Natalie Gulbis Wendy’s 3-tour Challenge

Nov 19

Natalie Gulbis Wendy’s 3-tour Challenge

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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