By Robert Rodriguez Print | Email These Girls Do Rock If Justin Timberlake is bringing sexy back, then the LPGA gals are making sure it doesn’t goes away for quite awhile. Carolyn Bivens has a "problem" on her hands. For 33 weeks out of the year, the LPGA commissioner deals with issues that were almost non-existent just a few short years ago. We’re not talking about equipment technology, longer golf courses, the disparity of purses, gender issues or other controversies in the sport. No, this issue is becoming more common with each passing week. It has to do with the players – and how they have mesmerized husbands to hide their wedding rings, old men to do a double take on someone their granddaughter’s age and young boys to develop adolescent crushes. If Justin Timberlake is bringing sexy back, then the LPGA gals are making sure it doesn’t goes away for quite awhile. Twenty years ago, the only sexy thing about the LPGA was a photo in Sport Magazine of Jan Stephenson in a bathtub full of golf balls. Many considered that taboo, and the subject of sex appeal was avoided like a Sunday pin position over water. Then Natalie Gulbis arrived. The blonde-haired bombshell from Las Vegas via Sacramento delivered some shock and awe when she unveiled her sexy calendar in 2004. It had it all – Gulbis in short skirts, tight tops and ... bikinis. The calendar caused some controversy, as sales were prohibited at several golf tournaments, including the U.S. Women's Open. But it showed that it's OK for the stars of the LPGA to hike their shorts up over their knees, or to spruce up their wardrobe with sleeveless shirts or more revealing tops – as long as they have the game to match. So far, the sex appeal has helped transform an LPGA tournament from a third-tier event into a thriving commodity that continues to escalate in terms of popularity and talent. These dazzling women can knock your socks off with their looks … and how well they golf their ball. Even better, they are a joy to meet. Enjoy our tribute to the lovely ladies of the LPGA Tour. Sarah-Jane Kenyon What was your reaction when you found out about the passing of Steve Irwin, the "Crocodile Hunter?" I got a text message from my parents in Australia, and it was sickening because he was such an icon in Australia. And it was sad because he had such a young family. He was a great ambassador for our country. What was your first car? A 1990 Ford Laser. It was the Australian version of the Ford Escort. How old were you when you had your first real kiss? 15. Who is your heartthrob actor or athlete? Josh Hartnett. What is your guilty pleasure? Movies. What’s the best movie you’ve seen recently? "Invincible." It was sensational; I really liked it. What’s your favorite thing to cook? Pavlova. It’s an Australian meringue dessert that’s very sweet and unhealthy. What’s the most expensive clothing item you’ve purchased? I bought myself a Juicy Couture jacket that was on sale. What’s messier, your home or your car? My car. How old were you when you first broke par? 14. What are the top songs on your iPod? I like “Lips of an Angel” by Hinder. And I like anything from the Black-Eyed Peas. What was the last golf item you purchased? My lion headcover. Kelli Kuehne Where were you for the 2006 Rose Bowl, which pitted the USC Trojans against your Texas Longhorns? I was in Salt Lake City. I got to watch the entire game. And it was the Texas Longhorns against the USC Trojans; you always put the Longhorns first. My bad, I forgot about the Longhorn arrogance. Now that it’s the start of dove hunting season, do you hunt just dove, deer or do you hunt all game? I’m more of an animal hunter than birds. I haven’t had much of an opportunity to shoot my shotgun; I enjoy my rifle a little bit more. But I’ve had more experience hog hunting, white tail hunting and deer. Spoken like a true Texan. If you’re at a bar, are you asking for a Bud Light or Michelob ULTRA, or are you more of a wine gal? (One of Kuehne’s sponsors is Anheuser-Busch) My No. 1 choice is a Bud Light. I also love a good Corona with lime. I’m a beer girl. What was your first car? A green BMW 318 IS. It wasn’t a dark forest green, but more of a golf green. It was a really cool color. If you were given $10,000 but could only spend it at one place, where would you shop? Neiman Marcus. I’m an accessories freak – shoes, purses, belts and sunglasses. How old were you when you had your first real kiss? Are we talking tongue? I was in eighth grade, so I was 14. I won’t kiss an Aggie; I’m sticking to that. Who is your heartthrob actor or athlete? I think Paul Walker [of “The Fast and the Furious”] is hot. Among athletes, hands down it’s Fred Couples. Freddie has got it going on. The older he gets, the sexier he gets. I love his attitude and his demeanor. What’s your favorite thing to cook? I’m a barbie kind of girl. I do chicken on the barbie and some green beans. I also cook chicken and rice, but not as good as my mother’s. What’s messier, your home or your car? Neither. I can’t stand a mess; it drives me nuts. Even my junk drawer is organized. What are the top songs on your iPod? I have a little bit of everything. I have my workout mix, and that has everything from Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Prince, Gnarls Barkley, Ciara, Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake. And I have my golf mix, and that’s mostly Dave Matthews Band, Sarah MacLaughlin, John Mayer – something mellower. What’s the best movie you’ve seen recently? “You, Me and Dupree” was funny. So was “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.” Those movies made me laugh. What is your guilty pleasure? A Vanilla Diet Coke from Sonic. I would take that over shopping any day of the week. You are a Texan. