Four Wins in Korea, Three in the US: A Remarkable Career
Retirement Decision Ahead of Second Daughter's Birth in November
A Special 20-Year Sponsorship Relationship with Lee Soo Group
Plans to Expand Golf's Reach and Foster Young Talent
Heeyoung Park was a player with strong determination. She has never given up a round in her career. In an interview with Asia Economy on the 27th, she said, "Even when I was unwell, I never withdrew," adding, "That is what I am most proud of in my golf career." On the 21st, after finishing the second round of the KLPGA Tour Dehaven Masters, she held her retirement ceremony. "I feel like it's time for me to leave," Park said, adding, "I felt that now is the time to live for my family." She continued, "Retirement doesn't mean I'm leaving the field completely. It will be tough, but if I get the chance, I would like to occasionally participate in tournaments," leaving open the possibility of future appearances.
Heeyoung Park is smiling brightly holding a bouquet at the retirement ceremony held immediately after the second round of the Dehaven Masters. Photo by WPS
Heeyoung Park became a national star in 2004. As an amateur, she stood out by winning the KLPGA Tour Hite Cup Women's Open (now the Hite Jinro Championship). After turning professional in 2005, she recorded four wins on the KLPGA Tour and three wins on the LPGA Tour. She was named KLPGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2005, and from 2008 she mainly competed in the United States.
Heeyoung Park got married in 2019 and has a two-year-old son. It was not easy to juggle golf and parenting. She is expecting her second daughter in November. Park said, "Having a second child made me think about retirement. It was difficult to leave my first child with someone else while I played in tournaments. In some ways, being a tour pro means you have no choice but to live for yourself. Now, I feel it is time to live for my family," explaining the background of her retirement. When asked about her honest feelings after her retirement match, she said, "I still have mixed feelings. It doesn't really feel like I've retired yet."
Park Heeyoung is smiling after winning the amateur title at the 2004 Hite Cup Women's Open. Photo by KLPGA
She was also highly satisfied with her 20-year playing career. "I would give myself 90 points. Regardless of results, I am proud that I was able to play as a professional for over 20 years," Park said, adding, "I don't think it's easy to work in one place for 20 years. The number of wins wasn't that important. What I want to praise myself for is not giving up and playing until the end," she said with a smile.
Heeyoung Park has a strong supporter: Lee Soo Group. It is a special relationship that began and ended together. In 2005, Isu Construction, a group affiliate, operated the 'Brownstone' golf team and recruited Park as its first official sponsored player. In 2018, she signed a main sponsorship contract, and in 2023, the contract was extended until 2025, maintaining a long-term sponsorship relationship for about 20 years. She said, "They have actively supported me from the moment I first picked up a club until now. When I returned from the United States and said I had no sponsor, they supported me unconditionally," expressing her gratitude by saying, "They are benefactors I will never forget in my life."
Heeyoung Park is posing after signing a sponsorship contract with Lee Soo Group until 2025. Photo by WPS
The most memorable tournament for Park was the 2020 LPGA Tour ISPS Handa Vic Open. It was her last victory as a player. Park said, "The ISPS Handa Vic Open win is the most memorable. It came at a time when I had almost given up, thinking it would be hard to win again. It was an experience that made me realize that if you don't give up and maintain your focus until the end, you can win regardless of age." She also mentioned her runner-up finish at the 2013 Women's British Open, which was held at the home of golf, St Andrews in Scotland. "Finishing second at such a historic golf course is also a memorable achievement," she said proudly.
Heeyoung Park is also famous as a sister golfer alongside her younger sister, Jooyoung Park. She always feels sorry for her younger sister, as she went through a lot because of her. "My sister started playing sports late. The label of being 'Heeyoung Park's sister' must have been a burden," she said. "She passed the Q-School in the US and played for a year, but then returned to Korea. She said she wanted to go back to Korea because she didn't want to be a burden to her older sister." She continued, "As an older sister, I felt sorry. Now, she helps me with childcare, and we are as close as best friends," she added with a smile.
Heeyoung Park plans to focus on the welfare of mother golfers. She said, "There aren't many mother golfers on the KLPGA Tour, so their voices have been small," but added, "The conditions for mother golfers to continue playing seem to be gradually improving." In the United States, players of various ages are active, which is different from Korea, where there is little room for players in their 30s. She said, "Golf is a sport you can play into your 60s. I want to help create an environment where players can have longer careers."
Heeyoung Park (left) and Jooyoung Park are sister golfers representing Korean women's golf. Photo by KLPGA
Heeyoung Park is now walking a new path, with prospects of becoming a golf instructor. "My passion for golf remains unchanged. I still get excited when I go to the golf course. I feel upset when I don't play well, and I always want to do better," Park said. "Even after retirement, I will not live away from golf," she added. She continued, "The moments of joy and difficulty have helped me grow, and from now on, I want to help junior players and walk a new path contributing to the popularization of golf."
Park Heeyoung, who has left the field, plans to make impressive shots to popularize golf in Korea and nurture young talents. Photo by KLPGA
Heeyoung Park plans to focus on expanding the base of golf and nurturing young talents. "I've only played, never taught anyone before. I think I need to prepare for that," she said. "I want to teach young players what I have learned and experienced over the years. I also went through many trials and errors while playing in Korea, Japan, and the United States," she said. "I received lessons from the best coaches while traveling on world tours. I want to help young players reduce the hard times and enjoy golf more happily," she said.
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