June 15, 2011
Former University of New Mexico women’s golfer Christina Spence Proteau has qualified for next month’s U.S. Women’s Open, which will be played July 7-10 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Former Lobo Jodi Ewart is listed as an alternate.
Proteau, a native of Port Alberni, British Columbia, claimed her spot May 23 by tying for medalist honors in a grueling 36-hole sectional qualifier at the Royal Oaks Country Club in Vancouver, Wash. Playing as an amateur, Proteau finished at 8-over 152 in her first attempt at qualifying for the U.S. Open.
Eighty-two players were fully exempt into the championship’s 156-player field, leaving 74 spots open for qualifiers. Two spots are still being held open for the winners of the two LPGA Tour events to be played before the U.S. Open, should those winners not already be fully exempt.
“I cannot put into words how excited I am about this event,” said Proteau. “Over the past few years I have played better, more consistent golf than I ever did while in college. I credit it to experience and my situation in life. I look forward to the experience and the opportunity to test myself against the world’s best.”
Spence won the British Columbia Women’s Amateur in 2006 and 2009.
Spence was a four-year letterwinner at UNM from 2002-05. She was all-conference as a sophomore and a three-time Academic All-American.
Spence graduated from UNM in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in English. She earned her law degree from the University of Victoria (Canada).
Proteau is currently Crown Counsel (criminal prosecutor) in her hometown of Port Alberni where she lives with her husband Jim.
Ewart, a three-time All-American and four-time Mountain West Conference Player of the Year while at UNM from 2007-10, tied for third at a sectional qualifier May 16 at The Oaks Club in Osprey, Fla. Ewart is currently playing on the LPGA Futures Tour.