Cheyenne Woods:
Cheyenne Woods, also known for being Tiger Woods’ niece, has had an impressive amateur career and has spent time on the now Epson Tour and LPGA Tour. Cheyenne has two professional wins under her belt, her first being in 2012 at the SunCoast Ladies Series LPGA International and 2014 LET Volvik RACV Ladies Masters.
Cheyenne has always been a spokesperson for diversification in the sport of golf, for women and girls. Cheyenne, being the sixth African American to play on the LPGA Tour, wanted to continue being a role model not only for African Americans but for all women. For instance, in 2016 Cheyenne helped raise $15,000 to bring fresh water well to service several remote areas of Zambia in her partnership with “Golf ‘Fore’ Africa” Fundraiser. She has also volunteered her time with the LPGA, USGA Girls Golf program in Phoenix for over 20 years. It is through this wonderful program, she has mentored many young women who are interested in the game of golf and has also set an example for these juniors that through their hard work and perseverance they can go as far as they want in the game. She continues to be a great representative for her fans and community by being a member of the 2022 LPGA Foundation Board.
Se Ri Pak:
Se-Ri Pak changed women's golf ever since 1998. Pak is a South Korean golfer that set off a globalization of the women's golf industry. Se-Ri Pak was the beginning of a tidal wave of Korean and Korean-American Golfers. When Pak was a rookie on the LPGA Tour in 1998, she was the only representative for Korean women golfers. She gathered much fame after her victory at the 1998 U.S Women’s Open after a 20 holes playoff with Jenny Chausiriporn. It was after this victory, Pak sparked inspiration for Korean junior golfers, parents and the entire country. Pak has helped grow diversity and inclusivity on the LPGA as well as having great influence on Asian Tours circuit. Pak has become the ultimate role model for Asian women, including myself. To have seen a successful Asian woman on the LPGA changed the game. Girls such, as I said, “there is an athlete that looks just like me winning on the LPGA. If she can do it, I can do it.”
Since her retirement in 2016, Pak has been such an advocate for finding a true balance in life and leaving a legacy more than the golf itself. She has expressed her difficulty throughout her career and is now an advocate for other women golfers to find a balance in life. Through her career she wants all golfers to learn from her that “the most important thing is you have to really enjoy it, when you enjoy it, you'll have better success.” She expressed the 24/7 drive and effort put into her career took its toll on her mental health. She wants to help golfers understand that although being a golfer is part of your identity it is important to find peace, happiness and to continue developing as a person.
Pak has walked away from the game not only as a Hall of Fame player, but as a bridge between two cultures and two countries and has become one of the most iconic figures in women’s golf.
-Paige Lee
Professional Golfer
