Se Ri Pak's Tour Diary

In 1998, Se Ri Pak had one of the most exciting rookie years in LPGA history. The Korean newspaper Joong-Ang Ilbo published a multi-part serialized diary of Se Ri's experiences in America during this year. Supposedly written by Se Ri herself, it may very well actually have been ghost written based on information she supplied. Nonetheless, it is a fascinating behind the scenes look at a superstar in the making.

I will present an English translation of this diary, as provided by loyal Se Ri and SeoulsSisters.com fan 'lovegiants'. The Korean version of this text is still available on the website www.loveseri.com, in case you are interested.

I am presenting this to all her English language fans, but please remember that I did not write this nor claim any ownership on it. If the owners of this diary have a problem, please let me know at HappyFan02@yahoo.com.

Diary Entry #1

A personal jet plane (for 8 people) is flying at an altitude of 3,000 feet. It is speeding without pitching, contrary to my previous anxiety. A pleasant pitch and speed! Out of the window, I can see Lake Erie shining brightly in the streaks of the morning sun.

After the U.S. Women's Open, I left Kohler, Wisconsin for Toledo, Ohio in a personal jet plane offered by the sponsor of the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic. The sponsor of the event was afraid that I might not participate in it, so they borrowed the plane from Steve Sweegart (?), the president of Barton (?) Chemical Corporation, and offered it to me.

In the jet there are 7 people: me, my father (Jun-chul Pak, 48), my mother (Jeong-suk Kim, 46), my manager (Seong-yong Kil, 29), Mr. Sweegart, and two pilots. Oh! I forgot someone: Happy! She became my friend and roommate 2 weeks ago. She is a cute beagle puppy with white, black, and tan markings. When I passed by a pet shop near my house in Orlando, I happened to meet her through the window and immediately was attracted by her innocent eyes. So I spent 350 dollars to purchase her. Since the U.S. Women's Open, she's been my constant companion.

"Se Ri, we must be very successful to be riding on the personal plane of a multimillionaire." My father says that he wonders if it is only a dream. He looks filled with deep emotion. They say that this jet plane costs 3 million dollars.

I say to myself, embracing Happy in my arms, "Dad, we'll be able to buy one, though I don't know when." I am confident of the future. Only a few years ago, who could have imagined that I would win a major in the LPGA?

Mr. Sweegart, in an open-neck shirt, brings beverages out of the refrigerator and offers one to each member of my family. "How do you feel, champ? I've never seen such an exciting golf tournament (the sudden death of the U.S. Women's Open). My son had a chance to play with Tiger when he was a university student. I had not imagined that a lady's tournament could be so exciting."

He cheerfully incites me to pilot the plane. The captain winks at me indicating his help. When I refuse to, because of fear, Mr. Sweegart chides me. "I can't believe that there in the world exists something that Se Ri Pak fears." At that instant, a roar of laughter erupts in the plane.

After 45 minute's flight, we land at a private airfield. A Cadillac and a BMW....High-class motorcars are waiting for us and bring us to a hotel. In the hotel, well dressed gentlemen greet us and conduct us to our rooms. I feel as if I were Cinderella. After the U.S. Women's Open, I'm well treated by everybody. I can acutely feel that the treatment for me has improved very dramatically.

The Jamie Farr Kroger Classic is an event that I participated in for the first time last year, before my debut on the LPGA. I missed the cut then, but the sponsor sent me an invitation again this year.

The Highland Meadows golf course is short (6319 yards), and the fairway is narrow. I don't like this type of course. But I appreciate the sponsor because they were nice to me when I was unknown. And this year, they offered me a personal plane!! I could not but decide to participate in the event, even though I felt very tired.

Diary Entry #2

I've been with my mom and dad for a couple of weeks. My parents came to America on June 29th (the Monday of the U.S. Women's Open). They were sorry that they had not seen me win the LPGA Championship in person (this was my first major title), so they came to see my second major event. After that, I convinced them to stay. I said to them many times, "I'm so happy to be with you", so they decided to stay with me until the beginning of August, when the Du Maurier Classic, the last major, is over.

Se Ri wins the 1998 U.S. Women's Open

My parents have been of great help to me on tour, father as a coach and rooter, and mother as a counsellor. But on the 12th, the final day of the tournament, while having breakfast with my father at a restaurant beside the hotel I was staying in, I complained to him. I was irritated. The day before, someone told me that it had been bad manners that my father had rushed onto the green the moment I'd won the U.S. Women's Open. "They speak ill of me behind my back, and it's your fault..."

At that moment, he looked embarrassed, and spoke. "But then.... it was okay because it was not a regular round (it was sudden death). And the sponsor allowed me to be on the green....and the American player's parents were also on the green...." Father seemed to have much to say, but he left his words vague. I think that he didn't want to have a bad influence on the final round. My father is not a dreadful trainer at all in moments like this. I can understand his behavior at that time, but at the same time, I know that I need to aim at perfection not only in golf skill but also in behavior and manners.

Anyway, after complaining to him, I felt better. Father bought a camp chair and he followed me with it during the tournament (Jamie Farr Kroger Classic). On the day I recorded 10 under, unable to contain his joy, he said, "Well, the rhythm of golf is birdie par birdie par not bogey par bogey par, and today, your rhythm was fantastic...".

My mother is very quiet contrary to my father. She is silent both at home and at the course. When the press requests an interview, she hides herself frightened. That's the way my mother is. Since she came to America, I've shared a room with her. At night, I talk about this and that to her, and end up falling asleep. But a couple of days ago, she caught a bad cold so she stopped sharing the room with me. On the 3rd day of the tournament, she coughed so violently that she could not even come to the course. On the final day, she was armed with medicine and watched me win.