Hidden Treasure of Korean Golf

A new ‘treasure’ of Women`s Golf in Korea is born.

It is amateur National Athlete, Song Bo-bea (17·Senior at Jaeju Samsung Girl`s High school) who grabbed victory at the 17 Korea Women’s Open of the Astra Cup, beating grand pro-golfers including those who play overseas.

Song Bo-bea had a head start at the final third round held in Asiade CC(par72) in Busan on Sep. 6, with 3 under-par and an even-par-69, beating Beth Bauer(US), who joined her in the first place on the prior day, by 2, and grabbed victory.

She already recorded her second consecutive victory at the single and team competition at National Sports Festival last year, and boasted her great talent at several games. Her records last year include victory at the semifinals at the Majuan Open as well as 7th place at the Korea Women`s Open. She ranked top at the Korea Women`s Open in her second try.

This year, her performance was a bit lackluster in the first half but she was victorious at the Queensirikit Cup.

She said that she felt sorry for her grandfather, as she could not go to his funeral because he passed away on the night before the game started. During the interview, she moved to tears saying that, “I feel like my grandfather has left me a great present.”

She started playing golf when she was in seventh grade. Her strength is the driver shot that goes beyond the average of 250 yards. On the first day of the game, her driver head was cracked but she used it for the day and just changed the head the next day. She recorded even-par at the first round, but at the second and third round, she recorded a 3-under-par respectively.

Meanwhile, Park Jee-eun(Nike Golf), Korean international who participated at a Korean Game for the first time, recorded 4 birdies until the 6 hole of the final third round, and tied for the top for a while but finished the game ranking 3 (2-under-par, 214). Han Hee-won (Fila Korea) ranked 9 with Song A-ri(17) with 3-over-par and even-par 219.

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com