Former UF All-American Gal Set for Debut on LPGA Tour
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 | Women's Golf
Kahuku, Hawaii - Basking in the glow of the warm Hawaiian breeze for some practice rounds early in the week, former Florida women's golf two-time All-American Sandra Gal will take the next step in her career as she makes her debut on the LPGA Tour on Thursday at the SBS Open at Turtle Bay. Gal's first professional event also kicks off the new campaign of the LPGA for 2008.
The scenery couldn't be more desirable for the former Lady Gator's first tournament at the par-72, 6,582-yard Arnold Palmer Course in Kahuku, Hawaii. Gal practiced earlier this month at the Ko Olina Resort, where she will play at the Fields Open in Honolulu just five days after wrapping up the SBS Open.
“The course is so beautiful out here but extremely challenging,” Gal said. “There is a lot of wind, a lot of tight curves and a lot of players have played this course in the past years. I'm just glad I can get some practice rounds in before Thursday.”
Part of a 138-player field, Gal finds her name alongside LPGA Tour icons Natalie Gulbis, Brittany Lincicome, Annika Sorenstam, Morgan Pressel and defending 2007 SBS Open champion Paula Creamer among many others. She said that a lot of the veterans have been more than accommodating but added that it can be a distracting aspect to her mental game.
“I have so much respect for everyone out here and I acknowledge them,” Gal said. “They have been so friendly will come up and introduce themselves to me. I can't get caught up in names because it will throw me off my game. Now that I'm part of the field I have to go out and play to the best of my ability.”
After coming in from her practice round on Monday, the first thing Gal did was check on the sixth-ranked Lady Gators at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge on her computer from her hotel. She decided to forego the remainder of her senior year after tying for 14th and advancing through the final stage of Q-School in Daytona Beach. Gal was the top amateur at the sectional qualifying event in Venice, tying for fifth in November.
Gal, a three-time NGCA Academic All-American who is on track to graduate this spring, said she bought custom-ordered a Florida Gators golf bag that should arrive just in time for her first round on Thursday. The excitement is building for the German native and she realizes she's just moments away from living her dream.
“I'm pretty sure I'm going to have butterflies in my stomach when I walk up to the first tee,” Gal said. “I've been progressively working on getting better on putting and my short game. My long game has always been pretty good but my putting wasn't maybe where it should be.”
Live scoring of the SBS Open at Turtle Bay can be followed at www.LPGA.com.
