b'GOLF WASHINGTONFather and son carry Alpha Trophy into the futureA family business can be a wonderful thing, and how it gets to be one is sometimes years in the making. Andrew and Sam, father and son, are making a pretty good team at Alpha Trophy. by Tom Cade, EditorI n 1976, at the age of 14, Sam Bak leftAndrew was three when they moved Korea with his parents and immigratedto Seattle. He attended Inglemoor High to the U.S., settling in the large KoreanSchool in Kenmore, and in December community in Philadelphia. He would2023 he graduated with a degree in later start an awards company in themarketing from the renowned Foster basement of his brothers gift shop,School of Business at the University of spending years learning the industry byWashington.going to trade shows and from otherSoon after he graduated, Andrews business owners.dad began indicating he was considering Bak met his future wife, Esther,slowing down, maybe even retiring.in Philadelphia. In 1980, she had alsoAnd thats when his son Andrew emigrated from Korea. Two decadesentered the picture. When the son began later, the childless couple adopted a six- to show some interest, the father began month-old infant from Korea and namedto be re-energized. The business partners him Andrew. Wanting to make a newAlpha Trophy supports numerousmoved their main office to Snohomish, a start, Bak passed the awards company totournaments and charitable events,small town 45 minutes north of Seattle.his brother, and in 2003 the small familyamong them the annual Korean Open GolfRight away, Andrew was able to put left Philadelphia and moved to Seattle. Championship, held at Meadow Park GC inhis degree to practical use. Bak founded his second awardsTacoma, Wash.After graduation, he had initially company, this one in Tukwila, south ofwanted to go into sales or real estate. Seattle, and for 20 years the businesscorporate golf events Alpha Trophy hasBut I thought it would be more thrived, with Alpha Trophy creating awards,been involved with, for the two decadesmeaningful to take what I have learned trophies and gifts for organizations andthe company has provided donationsand help my dad expand his business events, including golf tournaments, golfand support for the Northwest Korean- with tools that he didnt have access to, courses and facilities. Esther worked side- American Golf Association, and theirhe said. I helped him create a website by-side with Samuel in the early yearsannual Korean Open Golf Championshipafter all these years, implemented google before becoming a schoolteacher.held at Meadow Park GC in Tacoma. Theads, and email marketing. It has been Among the numerous charitable andevent is the largest of its kind in the U.S.exciting to see the growth in business, 2 GOLF WASHINGTON|MAR 2025'