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Chat Reel: Dorothy Delasin

Life is good for LPGA Rookie of the Year

After winning the 2000 Giant Eagle LPGA Classic, Dorothy Delasin became the youngest winner in 25 years on the LPGA Tour. Stephen Dunn/Allsport

Dorothy Delasin is the 2000 LPGA Rookie of the Year and was the 1999 U.S. Women's Amateur champion. This season she won the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic, held the last weekend in July in Ohio. That win made her the LPGA's youngest champion in 25 years. She chatted with CNNSI.com users on Tues., Oct. 17. A transcript of her chat follows:

CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's LPGA chat with Dorothy Delasin. Thanks for joining us Dorothy!
Dorothy Delasin: Thank you having me.

From Jojo Montinola in Bacolod City, Philippines: Keep up the good work. Congratulations on being the Rookie of the Year. We're all proud of you here in the Philippines.
Dorothy Delasin: Thank you so much and I will continue to try to do my best.

From Vincent Tan in Makati, Philippines: Congratulations on being the first person of Filipino descent to win in the LPGA. Not many people outside the Philippines know that your parents are of Filipino origin. I think more people know about Tiger being half-Thai. Is your parents' national origin something you don't particularly care to talk about? Or is it simply not of interest to the press that covers you?
Dorothy Delasin: It's just not an interest of the press. But if they ask me I will tell them. But they usually don't.

From Dr. T in the Philippines: Are you already the rookie of the year, and is Grace Park still in contention? Do you plan to visit the Philippines in 2001 and conduct golf clinics?
Dorothy Delasin: They chose me for rookie of the year already. I'm going to the Philippines in January. I last visited the Philippines in September of last year.

From John Tomas in Manila, Philippines: We know that you are an American Citizen but have Filipinos for parents, so we just want to know if you have introduced yourselves as American, Asian or A Filipino? We are proud of you here although much of the news always says "American Rookie Dorothy Delasin" and so forth and so on... Please keep up the good work, enjoy the game by beating everyone else now and then, CHEERS!!!
Dorothy Delasin: Filipino-American, it only comes up when I'm in the Philippines. No one it the U.S. really asks me that question.

From Garvey boys -- Garrett, Gavin and Gage: We are your biggest fans. Good luck in the tournament of champions this week! We are all rooting for you!!
Dorothy Delasin: Thank you very much and thanks for rooting for me.

From I4golf: Which golfer do you admire the most -- male or female?
Dorothy Delasin: Let's see -- Fred Couples, because of his attitude on the course. And Nancy Lopez, because she was like Tiger Woods back in the day. And I thought that was pretty cool.

From Does: Is there a Tiger Woods on the LPGA?
Dorothy Delasin: I would say Karrie Webb. She is young and she continues to win. She has three Majors under her belt. And her scoring average is comparable to his.

From I4golf: What are your goals for your second season on the tour?
Dorothy Delasin: I will try to earn points for the Solheim Cup. And I will try to get Player of the Year, which is really hard to do.

From Chantilly in San Francisco: Congratulations Dorothy! You make the Bay Area proud! Just wondering what you like to do when you are not playing golf?
Dorothy Delasin: I like to dance and hang out with my friends.

From Guest: Where do you spend your time when you're not touring?
Dorothy Delasin: At home in south San Francisco.

From Scott: I couldn't tell from the tout that was posted, but did you play golf in college?
Dorothy Delasin: No, I didn't. I was debating over going to college or not. So I took a semester off. I was working on my game and then decided to turn pro.

From CSU Stanislaus in Turlock: Congratulations on Rookie of the Year! How has this celebrity status effected you?
Dorothy Delasin: Not much, I'm still the same ole Dorothy. More people recognize me, but it hasn't changed me. I do enjoy the recognition.

From Mike G: What do you think your think your strategy will be on the 2001 LPGA tour?
Dorothy Delasin: To hit more greens, hit more fairways and make a lot of one-putts. And to play my game. I'm going to work extra hard during the offseason.

From William in Santa Clara: What has life been like for you since winning the Giant Eagle at the end of July?
Dorothy Delasin: It's been awesome. I can't explain the feeling. You will just have to trust me on that.

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Dorothy. Thank you for joining us and good luck with the rest of the season.
Dorothy Delasin: Thank you to everyone on the net.

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