We Won! Yeah! After getting trounced bad in 2007 by Team Asia. We won on the 18th hole, last match which included Christina Kim vs. Japan’s Namika Omata. It was so exciting CK had to tie the last hole for us to win the Cup back. I was standing next to our Captain Annika Sorenstam and Cristie Kerr and we waited nervously as Christina, the heart and entertainment of the team, had to two put for birdie from 80 feet. She cozied it up there a foot and we ran out there to hug her. We celebrated with hugs and each was given a bottle of champagne to spray Annika and then each other. It was so fun. We all celebrated this one and no one could be happier to win this one for Annika who was retiring from the LPGA that day. What a great way to go out playing captain who had won her match 3&2 over Se Ri Pak.
We started the final day in a 6-6 tie. The final round all 12 players played match play singles. We had two weather delays due to rain and lighting. After 9 holes I was two down and as I walked to my ball in the 10th there was Annika. She had just won her match and and the board read that the team had fallen two points behind. She walked down the fairway giving me a pep talk. And when the best player to ever play women’s golf is cheering you and saying come on you feel the excitement and pressure. Her caddy Terry was out there too. Well the encouragement worked I won the next three holes. I got to 15 and Annika , Suzanne Peterson, Helen Alfredson ran out to give me high fives that I was back in the match, and cheer me on to win. I won the next two holes and was up 2 holes with two to play. What a turn around. One of my favorite parts of the Lexus cup is the team. The highs are higher, the team is there to comfort you after a bad match and lift your spirits. Of course celebrating the victory together is the best too!
It was an incredible week. I have so many fond memories of the golf, fans, Lexus a great host, IMG did an extraordinary job running the event and of course those with my teammates. Golf being an individual sport makes me appreciate the few times when we get to play as a team. Check out lpga.com for more pictures and golf channel to watch the event on TV.
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Tags: Natalie Gulbis, LPGA, Golf, Golf Calendar,cristie kerr, natalie gulbis, christina kim, annika sorenstam, pep talk, weather delays, last match, fond memories, helen alfredson, 18th hole, golf fans, high fives, se ri pak, best player, lpga, birdie, caddy, fairway, lexus, encouragement
Posted by Natalie Gulbis Fan
HSBC IN SINGAPORE:
8am:
Following the Lexus Cup, I was asked to stay in Singapore an extra day to launch the 2009 HSBC Champions event. It is considered Asia’s major and has the top 60 players in the world. A fun and easy day where we have a press conference lunch with sponsors and guests and then I was off to play 3 holes with 6 groups. Tuesday At 5pm I headed to the airport. I travel to multiple cities every week and sometimes a few countries. I had no idea what my trip was going to be like when I stepped onto the plane at 7pm for the 14 hour flight to LAX and the short flight to Las Vegas. I was scheduled to be home Tuesday night at my house at 7pm.
I had a stop at Hong Kong, China and I was supposed to change planes. Unfortunately the flight left late and I missed my connection. I landed into China at midnight and the airport was closing. They could not re-book me until 9am the final morning. Thankfully in the States it was noon and my team at IMG answered the phone. Emily from the Cleveland office and Claudine from the Singapore office went to work to try and re book me. At 10 am the next morning I was confirmed with a new itinerary that would now leave Hong Kong at 2:10 local time and arrive in San Francisco Wednesday at 10am, then hop a short flight back home to Vegas!
I boarded the plane with my magazines and books in hand, only to face a four hour delay on the runway…tech difficulties. All 300 passengers then have to de –plane and change planes then re board at 6pm. So at 7pm we were wheels up and heading back to the USA. The only issue was once I landed I would miss the connection and have to re book a flight once I landed and cleared customs. So after a great 12 hour flight that included 9 hours of sleep, and plenty of time to catch up on movies I had missed and TV shows (Entourage, House, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, and Greys Anatomy) we landed in SF at 2pm on Wednesday. It took around an hour to clear customs and get luggage. I travel with a massive suitcase and my 75 pound golf bag and a carry on. I get re booked on a 4:40 flight to Las Vegas. For everyone that has traveled internationally and then domestic you can appreciate the challenge of changing terminals. Since I was on a new flight I did not get to check my bags straight through and proceed to go on three elevators, two escalators, one tram and change terminals to get to the domestic terminal. The SF airport is HUGE!!!!! All with my golf bag and suitcases. It was comical I wish I was traveling with someone so we could laugh at the situation and struggles of the trip together. Finally I got to the domestic check in and went to security. I was of course an ssss because I had traveled from outside the USA and then to the gate. I arrive into last Vegas at 6pm and back to baggage claim again. The great news is that I did not loose a bag, and finally arrived at my lake Las Vegas home at 7:30.
I have traveled to 25 countries in 2007 and spend most weeks away from home on tour and doing appearances. This trip was definitely a challenge. I don’t have any more international trips this year. This week I will work with butch, play a few charity events and play with the contest winner of the RSM McGladrey Essay contest. I am so excited to be back at home and back in the USA!
