CJ 9 Bridges Classic

Once the practice days began, the weather became a factor. On the first practice days, Cheju really bit the ladies. The temperatures were low and the winds high. Many players only played a few practice holes before stopping. By the time the pro-ams started, however, things had warmed up a bit, and during the actual competition, the weather was not half bad. This would help contribute to the low scoring the course would produce.

Se Ri Pak arrived at Cheju and began her practice, and almost immediately, the press descended on her to see how she was doing. To make the story even more interesting, her father was also there and her longtime caddie, Colin Cann, was not (don't worry about Colin: he was with his wife, who is soon to give birth to their first child. He and Se Ri have not parted ways!). Se Ri's father was the mastermind who first taught Se Ri and turned her into a champion; the press was eager to see if he could fix her swing woes. Indeed, he quickly got to work, using a special 'map' that contained secrets about Se Ri's swing that he had created long ago. He told the press that he had been unable to figure out what was wrong with her swing from overseas, but seeing her again, he felt that he could get it purring again in time for the event. Se Ri also played the pro-am, and had a ball; she called it one of the most enjoyable pro-ams she had ever played. If she was stressed out about her driver issues, she didn't show it.

Se Ri was feeling good in the practice rounds

Ju Mi Kim

Se Ri also got a chance to play a practice round with Ju Mi Kim. Kim is one of the top KLPGA players, and an interesting story in her own right. In 2003, Shi Hyun Ahn, as previously mentioned, burst onto the scene like a supernova, winning the CJ 9 Bridges and getting her LPGA tour card in the process. But what had Ahn been doing before that? Well, before that, she was a player on the KLPGA tour, a 19 year old rookie, in fact. She was having a good season, to be sure. But another 19 year old player, also a rookie, was getting the headlines. This was Ju Mi Kim, who went on to win Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year AND lead the money list in 2003 on the KLPGA tour. It was a dominating performance, but not many remembered it, because Ahn, whom Kim generally outplayed in 2003, had the great performance when it counted, and became the 'Cinderella' of women's golf.

As you can imagine, being they were both rookies of the same age, there was a bit of a rivalry between the two. I have no doubt that Kim saw what happened to Ahn in 2003, and was extra motivated. Doubtless when she entered the event last year, she did not even entertain the notion of winning it. Not with greats like Se Ri Pak, Grace Park and Laura Davies in the field. When she saw the win by Ahn, it must have been stunning to her.

The jocularity was going on all over the course. Hee-Won Han and Shi Hyun Ahn had a great time together, and Soo Yun Kang managed to crack up Shi Hyun as well when they met. Even the unlikely pair of Young Kim and Aree Song seemed to be bonding. The photos don't lie!

Meanwhile, Se Ri was not the only person who enjoyed her pro-am. Over on the 17th hole, Grace Park had a wonderful first occur. Grace hit a 7 iron on this 145 yard par 3, and watched with glee as it tracked to the hole, then went in. Believe it or not, this was her first ever hole in one. She was ecstatic, and couldn't stop buzzing about it with her pro-am partners, her temporary caddie (more on that in a minute), and even the press. As the photographers eagerly snapped her photo, she held the magic ball with zest, perhaps wondering if this was a sign about the week to come.

Later, she told the press that she won an Omega watch for the accomplishment. Although there was a car a prize on the hole, that was only for players who made a hole in one during the actual event. She didn't mind that she won the Omega instead of the car, even though one of her sponsors is Rolex, another famous watch company. She told the reporters that she couldn't wait to rub it in to Se Ri, who also, amazingly, has never made a hole in one. Later, Se Ri was asked about this in her own interview, and she smiled and said that Grace should have saved it for the event. She added that, in her experience, most of the time when someone gets a hole in one, it seems they've hit a pretty bad shot, but somehow it goes in. The good shots never seem to go in! Of course, this was all in good fun; Se Ri and Grace are great friends. But Se Ri isn't about to let her friend zing her without lobbing a few bon mots back in return!

Grace can't believe it! Her first hole in one!

Wednesday night, the ladies were treated, as they always are, to a lavish party in their honor. This year, a magician entertained them, and did the magic rings trick among others. Grace got to take some of the rings home, but I doubt she could wear them as jewelry!

By the way, the winner of the pro-am was Shi Hyun Ahn and her team. The defending champion was very determined to successfully defend, and had been working hard all week to make it a reality. Signs were certainly good!