Park Seri and Choi Kyung-joo Did Not Just Appear... Toward the Day When Galleries Worldwide Follow the 'Club' I Hold

The Cradle of Promising Golfers, 'GB Academy Golf': A Story of Hard Work and Sweat

GB Academy Golf members.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Yong-woo] It is common these days for Koreans holding clubs to appear on the world stage. The outstanding performances of our players targeting domestic and international professional golf tournaments stand out especially now. However, few know the amount of sweat they have poured onto the greens until it becomes a common news story.

At Yongwon Country Club in Jinhae, Gyeongnam, where golfers' sweat does not stop despite many tournaments being hampered by COVID-19.

On the 5th, ‘GB Academy Golf,’ headed by pro Choi Ki-beom, was exuding sweat reminiscent of hellish training.

From the 8th to the 11th, the only KPGA event in Gyeongnam, the ‘Woosung Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open,’ will kick off. It is the eighth tournament of this season’s KPGA Korean Tour.

The ‘Woosung Open’ tournament is holding its third edition this year since its first event in 2019.

Pro Jeong Yun-han (Woosung Construction) was sweating hard on this day ahead of his participation.

Jeong Yun-han, a former national representative, said the pressure is great because it is his sponsor company. However, he said he wants to leave his name with great play without being obsessed with results.

He said, “Although we cannot meet galleries due to COVID-19, I want to show my best to many fans.”

Director Choi Ki-beom boasted that GB Academy has a ‘hidden weapon.’ A ‘rising star’ appeared in the first half of 2021.

He is a first-year high school student who represented Busan and jumped to the top of the podium at the final selection rounds of the Youth Sports Festival and National Sports Festival.

Having started golf only a short time ago, Dongrae Busol Bangtong High School player Woo Sang-hyun took second place with a final score of 145 in rounds 1 and 2 of the boys’ high school division.

He first picked up a golf club in the third year of middle school, making him a rookie golfer with less than two years since starting.

Woo said shyly, “Golf is very difficult, but now I am enjoying it and practicing while having fun.”

He expressed his ambition, saying, “Next year, I want to win a national tournament and give glory to God,” and “I must repay many people who pray for me, my parents, senior golfers, and my trainer.”

He also confidently said, “The pro I want to resemble the most is Rory McIlroy, who is active on the PGA Tour.”

Kim Yeon-seo (Changwon Nam Middle School, 1st year) won the girls’ middle school division at the nationwide Middle and High School Auto Power Cup held at Baekje CC. She claimed the top prize with a total of 141 strokes in rounds 1 and 2.

Kim said, “In the last round, my condition was good, so I had a feeling I would be in the top ranks, but I did not expect to win.”

Kim Yeon-seo revealed her goal to definitely win the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup at the nationwide middle and high school tournament held this July.

She reiterated her dream to take the top spot on the podium at the Governor’s Cup tournament in her hometown, Gyeongnam.

She said she wants to resemble LPGA pro Choi Na-yeon.

GB Academy is soaked with the sweat of many pros and student players.

KPGA pro and director Choi Ki-beom said, “It is actually hard to just enjoy golf when you are competing under pressure and stress,” and “Golf is a very long-term marathon-like sport, more difficult than any other sport,” to the young players.

Director Choi said, “I wanted to communicate more deeply with players while giving lessons and coaching.”

He explained, “Technical aspects are important, but it is also important for players to be mentally stable, so we openly and deeply communicate with the players.”

Director Choi started the academy with the heart of nurturing players to fulfill dreams he could not achieve during his playing days.

“I want to be a memorable coach whom players can comfortably come to even after many years,” he said.

Park Seri, Choi Kyung-ju, Park In-bi, Park Sung-hyun... No one is unaware that what will represent Korea again in the future and attract galleries worldwide is the sweat and communication poured out here and now by coaches and players.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.