Heoseokho and Jang Ikje Join... Increase in Number of Competitions and Total Prize Money
The Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Champions Tour, known as the "stage for eternal veterans," is aiming to expand its base.
On the 5th, KPGA stated, "We plan to further increase the scale of this season's Champions Tour," expressing expectations that "many former stars will participate." The Champions Tour was established in 1997 and is divided into the Senior Tour for players aged 50 and above, and the Grand Senior Tour for those aged 60 and above. This year, players such as Choi Sang-ho, Choi Kwang-soo, Jo Cheol-sang, Park Nam-shin, Kim Jong-deok, Shin Yong-jin, Kang Wook-soon, Seok Jong-yul, Park No-seok, Park Do-gyu, and Mo Joong-kyung are active. In the new year, Heo Seok-ho and Jang Ik-je have qualified. Choi Kyung-ju and Yang Yong-eun, who compete on the U.S. PGA Champions Tour, also hold domestic tour cards.
The outlook for the Senior Tour is bright. In 2020, there were 11 tournaments with a total prize money of 950 million KRW; in 2021, 13 tournaments with 1.15 billion KRW; and in 2022, 13 tournaments with a total prize fund of 1.4 billion KRW were held. The number of tournaments and total prize money have increased year by year. The number of broadcasted tournaments and average viewership ratings are also noteworthy. Only 4 tournaments were broadcast in 2020, increasing to 6 in 2021, and 7 in 2022.
The player base has also become stronger. From the Champions Tour Qualifying Tournament (QT) in March last year to the final event, the Korea Senior Open Golf Championship in August, 3,402 players competed. The title sponsor advertising effect of the Champions Tour, which operates with relatively low costs, has also proven to be high. KPGA said, "There are still many challenges ahead," but promised, "We will actively support the quantitative and qualitative growth of the tour."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
