[Asia Economy Reporters Byeon Seon-jin and Choi Tae-won] Record-breaking heavy rains that poured over the Seoul metropolitan area and central regions on the 8th and 9th caused significant damage to some golf courses.
According to industry sources on the 18th, Golf Course A in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, remained closed until the 12th due to the heavy rain. Some holes were covered with soil and debris on the greens, resembling a landslide. The golf course reportedly spent tens of billions of won on course repair work. A golf course official stated, “Because of the heavy rain, we plan to pay extra attention to repairing the dangerous areas.”
Golf Course B in Hoengseong County, Gangwon Province, also suffered damage on the 8th when a water hazard collapsed, creating a waterfall-like flow that circulated on online communities. Not only was the course washed away, but underground installations such as power lines were also exposed. The golf course said, “Due to the heavy rain, the cart road was damaged, so we closed until the 15th,” adding, “Repair work has been completed, and operations have returned to normal.”
Record-breaking heavy rain in 115 years... Golf courses left helpless
Although not to the extent of these two golf courses, many golf courses across the central region reportedly suffered varying degrees of damage due to the record-breaking heavy rain in 115 years. A local government official explained, “Since golf courses are private property, if there are no casualties, damage compensation requests are not made to local governments, and recovery is handled individually.”
The record-breaking heavy rain is also expected to negatively impact the profitability of golf courses. A golf course in Gyeonggi Province stated, “During the heavy rain period, green fee revenue decreased by about 10 million won due to closure.” Considering reduced sales from ancillary facilities such as restaurants and repair costs for damaged facilities, the golf course anticipates even greater losses.
Warnings have also been raised that soil erosion damage at golf courses may become more frequent in the future. As the climate crisis becomes a reality, similar heavy rain damage is expected to recur. According to a recent paper submitted by a research team from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology on the impact of global warming on the East Asian monsoon, the number of heavy rain days during summer in the Korean Peninsula could increase by up to 15 days.
Professor Lee Jun-yi of the Climate Science Research Institute at Pusan National University also pointed out, “As global warming intensifies, the frequency and intensity of extreme events such as heavy rain increase,” adding, “This inevitably leads to greater variability and uncertainty.”
Heavy rains increase due to climate crisis... Time to prepare for landslides at golf courses
There is also analysis that the topographical characteristics of domestic golf courses make them more vulnerable to heavy rain. Most major golf courses are built as mountainous courses.
Experts agree, “Inevitable deforestation when constructing golf courses in mountainous areas weakens soil fertility and increases the likelihood of landslides.”
Professor Lee Soo-gon, former professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Seoul, said, “When golf courses are built, trees that retain water and hold the soil disappear, and the soil becomes disturbed and easily washed away,” adding, “Also, sometimes construction companies fail to properly understand and reflect the topographical characteristics such as ridges and valleys, which increases the risk of landslides.” He suggested, “It is necessary to inspect the construction status of golf courses now and consider reconstructing them according to their topographical characteristics.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
