Chairman Choi Deung-gyu of Daebo Group, 'Ambassador of Walking Golf'

Started Walking for Health 10 Years Ago
Twice a Week, Up to 45 Holes a Day
Common Ground of Golf and Business: 'Basics and Principles'
"Enjoy a Happy Life with Walking Golf"

There is someone who is most delighted by the ‘One Day 10,000 Steps, One Day 1,000 Characters (Hamanhacheon) Walking Challenge Season 4’?the ‘Golf Course Lawn 10,000 Steps Walking Challenge (May 15?July 14)’?which Asia Economy started on the 15th. That person is none other than Choi Deung-gyu, chairman of Daebo Group. He is an advocate of walking golf. He always makes sure to walk at least twice a week while playing rounds.

Chairman Choi Deung-gyu of Daebo Group (second from the left) checks the shortcomings of the course while playing walking golf.

His walking philosophy is ‘Geolsaengnupsa,’ meaning ‘Walk and live, lie down and die.’ "Golf is a lifelong companion to me. Walking golf helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol. It also improves digestion and cardiopulmonary function. My playing partners must walk throughout the round without riding a cart. If caught riding a cart, they have to pay a fine. Walking 18 holes covers about 8 to 10 kilometers."

About ten years ago, Chairman Choi received a comprehensive health checkup that showed high blood pressure and cholesterol. He started walking initially to maintain his health. While walking at the Seowon Valley Country Club and Seowon Hills, which he operates in Paju, he became even more captivated by golf. "The biggest advantage of walking golf is undoubtedly health. Many people walk along the Han River floodplain or in parks for their health, but urban parks have poor air quality due to exhaust fumes and pollution. Golf courses located in the suburbs have much cleaner air. If you are going to walk, it is healthier to walk on a golf course surrounded by forests and greenery rather than in the city."

Chairman Choi Deung-gyu of Daebo Group grew the company by thoroughly adhering to the basics and principles, just like in golf.

Born in May 1948, he is in his mid-70s but looks like he is in his 60s. He makes walking 10,000 steps a daily habit. His thigh muscles are well-toned from walking golf diligently. He has even completed a full 45-hole round at Seowon Valley and Seowon Hills in one day?of course, walking without using a cart. "There is nothing special to be cautious about when playing walking golf. The charm is that you can fully enjoy the surrounding nature, such as flowers and trees, which you might miss if you rush by in a cart. It feels like becoming one with nature."

The pace of the round is smooth. When playing partners finish their tee shots, they immediately walk to the fairway. His walking speed is fast. He always carries at least two clubs. He does not take clubs from the caddie but measures distances himself with a rangefinder. When the ball lands near the green, he always goes to the ball’s position to check the green’s shape. This is Chairman Choi’s know-how for walking a lot. "Walking golf does not significantly affect the pace of play. With extensive playing experience, I have a sense of the speed needed to keep the game moving smoothly. If the play takes longer than usual, I walk faster, which also benefits my health."

Chairman Choi Deung-gyu of Daebo Group is posing after donating funds to support junior golfers.

He has become deeply fascinated by golf through walking golf. "Golf and business have many similarities. Neither is always easy. Overcoming difficulties and achieving good results brings a greater sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. Golf requires a solid foundation of basics. Business also demands strict adherence to fundamentals and principles. Like a golfer who grows stronger after the pain of defeat, if you never give up and do your best in the given circumstances, you will surely achieve good results."

Chairman Choi often emphasizes to his employees, "Do your best where you are now." Even during the difficult 1998 International Monetary Fund (IMF) crisis, he found hope through golf. "At that time, Park Seri’s performance inspired the nation with hope and courage, showing that ‘we can do it.’ Our company, Daebo Industrial, hired additional employees and gave special bonuses despite the economic crisis. We turned the crisis into an opportunity. Watching Park Seri’s play, I realized how great golf is as a sport. Our company also made a perfect ‘trouble shot’ in business."

Chairman Choi Deung-gyu of Daebo Group has been practicing sharing through the Seowon Valley Green Concert since 2000.

He invests heavily in golf. He has hosted the LPGA Tour BMW Ladies Championship and operates the Daebo Golf Team. He also selects and nurtures young talents. Every year, he holds the Seowon Valley Green Concert and established the Didimdol public interest foundation. "I believe that corporate profits must be used to help those in need. Returning profits generated through business activities to society is the driving force for sustainable growth. During the Green Concert, we use the course as a parking lot. True sharing has value only when you can give up what is most precious."

Chairman Choi wants to uphold basics and principles. He dislikes when words and actions do not match. "Trust is the most important thing for a company. I also demand consistency between words and actions and leading by example from executives." His dream is to create an exciting workplace. "Through Seowon Valley Country Club, we have provided golfers with premium course management and high-quality service. We have promoted the development and popularization of the golf industry through various tournaments and Green Concerts, and actively engaged in social contribution activities. We will do our best to make it a golf course that customers can give a thumbs-up to in every aspect."

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