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve had to autograph? I autographed a guy’s boxers. The guy lifted up his shorts, pulled down his boxers and asked me to sign them. Nothing was hanging out though, so it was all right. Natalie Gulbis Being a Vegas gal, what is your favorite casino? Ahh, The Palms. So is ghostbar your favorite after-hours hangout? The ghostbar ... mmm yeah, I love the ghostbar. You enjoy running, would you consider running a marathon? I would. But I do just fun runs ... you know ... five- or 10-mile runs with a group of people. How often do you check your Web site, www.nataliegulbis.com? Quite a bit, almost daily. Being an Arizona Wildcat, what was your best Wildcat basketball memory? When they won the national championship in 1997. It actually happened before I went to school there. What was your first car? An Eddie Bauer edition Ford Bronco. How old were you when you had your first real kiss? I was in junior high; I think 12 years old. Who is your heartthrob actor or athlete? Brad Pitt. What is your guilty pleasure? Double-stuffed Oreos. What is the weirdest thing you’ve had to autograph? Someone’s forehead and chest. It actually looked good on his shiny head. What’s your favorite thing to cook? Chili. How old were you when you first broke par? 13. What was the last golf item you purchased? The other day I was at Rio Secco [in Las Vegas] and I ran out of Callaway golf balls, so I had to buy a sleeve of them. What’s messier, your home or your car? Probably my car. Actually my garage is pretty messy because of all the golf clubs in there. If you were given $10,000 but could only spend it at one store, where would you shop? Neiman Marcus, although I would have to go some place where I could get a bargain and buy a lot of things with that money. Carin Koch One of your favorite books is “The Da Vinci Code.” Which is better, the book or the movie? I haven’t seen the movie. But the book was wonderful. I hope to see the movie, though, if I can find the time. How often do you check your Web site, www.carinkoch.com? About once every other week. What was your first car? A red Hyundai that I had in college. How old were you when you had your first real kiss? Wow, I can’t remember that far back. I think I was 12 years old. What is your guilty pleasure? Cheese and wine; I could live off of those. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve had to autograph? Someone’s belly. What’s your favorite thing to cook? Seared Ahi tuna. If you had $10,000 but could only spend that money at one store, where would you shop? Nordstrom’s. What’s messier, your home or your car? My car. What’s the best part about motherhood on the LPGA Tour? Just to have some sort of regular life after a round. It’s nice to have someone waiting for you at the hotel room. Are there cons to being a mother on Tour? Like with any mom, you can never have enough time with your children. Even though the LPGA does provide a daycare, as a mom you get concerned that you don’t get to spend enough time with your children. But a lot of that is planning. Catherine Cartwright What was your first car? A red Ford Winstar minivan How old were you when you had your first real kiss? 13. Who is your heartthrob actor or athlete? I don’t have one. I just got engaged, so my fiancé is my heartthrob. What is your guilty pleasure? Chips Ahoy! dipped in milk. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve had to autograph? A beer cup. If you were given $10,000 but could only spend it at one store, where would you shop? Target or Wal-Mart, because they have everything I need. What are the top songs on your iPod? My iPod hasn’t worked in a while. But if it did work, I would say Natalie Grant’s “Awaken” and some Carrie Underwood song. What’s messier, your home or your car? Neither; probably my home because I have a roommate. What was the last golf item you purchased? I bought a friend a headcover. I think it was a duck headcover. What’s the best movie you’ve seen recently? “Invincible.” That was a really good movie. What’s your favorite thing to cook? I’m really good with the Campbell’s soup recipes on the back of the can. Jill McGill Where were you for the 2006 Rose Bowl, which pitted your USC Trojans against the Texas Longhorns? I was at the Rose Bowl sitting about 15 rows up at the end zone line. I was sitting with a bunch of ex-Trojan athletes. It was a great game, but it also was a heartbreaker. Were you a Reggie Bush or a Matt Leinart gal? Well, they’re both USC alums, so I couldn’t root for just one. I like to watch Reggie move. What is your guilty pleasure? “Big Brother All-Stars.” I am so addicted to that show. And I’m a sweets person. What was your first car? A hand-me-down 1985 Chevy Blazer. If you were given $10,000 but could only spend it at one store, where would you shop? Probably a jewelry store, so I can put it in a safety deposit box for whenever I needed the cash. How old were you when you had your first real kiss? Second grade. Who is your heartthrob actor or athlete? Josh Duhamel, the guy who was Tad Hamilton in “Win a Date with Tad Hamilton.” He also is in the television show “Las Vegas.” He’s hot. