UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH FUTURE LPGA TOUR MEMBER:  ANNABELLE PANCAKE-WEBB

A Q & A With Zionsville, Indiana Native
& Clemson University Grad

to the LPGA Tour was released, she has since been given a sponsor’s special invite to play in The Annika Driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, which is the LPGA Tour’s penultimate event which takes place on November 12-15 at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.

Mike May Question (Q):  What did you learn from your first year on the Epson Tour that helped you in year two?

Annabelle Pancake-Webb Answer (A): Having that first year under my belt was so important. Even though I didn’t play great, it was a season of learning and growing in more ways than just golf. It is like your freshman year (in college) in that you are trying to learn your way around things, get to know your environment, schedule, and try to make some friends along the way. Your sophomore year is a different story. You have a whole year of growing under your belt and it helped tremendously in being more prepared for my second season.

Q:  Did you have a favorite venue on the Epson Tour that you will miss?

A:  My favorite event has to be the Copper Rock in Utah. That area is so beautiful and the course is fantastic. Also, I have to mention they have over 200 volunteers and lots of stands set up to make it have that “professional tournament” feel.

Q:  While on the road at a tournament, do you ever get a chance to go sightseeing?

A:  Obviously, golf is the main reason I travel so much, but to be able to experience fun adventures outside of golf is where the real memories are made!  While in Utah, we got to go visit Zion National Park while we were there, as well.

Q:  How and when did you find out officially hear that you had earned LPGA Tour status for 2027?

A: I was in Dallas with my extended family when the GM of Epson, Jody Brothers, gave me a phone call letting me know, based on the points, I had officially locked my tour card for the LPGA 2027 season. Although we kind of saw it coming based on the points, it was a very emotional day celebrating with my family and thanking those who have helped me so much along the way.

Q:  As you examine your own game and mindset, where have you improved since graduating from Clemson?

A:  I have been able to learn the ability of letting go and surrendering results to God. I have always played for God — an “audience of one” — but I would still struggle with caring too much about how I performed. I would feel like I let God and my family down if I didn’t play my best. I have now learned that there is so much in golf we can’t control. All we can really do is practice like the results are up to us, but play knowing that the results are really up to God. It has been such a freeing feeling. I now have more fun and freedom during a round of golf.

Q:  Describe the role of your caddies while on the Epson Tour?  

A: I have actually cycled between four different caddies this season — my dad, mom, my husband (Nathan), and a close friend who caddies at Pinehurst, Evan Neas. They have been so great this season in helping me prepare prior to the tournaments, but then just having fun during the round. They talk to me about almost anything but golf, which makes the round much more relaxing and enjoyable.

Q:  Do you have a list of tournaments that you are playing next year?

A:  I am not too sure which events I will get into yet. The hope is to get into as many as I can, but either way I will be prepping ahead of the season to be ready for whatever God has in store.

Q:  As for The ANNIKA event, how did you find out about the invitation to play?

A:  Dan Towriss, a member at Crooked Stick Golf Club (in Carmel, Indiana) and CEO of Gainbridge, made the connection and was gracious enough to offer me the spot. I am extremely grateful and humbled to have the opportunity to play and represent Gainbridge during the event.  Obviously next year is just going to be an exciting start, a lot of changes. To have the chance to play an event like this (The ANNIKA) kind of as a warmup to get prepared is just such a gift and I’m so grateful.  It’ll be a great opportunity, and so, yeah, looking forward to it.

Q:  What’s your advice to future young golfers who want to follow a similar career path that you are currently pursuing?

A:  Keep having fun with golf. It’s about going out with your buddies, having a great time, trash talking, playing games and just enjoying the process of getting better. Never let your identity get wrapped up in a score.  Golf is what we do, but not who we are. If you are competitive, make it about beating the golf course every day. If you can compete against the golf course and win — by shooting under par — the results on the leaderboard are going to take care of themselves. My “motto” in golf is have fun, glorify God and beat the golf course. If I can do those three things each round, regardless of results, it’s a win in my book!

Q:  Where are you practicing and playing on a regular basis in the greater Sarasota area?

A:  I am playing at the Soleta Golf Club in nearby Bradenton (Florida).

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