Ji Yai Honored With Sculpture

[bangkokbobby]

...HappyFan rules...he found this super cool story about Ji Yai Shin...man, do they love their golfers in South Korea!

Originally Posted by HappyFan

On December 17th, Jiyai was present in Cholla Nam Do when they unveiled a sculpture dedicated to her. The sculpture features facts about her amazing career on a plaque, as well as a photo of her on the front of a stylized golf club.







This was apparently in the Hampyeong Expo Park. This area has an annual butterfly festival at this park every year in May.





Is this a preview of her Hall of Fame plaque?







Jiyai also got a treat, meeting with members of her fan club, who saluted her a ceremonial raising of golf shafts. Good on ya, Jiyai!

[bangkokbobby]

One of Ji Yai's heroes, Se Ri Pak has also been immortalized in stone...and had a park named after her (or they just Westernized Pak to Park!)

Se Ri's statue is in a pond to reflect the shot she hit while standing in a pond during the 1998 US Open, which she went on to win.



If you look to the right of her right shoulder, they even included her shoes being off...lots of people come and stand in those shoes when visiting the park...


...standing in Se Ri's shoes...

[bangkokbobby]

Just read an article about Ji Yai in the Korean press, and I think she is saying she will concentrate on the LPGA in 2010 and reduce her participation in KLPGA and JLPGA events. She says it's something "her fans want"...if I'm reading it correctly, I completely agree...as good a year as she had, those of us who have followed her for years know she is capable of more and feel all of the flying back and forth across the Pacific trying to play everywhere wore her down...

[greentee]

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Ha, I did not notice at first, but that little boy is standing in Se Ri's shoes! Golf history in stone or metal should be done more, as it leaves a lasting permanent impression. :-)

I wonder if our golf Ladies over here in the USA and Canada, are honored as such. Hummm. :)

[bangkokbobby]

Originally Posted by greentee

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Ha, I did not notice at first, but that little boy is standing in Se Ri's shoes! Golf history in stone or metal should be done more, as it leaves a lasting permanent impression. :-)

I wonder if our golf Ladies over here in the USA and Canada, are honored as such. Hummm. :)

In 1998 a lot of young Korean girls dreamed of standing in Se Ri's shoes...and now look how "Se Ri's Kids", as they are called in Korea are doing...Ji Yai, Na Yeon, In Kyung, In Bee, Ji Young...etc...too many to name...

I am in the process of adding to this board's video section...here is one from last year about Ji Yai Shin...just sticking it here in the most recent thread instead of creating a thread for a tournament from last year...

...and bonus coverage of Annika's "last" Major...

Ji Yai Shin Wins 2008 Women's British Open

[greentee]

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Nice vid of Jiyai's first rocking of the LPGA boat. Also I think Annika will be back in 2010, as golf is too thick in her blood. It would be nice to see her tee it up again. :-)