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Natalie Gulbis Profile |
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Birth Date: January 7, 1983
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Birth Place: Sacramento, California, USA
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Birth Name: Natalie Anne Gulbis
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Height: 5'9"
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Natalie Gulbis
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Biography |
Natalie Anne Gulbis was born on January 7, 1983, in
Sacramento, California. Natalie's father John worked for the
Sacramento County Probation Department, while her mother
Barbara continues to act as purchasing director for a
Sacramento medical laboratory. Natalie first hit the links
at age 4, when her father began to teach her to play golf.
She soon fell in love with the sport. At 7, she won her
first tournament, and by 10, young Natalie was already
breaking par.
In 1996, 13-year-old Natalie finished in second place in the
California State Women's Amateur tournament. The top spot
went to another future LPGA player, Dorothy Delasin. The
following year, however, Natalie came back to win the
tournament. That same year, she became the youngest player
to ever qualify for an LPGA event, playing in the Long Drugs
Challenge. Natalie would hold this record until 2002, when
12-year-old Michelle Wie made fresh claim to it.
Natalie continued developing her golf game at Granite Bay
High School, where she played on the boys' team. Despite the
fact that she was also committed to gymnastics and diving,
Natalie still excelled academically, and graduated early, at
age 16.
On the strength of her high school scores, Natalie was given
a scholarship to Arizona State University in 1999. At that
time, Arizona's golf team was the defending NCAA champs. In
her freshman year, Natalie won three tournaments and was
recognized with All-American honors. The next summer, she
qualified for the US Women's Open, was ranked 34th among
amateurs, and then was named MVP at the USA-Japan Collegiate
Golf Championship. On the strength of these achievements,
Natalie made the decision to turn pro.
Natalie went to the LPGA Qualifying Tournament (aka
"Q-School") in the fall of 2000, and earned a spot on the
tour on her first attempt. In 2001, Natalie moved to Las
Vegas, Nevada. Her reason for doing so was initially
strictly for tax purposes, but she soon grew to love her new
home on Lake Las Vegas, about 30 minutes from the strip.
Another advantage to her new location was its proximity to
the Butch Harmon School of Golf, where she could take daily
instruction from the same man who tutors golf heavyweights
like Tiger Woods and Adam Scott.
In 2002, Natalie tied for fifth at the ShopRite LPGA Classic
and for fourth at the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic. These two
performances propelled her into second place in the Rookie
of the Year points standings. The following year, Natalie
tied for 12th at the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship and
scored a career-low 63 in the third round of the
Welch's/Fry's Championship. In 2004, Natalie finished in the
Top 15 in five tournaments and carded her first LPGA career
hole in one in the final round of the Safeway Classic.
In 2005, Natalie released her second calendar. The first
annual 2004 edition was deemed "too provocative" by the USGA,
who cancelled Natalie's signings, but it still proved to be
a very successful enterprise. Natalie has also played on
many charity and Pro-Am events, where she has teed off
against such celebrity athletes as Roy Jones Jr., Michael
Jordan and Barry Bonds. |
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Other
Information |
5'9”, blond hair, blue-green eyes
Started playing golf at the age of 4
Credits her father, John Gulbis, as the individual most
influencing her career
Hobbies include working out and running
Qualified for the Tour on her first attempt
Represents Adidas, Amstel Light, Genisoy, Maxfli, Metrx and
TaylorMade
Has her own Web site, www.nataliegulbis.com, and her own
2004 calendar.
At the age of 14, Gulbis won the California Women's Amateur
Championship. That same year, she became the youngest player
to Monday qualify for an LPGA tournament (1997, Longs Drugs
Challenge), a record that stood until Michelle Wie Monday
qualified at the 2002 LPGA Takefuji Classic at age 12.
Gulbis has represented the state of California in two USGA
team championships and was the U.S. Women's Amateur medalist
in 1998. She won four collegiate tournaments while at the
University of Arizona, including the NCAA West Regional. She
was named a First-Team All-American in 2001.
Has her own Web site, www.nataliegulbis.com, and her own
2004 calendar. |
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