Lee beats veterans, plans future in golf

Dong Young “Edward” Lee, center, receives his champion’s trophy after winning the men’s low gross in last weekend’s Marianas International Cup 2017 at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort’s The Grill. Others in photo, from left, are Marianas Visitors Authority marketing manager Bruce Bateman, Marianas International Cup tournament coordinator David Largent, Imperial Pacific International Holdings Ltd. executive vice president Tao Xing, and Imperial Pacific Resort senior vice president for hotel operations Jerry Miao. (Jon Perez)

Dandan Middle School’s Dong Young “Edward” Lee bested veteran golfers that competed in the Marianas International Cup 2017 as he won the low gross category of the Imperial Pacific Resort-organized tournament over the weekend.

The eighth grader prevailed against Feng Chun Jin, J.J. Atalig, Ryan Park Kim, Jong Hoon Park, Gi Yeong Kim, and Seung Woo Kang, and his father, Young Woo. Despite his recent success, Edward is not resting on his laurels and is looking ahead of his promising golf career.

“I’m still in middle school, but I’m looking to go to high school either here or in the mainland. I know it is still early, but I also plan to get a scholarship to play golf in college,” Lee told Saipan Tribune before hitting Laolao’s driving range to practice.

He usually practices for one hour at the driving range after school to hone his skills. His regular training session paid off last Sunday as he shot a 65 at Laolao Bay Golf & Resort’s east course to bounce back from a tough first round of 75 at the Kingfisher Golf Links.

Lee posted a two-day total of 140 for a two-shot win over closest pursuer Ryan Park Kim, who had a 76 and 66 for 142. Atalig came in at third with rounds of 76 and 68 (144).

“Almost all of us had a bad first round. Maybe it was the wind, but I’m grateful that I bounced back on the final day. That 65 is so far my personal best score. Kingfisher is a tough course for me. It was new to me since we don’t usually play there. The greens are harder and the wind was a factor too. I feel comfortable at Laolao. Though I’m used to Laolao’s layout, I still analyzed each hole and was careful with my approach on the greens,” he said.

Lee picked up a golf club when he was just five years old, with the help of his dad Young Woo and mom Young Sook Kwon, who are also golfers. His dad owns a business aside from working at Laolao, while his mother is a stay-at-home mom and helps him with his school work.

“It was my own choice to get into golf. My parents told me that I used to watch Tiger Woods when I was five years old. Tiger Woods pretty much became my inspiration,” said Lee.

Once he finishes high school either here or in the mainland, Lee has already set his sights on joining the University of Texas Longhorns’ golf program once he graduates. “I plan to go to University of Texas [at Austin] and get a scholarship to play golf in college.”

The Longhorns play in the Big 12 Conference in NCAA Division I and hold three national titles—the last was in 2012 after they beat the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, 3-2, in the finals at the Riviera Country Club at Pacific Palisades in California.

Lee is a consistent contender in various golf tournaments on Saipan and has won a number of events. He is also no stranger to international competitions, as he participated in the IMG World Championships at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California last year and won twice in the Annual BMW Junior Open in Guam.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Yuna Yamashita duplicated Lee’s feat in the women’s low gross contest. Yamashita had scores of 86 and 76 for a one-stroke victory over Yu Ri Kim (83-80, 163). Noriko Togawa tallied a 166 (85 and 81) to complete the Top 3.