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Legacy Golfer A Hit
Erin Kerr was CU's first ever women's golfer to participate in an NCAA Regional event.
University of Colorado women's golfer Erin Kerr was the first CU player to advance to an NCAA Regional, doing so in 2002 and 2003 while bettering a dozen school records along the way. She finished in a tie for 15th place at the 2002 NCAA Regional with a three-round stroke total of 223. Kerr completed her CU career at the 2003 NCAA Regional, tying for 48th place with a 15-over par 231. 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 for CU. (Keyed in byAllison Gomez, Student Assistant Sports Information Director, on March 3, 2004).

Dec. 25, 2000

by Ron Glaz
Colorado DailySports Writer

BOULDER - In 1977, Stephen Kerr was just another CU athlete: a golfer with a wicked drive and a mischievous grin. This three-time letterman was overshadowed by the likes of Buffs such as Steve Jones (1996 U.S. Open winner) and Mark Crabtree (current head coach at Colorado State).

Jump ahead to the year 2000. This time, another Kerr, slightly smaller this time but with the same smile and an equally wicked drive, is lighting up the links for the Buffs.

Her name is Erin Kerr. And you guessed it: She’s Stephen’s daughter. But the similarities end there. After waiting in the wings for two years at Cal, Kerr was eager for an opportunity to transfer to CU last fall with one thought in her mind – golf. She came back to her Colorado roots. And the CU women’s golf program welcomed her with open arms.

“ Well, I didn’t play at Cal. And when I transferred here, I knew all I needed was one chance, an opportunity to get into a tournament situation,” said Kerr, who was born in Denver. “Coach (Anne) Kelly gave it to me. And I knew after that, I would be fine.”

Anyone who has seen Kerr launch a golf ball 270 yards also knew that she would turn out just fine. But after pacing CU in three of their five fall tournaments, including a third-place finish at the Heather Farr Memorial, it’s safe to say that Kerr’s time has arrived now – and with gusto.

“ I know it wasn’t her best tournament, but she shot a 69 in the first round of the Big 12 Preview,” said Kelly. “To watch her play that round, I just saw so many good things in the way she putted and everything else. I mean, she just hit the ball a ton. It pointed out to me how good she could really be,” said Kelly.

Kerr’s 76.92 stroke average leads the team (the next-best CU golfer is senior Katy Nolan, who is nearly two strokes behind Kerr at 78.50 – a sizeable margin in golf). And Kerr’s performance has eased all of Kelly’s pre-conceived fears about the quantum leap Kerr was taking into Division I golf, along with the obvious adjustment period acclimating to her new campus, a new set of friends and a new home.

“ She wasn’t really (rusty),” said Kelly, who is in the midst of her fourth season at the helm of the women’s golf program. “But not having the collegiate experience makes a big difference when you’re playing on a team, and all of a sudden it means something for the team and the university and yourself. But I think she’s adjusted just fine. She seems happy, and the team loves her. She’s just fit in really well.”

“ It’s been tough, but the team has been great. We’re around each other all the time, so it’s like you’ve got built-in friends,” said Kerr. “They’ve made it (the transition to living and going to school in Colorado) a lot easier.”

And as for the added pressure of donning a CU polo just like the one her father wore 23 years ago?
“ It’s just (about) focusing. I play my own game. I’m not going out there to beat anybody. I’m just out there trying not to beat myself,” insisted Kerr.

And while Kerr has certainly done nothing discernible to beat herself at the game her father taught her how to play when she was a little girl, the question remains: Can she finally beat the man who showed her how to take her first swing?

“ I think I’ve beat him once my whole life,” laughed Kerr. “And he was proud of me.”
But probably not as proud as Stephen Kerr was to see his daughter finally get the chance to play collegiate golf at his alma matter.


 
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