2003 Safeway Classic: Before the Event (cont.)

After that, I found out in the media center that Young Kim and Juli Inkster had dropped out of the tournament. No one there seemed to know why. No one was even sure that either had been on site all week. I later found out, of course, that Young Kim was in Korea competing in a KLPGA event sponsored by her chief sponsor, Shinsegae. In fact, she would go on to win that event, as you can discover if you read about it in the Fairways and Greens section of this issue!

I then went by the driving range, but still no Se Ri, and now it was 3 PM! Next I went off to find Hee-Won Han, and watched her play in the pro-am. While I was taking photos of her, I noticed that she was being followed by three other photographers, none of whom were Korean. And by photographers I mean the guys with the big cameras and the tripods, not ordinary fans. I guess our Miss Han is becoming quite a star in her own right. Either that, or these guys also thought they were photographing Michelle Wie (sorry, I couldn't resist ribbing that guy one more time).

After I finished with Hee-Won, I doubled back to the tenth tee, because they were supposed to have a long drive contest. But it was delayed since the pro-ams were still in progress. No one seemed to know exactly when it was supposed to occur.

Hee-Won during her pro-am on Thursday
SeoulSisters.com photo

Young-A Yang and Se Ri hang out on the driving range
SeoulSisters.com photo

I went to the range and watched the big bombers hitting their practice drives to prepare for the contest. One of these women looked like that guy who does the exercise bike ads on TV; you know, the guy with the long blonde hair and the obnoxious voice? Actually, she was more muscular than he. Like a tank, this woman.

FINALLY I saw Se Ri, practicing her drives. I got into a good position and took a bunch of photos. Next to her was Young-A Yang, and they had an animated conversation. Yang's group had won the pro-am at 18 under par on Wednesday. She told Se Ri that her group was already 6 under after five holes. Se Ri replied jokingly that at least her group was 3 under after 3 holes (before things went a bit wrong). Se Ri just went through the clubs in her bag, hitting a few shots with each one; she did not seem to be focusing on her first move as much as yesterday. And her drives all looked pretty impressive, even when compared to the superwomen long drive contestants. Between drives, she and Yang would cut up on occasion.

Se Ri next walked to the chipping green, and I finally took the opportunity to introduce myself to her (although I have asked her questions in a press conference, I have never before told her who I am or who I represent). When I mentioned 'Seoul Sisters.com', she said 'Oh!', as though she recognized it. I have heard that she has come here in the past. It was a short but sweet introduction, then I let Se Ri get back to her practice.

I hung out for a while longer, waiting for the darn long drive contest. Who should come up but Christina Kim again. We talked about the long drive contest a bit; she was more than glad not to participate ('to preserve her last shred of dignity', she said), and told me that the big Blonde had worked as a trainer for the Rams. I told Christina I planned on taking more photos of her this week, especially when she hefted the trophy on Sunday, which provoked a huge smile.

Christina Kim
SeoulSisters.com photo