Junior Spotlight

Jessica's a star in the making

For Brisbane-based Korean national Jessica Park, “practice makes perfect”. When it comes to work ethic, the talented young amateur is proving she is no different from her fellow countrywomen.

It’s a well-known fact that Korean women golfers have an insatiable appetite for practice. Hard work is in their DNA.

You only have to look at the women’s world rankings to see that 10 of the world’s top-25 professionals are Korean. There are three in the top-10.
Now, you don’t get there unless you are prepared to spend long days honing your skills on the practice fairway.

While it’s still early days in the career of Jessica Park, all indications are she will one day make it in the tough play-for-pay ranks.

At least her Indooroopilly Golf Club-based coach Garry Calder thinks so.
Calder is a two-time recipient of Queensland teaching professional of the year and can spot talent at a distance.

“I’d be very surprised if she didn’t make it as a professional,” he said.
“She’s a clever thinker, is pretty smart when it comes to shot-selection and doesn’t get ahead of herself.

“She makes enough birdies now and is working hard and getting physically stronger so distance isn’t an issue.

“Jessica’s driven, but in a nice way. She’s not the arrogant type and she treats people very well and is a good kid with it.”

Jessica first picked up a golf club five years ago and a short time later joined the “practice makes perfect” club.

The 18-year-old says golf is a tough game and to succeed one has to put in the hard yards.

“If you don’t practice for a few days you’ll lose form,” she said. “So, if you want to improve you have to practice every day and that’s what I do.”

Well, all the hard work is starting to pay off.

Article by David Newbery.

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