Gimcheon Podo CC "Catalyst for Local Economy"... "20 Billion KRW Economic Impact in First Half"

1 Night 2 Days Package Popularity "Accommodation Usage Increased 7.9 Times", KPGA Pro Qualifying and Tournament Hosting, Podo CC "At Least 4 Billion Won Expected This Year"

Panoramic view of Gyeongbuk Gimcheon Podo Country Club

[Asia Economy Reporter Nowrae] Gyeongbuk Gimcheon Podo Country Club (PodoCC) is playing a ‘priming water role’ in revitalizing the local economy.

According to PodoCC on the 1st, the golf course’s 1-night 2-day package products, the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) professional qualifying tournaments, the Srixon (2nd division) tour qualifying competitions, and rental fees for employee accommodations at the golf course have generated approximately 2 billion KRW in cash expenditure effects during the first half of this year (January to June). The number of visitors using the 1-night 2-day package increased dramatically to 11,326, which is 7.9 times higher than 1,426 during the same period last year.

The number of rooms used by golfers at hotels and pensions in Gimcheon city during the first half of the year, based on double occupancy, was 5,643. This is 4,930 more rooms compared to the same period last year. The amount spent by golfers on accommodation fees is estimated at 540 million KRW, and the amount spent at restaurants and other establishments in Gimcheon city reached 480 million KRW. Additionally, expenses related to tournament participants and their families, golf course staff wages, and rental fees for staff accommodations amount to 850 million KRW.

"Since the second half of last year, the number of customers using the package products has increased significantly," said Park Young-il, Director of PodoCC. "It is estimated that about 5,000 rooms will be consumed in the second half of this year as well. When including additional expenditures for various tournaments, at least 4 billion KRW annually is expected to flow into the Gimcheon city local market," he predicted. He added, "We will continue to play a role that helps the local economy through various methods."

PodoCC is a golf course operated with 27 holes, preserving the original hilly terrain. The overlapping hills with varying elevations make it a comfortable yet challenging course. It is a tournament course where a total of 28 events are held annually, including the KPGA Professional Qualifying Tournament (3 times), Tour Professional Qualifying Tournament (2 times), Srixon Tour Qualifiers (20 times), KPGA Qualifying Tournament (1 time), KPGA Senior Tour (1 time), and the Korea Mid-Amateur Golf Federation event (1 time).