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Post by HappyFan on Jan 14, 2016 18:05:30 GMT
Thanks HF for a very comprehensive and well thought-out article. Both Lydia and Inbee are established; they've earned places on Women's Professional golf even if they don't strike another ball. On the other hand, this is truly the dawn of a new era for In Gee. I'm happy for what In Gee has accomplished thus far in her career; but all is for nah if she doesn't back it up in 2016 and beyond. Hopefully, she won't be a Q Beck 2015 redux. Unfortunately, we probably will never know how great Bo Mee can be. This hurts; because she, So Yeon and In Gee are arguably three of the fairest girls on earth. Who knows what will happen with In Gee, but I'm optimistic. Q Baek was a KLPGA rookie when she earned her LPGA card and had never played outside of Korea as a pro. In Gee has three years of KLPGA experience and a whole year of playing and succeeding on the LPGA and JLPGA behind her. So I hope that will hold her in good stead going forward! |
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Post by don on Jan 14, 2016 22:56:28 GMT
I never really figured out the KLPGA stream so I haven't seen much of In Gee. But from the US Open, she's going to be do well. She absolutely splits the fairways.
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Post by philknj on Jan 15, 2016 20:14:13 GMT
Day Seven: Ball Brand of the Year
Srixon (Z-Star or Z-Star XV)
Winbee, Dumbo, and Smile Candy killed everyone with 20 wins worldwide, but if that's not enough, how about victories from Minjee, Sharon, Sky, Hye Youn Kim, JY Ko, Hyo Joo Kim, Sun Ju Ahn and Bo Kyeong Kim? It seems odd that this brand hasn't made deeper inroads on the LPGA among non-Asians. I guess it's the Indian and not the arrow.
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Post by mr3putt on Jan 16, 2016 21:23:04 GMT
Day Seven: Ball Brand of the Year Srixon (Z-Star or Z-Star XV)Winbee, Dumbo, and Smile Candy killed everyone with 20 wins worldwide, but if that's not enough, how about victories from Minjee, Sharon, Sky, Hye Youn Kim, JY Ko, Hyo Joo Kim, Sun Ju Ahn and Bo Kyeong Kim? It seems odd that this brand hasn't made deeper inroads on the LPGA among non-Asians. I guess it's the Indian and not the arrow. I doubt any of these gals play the Z-Star XV.....it's meant for 105+ mph SS's....and maybe only 5 LPGA pros can clock that with any consistency....though Lydia plays the SR3....I like the SR2 and forgot to test out my SR1 and SR3's this past summer. Let's face it....Srixon will only be a niche player in the premium ball market dominated by Titleist, Cally & TM. When was the last time you found a Z-Star vs. the previous three? I think Srixon was able to pick up the above female pros fairly cheap....if not endorsed....I doubt any of the above gals would be playing Srixon. Let's face it....who really plays a Srixon on the PGA.....Graeme (OK...won a no name event recently) and Keegan have really done jacksh*t lately and Hideki with his great ball striking has yet to demonstrate he can be a top 10 pro on a consistent basis. They aren't willing to pay out some real money for the PGA's top pros....or maybe the top PGA pros aren't willing to game a Srixon. It really is no surprise that the white faced gals don't play Srixon, unless paid....just like no whitey gal plays a Volvik unless getting a paycheck. A LPGA loop back in August said the Volvik was junk....lol. Nothing wrong with Srixon...I've personally found the urethane'ss a bit hard....they even gave up on their softer version when all the other OEM's are going 'soft' and it's lead by the great success of Cally's Chrome Soft. The guy I play golf often with.... likes Srixon...so he gets any I find. On the other golf forums...the Q-Star does get much love...but for a mid range ball....IMO...it's pretty good. |
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Post by HappyFan on Jan 19, 2016 17:30:10 GMT
Thanks for all the comments and for reading my version of War and Peace. Looking forward to the 2016 season!  |
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Post by HappyFan on Jan 22, 2016 23:15:11 GMT
but I think she's roughly in the same league as Alison Lee, so it's certainly possible. Huh....no way Annie Park is in the same league as Alison.....if I'm wrong....I eat as much crow as you want to feed me. I was just updating Annie's bio on my site. Read what she has accomplished. You really think Alison Lee was better, let alone a LOT better? |
