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Ko Jin-young recalled the family pain that saw her memory gradually fade after recalling her childhood memories of her grandfather, who called her “Jin-young”. “It was sad and difficult to see a brutal thief take away his memory little by little every day, but he was also inspired by the courage and majesty of grandfather fighting the soldiers,” he wrote. “In 2014, in the Korean Women’s Professional Golf Rookie Season (KLPGA), my grandfather no longer recognized me. The only thing that can be explained as a miracle is that my grandfather remembered me when I appeared on television.” The following is an article by Ko Jin-young, a comforting reminder of the month and family.
Grandfather and me
Go Jinyoung
It is painful to see a loved one fight side by side without any help to see how they fight to protect even one more memory. It is even more difficult to face this difficult moment knowing that one day we should break up. My grandfather, who was my biggest fan, spent tens of years battling Alzheimer’s disease. It was sad and difficult to see the brutal thief take away his memory little by little every day, but he was also inspired by the courage and majesty of the grandfather fighting against the soldiers.
My grandfather gave me the name ‘Jinyoung’. I was Grandpa’s first granddaughter, and from the beginning, Grandpa and I were special. When I was young, my grandfather was the one who played on the floor, hugged me and made me laugh.
Unlike most Korean LPGA players, I didn’t start playing golf under the influence of my parents or grandparents. My father used to box for a time when I was young, and my mother started playing golf as a hobby, but she never forced me to go to the golf course or the driving range. When I was in elementary school, my father and I accidentally saw the scene where teacher Pak Se-ri won the US Women’s Open. USA By broadcast, and then we said, “I also want to play golf.” This is how my father and I managed our first golf club the same day.
I liked everything related to the game, such as the precision of golf, movement, beauty and concentration. And I was always loved and supported by my family. My father did not give me any advice directly related to golf, but as an athlete, he influenced me to adapt to the game both physically and mentally. He always said to me ‘whatever you do, fitness is the key to success’, so Dad and I have been jumping rope for a long time. I thought it would be useful for golf, so the martial arts player jumped as hard as preparing for the title fight. When I was in elementary school, I held a jump rope competition where all my students participated, and it was thanks to my father that I was able to win first place in this competition.
When I was a teenager, I dreamed of playing with the best players in the world and developed my skills. But I also loved my family, so I didn’t want to travel far from home at a young age. After turning pro at the age of 18, I was fortunate enough to qualify for the KLPGA tournament, and my parents and I were able to attend while playing in Korea.
In the 2014 KLPGA rookie season, sad, but my grandfather no longer recognized me when I was together. Grandpa was kind and gentle as before, but he could no longer remember his family. But what I can only describe as a miracle is that my grandfather remembered me when I appeared on television. My grandfather watched a golf tournament on television and said he supported me when I was on the air. Thanks to that, I won KLPGA ten times, and my grandfather was able to watch the winning scene on television.
Then in 2017 I won the KEB Hana Bank Championship, an LPGA tour in Incheon. The victory made it clear to me and my family that it was time to participate in the LPGA Tour. When I turned pro, I was too young to try playing in the United States. Traveling the world to different languages and cultures was a tremendous burden. But one twenty-one I grew up to do. At first, my parents were very concerned. Any parent in the world would have. But when I won the ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open, which was my first time in the rookie season, my parents were relieved. It was because it was clear that I was adapting. I was ready.
In April 2018, I was not yet ready to listen to the news. However, when I was on Oahu, Hawaii to participate in the Lotte Championship, I was informed that my grandfather had passed away. It is difficult to see a loved one suffer. But the separation is more difficult. Upon hearing the news, I flew directly to Korea to be with my family.
After returning to the United States, I worked hard to express myself in English for the rest of the year, including the year’s Rolex Testimonial Speech. Thank and thank many of my grandparents in heaven who always supported me, loved me and were my biggest admirer until the last minute.
For me, the LPGA Tour is now my second home. I can’t even imagine how close and powerful the players, caddy, officials and staff are to each other. He is more than a friend, he is like a family. I was lucky to show a good performance while playing two seasons on the tour. After receiving the Rookie of the Year award the following year, he won three victories, including two major competitions, including the first major tournaments, ANA Inspiration and the Evian Championship, and was also honored with the Player of the Year award and Prize. Rolex Anika Major.
But more important than winning is developing a relationship with people who will be with me for the rest of my life. When I first thought about becoming a professional, I planned to run 10 years and retire at 28 to start a family. I will be twenty-five in July. But now I can’t imagine giving up golf.
Things change. Life evolves.
I like to go on tour and breathe with my fans. I got a lot of likes and comments from American and European fans through social media activities, which means a lot to me. It is still difficult to express my will perfectly. But like most Korean players on the LPGA Tour, I want to get along with people and get to know myself and show myself who I really am. I like to talk, but I regretted not being able to communicate smoothly with other players and fans who get together. That is now changing little by little.
I want all fans to see more ‘Human Go Jinyoung’ than the number on the scoreboard or the trophy in the storefront. I am someone’s friend, daughter, granddaughter and golfer. If people see me like this, I can say that my life and my life as a player have been successful.
