Something of a golf prodigy, this only child of John and Barbara began tagging along with her dad to Sacramento courses at age 4. She won her first tournament by age 7 and was breaking par at 10. A year later, she won the California Junior Girls event while also competing at top levels in gymnastics and diving. Although drawn to golf from the start, she achieved level 8 in gymnastics (only 3 below Olympic levels).
Graduating high school in 3 years, she received a golf scholarship from the University of Arizona where she won 3 tournaments and earned All American honors. The following year, Natalie made the cut at the US Women's Open and shortly thereafter, earned female MPV honors at the US-Japan Collegiate Championship. After 1 year of college, Natalie entered Q-school that fall, attempting to qualify for the LPGA ? she tied for third in the finals and made the Tour fully exempt!
Earning her Tour card and turning professional at age 19, Natalie signed a substantial contract with Adidas/TaylorMade and landed Butch Harmon as her coach. In a Golf Digest article, Harmon notes that "Natalie has a tremendous amount of talent". At 5-foot-9, Natalie uses a powerful, albeit unorthodox, swing but her Lee Trevino-like ability keeps the club on target through impact.
The year 2002 highlights include:
- Tied for fifth at ShopRite LPGA Classic and Giant Eagle LPGA Classic for best finishes of the season.
- Carded a career-low 65 in the final round of the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic presented by AllTel where she tied for seventh.
- Finished eighth at the Aerus Electrolux USA Championship hosted by Vince Gill and Amy Grant.
- Finished second to Beth Bauer in the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year points standing.
Her stunning good looks (a young, vibrant image), charming personality (treats everyone with kindness) and stellar play (numerous championships under her belt), makes Natalie Gulbis the brightest young face on the women's tour to date!
First team All American 2001
