Seri Meets ‘Tough Guys’

“I will stick to my style regardless of whom I play against.”(Seri Pak, 26, CJ)

“Gender has nothing to do with the performance. Doing one’s best tells everything.” (Shin Yong-jin, 39, LG Fashion)

“Thinking of it as funny, I will just enjoy the game.” (Yang Yong-eun, 31, Casco)

Pak Se-ri is supposed to play a gender competition at the 2003 Dongyang Fire Cup SBS Pro Golf Championship. On October 21, the two male players who will play the preliminary first and second round with Pak Seri were announced. Those two are Shin Yong-jin and Yang Yong-eun, who are reputed for their long distance drives in the male pro golf world.

Shin Yong-jin, the current leading prize winner, and Yang Yong-eun, the former champion of this match, were picked up to play this “burdensome gender competition.”

“I have already heard of me being singled out,” said Shin Yong-jin. ” I will do my best, because I am a professional.”

“I want to make it into the final round,” joked Yang Yong-eun. “As for the usual match, I will play the first and second rounds with an easy mind. But, this match is different. A large crowd will gather at the galleries. I am not sure what will be the result.”

Shin and Yang’s average drives are over 300 yards. Pak Se-ri is counted on as a long distance player as a woman, but she will not reach those of the men players--about 30 yards short. Except for the par-3 holes, Pak will likely start up the second shot on every hole.

“The result of the first golfer influences the other players,” remarked Yang Yong-eun. “There are advantages and disadvantages to have a longer driving distance.”

At the Lakeside Country Club Sir Course (7052 Yards), Yongin, Kyungki province, the gender competition will tee off on October 23, 11 a.m. for the first round, and for the second round, October 24, 8 a.m.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com