When Sara's friend Naiema suggested that she and the family host their LPGA player for the tournament held at our golf course every year, she wasn't entirely sure. Maybe it was best to just attend the event our first year here rather than host a player but oh my gosh are we so so glad we hosted Hee Young Park!!! Turns out her Mom flew in from Korea for the tourney so we got to host her too! Within minutes of Hee Young arriving she had Trevor out in the backyard with his clubs giving him pointers!
And the week just got better from there!! Hee Young and Han (who had us call her Oma (Mom) and called Sara her American daughter by weeks end) became like family!!! Not sure who had more fun!!!!!
We couldn't believe that Hee Young had never been to the Bentonville square so one night after dinner we took them for ice cream! The kids changed into the clothes she bought for them!
We weren't sure what to expect as far as hosting but as it turns out we had nothing to stress about. Hee Young would come and leave with her busy schedule and Oma often went with her. One day though Sara and the kids came home and found Oma giving Toby a bath!!! What?!?! Amazing!!! Oma loved Toby and the feeling was mutual. Oma has 2 doggies at home - Cookie and Muffin. They loved each other so much that Toby slept with Oma every single night!!! Spoiled puppy!
The kids were fascinated with Hee Young, always wanting to find her and be by her! Luckily she also loved the kiddos and was always excited to see them!
She really enjoyed helping Trevor with his swing!
Ashley too!
One day we walked over to the driving range for Trevor to participate in the junior clinic!
After the Pro-Am Hee Young came back and asked Trevor on the down low if he wanted to go out to eat with her, Oma and another player friend. He asked Mommy quietly so Ashley didn't know and off they went! He thought it was the most special thing ever!!! They went to Hello Ninja by our house and was on his best behavior. He came back and said he tried everything because he didn't want to hurt Hee Young's feelings. Such a kind soul that Trevor!
That same night, Hee Young took Trevor over to the range to continue helping him! She couldn't believe how well he connected with the ball only after just picking up clubs!
She arrived Monday morning and the first day of the tourney we got a sitter and Brian took the day off of work so we could follow Hee Young. What a rush of excitement when they announced her on the first hole as a 2-time tournament winner!! We live across from the 2nd hole so the babysitter walked the kids over to see Hee Young play. We told them to be quiet and not say anything but apparently that isn't what Hee Young had in mind. She ran over to them and showered them with hugs! Maybe they would be her good luck charm!!
Trevor watched her form intently!
Oma would always carry an umbrella (as we know from Miss Julie, Korean women avoid sun on their face!) and would often find shade to watch her daughter from hole to hole. She kept feeding us Gatorade and granola bars along the course :)
What a great first day!!!
Apparently back at home the sitter helped the kids (and some neighbor kids) set up a lemonade stand! The kids made like $105 in one day. When a person gives you a $20 for a $0.25 glass of lemonade and doesn't want change we call that 'Pinnacleproblems'
So Naiema had told Sara that when they hosted Hee Young they had a sign made for the front yard to welcome her so we did the same! We know she loved it because she posted a picture of it on IG within minutes of arriving!! We did worry about her safety in doing this but we live in a gated community with live security guards so she was good with it. On day 2 of the tournament Brian took Hee Young up to the clubhouse to practice and noted that she was wearing orange. So the whole family dug out any orange they could find, really living up to Hee Young Park's fan club title (note for next year, no hyphen in her name)
She smiled so large when she saw that we dressed in orange to support her but what we remember most from this pic is how she hustles from hole to hole. Literally runs!!
She was excited to see the kids again on hole 2!
Go Hee Young!!!
Apparently we were too busy cheering her on on the final day of the tournament to take pics (she finished 4 under to place 55th) but what we remember the most from the day is going to the Korean store in Fayetteville with them, loading up on Korean goodies and having them make us the most amazing meal!!! Her old caddie came over too and we sat around outside chatting and filling our bellies and hearts. It was an amazing week, we didn't want them to leave. Oma cried when leaving, so of course Sara and Hee Young teared up too. Next year can't come soon enough! Until then we'll be following her on the tour and cheering her on from a far!!!
