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Grace Park credits the 1998 U.S. Amateur as her biggest individual victory. |
Sophomore enjoying college life, will not rush into pros.
April 6, 1999
Arizona State sophomore Grace Park sat down with us recently to talk about her past, present and future with the game of golf.
When did you first take up golf and what got you started?
"I picked up golf when I was 8. My parents got me involved. Initially it was for fun, but I took lessons because my parents wanted me to learn the proper form. Where I'm from (Seoul), you just practiced at the indoor driving range."
At what point did you decide to make a career from golf?
"I don't really remember an exact time when I came to that decision. Over the years it happened. When I moved here (to the Unites States) that was like the beginning, when I was 12. I've been playing golf ever since then."
You left Seoul, South Korea, in 1991 at age 12. How did it feel to leave home at such a young age?
"I didn't know what to expect at first. I loved Hawaii. My family used to go there every winter to visit my relatives. I was very excited in the beginning, but after a couple of years I got older and it got tougher, living by myself. I lived with my aunt and my sister but it was still difficult."
You arrived in Hawaii and lived there until 1993. How did you find life there and were there many golf courses for you to play on?
"Life there was wonderful. I loved Hawaii, even though I was a little too young to do all the things tourists get to do there. I still went to the beach a lot and went to parks. I went body-boarding. Golf was tough at times because we didn't belong to a country club, so I didn't have a home course to practice on. I traveled around to look for golf courses and just practiced a lot. "
Then you moved to Phoenix. How hard was it to adjust to life in the United States and was there a language problem?
"Phoenix was tough because in Hawaii I lived with family - my aunt was there and my sister was there. But here I lived with a total stranger. School was different, too. I had always gone to private schools, so I was used to that, but I had never gone to an all-girls, Catholic school. Another thing I had to adjust to was that I had never had friends other than Koreans. I wasn't against other races, it's just that I wasn't used to it. My English wasn't good enough yet to make a lot of friends and at 13 and 14, that's the age when you start getting into cliques at school."
How influential have your parents been on your career?
"I've been very fortunate to have the kind of parents I have. Financially, we've always been set so I never really had to worry about that. But they have both sacrificed a lot of their time. My Mom sacrificed mentally. She wasn't able to come here and travel with me everywhere because she had other kids and other things to take care of. My dad has always been very supportive and they have tried to give me the best of everything, even though I'm away from home."
Which golfers have been most influential to you?
"I've played golf for so long, but I've never been interested in watching golf or following a certain golfer. I just like to play."
Is there one piece of advice you've been given that you've always remembered?
"To always have a goal - whatever you do. Once you know what you want to do, you've already achieved half of your goal. My dad instilled that in me."
You've said previously that it's important to enjoy yourself when you play. Is that still the case and how easy is it to enjoy yourself and not feel the pressure?
"That will always be the case. It's tough trying to enjoy yourself. Sometimes you're more relaxed and other times you're tense and nervous. I'm the type that plays better when I don't care too much. When I try to be too serious or try to focus too much, I can't do it. I have to be loose and relaxed going into it."
How long do you have left at Arizona State? Have you enjoyed your time here and what have you learned?
"I'm a sophomore this year, so I have two more or maybe three more years at Arizona State. I've really enjoyed it so far. I've made some great friends. The school part has been tough at times because I travel so much and I tend to procrastinate. But I am enjoying the college life very much."
What have been the highlights of your golf career so far?
"My biggest win was winning the 1998 U.S. Amateur. I know that every tournament means so much to me, but just having that title meant so much. It's the biggest tournament and I've always wanted to win it. It felt great."
Are you ready for the next level (the LPGA) and is your game good enough?
"I've already been there, I guess (she has played in four LPGA tournaments since July, as well as the 1998 Samsung World Championships). Even if I am ready, I am liking where I am right now, and I don't think my game is quite ready to go to the next level anyway."
What are your goals for 1999?
"I definitely want to finish the 1999 season with my team winning the NCAAs as well as myself, too, and having another good summer. I will play in many amateur events, as well a couple LPGA events - the Jamie Farr. I will play in the U.S. Open, and then I have a couple of other options to decide about."
Where, in golf terms, do you see yourself five years from now?
"Let me see... I'll be 25. If everything turns out to how I hope, I think I'll be having a successful career in golf, playing on the LPGA tour."