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Park In-bee Realizes Dream of "Green Queen"

Posted July. 01, 2008 03:13,   

한국어

“Park (Park In-bee) replaced Pak (Pak Se-ri).”

Major U.S. media including the New York Times reported Park In-bee’s victory as the youngest winner of the U.S. Women`s Open.

The final round of the 63rd U.S. Women’s Open was held at the Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minn., yesterday. Several hundreds of galleries of Korean descent living in the United States were excited when the 20-year-old Korean girl turned the table and beat Annika Sorenstam. Toddlers holding the national flag of Korea, parents with baby carriages and even grey-haired Koreans celebrated Park’s victory. A Korean household living nearby the golf course even hung a placard saying "celebration" in Korean.

Around 10,000 Koreans and 20,000 Korean adoptees live in Minnesota where the competition was held. A Korean-American living there explained that the residents of the state led adoption from Korea from the beginning as they are descendants of immigrants from Northern Europe where many choose to adopt.

Koreans living in the United States for various reasons often find themselves missing their motherland as they search for Korean news. Recently, however, they feel sad for a series of bad news from Korea –- disputes between protesters and police over U.S. beef imports and the country`s economic slowdown. Major U.S. media put significance on the violent protests in Seoul on the day when Park won the title.

As a result, Park In-bee’s victory reminded Korean residents in the United States of Pak Se-ri who won the same competition 10 years ago when Korea was stuck in the financial crisis. A decade ago, Pak was even willing to pull off her socks to save a stroke and finally won the game. Her victory gave confidence to Koreans in the United States. Also, the last game a Korean golfer won in Minnesota was the Samsung World Championship of 1999 when Pak got the title.

Nam Hong-gyu, who came to the United States a decade ago, said, “Amid a series of difficulties, the young golfer won the game. Her victory gives us courage.” Park Cheon-hee living in Minnesota smiled, saying, “I`ve been feeling sorry since the candlelight vigils have turned worse and Korea’s image has deteriorated. But, now, I’m really happy.”

Park In-bee began her golf career due to Pak Se-ri.

Her parents love playing golf. Her father, Park Geon-gyu, who runs his own business, usually finishes a game at under par. Also, her mother Kim Seong-ja played golf even when she was eight months pregnant.

Even though her parents were big lovers of golf, Park In-bee shunned playing golf while enjoying tennis, swimming and Japanese fencing. But, she began playing golf after watching Pak Se-ri win the game in 1998 when she was a fourth-grader.

In order to pursue both golf and study, Park left to the United States when she was 14 years old. She studied hard to get all As and won nine games at the U.S. Junior Championship. She finally became a professional golf player in 2006.

Even though she began her LPGA Tour career last year, she was disqualified for preliminary competitions six times in the beginning of the season. However, she was tied for the fourth at the U.S. Women’s Open at her 14th participation. By winning the game this time, Park became the youngest winner, replacing Pak Se-ri as the world’s youngest winner.

Park, who wore a cap with the image of Korea’s national flag throughout the competition, said, “I want to express my thanks to Pak Se-ri. I’m greatly influenced by her. I’m sure others of my age feel the same way. I will make more efforts since I have a long way to go.”

After 10 years since Pak’s victory, Park In-bee is sending a new message of hope to Korea.



kjs0123@donga.com