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Pitsinee Winvarat practices her swing on the golf course. Winvarat, originally from Bangkok, has found a new family with golfers at the University. Growing up in Thailand, she attended a school that allowed her to speak English.
allowed her to speak English
ALANA FLINN
@Alana_Flinn
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Clinching a first-place finish at a home golf tournament in early September, sophomore Pornvipa Sakdee (Faii) looks over to her fellow teammates with a smile on her face.
Among the faces cheering her on are freshman Pitsinee Winyarat (Lizzie) and junior Yupapor Kawinpakorn (Mook). Years of dedication to their sport inspired the three golfers to move from Thailand to the University of Kansas — roughly 9,000 miles away — to follow their dreams of playing collegiate golf.
From left, Yupaporn Kawinpakorn, Pornvipa Sakdee and Pitsinee Winyarat are three players on the KU women's golf team from Thailand. All three girls chose to come to Kansas on a former Jayhawk golfer's recommendation.
Coach Erin O'Neil prides herself on ensuring each golfer receives athletic, academic and personal encouragement to be successful.
We have a psychologist, a nutritionist... we do team dinners or on the road if we have time, we'll try to do fun things unique to the area," O'Neil said. "When you do that, it helps you come together even more. We try to foster that team bonding at the beginning of the semester just to help with communication. They help create it just as much as we do."
FROM THE TROPICS TO THE PLAINS
Through traveling, learning a new culture and leaving their blood families behind, Mook, Faii and Lizzie have discovered a new family at Kansas, not only among each other, but with their entire team. Playing together has created a bond that only teammates can have, but their distance from home has allowed the three golfers to create a family and support system.
"We help each other out a lot. They helped a lot with cultural things like 'this is not appropriate to say' and more cultural differences," Mook said. "And on a team you should do this, pay attention to this, talk to this-guy who will help you in school or golf."
When her father instructed her to pick up a hobby, Fail's first choice was not golf. However, her father enrolled her in golf lessons, and it soon became apparent she had a natural talent for the sport. Her instructor immediately
After years of encouragement from her mother, Faii decided to leave the international tournament circuit and pursue a college degree.
"It was my' mother's dream to have me come to the U.S. to study and play golf." Faii said.
noticed her talent for golf, and she soon began to compete in tournaments.
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
Mook shares a similar experience with Faii. Her dad thought it would be useful for her to start playing a sport, and he chose golf after he played for many years. Mook started playing at the age of 10 and has been on the Thailand national team twice.
ERIN O'NEIL Women's golf coach
"We try to be there for the girls in all situations because they are here on their own and we are their second family."
"She said it was a good school and that they have a great athletic department and good academic school," Mook said. "Then I said I'll send my resume and see what coach is going to say."
Lizzie got her start with golf very differently than Faii. After watching her dad play on courses at the age of 7, Lizzie told her dad she wanted to try playing. However, her dad was afraid of her getting hit with a ball at such a young age, so a lot of convincing was needed. But once she started, Lizzie loved the game and went on to play for the Bangkok international team.
When considering colleges to attend, each of the girls had the same reason for choosing Kansas.
WHY KANSAS?
Former Jayhawk golfer Thanuttra Boonraksasat, who golfed at Kansas for five years, developed relationships with all three golfers.
Boonraksasat found her way to Kansas through a player who mutually knew O'Neil and Boonraksasat. Soon after, Mook followed suit and chose Kansas based on Boonraksasat's recommendation.
Through Mook, Faii also
decided on Kansas after previously golfing with both players. Lastly, Lizzie graduated a year early from her International School and began looking at schools immediately after.
"KU is very quiet and peaceful." Lizzie said. "And the weather is kind of nice to have all three seasons. At first I wanted to go to California, but that was boring so I came here to try a new experience."
INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE While they acknowledge golf in Thailand is not a popular sport, each golfer has excelled while playing overseas.
Lizzie attended the Bromsgrove International School in Bangkok, a school that only allowed her to speak and study in English. She competed on the Thailand Ladies National Team in 2012, won a gold medal for the Bangkok Team at the 34th Phrae Student National Games and won a gold medal for the Bangkok Team at 29th Maha Srakham Junior National Games.
Mook competed for the Thai National Team. She won a gold medal in 2007 at the Sea Games and a silver medal in 2009. She also won the Thailand Amateur Ladies Open and Thailand Amateur Stroke Play individual titles in 2010.
In 2011, Faii finished in the top-five at the Malaysian Ladies Amateur. She ascended to No.37 in the world after winning honors at the TOYA Polish Junior Golf Championship in July 2012.
O'Neil said that each golfer's previous success has prepared them for the college game.
"We'll look at their scores before they come here," O'Neil said. "Most of them have played on the Thailand International team. They're all good players."
this season, Mook has finished second at both the Ron Moore Women's Intercollegiate and the Palmetto Intercollegiate tournaments with scores of 215 and 213, respectively. She also tied for 10th at the Lady Paladin Invitational. She has competed in five events and finished with a team-best of 1,097 strokes.
ran won first place with a score of 216 at the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational, marking the only first-place finish for a Kansas golfer this
season. She has competed in five events with a total of 1,112 strokes, ranking third on the team.
Lizzie has competed in both the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational and the Ron Moore Women's Intercollegiate where she placed 47th and 54th place, respectively. She totaled 481 strokes at her two events.
CHANGING CULTURES
Adapting to a new culture has proven to be the biggest challenge for each of the golfers. However; they are quickly learning the cultural norms and knocking down language
Lizzie attributes her success in blending cultures to the support of her teammates and coaches, and the family atmosphere they provide.
"I think some of them, especially Mook, you'd think is from here. She totally fits right in. They really do adjust so fast considering if I went there, I wouldn't adjust as quickly as them," senior teammate Gabriella DiMarco said. "You'd think they'd never get ephephisms and sarcasm, then all of a sudden they use it back at you."
"They teach you how to survive by yourself, because
barriers.
normally we have parents that support us," Lizzie said. "They teach us how to grow up and they're not trying to be harsh on us, but supportive."
O'Neil said the team strives to offer and maintain an overall collaborative and familial atmosphere.
"We try to be there for the girls in all situations because they are here on their own and we are their second family." O'Neil said. "We reassure them that everyone here, all of these people, are part of your extended family."
Edited by Kelsie Jennings
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