Sarah-Jane Kenyon Overcomes Social Physical Obsticles

By- Aaron R Holcomb

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Australian born golfer, Sarah-Jane Kenyon earns herself a spot as the newest addition to the LPGA Tour after almost three years playing on the Duramed FUTURES Tour.

Kenyon, 24, was born in Geelong, Australia. She attributes her father as the reason why she picked up golf. "My dad was the main influence as to why picked up golf...and dropped swimming," said Kenyon.

"America is the best place in the world to play. It has the best tours, the best players come to play here...it just seemed like a great learning experience," said Kenyon.

After arriving to the United States in 2005 to play on the Duramed FUTURES Tour, Kenyon found herself hitting a brick wall in her performance. When diagnosed with Celiac's Disease "I wasn't to worried about my career, I was more worried about what i was going to eat. All I ate was bread and pasta so I was pretty upset about that. Though there are some pretty good substitutes out there, it's just a matter of finding them," said Kenyon about Celiac's Disease.

After placing 27th and 19th in tournaments during 2006 and 2007, Kenyon decided it was time to make a change.

Thanks to a new coach as of July, 2007, Phil Rickson of Orange County, and the diet to help lessen the side affects of Celiac's, Kenyon is now back on track and playing better than ever.

"I changed my diet...I stopped eating wheat or gluten. I cut out bread and pasta and it's really helped," said Kenyon during an interview with the Duramed FUTURES Tour. "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's current record and acceptance into the LPGA, is truly evidence of her hard work and determination paying off. Her story is an example and inspiration to young girls and women as well as men.

Though "I Don't think women will ever get paid as much as men because people do not watch the sport as much as the men's tournaments," said Kenyon, my advice is "be patient and work hard. If you work hard there can be a lot of rewards."