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Post by mr3putt on Jan 22, 2016 23:59:39 GMT
Yes...Annie was previously on a great trajectory...but has since slid. I believe ....Annie choked it up at the 2014 NCAA's when her team needed her as their leader. After climbing to the top of the WAGR Am rankings....Annie slid....same can be said of Su-Hyun Oh too. But yet.....Lydia, Minjee, Brooke and Alison...when they ascended to the top or near the top of the WAGR they all stayed there. If you want to look at past Am accomplishments....then you'd think Amanda Blumenherst would be a world beater on the LPGA....instead she was a bust. Amanda's Am career was far superior to Annie's Am career. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanda_BlumenherstOnly time will tell...but in 5 years I've gotta believe Alison's LPGA accomplishments will be superior to Annie's. I'm giving 5 years as Alison will also be concentrating on obtaining her UCLA degree. If I'm wrong in 5 years...I'll be the 1st one to publicly admit that The Smiling Buddha is an idiot and he'll eat all the medium rare crow anyone wants to feed him. Happy....I don't know why you're not an Alison fanboy...IMO...she's got the 'IT' factor...no I'm not saying she'll be a LPGA superstar...she just seems to be a likable pro to cheer for. Are you a USC grad?...is that why you are indifferent to Alison "GIMMEE" Lee? PS You can blame The Smiling Buddha blame for the Seahawks loss last week.....he forgot to put on my Seahawks shirt...but the time I remembered....they were down 14-0 within 4 minutes into the game....yes...he's a fool. |
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Post by philknj on Jan 23, 2016 0:13:02 GMT
HF has his archives and I have mine...from the 2009 US Girls Junior at Trump Nat'l/Bedminster:
I left Kim Kim’s match after nine and walked to the scoreboard near the 15th green to find a close match to follow on the back nine. I looked up Alexis Thompson’s name, but she had already crushed Jisoo Park. Nicole Zhang (Alberta, Canada) was up by one around the 12th hole against Annie Park (Levittown, NY), so I decided to find them.
At the par-3 14th, Park (a strong irons player who looks overage) made her birdie putt, but Zhang replied with a birdie to stay one-up. Both players had family following along.
Zhang maintained her lead, so Park gambled by shooting for the flag at # 16, but found the bunker behind the pin. She blasted out and almost went into the water. She managed a four, while Zhang made par. Zhang won the 17th to win the match.
*******
I didn't watch her at the 2012 USWO qualifier at Trump Nat'l/Colts Neck, but her score was a shocker, 78-65-143...not too shabby, as it rained at least 4 1/2 hours that day. She outplayed successful qualifiers named Jeong Jang, MJ Hur, Jennie Lee, Jennifer Song, and Seon Hwa Lee.
*******
I missed her at the 2012 WAPL at Neshanic Valley GC, but she did not go unnoticed:
It was brutally hot, but I came prepared: golf umbrella, sun block, cap, water bottle, granola bars. I decided to pick up one more match to end. As I got to the 17th hole, a volunteer was nice enough to offer me a ride to the 16th tee box. She said, “I followed Annie Park’s match earlier. She won 6 & 5. She did not miss a shot and the other girl did not play badly.”
*******
I don't know what to expect of Annie Park in the LPGA. At times she was CRAZY good as an amateur.
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Post by mr3putt on Jan 23, 2016 2:52:43 GMT
I don't know what to expect of Annie Park in the LPGA. At times she was CRAZY good as an amateur. I'm no sports expert...but IMO....the slide in Am rankings and recent play...to me.....is a probable indicator of Annie's and Su Oh's potential on the LPGA. No question both appeared to be the next female golf stars when they were at or near the top in the WAGR. If Annie and Oh shine brilliantly...then I'm sure it will please many on this forum that The Smiling Buddha should change his name to The Smiling FOOL.  |
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Post by mr3putt on Jan 23, 2016 3:00:56 GMT
I first saw Nicole Zhang at the 2012 Cdn women's tour event in Richmond, BC.....I was able to speak with both she and her mom (loop).
I saw Nicole at the 2015 CP CWO Monday qualifier...mom was still looping...I also saw Julie Yang.
