TP's Park captures Wright Invitational

Post date: Aug 17, 2015 12:45:12 AM

Torrey Pines senior shoots 73 at San Diego Country Club, says she's thrilled to have prize named for Hall of Famer

By Tod Leonard | 8:35 p.m. Aug. 13, 2015, San Diego Union Tribune

Christina Park won the inaugural Mickey Wright Invitational at San Diego Country Club. — Tod Leonard

CHULA VISTA — As the video of Mickey Wright’s golf highlights played out on black and white on a screen at San Diego Country Club, 18-year-old Sung Eun “Christina” Park marveled at the phenomenal swing of an LPGA legend.

Then she realized just how long ago it was that Wright won the U.S. Women’s Open at San Diego CC.

“That was 1964,” Park said. “That’s before my dad was born!”

The history for Wright and the club are long distinguished, and Park added her own chapter on Thursday. The rising Torrey Pines High School senior made three birdies and shot 1-over-par 73 to capture the inaugural Mickey Wright Invitational for High School Girls. She prevailed by one shot over La Jolla Country Day's Savanna Magallon.

After being announced as the winner, Park cradled a beautiful glass vase in one hand and Mickey Wright’s 1962 book, “Play Golf the Wright Way.” Wright had written a personal note inside to the winner, making it a priceless prize.

Park said she had seen some video of Wright on Golf Channel, but the 10-minute highlight show on Thursday was a thrill because it showed several of Wright’s shots from when she won the Open in her hometown.

“She had the greatest swing in golf, and she’s an inspiration, especially being a San Diego golfer,” Park said. “I really look up to her, and I’m thrilled to have a prize in her name. It’s really special.”

Born in Korea, Park moved to San Diego when she was 10 and groomed her game at the Pro Kids Golf Academy. She is a former San Diego Junior Golf Association Player of the Year and has won countless trophies. She called the Mickey Wright win her biggest victory.

She’s also a person of which the club can be proud as its first Wright titlist. Park has a weighted GPA of 4.3, getting one “B” in her entire academic career. She’s looking at Yale and Penn for college.

In the team competition of 2 best-ball net, West Hills' Kenna Caricato and Coronado's Grace Gibson joined members Robbin Wentur and Jo Hazard in winning at 25 under.