DENVER - Former University of Denver golfer Katie Kempter earned her first professional victory Sunday when she captured the Volvik Championship in Beaumont, California. Kempter won the title in dramatic fashion, posting birdies on the final three holes to draw even with Lee Lopez who bogied the final hole. Kempter then won the event on the second playoff hole.

"It is a little surreal," Kempter said after the win. "I didn't know what to think after I won but this is very special."

Kempter, who posted seven top 10 finishes in her first four years on tour, is hoping to once again earn her LPGA Tour card. This win on the Symetra Tour is certainly a step in the right direction and no one feels better for her than current Denver head coach Lindsay Kuhle.

"I am so incredibly proud of Katie," Kuhle said. "She has worked so hard on her game ever since she played for us at DU. She improved every year while she was here and right out of college qualified 2nd in the final stage of LPGA qualifying school and spent a year on the LPGA tour (in 2010)."

An English major who graduated from DU in 2009, the 27-year old Albuquerque, New Mexico native was just one of three golfers to break par at the Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon.

"I look for Katie to have another successful run on the LPGA soon to come" predicted Kuhle. "It is such a great win, to birdie three of the last holes and win on the second playoff hole, with her parents there and her dad on the bag. That just shows you what type of competitor she is and how close she is with her family. We always consider Dubs (Katie's nickname at DU) family and are so excited to see her get her first Symetra tour win."

The Volvik title was worth $15,000 but Kempter is already looking forward.

"A win is huge, but it doesn't mean your work is done," said Kempter. "There is a lot of work to go, it is just the very beginning of the season, but it is a nice way to start the year for sure."

- JOIN THE DENVER PIONEER NATION -

Like Denver PioneersandDenverWomensGolf on Facebook

Follow @DU_Pioneers and@DU_WGolf on Twitter