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Grace-ful start Rookie Park ready for challenge of LPGA Tour
Posted: Friday January 14, 2000 10:39 PM
By Jim Huber, CNNSI.com ATLANTA (CNNSI.com) -- There is a confidence there, a built-in bravado, that almost shouts Grace Park's name as she strides professional fairways for the first time. Ask her if she expects great things and there is only a pause for the right words. "I want to expect, I want to succeed as soon as I can," she says. "I want to do well right from the beginning. It's my goal to be at the top, to be No. 1. And I will do everything to get there." Do not mistake this for cockiness. The 20 year old out of Arizona State spent the last few years building a remarkable launching pad -- winning 55 national tournaments. Some of her victories include the 1998 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship and the 1999 NCAA individual title. Last summer she won five of the 10 she entered on the LPGA's Futures Tour. "It was a good learning experience for me after turning pro, playing on the mini tour," Park said. "It was nice to get a taste of what the actual pro life was like -- playing week after week, traveling, meeting people, new people, [and] just learning to live a pro life. "I still don't feel like I've turned pro," she added, "and I'm an LPGA player. I still feel like I should be in school with my friends, just playing golf after classes." There will be many comparisons this year between Park and the third-year pro Se Ri Pak. Though both are Korean, Pak is a relative newcomer to America, while Park grew up in Arizona. Still, she adds to the growing Korean golf explosion. "Since I'm just starting the tour, I'm not as big as Se Ri," said the Korean born Park, who came to the U.S. at age twelve. "But golf has become very, very big since Se Ri's era and more people are coming to notice more golfers. More Koreans are coming to the U.S. and trying to make it." Equipment and clothing manufacturers have reportedly been knocking down the Park family door, seeking to sign the young lady with the dazzling smile. But she will give it some time before making any decisions. The rookie enters the season endorsement-free. "If I wait a little bit and hopefully, if I make it to the top, I'll deserve the endorsement or sponsorship or whatever I'm being offered," she said. "Right now, I haven't accomplished anything. I feel like I need to work on my game, improve my game, and when I get there, when I'm satisfied with where I am golf-wise, I'll deal with the side stuff." She will have help. Her father helps coordinate her travel. The two were together all last summer and will be partners on the road again this season. Is he a typical father? "Typical father?" she answers with a question. "You know, a father has to watch out for his daughter." Watch out for the guys? "Of course," she said. "I wish he could just let me alone on that side. I know he won't." While her father keeps an eye on the guys, the woman on Tour will be looking at the new name on the leaderboards.
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