Gaelle Truet: Players, coaches and friends of Gaelle Truet were stunned to learn this week that the former Arizona State golfer had been killed in a car accident Sunday.

In her third season on the Futures Tour, she was 27.

According to police reports, Truet had just competed in a Futures tournament in Decatur, Ill., and was on her way to the next event in Lima Ohio. Eastbound on Interstate 74 in Indiana, she lost control of her car on a wet surface, and the vehicle veered across the median and collided with a tractor trailer that was heading west.

Truet, who also played golf her freshman year at Northern Arizona, played two seasons for the Sun Devils (2001-02) and was an undergraduate assistant to ASU Coach Melissa Luellen in 2003-04. While at ASU, she was named Pac-10 honorable mention and to the NGCA all-scholar team, earning a bachelors degree in communications.

“Gaelle absolutely loved being a Sun Devil,’’ Luellen said. “Every time we were playing in a tournament she would continually check to see how we were doing and would send us text messages to cheer us on, just as we were cheering her (on the Futures Tour.

“She was one of those people who would always bring sunshine into your day. The thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies of the entire ASU family go out to her family and all those who were fortunate enough to have known her.’’

Zayra Calderon, the CEO of the Futures Tour, called Truet “an exemplary player, a great ambassador and wonderful friend.’’ Calderon noted that Truet recently had her best finish on the LPGA developmental tour, finishing tied for sixth at IOS Golf Classic in El Paso, Texas.

“We were privileged to have had the opportunity to share many moments with Gaelle on and off the golf course, and will always remember her warm personality, her friendliness and her constant bright smile,’’ Calderon added. “We know that all who met her, whether they were housing hosts, fellow players, or fans, will be saddened by this news, as we are.’’

Truet was born in Noumea, New Caledonia, and Calderon said she will always be remembered for her “charming French accent.’’ New Caledonia is a former French colony located east of Australia in the Coral Sea.

Truet is survived by her parents, Remy and Madeleine Truet, and her twin brother, Loic. Funeral arrangements currently are incomplete, but family has asked that donations be made to the Gaelle Truet Fund in lieu of flowers. Donations should be sent to the Futures Tour, 1643 Williamsburg Square, Lakeland, Fla., 33803. Correspondence can be made through the Futures website at www.duramedfuturestour.com/Tribute.

NOTEWORTHY

FBR record: The Thunderbirds, the civic organization that runs the FBR Open, announced this week that the tournament will contribute a PGA Tour record $6.8 million to hundreds of Arizona charities in the next year. The previous mark had been $6.4 million raised by the Salesmanship Club of Dallas , which sponsors the EDS Byron Nelson Championship.

Since 2003, when Friedman Billings Ramsey (FBR) Group, Inc., became the title sponsor of the event, the Thunderbirds have raised more than $17 million. In its history dating back to 1932, the Phoenix/FBR Open has raised more than $43 million for Arizona charities.

Just for kids: The local qualifier for the U.S. Kids 2006 World Championship is set for June 30 at Papago Golf Club in Phoenix. Girls and boys between the ages of 4 and 12 are invited to play and earn a spot in the national tournament, which will be held July 26-29 at Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, N.C. To register, visit www.uskidsgolf.com.

Rockin’ out: Members of Whisper Rock Golf Club have won the first two legs of the Grand Slam, with Phil Mickelson capturing the Masters, and Geoff Ogilvy claiming the U.S. Open. But first there’s been talk at the north Scottsdale club about the “Rock Slam,’’ a reference that includes Mickelson’s victory at the 2005 PGA Championship combined with the past two major titles during the calendar year. Only the British Open stands in the way.