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve had to autograph? A lady asked me to sign her leg once. What’s your favorite thing to cook? I don’t really like to cook, but I make some wicked desserts. I also make a good spinach salad. What’s the most expensive clothing item you’ve purchased? I bought a Black Label Ralph Lauren suit. I think it was $1,200, and I bought it about five years ago. I still have it and I still wear it, so I feel good about the purchase. What’s messier, your home or your car? No question, my car. What was the last golf item you purchased? A little scrub brush for my Dad that I had been searching for everywhere. What’s the best movie you’ve seen recently? “Invincible.” A great movie. One of your aspirations is to sing “The Gambler” with Kenny Rogers. If he called today, would you be ready for a live performance? I think so. I know all the lyrics. Do you play poker like the song? Actually, I prefer blackjack over poker. Laura Diaz What was your first car? A Ford Explorer. How old were you when you had your first real kiss? 12. If you were given $10,000 but could only spend it at one store, where would you shop?Gap; that way I could buy something for me and my husband, and something for my little guy at Baby Gap. Who is your heartthrob actor or athlete? Mark Wahlberg. What is your guilty pleasure? Chocolate candy. What’s your favorite thing to cook? I make a good sauce for my spaghetti and meatballs. What’s the most expensive clothing item you’ve purchased? My wedding dress. What’s messier, your home or your car? My car. What was the last golf item you purchased? I bought some clubs for a relative, but that was a long time ago. What’s the best movie you’ve seen recently? I have a 7-month-old, so we haven’t seen anything really great. How old were you when you first broke par? I was 20 years old. I was a sophomore in college and shot 69. What are the top songs on your iPod? My husband does all the downloads on it. I like country music and ’80s music, like “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve had to autograph? Someone had me autograph a tee once. That was kind of hard. Jennifer Rosales Where were you for the 2006 Rose Bowl, which pitted your USC Trojans against the Texas Longhorns? I was on a private island, but I still was able to watch the game. I was kind of disappointed; I don’t know how they lost. Were you a Reggie Bush or a Matt Leinart gal? When I was at USC, our football team wasn’t that good. And I wasn’t a big fan of football. But when they started winning, I started watching them. How many tattoos do you have? Six. I don’t know if I’ll get anymore, it depends. I’ll get them in the areas that you can’t see. How old were you when you had your first real kiss? 12. Who is your heartthrob actor or athlete? Kobe Bryant. If you were given $10,000 but could only spend it at one store, where would you shop? A place where you could buy very expensive shoes. What is your guilty pleasure? Tattoos. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve had to autograph? Someone’s butt. What’s your favorite thing to cook? Italian food. What’s messier, your home or your car? I’m a clean freak; both my car and my house are spotless. What was the last golf item you purchased? A headcover. How old were you when you first broke par? 12. What are the top songs on your iPod? Anything Norah Jones. Being a movie fanatic, what’s the best movie you’ve seen in awhile? Nothing – isn’t that sad? I saw “Crossover” and I thought it was going to be more about basketball. Let me guess, you’re picking the Lakers to win the NBA Finals this year. You know it! Kim Hall How many copies do you have of the Sports Illustrated issue where you were featured in the “Faces in the Crowd?” You’ll have to ask my mom that question. My mom has the one where SI sent it on a plaque. It has the cover that it appeared, which featured Pete Sampras. I think my mom has several copies, but I have none. It was a July 1997 issue and must have been right after Sampras won Wimbledon. What was your first car? I had a red Jeep Cherokee, the old boxy kind. How old were you when you had your first real kiss? I was 14, and it was a guy who played golf for University of Nevada-Las Vegas. I don’t think he knows he gave me my first kiss. If you were given $10,000 but could only spend it at one store, where would you shop? An electronics store so I could get something really cool for the house. What’s your