Susan Choi

Susan Choi is a cast member on the Golf Channel series "Big Break: Kaanapali." The shaded text below is the "official" "Big Break: Kaanapali" profile of this golfer provided by the Golf Channel.
• Susan Choi pictures

Residence: Natick, Mass.
Hometown: Valley Stream, N.Y.
Date of birth: May 23, 1984
College: Wellesley
Home course: Ponkapoag Golf Club, Canton, Mass.
Interests: Singing, dancing, piano, cello
Family: Single

About Susan Choi:
Choi played collegiately at Division III Wellesley, where she wracked up a slew of victories and cracked the Top 40 in Golfweek's rankings of women amateurs (a rarity for a Division III golfer). Among her amateur events in 2007, Choi, partnered with Angel Sze, won the Women's International Four-Ball Championship in Hollywood, Fla., and was low amateur in the Massachussetts Women's Open. The Golf Channel bio below notes that Choi was an amateur during filming of the series. She has since turned pro.

The Golf Channel says:

It is very hard not to like Susan Choi. After a good shot, she jumps around childlike and offers an infectious smile that spreads an enthusiasm that reminds you why you started playing golf.

The only amateur competing in "Big Break Ka'anapali," you can only imagine how Choi would react if she won the series and made her professional debut in an LPGA Tour event.

Making her joyous behavior more refreshing, Choi, like most struggling, aspiring LPGA players, has financial obstacles to overcome, but doesn't let the roadblocks affect her attitude.

One of two daughters of Korean immigrants, Choi was born and raised on Long Island. Her parents moved to the United States in search of greater opportunities and the family never had much money. What her dad did have was time for his children. He introduced her to golf and she took to the game as the two of them would go to the Bethpage State Park – home of the famed Black course – driving range at twilight to practice.

"My sister is artsy-fartsy. So I sort of became the son my dad always hoped he'd have," Choi insists. "I started playing golf at age 12 and I loved it right away. I only played on public courses, because we couldn't afford country clubs or any of that stuff."

Choi however, didn't escape a love of the arts. She is a devout Christian and her beliefs led to studying Gospel music.

"Playing music is good for golf. I've been told I have a graceful swing and I think (music) helps with your swing tempo," said Choi, who didn't play golf competitively until attending Wellesley College, an all-women Division III school.

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