Chick-Fil-A 2003: Make More Birdees

What makes sports truly fun to watch? Rooting your team on? Experiencing the thrill of competition vicariously? Sure, those things count, but I would venture that what truly makes it special is watching transcendent athletes achieve feats that even other stars, let alone ordinary mortals, can rarely if ever manage. There is just something special about a star when he or she is on their game and working their magic. Sometimes you can do no more than shake your head and stare.

The only thing better than watching that magic is when they are facing conditions so tough, or an opponent so determined, that you know they will HAVE TO produce magic to pull off the victory. The suspense is palpable, hanging in the air, as you wonder if they can possibly do it again. And when, miraculously, incredibly, they do, you marvel at the determination, the heart, the skill that went into that win.

Se Ri was immortalized on several
golf collector cards last week

My own personal heroes were people like Larry Bird, who when he was on his game was such a dazzling all around player that you couldn't wait to see what he would do next; or John McEnroe, who was a wizard at the net, capable of a drop shot so achingly perfect you could almost cry; or Lance Armstrong, who has more guts than a regiment; or Michelle Kwan, the only figure skater that can get me jumping up and down when I watch her, so sweet is her talent.

And of course, Se Ri Pak, a woman who was born to play the game of golf if anyone ever was. Se Ri can do it all, but rarely is she called upon to push her considerable talents to the limit in pursuit of victory. Usually when she is on, especially lately, she is very tough to beat.

But we as Se Ri Pak fans have already been blessed this year in getting to see Se Ri produce considerable magic. Her victory at the Safeway Ping Classic was absolutely stone cold brilliant, a distillation of everything that makes her exciting. The last round in particular was arguably one of her two or three best. And yet, at the 2003 Chick-Fil-A Charity Championship, hosted by her good friend Nancy Lopez, somehow Se Ri found a way to top it.

The weather at the 2002 Chick-Fil-A was less than ideal

Se Ri has already won the other two LPGA tournaments that are hosted by LPGA Hall of Famers: The Betsy King Classic, and the Office Depot hosted by Amy Alcott. But Nancy is one of Se Ri's closest friends, so you know a win at the tournament she hosts would be especially sweet and meaningful. As well, it would complete that rarest of feats: the Hall of Fame Slam!

In 2002, Se Ri had a good week here, but the weather gods were not interested in giving the field an even break. In fact, the weather was atrocious, as it often is in Georgia this time of year (not for nothing is the tournament nicknamed the 'Chick-delay'). So it was that Se Ri took three days to complete two rounds, and then the tour decided to make the event only 2 rounds long. As it was, Se Ri held the lead when she finished early Sunday morning, and got to hang around the course most of the day waiting to see if anyone could top her. Eventually a few did, and Se Ri finished with a respectable 4th. During her wait, we fans were treated to her debut as a commentator, when she joined the crew in the booth. When asked to stay for one more segment, Se Ri uttered her immortal reply: 'Okey Dokey'. I'd love for Se Ri to be a commentator, but not, of course, if it meant she wouldn't be playing anymore!