Golf: Coming to America

Richard Dunn

COSTA MESA - In her heart, Angela Won of University High would want

to play golf at nearby UC Irvine.

As an upcoming senior, Won is expected to be a highly recruited

player, but, when she decides on a college and possibly commits to a

school during the early signing period in November, it is not likely she

will go far from home.

She’s far away enough from home already.

“I came to America from Korea by myself when I was 11,” said Won, a member of the Southern California PGA squad competing, and leading, the

24th annual Girls Junior America’s Cup Team Matches at Mesa Verde Country

Club.

Won and Bolee Kim, two of the four Southern California players, are

both from Korea, having moved to the United States at a young age to

experience the American dream and golf in the vast surroundings (a la

Grace Park).

“At first, I wanted to stay with my family (in Korea), but my dad (Jin

Young) wanted me to go play golf in better conditions,” Won added. “I

always listen to my dad, and he’s always right.

“I wanted to go back to Korea, but now I feel so lucky to be here. I

owe my dad and my parents. I feel like I’m a lucky girl.”

Won, 17, lived with a family friend for the first two years, then her

mother, Hae Joo, and sister, Emily, moved out here to join her, while

Won’s father remained in Korea to operate a restaurant he owns.

“He sends money back,” Won said. “He’s here (at the event) this week.”

Perhaps one day, she’ll be sending money back with LPGA Tour earnings.

As for Won’s second-round score Wednesday at Mesa Verde (80), she

would like to quickly forget about it, and, in the team format of the

Girls Junior America’s Cup, that’s entirely possible.

In fact, the Southern California team is so hot, Won’s total didn’t

count on captain Kelly Williams’ card, which lists only the top three

scores. (An 80 would count on most teams.)

Julie McKenna of Newbury Park was the star of the second round, firing

an even-par 71 to earn individual medalist honors for the day.

Following Tuesday’s opening-round 79, McKenna picked up her clubs and

went to the practice putting green. On Wednesday, the putts dropped.

McKenna birdied 2, 4, 11 and 14, sinking a 20-footer on the par-3 No.

2 hole to get her round kick-started. “I landed on the lower tier of a

two-tiered green and had to go up the tier,” McKenna said.

McKenna used a sand wedge to the green on her other three birdie

holes, draining putts of 15 feet on the par-5 No. 4 and 10 feet on the

par-5 No. 11.

On 14, McKenna’s sand wedge landed to within four feet of the pin,

which was tightly placed behind a bunker.

“I saw my captain on that hole and she said to me, ‘We need to make a

birdie on this hole,’ and I got pumped up to make a birdie,” McKenna

said.

Elena Kurokawa of Redondo Beach shot 1-over 72, while teammate Kim,

who moved to America two years ago when she was 13, carded a 77 to give

Southern California (444) a commanding 11-stroke lead going into today’s

final round, beginning at 8 a.m.

Southern California’s 220 was four shots better than its first round

Tuesday and four strokes lower than its nearest competitor in the second

round, Mexico, which posted a 224 to slip into third place.

Mexico, the two-time defending champion of the Girls Junior America’s

Cup, moved ahead of San Diego and Washington by one shot.

Northern California, which shot 229 in the second round, is in second

place at 455.

With an 11-stroke lead and 18 holes remaining, it would appear

Southern California is well on its way to its second America’s Cup title

in four years.

“I had a hard time (Wednesday), but since my team played really well,

I’m happy,” Won said. “Everything in my game was just a little bit off.

My putts weren’t dropping and my second shots weren’t on the greens,

little things like that. But I think it was a good day to play bad. I’ll

just think of it that way.”

Won shot 72 in the opening round to share medalist honors as Southern

California took a two-shot lead over Northern California.