Take Five: In-Bee Park

Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006 | 7:48 a.m.

She has two top-10 finishes in three LPGA Tour events -- all before her 17th birthday -- but Bishop Gorman senior In-Bee Park will have to wait until at least July if she wants to make more regular appearances on the Tour.

Last July, former commissioner Ty Votaw denied Park an LPGA Tour age requirement waiver to take part in the Tour's qualifying tournament in December. She instead made it through the Futures Tour qualifying tournament and will play in selected events on that developmental tour -- as an amateur -- this summer.

Park, 17, also will play in her fourth LPGA tournament in April, when the tour visits Las Vegas for the LPGA Takefuji Classic at the Las Vegas Country Club. Having received her third sponsor's exemption to play in the Takefuji Classic, Park reflected on her success in her hometown tournament.

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1. The resume

In addition to winning the past two class 4A high school state championships, Park is a former U.S. Girls Junior Amateur champion, a five-time Rolex Junior All-American and the 2002 Rolex Junior Player of the Year.

More impressive, however, is her limited LPGA Tour experience. In two starts at the Takefuji Classic, Park has two top-10 finishes (tied for eighth in 2004 and a fifth-place effort last year) and a 69.67 scoring average for six rounds.

In her only other LPGA tournament, Park played her way into the 2005 LPGA Canadian Women's Open by finishing third in the Monday qualifier but missed the cut by four shots.

2. Petition denied

Former LPGA Tour commissioner Ty Votaw cited "experience and maturity" issues in turning down Park's petition for an LPGA Tour Age Requirement Waiver last summer.

Park was denied an opportunity to go to the LPGA Tour qualifying tournament despite the fact that Votaw -- who left office last September -- had granted an exemption to the age requirement to Aree Song during his tenure. Morgan Pressel was granted a waiver in December by new commissioner Carolyn Bivens.

3. The aftermath

Park said losing her petition for the waiver to participate in last year's qualifying tournament was not the end of the world -- although clearly it was a disappointment.

"It would have been great if I could have gone to the LPGA Q School (last) year, but they gave me the opportunity to go to college and stuff, so it has ups and downs," she said.

"I'm trying to get some LPGA sponsor's exemptions this year, and I also plan to play some Futures Tour events at the end of the summer and hopefully petition LPGA officials so I can play some LPGA events."

4. Home sweet home

Playing in front of her family and friends in last year's Takefuji Classic at the Las Vegas Country Club certainly didn't result in any undue pressure on Park.

She opened with a 6-under-par 66 that had her one shot off the lead. Park followed with a 1-under 71 and closed with a 67 to finish in fifth place, four shots off the pace set by tournament winner Wendy Ward.

"I think it's better to play at home because you don't have to live in a hotel and all your family and friends and teachers can come out and watch you play," Park said. "I think it's really very special to be playing at home."

5. More to come?

Armed with a year's experience, Park said she is eagerly anticipating being able to tee it up with the professionals in the Takefuji Classic for the third year in a row.

"This course has been very special to me the last two years, and I am sure this one is going to be even better," Park said of the Las Vegas Country Club. "This (sponsor's exemption) is a very good opportunity, and I am sure it's going to be a really great experience."