Natalie Gulbis, Pro Golfer

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	Natalie Gulbis, Pro Golfer Monte Isom

As told to Lisa Altobelli

On her love of cooking and baking

On tour I try to stay with host families instead of in hotels so I can use their kitchens. For breakfast I'll make everyone pancakes, but my signature dish is stir-fry. Baking's a little harder since it has to be so precise. I'm not the only good cook on tour. I call Annika for help with dinner recipes, but Cristie [Kerr's] the best baker.

On being the only girl on the boys' high school golf team

It was fun to play on the back tees with them, and they always stuck up for me. It was like I had five brothers. I played on a girls' team in college, and I much preferred playing on the boys' team.

On leaving Arizona after one year

Not that I didn't love college or learning, but I love golf more. I did put away the first $100,000 I made so that I could always afford to go back to school.

On Lake Las Vegas, where she lives

There's a man-made lake and a Ritz-Carlton and a Hyatt and these monstrous homes on one side, where just a lot is a million dollars. It has three spectacular golf courses and a Venice-style village. It's just beautiful. I love living there.

On what she likes to do in Vegas

Most of my friends are in Sacramento [where she grew up], so I'll fly them in, and we'll hit the dance clubs. I like to play craps, but I don't do too well. I'm better at blackjack. And I love concerts. I've seen Jewel and Mariah Carey and Kenny Chesney. I'd never been to a country concert. Pretty cool -- very laid back.

On former beau Ben Roethlisberger

I've spoken to him since the motorcycle accident but not enough that I want to comment about it. We're still friendly. He played a pro-am with me this year, and he still comes out to Vegas occasionally. We stay in touch all the time, but we lead busy lives.

On motorcycles

My dad and I are having a custom chopper built. He's always been really into motorcycles, and I support his passion, but I've never ridden one. It's a little dangerous for me. Maybe when I'm not playing pro golf anymore. I mean I'd like to skydive, too, but I just can't.

On staying fit

I'm in bed by 10 p.m., I wake up at 5 a.m., and I work out first thing for an hour and a half. I do cardio for a half hour first. I run on the golf course or do the elliptical machine or the stair climber. Then I'll do weights. I love to work out. It's a great start to my day.

On her swimsuit calendars

It was my father's idea. We did a golf calendar for 2004, and the next year he was, like, You should add a couple swimsuit shots. At first I said, You're crazy. But he convinced me, and the photographers liked them. The LPGA supported the launch of my calendar at the U.S. Women's Open that year, but the USGA banned it. They said it was too provocative. It was pretty mild -- only about four bathing-suit shots. I mean my dad is at all my shoots. We're from California, and it's more relaxed on the West Coast. In the golf world some things are still taboo.

GULBIS, 23 AND RANKED 16TH, WILL BE AT THE CN CANADIAN WOMEN'S OPEN THIS WEEKEND

Issue date: August 14, 2006

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