Natalie Anne Gulbis was born on 7th January 1983. She is an American professional golfer of Latvian descent who plays on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour. Born and raised in the Sacramento, California, area, Gulbis started finding interest in the game at the early age of four. By the time she reached age seven, she had won her first tournament, and at age ten, she reports she was breaking par.
She played in her first LPGA Tour event in 1997 as an amateur at the age of 14 (handicap of 2). Gulbis was the top player on the boys’ golf team at Granite Bay High School and graduated at age 16. She then accepted a golf scholarship to the University of Arizona, the 2000 national champions, where she was a teammate of fellow freshman, Lorena Ochoa. After one season at Arizona, Gulbis left college to turn professional in July 2001 at age 18. At the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament in October 2001 at Daytona Beach, Florida, Gulbis finished tied for third to earn her card for the 2002 season.
Although Gulbis did not win a tournament until her sixth season on tour, she finished sixth on the LPGA money list in her fourth season with over $1 million in earnings in 2005. She placed in the top 10 in four consecutive major championships from the 2005 LPGA Championship to the 2006 Kraft Nabisco Championship.
Her first professional win came at the July 2007 Evian Masters in France, where she defeated Jeong Jang in a playoff. Gulbis tapped in for a two-putt birdie on the first extra hole to claim the winner’s prize of $450,000. Gulbis has played on three victorious U.S. Solheim Cup teams – 2005, 2007, and 2009.
Gulbis is an only child. She released a 2005 calendar, just before the 2004 U.S. Women’s Open, which featured her not only playing golf, but also in striking poses in swimwear. The calendar was sold openly at Golf Canada; the USGA was criticized for overreacting. Gulbis also posed for the November 2004 issue of the magazine FHM, an issue that also gave away a chance to play golf at her home course, the Lake Las Vegas Resort, where her calendar photo shoot took place. She has endorsement deals with McGladrey LLP, TaylorMade/Adidas, Canon, Michelob Ultra, SkyCaddie, Payment Data Systems, MasterCard, Winn Golf Grips, Lake Las Vegas Resort and EA Sports.
In 2006, Gulbis began writing a monthly advice column in FHM. In November 2005 a reality television show, The Natalie Gulbis Show, made its debut on The Golf Channel. The show had its second season premiere on October 18, 2006. Gulbis also has appeared on the 2007 version of Tiger Woods PGA Tour by EA Sports, along with fellow professionals, Annika Sörenstam, Ian Poulter, and Luke Donald, among others. In August 2007 Gulbis appeared on the August/September cover of Sactown Magazine in an article that profiled the rising star’s busy life of product endorsements and photo shoots. Gil Ozir, Vice President of Marketing for Raymond Weil, a luxury watchmaker and one of Gulbis’ endorsement deals, was quoted as saying, “Once she starts winning, she’s going to be a megastar”. A few days later, Gulbis won the Evian Masters, her first professional LPGA title.
In 2009, Gulbis appeared in the second season of Celebrity Apprentice. Throughout the season, each celebrity raised money for a charity of their choice; Gulbis selected the Boys and Girls Club.
Gulbis appeared on the April 28, 2009, episode of The Price Is Right as a Showcase theme. She also participated in a playing Hole in One to perform the game’s “inspiration putt”. She appeared on Sports Jobs with Junior Seau, where Seau worked as her caddy during the pro-am round for the Safeway Classic in Oregon. In 2010, she appeared in the tenth season of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation at the 12th episode “Long Ball”. Gulbis appeared in the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue wearing only body paint.
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Natalie Gulbis winner of Evian Masters LPGA title and also member of three victorious U.S. Solheim Cup teams – 2005, 2007, and 2009. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You started playing golf at a very young age of four years and reached the pinnacle of success in July 2007 by winning the Evian Masters in France and part of US winning team of Solheim Cup in 2005, 2007 and 2009. What factors you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?
Ms. Natalie Gulbis:
The main factor that led to my victory was years of hard work! I went seven years without winning an individual title. I never doubted that I would win – I was just patiently waiting for when it would all come together for me. Consistent, dedicated work always pays off. I still strive for that daily and know that I can win again on the LPGA.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
In college you were diagnosed with a degenerative disc disorder and was forced to pull out of the last six events of the 2009 season. You opted for surgery after finding out about Laser Spine Institute, the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery. Your surgery was a success, rendering you completely pain free the very same day. One month post-surgery you were back on the golf course playing again. Your surgery not only salvaged your career but also enabled you a pain free come back. You finished T9 at the Ricoh Women’s British Open. Tell us more about this surgery experience and how you were able to overcome such a physical injury/disorder setback and what advice you can give to fellow sports person in a similar situation?
Ms. Natalie Gulbis:
My back pain became so increasingly severe that it got to the point where I was in constant pain, both on and off the course, ultimately putting my golfing career in serious jeopardy. I heard about Laser Spine Institute from my mentor and fellow professional golfer, Peter Jacobsen, who had a successful surgery with them. Wanting to continue my career in golf, I reached out for a consultation.