favorite thing to cook? Anything Italian. What is your guilty pleasure? Chocolate. What’s the most expensive clothing item you’ve purchased? I don’t buy expensive clothing, but I do like to splurge on jeans. I will buy 7 For All Mankind or True Religion jeans. I wear them all the time, so I don’t feel bad about paying $150 for them. What are the top songs on your iPod? Anything Christina Aguilera. I love her music, including her old stuff. I also have some old Hank Williams on it as well. How old were you when you first broke par? 12. Who is your heartthrob actor or athlete? [St. Louis Cardinals pitcher] Mark Mulder; my husband is aware of that crush. I used to watch him when he pitched for the Oakland Athletics when I was in college. ESPN did this story on the younger players for Oakland and Mulder was so hot. I adore that guy. Paula Creamer You’re wearing blue today. I thought your favorite color was pink. It is, but I can’t wear pink everyday. I would run out of clothing options. Pink on guys – hot or not? Definitely hot, especially the tight shirts. I think that’s hot on a guy. How old were you when you had your first real kiss? Hah, no comment. What is your guilty pleasure? Shopping. Who is your heartthrob actor or athlete? Matthew McConaughey. What was your first car? I don’t have a car. Are you kidding me? What, do you take public transportation everywhere or have a limousine with a chauffer? No. I just don’t have one. If you were given $10,000 but could only spend it at one store, where would you shop? I don’t know, probably a clothing store. Thought you would say a car dealership. What are the top songs on your iPod? I like Fergie’s new song, “London Bridge.” Erica Blasberg What was your first car? A Volkswagen Jetta. How old were you when you had your first real kiss? 14. If you were given $10,000 but could only spend it at one store, where would you shop? Chanel. That money wouldn’t go very far there, though. What is your guilty pleasure? French fries. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve had to autograph? Someone’s chest. Was it a guy’s chest or a girl’s? It was a guy’s; and it was a bit hairy and sweaty. What’s the most expensive clothing item you’ve purchased?I don’t know; I’m more into buying five pairs of $100 shoes then buying one pair of $500 shoes. I spend a lot of money on jeans, though. What are the top songs on your iPod? Jessica Simpson’s “Public Affair,” and Paris Hilton’s “Stars Are Blind.” Her CD is really good; it’s better than I thought it would be. What’s messier, your home or your car? Definitely my car. If you walked into my house you would think it’s so nice and clean. But then you go into my car and it’s a mess because I travel in it. How old were you when you first broke par? 12. So you broke par before you got your first kiss? Now that you mentioned it, yeah I did. I was kind of a golf nerd. No boys, just all golf. Cristie Kerr What was your first car? No Comment. How old were you when you had your first real kiss? No Comment. Who is your heartthrob actor or athlete? No Comment. What is your guilty pleasure? No Comment. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve had to autograph? No Comment. If you were given $10,000 but could only spend it at one store, where would you shop? No Comment. What are the top songs on your iPod? No Comment. What’s messier, your home or your car? No Comment. Thank you for your time Cristie. (Crickets) Anna Rawson What was your first car? A Toyota Celica. I had one of those in Australia when I turned 16 1/2. My mom and I shared that car. How old were you when you had your first real kiss? I was in third grade, 8 years old. And the guy was 12. He was a year above my brother and went to his school. Who is your heartthrob actor or athlete? Andy Garcia. He was there at a recent golf event I played, and I was completely star-struck. I loved him in the “Godfather III” when he was younger, and I loved him in “Ocean’s Eleven.” What is your guilty pleasure? Chocolate What’s the weirdest thing you’ve had to autograph? Nothing really weird; I’ve been asked to do some weird things on my Web site. If you were given $10,000 but could only spend it at one store, where would you shop? MILK. It’s a fashion store in Los Angeles. It wouldn’t get me very much, though. What are the top songs on your iPod? I love “Get Down on Saturday night” by Oliver Cheatham, Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack” and anything from Jamiroquai. What’s messier, your home or your car? Definitely my car because I just moved into a new apartment. But actually, it’s my trunk that’s messy because I’ve been shoving all my stuff in there. What was the last golf item you purchased? One of those things that helps you draw lines on the golf ball. I use that all the time to mark my golf balls. What’s the best movie you’ve seen recently? I haven’t seen a good one in awhile. The summer movies are the worst. I want to see “The Black Dahlia.” What’s your favorite thing to cook? I’m not much of a cook, but I like Green Chicken Currie, Thai style. That’s the last thing I cook, so I think I’m good at that.