University of Delaware Athletics
Thitaree "RoboPop" Sakulbunpanich Shoots Best Round In School History
4/30/2019 10:08:00 AM | Women's Golf
Delaware women's golfer Thitaree Sakulbunpanich didn't even realize she had made history.
Sure, she felt good after her second round at the Edisto Island Invitational on March 31, but she had no idea she had just set the program scoring record for a single round with a 6-under 65.
"During the round I was so into my game," Sakulbunpanich said. "I don't even know what I shot after the round, and then coach [Patty Post] is like 'you shot 6-under.' I was like, 'what!?'"
Sakulbunpanich is from Bangkok, Thailand. In Thai culture, most people don't go by their official first and last names, which tend to be very long. Instead, they go by a shorter nickname (often one syllable) given to them at birth. For Sakulbunpanich, that's "Pop." The Blue Hens have affectionately turned that into "RoboPop", a reference to the 1987 film RoboCop.
"Because she's a machine," assistant coach Brendon Post said.
Throughout her career, Pop has been an automatic ball-striker, with her shots from the tee and the fairway consistently getting her close to the pin. Recently, improved putting has brought her game to another level.
"RoboPop comes from the fact that she hits the ball very well," director of golf programs Patty Post said. "But actually this year she's not as close to the hole as she was last year, but her putting is far better. She's scoring better because of that."
"I just feel so confident when I'm holding my putter," Pop said.
Confidence in putting spreads to other parts of a golf game. When it all works in harmony is when records get broken.
"Everything's working when you shoot 65," Patty Post laughed.
Pop's record-breaking round featured six birdies, including four on the front nine holes, and no bogeys. Several of those birdies came after she sunk long putts. Her 65 actually broke the previous school record of 67 held by Andi Slane, who currently serves as a volunteer coach for the Blue Hens. Pop credits her focus for her high level of play.
"I just go shot by shot. I don't think about 'what if I don't make this putt?'" Pop said. "I was so into my game."
"We work hard on that with every golfer," Patty Post said. "It's hard, and it comes in waves. We always have to continually work on it. Even as professional golfers, that's still something you're striving to be."
Pop, the 2018 Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year, was just named a 2019 First Team All-CAA selection along with teammate Ariane Klotz. Pop's three-round score of 207 at the Edisto Island Invitational was also a Delaware record. Though Pop, only a sophomore, is just getting started.
"You know what they say about records," Patty Post said. "They're meant to be broken."
Sure, she felt good after her second round at the Edisto Island Invitational on March 31, but she had no idea she had just set the program scoring record for a single round with a 6-under 65.
"During the round I was so into my game," Sakulbunpanich said. "I don't even know what I shot after the round, and then coach [Patty Post] is like 'you shot 6-under.' I was like, 'what!?'"
Sakulbunpanich is from Bangkok, Thailand. In Thai culture, most people don't go by their official first and last names, which tend to be very long. Instead, they go by a shorter nickname (often one syllable) given to them at birth. For Sakulbunpanich, that's "Pop." The Blue Hens have affectionately turned that into "RoboPop", a reference to the 1987 film RoboCop.
"Because she's a machine," assistant coach Brendon Post said.
Throughout her career, Pop has been an automatic ball-striker, with her shots from the tee and the fairway consistently getting her close to the pin. Recently, improved putting has brought her game to another level.
"RoboPop comes from the fact that she hits the ball very well," director of golf programs Patty Post said. "But actually this year she's not as close to the hole as she was last year, but her putting is far better. She's scoring better because of that."
"I just feel so confident when I'm holding my putter," Pop said.
Confidence in putting spreads to other parts of a golf game. When it all works in harmony is when records get broken.
"Everything's working when you shoot 65," Patty Post laughed.
Pop's record-breaking round featured six birdies, including four on the front nine holes, and no bogeys. Several of those birdies came after she sunk long putts. Her 65 actually broke the previous school record of 67 held by Andi Slane, who currently serves as a volunteer coach for the Blue Hens. Pop credits her focus for her high level of play.
"I just go shot by shot. I don't think about 'what if I don't make this putt?'" Pop said. "I was so into my game."
"We work hard on that with every golfer," Patty Post said. "It's hard, and it comes in waves. We always have to continually work on it. Even as professional golfers, that's still something you're striving to be."
Pop, the 2018 Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year, was just named a 2019 First Team All-CAA selection along with teammate Ariane Klotz. Pop's three-round score of 207 at the Edisto Island Invitational was also a Delaware record. Though Pop, only a sophomore, is just getting started.
"You know what they say about records," Patty Post said. "They're meant to be broken."
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
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