Pulsawath Among ISU's All-Time Greats

AMES, Iowa ? One of Iowa State's best women's golf performers, senior Pennapa Pulsawath, is finishing up an outstanding career in 2009-10. A native of Bangkok, Thailand, who answers to the nickname “Kwang,” Pulsawath has quietly forged her name among the best of ever tee it up for the Cyclones.

Pulsawath arrived in Ames prior to the 2006-07 season and the Cyclone star has yet to relinquish her spot in the lineup. Her streak of consecutive tournaments played will reach 41 this weekend at the Lady Buckeye Invitational, as Pulsawath will aim to join former Cyclone greats Missy (Arthur) Ringler and Beth Bader as the only players in school history to compete in every meet of their four-year careers.

Pulsawath's durability and consistency is just part of her success story. Her scores are just as impressive. She currently has a 73.67 stroke average, which is on pace to shatter ISU's single-season stroke average mark currently held by Louise Kenney (74.9) in the 2004-05 campaign. Her career 76.19 stroke average is also currently on pace to be the greatest ever, just a few tenths better than Kenney's 76.7 scoring clip (2002-05).

ISU head women's golf coach Christie Martens, who is in her fifth full season as the Cyclone mentor, knows she has a special player in Pulsawath.

“She (Pulsawath) has really turned the corner and she's starting to understand her game,” Martens said. “I think she's learned how to manage her own game. She has always been able to hit fairways and greens, but now she has able to get it up and down all the time. Her short game has improved a ton and I think she's just starting to realize that the more she is herself on the golf course, the more confident she is.”

A sound work ethic, a competitive drive, accuracy off the tee and consistent iron play has always been strengths in her arsenal. However, Pulsawath agrees with her coach's assessment in her improvement around the greens. Once a weakness, she now has incredible confidence in her short game.

“Coach Martens works with us all the time on our short game and it has been extremely helpful how our coaches set up short game drills in practice,” Pulsawath said. “Coach has us play in from 30, 45, 60, 75 yards out to make sure that we don't have trouble. It has helped me think I can always get up and down if I miss a green.”

Pulsawath's fantastic season has positioned herself for postseason competition. In nine tournaments this season she has finished in the top-10 six times and has never been out of the top-20. With a national ranking of 54th by Golfstat, she is in great shape to make NCAA regional competition as an individual.

But Pulsawath is also a part of team and her glowing accomplishments has aided the Cyclones to a solid season. ISU is currently ranked 56th in the nation by Golfstat and is looking for its first appearance in an NCAA Regional since 1996. She would love to cap off her career with an NCAA postseason berth.

“It's my goal for this year and it's really important for me because we had a lot of chances in my first three years,” Pulsawath said. “We have played really well as a team this year. With Victoria (Stefansen), Laurence (Herman), Kristin (Paulson) and Bo (Punpaka Phuntumabamrung) we have good group of players who are always capable of posting low scores.”

Pulsawath is hoping her final season with the Cyclones goes deeper in May than her previous three years, but she is already looking ahead when her brilliant collegiate career comes to an end. The chance to play professionally is already in her sights.

“First of all I want to be an ambassador for Thailand and Iowa State,” said Pulsawath. “I am hoping to get into the Japan Tour Qualifying. This is in September but it just depends on sponsorship. It's really expensive to go out there but I will for sure go to the European Tour this summer. If I get onto that tour, I will probably start playing in February.”

Martens knows her star will be prepared for the challenge at the next level.

“Her drive, dedication and passion for golf is second to none,” Martens said. “I've watched a lot of players on the professional tours and she has what it takes. She needs to figure out how bad she wants it because anything she sets her mind to she can accomplish. She already has the work ethic that a lot of players don't have at that level.”