was playing well, but there were some great players at the top. When I got to 18 I finally looked and saw I had a four shot lead. I couldn't believe it. The week was so long and miserable, but seeing my name at the top for another Epson victory was so rewarding. I knew I was setting myself up for a great 2014 season.
When I finished my final round in Dallas this year, I knew I had finished in the top 5, but I honestly didn't really know what that all meant for me. I hadn't ever played LPGA and didn't want to get my hopes up until I for sure knew what it meant. There were so many memorable moments from the day, but what stands out is when Christina Kim was standing outside the scoring tent when I came out, she shakes my hand and says "Welcome to the LPGA." Pretty awesome.
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