Coach Guardiola: "Bale Will Become a Fantastic Golfer"
Park Chan-ho, 320-Yard Long Hitter, Smoltz Celebrity Top Player
Romo, Curry, Jordan, Phelps Also 'Golf Mania' Enthusiasts
World-renowned football manager Pep Guardiola (Spain), the manager of Manchester City, showed an amusing reaction upon hearing the retirement news of Gareth Bale (Wales) on the 10th. Guardiola joked, “Now Bale will become a fantastic golfer,” adding, “Until now, Bale has been too busy for us to play golf together, but I should invite him again.”
Bale, who played for the prestigious Spanish professional football club Real Madrid, is famous as a ‘golf enthusiast.’ He has made headlines more for golf than for football. His personal best score is 67. He loves golf so much that he built the signature 17th hole (par 3) of the PGA Tour’s The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in his backyard.
Bale opened a golf practice facility in his hometown of Cardiff City and also launched a mini golf course with a par 59 scale and a restaurant. He partnered with local businesses to carry out a large-scale golf project. Bale explained, “It’s no secret that I love golf,” and added, “I wanted to create a place where people can enjoy themselves.”
Bale has also served as the host of a European Tour golf tournament held in Wales and acts as an ambassador for the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A), which governs world golf. Last November, during the Qatar World Cup, news spread that Wales manager Rob Page had banned Bale from playing golf, sparking interest. It is said that Bale was delighted to find a well-equipped premium screen golf facility at the hotel where he stayed during the World Cup.
Major League Baseball (MLB) slugger Yoenis Cespedes (Cuba) has been embroiled in controversy due to his excessive love for golf. After defecting from Cuba in 2011, he took up golf and, despite never having a lesson, usually scores in the mid-70s. He often goes to the course early in the morning even on days when he has an MLB game in the evening. In the 2015 postseason Championship Series, he was replaced due to shoulder pain, but it was revealed that he played golf that day, which caused trouble.
In Korea, the ‘Korean Express’ Park Chan-ho, who boasts 124 wins in MLB, is serious about golf. Beyond a simple hobby, he even participates in professional tournaments. After retiring in 2012, Park suffered from depression for a while. He overcame this by picking up golf clubs. He plays rounds once or twice a week and is a ‘practice addict’ who hits 500 to 600 balls a day.
Park Chan-ho is known for his long drives. His driver head speed has reached up to 137 mph (220 km/h), faster than ‘Golf Emperor’ Tiger Woods (USA, 127 mph). His driver shot data, including head speed and ball speed, is on par with professionals. Park averages over 300 yards in carry distance and has the power to exceed 320 yards when including roll. He uses a driver with an 8.5-degree loft head and an 8TX shaft, a strong specification rarely seen.
Park made his Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour debut at the 2018 Huons Celebrity Pro-Am. Since 2021, he has been actively appearing in regular tours. He participates with a recommendation qualification after obtaining a certified handicap of 3 or below from the Korea Golf Association. Of course, his results are not good, mostly finishing at the bottom. Park said, “I participate in professional tournaments because I want to challenge my limits again.” He also hosts charity golf tournaments in the US and Korea.
There are players with outstanding skills who participate in professional tournaments. MLB legend John Smoltz (USA) is a representative example. After retirement, he has consistently appeared on the PGA Tour’s Korn Ferry (second-tier) Tour and other events. He will compete in the celebrity division at the 2023 LPGA Tour season opener, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, which kicks off on the night of the 19th. He has already won twice.
Former Dallas Cowboys NFL star quarterback Tony Romo (USA) also has exceptional skills. He possesses PGA Tour-level ability. He has participated in events such as the PGA Tour’s Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship. Romo challenged the US Open and advanced to the second qualifying stage. He expressed his affection by saying, “My top interests are football and family, and next is golf.” In July last year, Romo won the American Century Championship, where current and former American sports stars and celebrities gathered, beating ‘former golf queen’ Annika Sorenstam (Sweden).
NBA superstar Stephen Curry (USA) is also a player who easily records scores in the 70s. Curry revealed, “I have considered transforming into a professional golfer after retirement.” He is a warm-hearted player who hosts charity golf tournaments and helps financially struggling golfers.
‘Former basketball emperor’ Michael Jordan (USA) has played an average of 100 rounds annually, with a maximum of 380 rounds. His Ferrari car license plate even reads ‘Reserved Golf Maniac.’ Jordan also served as the US team’s vice-captain at the Presidents Cup, where the US team faces the International team excluding Europe.
Former home run king Mark McGwire, swimming legend Michael Phelps (both USA), and tennis star Rafael Nadal (Spain) are also recognized as ‘golf maniacs’ in the sports world.
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