Profile: Alana Uriell, 2020 Ambassador
For Alana Uriell, family always comes first. When she was eight years old, growing up in Southern California, Alana’s father, Patrick—a career San Diego County firefighter—built a net in the family’s backyard so Alana and her brother, Connor, could practice their golf swings. As Alana’s game progressed, her mother, Barbara, a former collegiate gymnast, guided her along the way.
By that point, Alana’s mother had already trained her daughter in another sport. From 2004 – 2008, Alana ran cross country and track with the SoCal Road Runners. Her best finish was ninth in the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross-Country Championship, earning her All-American status by the age of 9.
Similarly, in golf, Barbara taught Alana to believe that with dedication combined with natural ability, she could go equally far—if not further.
Barbara Uriell passed away from breast cancer in 2010, when Alana was just 14 years old. Alana used the family tragedy as the ultimate motivating factor toward her success on and off the golf course. She began posting top-10 finishes on the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and Southern California junior golf circuits.
Alana and Connor graduated from Carlsbad High School, and both attended the University of Arkansas. During her senior campaign, Alana led the Razorbacks to their first Southeastern Conference (SEC) title, and she was named first-team All-SEC and second-team All-American—making her an All-American in two entirely different sports by her early 20s.
Growing her career, on the course and off:
During her first professional appearance on the Symetra Tour in 2019, in dramatic fashion, Alana captured the SkyiGOLF Championship with an eagle on the first playoff hole. Just two weeks later, in her opening 18 holes on the LPGA Tour, she found herself one shot back after tying a collegiate career best 65 at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup. Alana went on to make the cut and finish the tournament at 10-under, tied for 40th. She finished tied for 20th at the inaugural LPGA Q-Series to earn Priority List Category 14 status for the 2019 season. Last year, Alana enjoyed one top-10 finish, a tie for ninth at the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic. “The sky’s the limit for her,” says her coach, Jason Puterbaugh.
Before her second season on the LPGA Tour was postponed due to the global coronavirus pandemic, Alana had been focused on learning how to be a touring professional, tackling not only the game, but also how to be an independent businessperson.
“Once you become a professional on tour, you realize that there is so much more to it than just the golf,” she said. “You basically run your own small business while you also hone a very difficult game. To shoot that projected round of 65, you have to make sure you’re getting the right nutrition and sleep, and analyze the course, and get the right caddie, along with a good place to stay and a strong support system, and not rack up too many bills in the process.
“I have learned that it can absolutely be too much for one person,” she said. “I lean on my support system of friends and family a lot when things start getting messy.”
Becoming an ambassador:
Alana became a part of Dormie Network through her agent, Nick Biesecker, who connected her with CMO Dave Plaster. “I was super impressed with the experience they offered,” Alana said. “I was so honored when they asked me to come aboard as an ambassador!”
As a Dormie Network ambassador, Alana will participate in a number of outreach efforts and give-back initiatives aimed at supporting girls’ and women’s golf nationwide. Through its partnership with the LPGA and sponsor support of LPGA players like Alana, the network has focused on connecting with the golf community in ways that genuinely grow the game.
What the Dormie Network experience means to her:
“Dormie Network is essentially a family of golf fanatics who care about each other and just want to have fun. I love being a part of that,” Alana said. “Being a Dormie Network Ambassador is such an honor because I feel like I can share the experience of playing tournament-level courses and conditions with my friends.”
Alana said she has played Briggs Ranch Golf Club in San Antonio and Dormie Club in North Carolina. “I didn't get the chance to play Hidden Creek, but man it looked pure,” she said.
Alana said her Dormie Network favorite thus far is Briggs Ranch, which holds a favorite memory. “When I was in college at Arkansas, we played a collegiate tournament at Briggs Ranch called the Maryb S. Kauth Invitational in 2016 and I won the tournament by five strokes with a total of 12-under,” she said. “It’s a fabulous coincidence that Dormie now owns it, so I can go play it whenever I want!”
