KLPGA Elkru Celebrity Cancellation Just Before Opening 'Unusual'... Why?

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] The Elkru Pro Celebrity Tournament, part of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, which was scheduled to be held over three days starting September 9, has been canceled. The tournament was set to take place at the Orange Dunes Yeongjong Golf Club in Incheon with a total prize money of 700 million KRW.

A KLPGA Tour official told Asia Economy on the 1st, "The tournament was suddenly canceled due to circumstances on the part of the organizer," adding, "Matters related to this need to be discussed internally within the tour and coordinated with the organizer." However, the official added, "We only received an official letter from the organizer last night stating that the Elkru Pro Celebrity Tournament would be difficult to hold, so we do not know the detailed background." The organizer of the tournament is Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Construction, a subsidiary of Korea Technology.

Within and outside the golf community, the cancellation of a KLPGA Tour event just before its opening next week was considered unusual. The Elkru Pro Celebrity, established last year and held at Island CC in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, moved its venue this year to the Orange Dunes Yeongjong Golf Club, which has better accessibility in the metropolitan area.

However, it was reported that the tournament was ultimately canceled because the organizer did not pay the deposit to Orange Dunes Yeongjong Golf Club. Financial difficulties on the part of the organizer have also been cited as a reason for the cancellation. On the morning of August 31, Orange Dunes Yeongjong Golf Club announced on its website that general golfers could make reservations on the dates when the Elkru Pro Celebrity was supposed to be held.

If the tournament is canceled due to the organizer's circumstances, the organizer must pay a penalty fee amounting to 75% of the total prize money (700 million KRW) for breach of contract. This penalty amounts to 525 million KRW. A KLPGA official explained, "We will review this internally."

The Elkru Pro Celebrity gained attention for its unique format where, on the final day, professional players and celebrities form teams to compete together. Yoo Hae-ran (21) is the inaugural champion.