Phil....I must say you take detailed notes to determine and find out that Zhang is from Alberta....Calgary specifically.....I believe she's a member or at least plays out of Silvers Springs in NW Calgary.
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Post by HappyFan on Jan 26, 2016 7:14:04 GMT
If you read my awards post on my blog, you'd see that my take on Park is that, when she is good, she is REALLY good. But also that she's had a very streaky record. Phenomenal as a freshman, tanked after that, then when you think she might be going the Kim Kim route, obliterates the competition on the Symetra Tour to earn top honors while playing half the events of everyone else. She may not have the overall consistency of Lee, but on pure talent I'd give her the game ball.
To be honest, I'm still undecided about Alison Lee, but I get this princess vibe from her which has prevented me from really embracing her. I remember when she played that KLPGA event last year, searching hard for a photo of her where she was actually smiling. It seemed she had this permanent grimace on her face. Not Inbee Park concentration face, but a real look of displeasure. OK, maybe it's a sponsor's obligation, but you get to play golf for a living, and it's not like you've been doing this for twenty years! Smile!
But I don't dislike her, either, and maybe as I see her more my opinion will change.
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Post by 18majors on Jan 26, 2016 16:23:58 GMT
If you read my awards post on my blog, you'd see that my take on Park is that, when she is good, she is REALLY good. But also that she's had a very streaky record. Phenomenal as a freshman, tanked after that, then when you think she might be going the Kim Kim route, obliterates the competition on the Symetra Tour to earn top honors while playing half the events of everyone else. She may not have the overall consistency of Lee, but on pure talent I'd give her the game ball. To be honest, I'm still undecided about Alison Lee, but I get this princess vibe from her which has prevented me from really embracing her. I remember when she played that KLPGA event last year, searching hard for a photo of her where she was actually smiling. It seemed she had this permanent grimace on her face. Not Inbee Park concentration face, but a real look of displeasure. OK, maybe it's a sponsor's obligation, but you get to play golf for a living, and it's not like you've been doing this for twenty years! Smile! But I don't dislike her, either, and maybe as I see her more my opinion will change. Alison, So Yeon and Jessica Korda were my top favorites before I knew In Gee existed. A lot have changed since the arrival of In Gee at Lancaster. I started to follow SeoulSisters closely, and was very happy to discover Bo Mee and many other lovable characters. Both Alison and Jessica grow up in America and they are both bona fide American princesses; charming, confident, independent and very much their own person. I've no doubt In Gee, So Yeon and Bo Mee are also confident and independent, but I find it easier to relate to them. Women's professional golf is in good hands with these group of charming players. |
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Post by HappyFan on Jan 27, 2016 1:28:23 GMT
More on Annie Park. I'm not ready to predict she'll be a star, because I've seen a lot of great amateurs tank once they got to the big show. Certainly could happen to her.
But let's correct the idea that after her freshman year she stunk. From the USC website (I have selected the highlights, but there were many):
And of course she did really well on the Symetra Tour as well. So where is this downward turn? I'm not seeing it. It's more like fantastic freshman year, slightly weaker but still good sophomore year, fantastic pro record on Symetra, ready for LPGA.
What I'm saying is, go Annie!!!
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Post by mr3putt on Jan 31, 2016 18:51:12 GMT
Happy
Alison only played one year of collegiate golf...so she didn't have all the years of collecting Am titles as Annie.
We can go back and forth.
What I'm really trying to say about Annie is that after she climbed to near the top WAGR ranking she slid back down and this was an indication in my books that she either lost a bit of her swing and/or confidence....golf can be a cruel game.
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Post by HappyFan on Feb 1, 2016 17:45:09 GMT
So what you're saying is that Alison didn't have a chance to similarly slide in her sophomore year, right? As I've said, I don't want to be put in the position of saying that Annie Park will be a big star, because all the amateur success in the world is sometimes not enough on the LPGA tour. But I don't think Alison ever had the highs Annie had as an amateur, and she's done all right. I'm willing to give Annie a little time. She has shown herself to be streaky at times, so let's wait ten - twelve events and see if she can notch some good results before concluding she's a has been at 20. M'kay? |
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