Published : Aug. 18, 2016 - 13:20
Just like any coach will do for their players, South Korean Olympic women's golf team skipper Pak Se-ri analyzes the golf course, sets strategies and encourages her players to put on their best performance.
But there's one more thing she does: she cooks for her players.
(Park Hae-mook/The Korea Herald)
Pak, a World Golf Hall of Famer with 25 LPGA victories, is leading four world-class golfers at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
They are Park In-bee (world No. 5), Kim Sei-young (No. 6), Chun In-gee (No. 8) and Yang Hee-young (No. 9).
For the first round of the women's golf competition on Wednesday, Park and Kim tied for second place at five-under 66, while Chun shared 19th place at one-under 70. Yang carded a 73 with two birdies and four bogeys to sit in a tie for 39th.
Pak is considered an idol for many South Korean golfers, including those who are competing in Rio, as she paved the way for them to play on the LPGA Tour. Pak's legendary status could make it hard for South Korean golfers to get close to her, but the 38-year-old is approaching the players first with a home cooked meal.
Pak, who arrived in Brazil last Thursday, already served traditional Korean dishes for the golfers several times. She has so far served "Budae jjigae," -- a thick soup that combines sausages and ham with traditional Korean ingredients like kimchi and red chili paste -- and "doenjang jjigae," a stew made of soybean paste, as well as Korean-style spicy stir-fried pork with vegetables.
"Pak goes to the market and carefully selects fruits for her players," a South Korean official who is staying with Pak in Rio said. "She believes that players can perform better when they feel comfortable with their food and lodging."
Chun, who spent two days at the Athletes' Village before moving to a house prepared by the Korea Golf Association (KGA) on Tuesday, gave Pak a thumbs up.
"Coach pays careful attention to us and she cooks delicious food," she said. "She cares for us like our mothers, but I won't say it because she will then say she will need to get married."
Pak is still single.
Kim, who moved out of the KGA's lodgings two days ago to stay with her father, said she already misses Pak's dishes.
"Now, my father cooks for me," she said. "But I miss you, Pak." (Yonhap)