Kim Welch

Sacramento, Calif.

Hometown: Sacramento, Calif.
Birthdate: 3/4/83
College: Washington State University
Interests: Reading, puzzles, snowboarding, family
Family: Single

View Kim Welch's Bio Video
View Kim Welch's Swing Video

Looks can be deceiving. Watch Kim Welch approach a tee box and the first thing you notice is a colorful scarf bundled in hair that accents a long athletic frame. Then, witness her bomb a drive. The fluid motion is long and graceful, complete with a Michelle Wie-like, wrap-around finish.

During the entire process, Welch exudes confidence. In reality, though, she is self-described quiet and shy. “I’m probably the most anti-social girl on the Duramed FUTURES Tour,” the 24-year-old freely admits. “Being on Big Break Ka’anapali will be good for me. I’ll get to know some of the girls I’ve been too shy to talk to.”

Instead, she lets her game do the talking. A member of the Duramed FUTURES Tour, she finished 21st on the money list last season and made it to the finals of the LPGA Tour Qualifying tournament only to miss the cut.

Even with the disappointment, Big Break Ka’anapali is an opportunity she relishes.

“I’ve talked with a lot of girls who have been on the show, and they all say the pressure is unlike anything they’ve ever experienced,” Welch said. “I’m looking forward to that part of it the most. I want to see how I handle it.”

The youngest of five kids, Welch was introduced to golf as a 7-year-old when her dad laid down the golf rules of the Welch household. Each of the kids had to play the game until they were 12, at which time they could quit if they chose. She hated it, but kept playing after passing the mandated age when her dad offered to get her lessons. In high school, she played on the golf team with the objective of earning a college scholarship.

It worked. Welch earned a spot on the Washington State University team, where she won 11 times in her collegiate career and earned All-American honors in 2003. Following graduation in 2005, she tried to qualify for the LPGA Tour but didn’t make it out of the first stage of qualifying. “That was a real eye-opener. I honestly thought I’d go straight onto the LPGA Tour from college,” said Welch.

Still, she did qualify to play on the Duramed FUTURES Tour, which was a challenge. Like many young professionals, Welch started listening to others, watching too much tape of her swing and changing her natural motion. A feel player, who is one of the longest players on the circuit, the overload of instruction led to problems, which she corrected last season.

Talented and confident, Welch is one of the contenders to win Big Break Ka’annapali. And if she does, this shy girl from Sacramento, Calif., might one day be the talk of the LPGA.

Click to See What’s in the Bag

Club	Name
Driver:	Callaway FT5 9.5°
Woods:	Callaway Steelhead III 4WD & 7WD
Irons:	Ping i-5 #4 PW
Wedges:	Ping Tour 56° & 60°
Putter:	Odyssey 2 Ball
Ball:	Callaway HX Tour