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William K. WolfrumThis Week at WorldGolf.com: July 31, 2007

South Korean golfers on the LPGA Tour: Gulbis, Pressel et al should say thanks

When historians look back at this era in women's golf, they'll find plenty that's interesting. Okay, mind you, these are all third- and fourth-level historians who will likely be ticked off that they got stuck on the women's golf beat, but they'll be historians nonetheless.

One thing they'll definitely find is this: The influx of South Korean golfers on the LPGA Tour was a benefit, not something that held the tour back. Take a look at Natalie Gulbis' first career victory at the Evian Masters. Gulbis, who has had several opportunities to win over the past couple years, went out and earned it, defeating Jeong Jang in a one-hole playoff.

Another example is Morgan Pressel, who kicked in the door for her first LPGA victory - which just happened to be a major. In fact, take a look at players like Pressel, Gulbis, Lorena Ochoa and Cristie Kerr, and you'll see a group of golfers who have made rapid strides on catching - and in Ochoa's case - passing Annika Sorenstam as the best female golfer in the world. And they have the South Koreans to thank.

There's been a long-brewing controversy over the influx of South Korean golfers on the LPGA Tour, dating back to Jan Stephenson telling the world that they'd kill the tour. Not enough personality, and inability to speak the language, etc. But here's one of LPGA Tour Commissioner Carolyn Bivens' great success stories - she's slowly but surely weaned the more than 30 South Koreans into golf fans' consciousness, displaying their personalities, as well as remarkable games.

And now it's paying dividends, and not always in the favor of the South Koreans. Basically, they've pushed the level of competition to a higher plane. Players such as Se Ri Pak, Seon Hwa Lee, Jang, Mi Hyun Kim, Meena Lee, Sarah Lee, Birdie Kim, et al, have not just made their mark on the LPGA individually, they've made the LPGA better.

So the time is now to stop thinking as though the influx of South Korean stars has hurt the game. It's done the complete opposite. And when their careers are over, and they're counting up their victories, players like Gulbis, Pressel, Ochoa, and perhaps even Michelle Wie, will have the South Koreans to thank for raising the bar so high.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.



Chateau Whistler Golf Club - Robert Trent Jones IIBritish Columbia's Chateau Whistler a beautiful bear of a golf club

Carved into the forest around British Columbia's Mount Blackcomb, Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed Chateau Whistler Golf Club confronts golfers with tight fairways, natural hazards, black bears and one of the most spectacular settings in Canada golf.

Also: Golf/ski combo trips catching on in Whistler


Rees Jones' Course - Sea Trail PlantationMyrtle Beach golf resorts: Avoid the car during your Grand Strand vacation

Staying at one of Myrtle Beach's multi-course golf resorts is the best way to avoid spending half your Myrtle Beach golf vacation in the car. Remember, the Grand Strand is 50 miles long, with more than 100 golf courses, and traffic, especially during the peak season, is a problem.

WorldGolf.com Golf VideosVideo: Inside Willbrook Plantation at Myrtle Beach



Trump National Golf Club - Los AngelesLos Angeles golf courses: Dye and Fazio have real celebrity star power in L.A.

If you're looking for stars, you'll find plenty of big names on Los Angeles golf courses. But we're not talking Hollywood celebrities, but rather the legends of golf course design like Tom Fazio and Pete Dye, whose work shines on golf courses like Trump National and Oak Creek.

Also: Los Angeles a dream city for golfers with big bucks



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