From the first time I visited Laser Spine Institute, I knew I would be in good hands. Laser Spine Institute took the time to diagnose the source of my pain by doing something that had never been done before: performing my MRI in a golf posture to fully understand what my condition was and how to correct it.
The surgery only took a couple of hours and I felt incredible afterwards. I was able to walk home the same day and I remember thinking how amazing it felt to be living life without back pain again. I started putting after a week and was playing again within one month, without any pain or limitations. It’s truly remarkable how good I feel now, I haven’t felt this good since my rookie year when I was 18!
I think it’s important that people know that there are alternative options to major open back surgery. Laser Spine Institute has not only helped me become pain free and continue my golf career, but has also increased my overall quality of life by enabling me to do things I hadn’t been able to do in years before I had my surgery.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?
Ms. Natalie Gulbis:
Back when I was in pain, my symptoms were concentrated in my lower back and hips, so I would do a lot of hip and core strengthening exercises. I also found exercises that improve hip and hamstring flexibility helped alleviate some of the pain. Taking the advice of the experts at Laser Spine Institute, I still train as if I were a back pain patient, so these types of exercises are still very important parts of my workout routine. I’m constantly working on improving my flexibility and strength in key areas such as my hips, core and hamstrings. I also get massages and physical therapy on a regular basis to avoid injuring my back again.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Natalie Gulbis:
I eat a high protein diet. My diet six days a week consists of protein shakes with whey protein, healthy fats, greens and probiotics for breakfast and lunch. I have protein bars as snacks in between. For dinner I usually have fish or steak with steamed veggies. When I am home and not on tour I sit down for lunch. Usually chicken with salad dressing on the side. I allow myself 200-300 calories of a treat a day. A Michelob ultra, glass of wine, chocolate etc. On Sundays after the tournament I have a cheat meal and eat whatever I may have been craving. I like consistency and protein keeps my energy up and my body feeling good.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Do you take some kind of skin treatment to keep it young and glowing and secondly what you do to your hair to make them look so stunning?
Ms. Natalie Gulbis:
I do take a skin supplement called GNC Hair Skin and Nails. I also take lots of fish oil/omega supplements. Additionally, I use Bobbi Brown skin care – it’s like vitamins for your skin. For my hair I use coconut oil masks – it’s really good for hydration and makes my hair silky. Good skin and hair for me comes from diet, sleep, plenty of water and a healthy lifestyle.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding professional golf playing girls who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in field of professional golf?
Ms. Natalie Gulbis:
I think it’s important for young girls to find friends to play golf with. I played on the boys team in high school so naturally had male friends to play golf with. I currently have girlfriends who play golf at all levels and I really enjoy getting to spend 3-5 hours together playing golf. I always encourage young girls to play and practice with friends because it makes practice more fun. For motivation I set yearly and daily goals. I usually have an achievable goal every day and seek to achieve that.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How did you feel before and after playing for United States women’s Golf team and wining your first memorable Solheim Cup in 2005?
Ms. Natalie Gulbis:
Incredible. I have been on tour for 13 years and my favorite weeks on tour have been playing on Solheim Cup teams. I have been on three Solheim Cup teams. It was such an honor to play with my peers who I admire and for a captain that I have looked up to (each captain that I played for was a Hall of Fame LPGA player). I was so proud to represent the United States of America and get to wear red, white and blue and the American flag. Amazing!
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You are world leading media personality, model, style icon, professional golfer, spokesperson and a brand ambassador. How you manage such a remarkable multi-dimensional lifestyle?
Ms. Natalie Gulbis:
Thank you! I do not do it alone… I have a wonderful team at IMG that helps me stay organized and is working even when I am practicing. I am very driven and also very passionate about my marketing partners, women’s sports and growing the game of golf! I love what I do and I have great people around me who share my passion and work ethic.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest influencer and motivator in your success in the field of your career in competitive professional golf?
Ms. Natalie Gulbis:
The person that has made the greatest impact on my golf and professional career is my coach of 13 years, Butch Harmon. My greatest motivator is growing my Boys and Girls Club in Las Vegas and helping to grow the game of golf.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You have done bold photo shoots. How you are so body confident and advice to your compatriots?
Ms. Natalie Gulbis:
My boldest shoot was for the Sports Illustrated (SI) Swimsuit Issue, in which I wore body paint. I was so honored to be asked to be part of the magazine and grateful to SI for featuring a female golfer. Our LPGA players are bold and confident. I’m just very proud to be part of the LPGA and an organization whose members really support each other like the players do.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Ms. Natalie Gulbis:
I love reading the interesting and innovative articles on Womenfitness.net and want to encourage all the readers to give golf a chance. It is such a fun activity and it really helps with your overall fitness (I burn 750-1000 calories for every 18 holes walked which is a pretty significant calorie burn!)
To know more about Natalie Gulbis you may follow her on twitter at @natalie_gulbis
Women Fitness Team thanks Natalie Gulbis for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her and made this interview happen.
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Finess and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.