LPGA’s Pak swings idea of golf park by Daejeon

The first Asian and youngest player to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association Hall of Fame has decided to spread her sport around her hometown in a big way.
South Korean professional golf star Pak Se-ri suggested to the city government in her hometown of Daejeon build a golf park.
Pak submitted a written proposal to Mayor Park Seong-hyo during her visit to the Daejeon city hall on Dec. 18 with her father, the city government said.
“Seri Golf Park” would consist of an 18-hole course, a hotel and a museum about the golfer’s accomplishments.
“The museum would exhibit golf clubs that Se-ri used when she was young and trophies that she won,” said Pak Jun-cheol, Pak’s father.
Pak, the golfer, also plans to hold an international competition at the Daejeon venue and invite her fellow LPGA tour players.
“I think I can invite top players such as Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa, whom I’m close with,” Pak said.
The Dajeon Metropolitan City Development Authority is considering building the park on a 953,700-square-meter plot of land in Sungbuk-dong. By 2010 the entire complex would cost 75.5 billion won ($80.3 million).
“Pak is a world-class golf player born in the city,” Mayor Park said.
“It is appropriate to build a memorial for her in her hometown. We will thoroughly review Pak’s proposal.”
In 1998 at the age of 20, the golfer debuted on the LPGA tour. Now 29, Pak was inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame last month.
As a rookie in 1998, Pak won the LPGA Championship. In that season, she also became the youngest champion at the U.S. Women’s Open. Victories in two other tournaments helped her win the Rookie of the Year Award.
Pak has 24 LPGA wins, including five major championships.

By Sung Ho-jun JoongAng Ilbo [soejung@joongang.co.kr]