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Interview by Libby Hooton
While most 12-year-old girls are getting braces, swapping lip glosses, and trying not to stand out too much, Pearl Jin has holds a prominent spot in junior golf. Pearl Jin can accurately be described as a “golf prodigy”; she recently became the youngest girl (in a 107-year history), to advance to match play at the 2007 US Women’s Amateur Championships.
Pearl currently holds the title of Callaway Junior World Golf Champion in 11- to 12-year-old category. Her second-day score of 66 broke the course record at Lake San Marcos Country Club in San Diego, CA. Last year, in her first attempt, Pearl also won a Southern California PGA Toyota Tour Cup Junior Tournament. She became the youngest champion of the Toyota Cup since 1999. Later in the year, Pearl won the Toyota Championship after strong second-day and playoff performances. Also in her first appearance, Pearl won the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Tournament - Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Her third-day score of 67 broke the women’s record on this course, as well.
Pearl began to play golf at the age of eight. Two months after she first picked up a club, she made a 97-yard “hole-in-one”... on Mother's Day! In the last four years, she has accumulated 56 first-place finishes. Her current handicap index is plus five.
Both Pearl’s parents, Michael and Yolanda, came from Taiwan, Republic of China. Michael came to the United States to study in 1976. He received his Ph.D. in Engineering Science from Caltech. Since then, he has worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and, later, at Raytheon. Yolanda immigrated to the US and started her own business before becoming wife, mother, and full-time home maker.
Pearl qualified to attend a gifted student program in her school in early 2006. With a rocket scientist father and a devoted mother, it is not surprising that she is a straight A student! Also of little surprise, Pearl has been on the watch list of college golf coaches for over a year.
It was a complete delight to interview this rising star. I’m sure you’ll get a strong sense of her multi-dimensional, success-oriented nature as you read on. Her talent notwithstanding, Pearl’s passion for the game of golf resonates so strongly that one can’t help but see her dream of playing on the LPGA tour becoming a reality some day very soon!
Libby: How were you introduced to golf?
Pearl: I started at a two-week summer golf camp.
Libby: Did you take an instant liking to golf or did it grow on you through the years?
Pearl: I loved golf from the start AND it grew through the years. LOL
Libby: What’s your favorite part of your game–driving, fairway shots, chipping or putting?
Pearl: I enjoy it all, but driving the ball is my strength.
Libby: I hear that you wake your mom up in the morning, ready to hit the links. What excites you the most about playing?
Pearl: I love golf so much. I have my goals in golf; short term and long term. My eagerness about reaching those goals keeps me following my daily routines. Golf is an amazing sport. I like to watch the green grass, the animals, and especially my ball go in the hole. Wow, it is a wonderful time!
Libby: You had amazing results over the past year. When did it hit you that you have a natural gift when it comes to golf?
Pearl: I feel like my development was very natural. I started collecting all sorts of balls (including seventy-six orange balls offered as a gas station give-away and a jack-in-the-box head with a ball on the end of its hat) when I was a baby. And I’ve always been physically active. At two-and-a-half years old, I enjoyed playing in the Gymboree playground and was very curious about the karate school next door. My mom would not let me study karate until I was six years old, but I earned a first degree black belt in tae kwon do when I was eight years old. I also played on junior basketball teams and entered competitive swimming. I like to compete and I like the sense of accomplishment after winning. I think my fascination with balls, my high level of physical activity, my interest in all types of sports, and my desire for accomplishment all lead naturally to my love of golf.
Libby: What do you consider your biggest accomplishment so far?
Pearl: Winning the 2007 Callaway Junior World Championship. I played with the best players around the world. I shot eight under for three days. The second day I shot a 66, the course record for the Lake San Marcos Golf Club. That was a very memorable moment.
Libby: How do you stay calm on the course when you are playing with people so much older than you?
Pearl: I am very confident of my ability. Concentration on my own game is probably the key to staying calm on the course.
Libby: I couldn’t believe it when I heard that you and Lexie Thompson would be playing against each other in USGA Women’s Championship match play last summer. Tell us about that round and what it was like to play with a fellow 12-year-old in an adult tournament?
Pearl: It was my first USGA championship. I enjoyed the tournament and I gained a lot of experience from playing in my first big event. It didn’t feel any different playing against a 12-year-old or a 25-year-old.
Libby: Last summer, you completely dominated the 11- to12-year-old Division at the Junior Worlds. What did you do differently than the year before?
Pearl: Last summer, I was much more experienced then the year before. I handled the tough situations a lot better.
Libby: I understand that you will be playing in the McDonald’s Betsy Rawls Tournament this summer, which conflicts with the Callaway Junior World event (July 15 through 18). Was it a tough decision not to defend your title?
Pearl: The Callaway Junior World is a great event, and I will certainly miss it. But this will be my first time playing the McDonald’s Betsy Rawls Tournament and I like new challenges. That made the decision easier for me.
Libby: It is amazing that you are so accomplished a golfer and you are an A student. How do you balance golf time with school work?
Pearl: I set goals for both my golf development and academic study. I spend a proper of amount time for each activity. School work always comes first and, whenever I have extra time, I practice golf. I guess being efficient is necessary to maintain reasonably good progress in each pursuit.
Libby: Do you have any brothers and sisters?
Pearl: I’m the only child at home.
Libby: Who are some of the most influential people in your life? What are the key lessons that you have learned?
Pearl: Inspiration and support from Dr. Lii, a family friend, motivates me to be my best. He has given me encouragement since the very first time I played golf. My coach, David Leadbetter, spends a lot of time teaching and talking to me. He is my mentor. My mom has had the most influence on me; she allowed me all the opportunities to learn different things and develop my interests. My dad is my biggest fan. He gives me his full support. I’m very lucky to receive blessings from so many people. The most important lesson I’ve learned is to enjoy doing whatever I do.
Libby: As a player, what do you hope to accomplish over the next few years? Long-term?
Pearl: I want to play on the LPGA tour.
Libby: If you could be anything that you wanted to – other than be an LPGA star – what would it be?
Pearl: I would be a doctor, so I can help people in need.
Libby: Speaking of LPGA stars, who is your favorite and why?
Pearl: Lorena Ochoa. She has a great personality.
Libby: What would your friends say if we asked them to describe you?
Pearl: Good attitude golfer, generous heart, nice, quiet and easy going….
Libby: What is your favorite thing to do off of the golf course?
Pearl: I like to paint, read, watch TV and walk my dogs.
Libby: Looking good is obviously important. What are your favorite brands of clothing?
Pearl: My favorite brands are Ralph Lauren, Nike, and Lacoste.
Libby: How about your favorite fashion accessory?
Pearl: When I’m on the golf course my favorite fashion accessory would be a crystal ball marker.
Libby: Do you like to listen to music? What are your favorite songs?
Pearl: I like Aly & AJ’s Like Whoa!
Libby: What is your favorite movie?
Pearl: I’ve watched a lot of movies; I really don’t have a favorite.
Libby: We always ask for one or two tips that you would like to share with young golfers (actually most are older than you!) who hope to someday rise to your level.
Pearl: Trust yourself and never give up! Enjoy your game. |
