Bake friands and influence people
Sarah-Jane Kenyon’s great form this year can be put down in part to a change in her swing.
But it’s the Sunshine Coast golfer’s altered habits around the dinner table that’s helped her fire on course.
The 24-year-old was diagnosed with Coeliac disease this year, a condition that interferes with absorption of food nutrients and causes fatigue, headaches and gastrointestinal distress.
An elimination of wheat and gluten from her diet has her primed to attack the LPGA Tour next season.
Kenyon is eighth on the second-tier Duramed Futures Tour, with the top five at the end of the year earning full LPGA status for 2009.
Having played a handful of LPGA events this year, Kenyon will now focus on the Futures tour in an attempt to chase down the leaders.
“I played some LPGA events earlier, but I’m finishing out the season on the Duramed Futures Tour,” Kenyon told the Tour’s official website.
“I played the Daytona tournament on this tour, then I was going to play on the LPGA most of the year, but I had two good finishes out here and decided to stick it out.
“The next thing I knew I was fifth on the money list. And when I wasn’t here, I slipped down the money list.”
Kenyon believes the Futures Tour is the safer option to pursue her LPGA dream.
“All I want to do is get my full LPGA card for next year,” she said.
“Sometimes it’s hard when you know you’re going to get into an LPGA event and you have to do the smartest thing and stay here to have a chance to stay high on the money list.
“It’s a bigger risk out there. Sure, you can have one good week (on the LPGA) and you’ve secured your card for the next year, but I know if I can finish in the top five (on the Futures tour) I can get my card that way.
“Playing every week is good and you learn something from everyone you play with.”
Kenyon added her new diet has to take much of the credit for her form, which includes four top-five results in just seven appearances on the Futures Tour.
“Earlier this spring I stopped eating wheat or gluten. I cut out bread and pasta and it’s really helped,” she said.
“I feel better on the course and the new diet has given me more energy.
“It requires a lot of planning, though.
“You can’t just grab a sandwich when you go out on the course.
“Now, I eat a lot of gluten-free energy bars, fruits and nuts, and rice cakes with wheat-free peanut butter.”
Kenyon also feels she is far better equipped to match it with the world’s best than when she first stepped out on the US professional circuit in 2005.
“I’m a smarter golfer. When I first got here, I didn’t really know what I was doing in my practice rounds,” she said. “I didn’t measure any yardages.
“Now, I know not to necessarily hit driver everywhere.
“I know how to shape a few more shots. I learned how to practise. And my fitness and health habits are better.”
Source: TheDaily.com.au