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Tags: Natalie Gulbis, LPGA, Golf, Golf Calendar,natalie gulbis, conference lunch, singapore office, hong kong china, cleveland office, hsbc champions, claudine, book a flight, entourage, plenty of time, 2pm, next morning, itinerary, 6pm, 5pm, anatomy, lexus, planes, tuesday night, customs
Posted by Natalie Gulbis Fan
Rio Secco Golf Club
Henderson, NV
The Wendy’s 3-Tour is a very special event for me. It is the only professional event that is in Las Vegas. Previously, the event was held in Lake Las Vegas and has since moved to Rio Secco Golf Club; home of the Butch Harmon School of Golf. I spend a lot of time at the school with Butch but was not very familiar with the course. I was invited a few months ago to represent the LPGA so every chance I had I was charting the course. It is a great layout winding through the canyons and has an amazing view of the valley and the Las Vegas strip. It is so pretty at the end of the day when you can see the city lights.
My accommodations for the event were at Caesar’s Palace. What an incredible hotel! I got home on Thursday and had a 3am call time for a media day. It included east coast media and we did 45 interviews from 3am to 8am. I started practice at 9. I started practice and had 4 days to get ready for the event. I was nervous and excited to compete again and had no idea what my game would be like. Butch was incredible and assured me that during the break I would have forgot most of my bad mechanics…of course he was right. The first day of practice was a little rusty and my game progressed every day. I would spend at least two hours a day on short game alone in addition to regular practice that hit every aspect of my game. I played Sunday afternoon with Cristie Kerr and her coach. We both were very excited for the event. This event where you get to play against the PGA Tour professionals and Champions Tour professionals makes it even more competitive and fun.
On Sunday all the pros were practicing together. It was fun to be around Nick Price and Bill Haas. They are such incredible ball strikers. Butch works with Stewart Cink and he is one of the nicest people you could ever meet. I don’t think Kenny Perry has touched the ground since the Ryder Cup victory. He was sharing so many stories from the Cup, which was in his home state.
Monday is the Pro-Am for the Wendy’s and also the Skills Challenge that is broadcast on The Golf Channel. Butch hosted the Big Break-style event. It was fun and light. My challenge was to break the glass. I did on my fourth and final attempt. Phew! What made the day special was that Butch was out there before during and after the Pro-Am. It’s special for me to have him at the event and coaching me through practice and how to play the course. Of course the Pro-Am participants where surprised and thrilled to see Butch Harmon during the Pro-Am, giving tips and cracking jokes. Matt, one of the instructors at the school, caddied for me for the event. He knew the golf course and my game very well. I was excited to have him inside the ropes with me to read greens, and manage the golf course.
Monday night my mom came in from Sacramento. It was so wonderful to see her. I had not seen her in almost three months so we had much to catch up on! My mom and I are really close. It does not matter where I am in the world we talk every day….We went to Palm Steakhouse for dinner. I love that steakhouse; I had been there the previous three nights too!
The Wendy’s event starts early. The first tee time is 8:30 and I was in the second group with Rocco Mediate and Fred Funk. I was even more nervous playing with guys and at home and with a microphone on for the round. I want to thank everyone from the Las Vegas community and my friends who came out watch and cheer. The event is very intimate because the fans can walk on the fairways and we can interact with them in between shots. Both Fred and Rocco were very fun and easy to play with. I can’t tell you the result on who won. The event will be broadcast on Dec 13 and 14th on ABC. I can tell you that I shot 67 and was thrilled…….
Go onto http://www.wendys3tour.com for more…
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Tags: Natalie Gulbis, LPGA, Golf, Golf Calendar,butch harmon school of golf, pga tour professionals, cristie kerr, rio secco golf club henderson nv, natalie gulbis, rio secco golf club, harmon school, stewart cink, bill haas, rio secco golf, ryder cup, cup victory, lake las vegas, charting the course, kenny perry, tour challenge, professional event, short game, lpga, nick price
Posted by Natalie Gulbis Fan
Today is the day we shoot the Wendy’s 3-Tour Challenge. The event takes place at Rio Secco Golf Club in Henderson, Nevada. This course is home to the Butch Harmon School of Golf where I spend countless hours with Butch.
I have been home in Las Vegas since Thursday. It’s great to be home. I have been spending most of my days at the school working on my game and with Butch to get ready for the event.
The Wendy’s 3-Tour Challenge is a very exciting and unique event that showcases all the three tours. There are three players from all three tours; the Champions Tour, PGA Tour and LPGA. Three players from each tour compete on the same course 18 holes skins game for a million dollar purse. The LPGA won last year and the trophy has been in the clubhouse at my home course. I would really like to keep it there! We have a great team again this year with Helen Alfredson and Cristie Kerr.
What makes the event so special is really the cause. The event has raised over 30 million for the Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption. Amazing! This is a wonderful foundation that seeks to get kids from foster care in to safe and positive homes. There are over 150,000 kids in the USA in foster care now waiting to be adopted. To find out more go to the davethomasfoundationforadoption.com. Dave thomas founder of Wendy’s was adopted himself and has created this amazing foundation. The kids come out and volunteer for the event its a delight to spend time with them
Well I have a 8:40 tee time this morning. My group includes Rocco Mediate and Fred Funk. The event is telecast on Dec 13 and 14. Hope you can watch!
Natalie
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Tags: Natalie Gulbis, LPGA, Golf, Golf Calendar,butch harmon school of golf, dave thomas foundation, dave thomas foundation for adoption, cristie kerr, natalie gulbis, rio secco golf club, lpga golf, harmon school, dollar purse, rocco mediate, rio secco golf, skins game, davethomasfoundationforadoption, helen alfredson, fred funk, good morning today, tour challenge, golf calendar, henderson nevada, champions tour
Posted by Natalie Gulbis Fan
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