S-OIL Championship 'Adding the Olympic Spirit'

The Nation's First Olympic Collaboration Tournament
Installation of the Olympic Flame, Medals Awarded to 1st-3rd Place
This Year, Abundant Attractions and Generous Prizes

There are various ways to promote a golf tournament. Prize money can be significantly increased, or special guests can be invited to create buzz. Attention can also be drawn through unique tournament formats and distinctive prizes.

On the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, the S-OIL Championship is popular for applying a unique Olympic concept. The tournament kicked off on the 2nd at Elysian Country Club (par 72, 6,717 yards) in Jeju City, Jeju Island. The total prize money was increased by 100 million KRW from last year to 900 million KRW, with the winner's prize set at 162 million KRW. A total of 96 players, including defending champion Lee So-mi, participated.

Na Heewon, Lee Somi, and Kim Heeji (from left) are smiling brightly with medals around their necks on the podium at last year's S-OIL Championship.

The S-OIL Championship held its first event in 2007. This year marks the 17th edition. It introduced a collaboration strategy that incorporates the Olympic spirit for the first time in Korea. Like the Olympics, a cauldron was installed at the golf course. The flame was lit the day before the tournament and burned brightly for four days. It was extinguished after the final round. In 2018, the S-OIL Championship had a very special flame lighting event. The flame was ignited at the S-OIL Ulsan plant and flown to Jeju Island by drone. Last year, the flame lighting ceremony was not held to mourn and pay tribute to the victims of the Itaewon tragedy.

The S-OIL Championship does not only consider the champion. It emphasizes true sportsmanship. Medals are awarded not only to the winner but also to the 2nd and 3rd place finishers. It is a moment to express gratitude to the players who competed splendidly until the end. The awarding method is also the same as the Olympics. The 3rd, 2nd, and 1st place winners are called in order and placed on the podium. This differentiates it from regular tournaments.

The S-OIL Championship offers even more attractions this year. The competition for prize money and grand prize points among Lee Ye-won, Park Ji-young, and Lim Jin-hee is intense toward the end of the season. The rookie of the year race between Kim Min-byeol and Hwang Yu-min is also thrilling. Attention is on whether Park Hyun-kyung, who won the SK Networks·Seoul Economic Ladies Classic last week after 910 days, can secure a second consecutive victory. ‘Beautiful golfer’ Ahn Shin-ae, who has three KLPGA wins in total, is participating as a sponsor’s exemption. It is her first appearance in about two years and four months.

The S-OIL Championship also offers generous prizes for the players. First, players who record the first hole-in-one on any par-3 hole will receive gifts. These include a Bangolf iron set (3rd hole), Frederique Constant Manufacture Tour (7th hole), Honda New Accord (12th hole), and Karma Queen’s Motion Bed (16th hole). Players who record the daily best score for each round will receive Michelin Korea tire exchange vouchers, and those who break the course record will be awarded a 2 million KRW gift certificate for Elysian Country Club.

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