Women's Golf: Aree Song
A Child Prodigy as an amateur and currently an emerging star in the golfing arena, Aree Song is a Korean golfer who plays on the LPGA Tour. Her early golfing career is dotted with a number of record breaking golfing awards and victories.
Her winning streak started in 1999 at the age of thirteen when she won the title at the U.S. Girl's Junior Championship. She has the record of being the youngest semi-finalist at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship in 2000; she was fourteen at the time. Earlier
the same year she finished at 10th place in the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
Declared the best female amateur golfer of the year, Song was awarded the prestigious Nancy Lopez Award – named after the legendary American golfer Nancy Lopez. At the World Amateur Team Championship in 2002 Song placed first and claimed yet another victory.
Song’s amateur career started off with a long streak of wins and her development into a professional golfer served only to enhance her game. She turned professional at the age of 17 in 2003 and played professionally with the LPGA tour, despite not being
of age as yet. However, in 2007 Song’s career nose-dived due to her health troubles which continued till 2008. Returning to the LPGA tour in 2009 she seems to be back in the game with her recent victory at LPGA final qualifying tournament.
The 24 year old golfer beat 17 year old Jessica Korda to win the title. Song held her ground all through the unpredictable and harsh weather conditions and battled through the wind and rain to claim victory. Currently settled in Orlando, Song feels good
at emerging at the top once again after her brief absence from the game. Finishing at second place, Jessica Korda was playing as an amateur and considered playing against professional golfers a valuable experience. Turning pro soon after she turns 18, Korda
from Bradenton feels she failed to battle the fierce wind.
Aree Song’s twin sister Naree Song has also left in her wake a series of amateur victories. Winning the Kosaido Thailand Ladies Open in 2001 and the South Atlantic Ladies Amateur in 2002, it seems as if the passion for the game runs in the family. Turning
professional in 2004 Naree played the Futures Tour and the LPGA Tour. However, currently Naree is working at the Rollins College in Orlando as a coach.
Recently the twins were recognized by the Prime Minister of Thailand as he paid tribute to athletes with Thai heritage. The ceremony was held in the Hotel Plaza Athenee in New York and other well known and prominent athletes were also commended during the
ceremony.
Amidst the frost and cold and harsh weather conditions initially Aree Song, Reilley Rankin and Libby Smith were playing neck to neck in the first round of the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament. The frost and the chilly weather delayed the round for an hour.
Smith played the Champions course at the tournament whereas, Rankin and Song opened on the LPGA International's Legends course.
Her health woes now a thing of the past, the coming year looks promising for Songs golfing career. The spark of the young and passionate golfer still shines through as she develops her strategies and works on excelling once again. This victory is reminiscent
of the 2004 Kraft Nabisco Championship, where although the 18 year old Song lost out to Grace Park; her passion and game plan designed to excel and win shone through. As Song rides the wave of optimism that this recent win has pushed her onto, the coming year
will probably hold more such victories for the golfing star.
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