Park Chang-yeol, KGBA Chairman, "I Will Change the Negative Perception of Golf"

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"We will improve the negative perception of golf courses." This is the New Year's aspiration of Park Chang-yeol, president of the Korea Golf Course Business Association (KGBA). In an interview with Asia Economy on the 30th, President Park said, "The perception that golf is a luxurious and extravagant sport still pervades society," adding, "As we have entered the top 10 advanced countries globally, the public's level has changed, but golf remains stuck in perceptions from decades ago, which is problematic." He continued, "We will strive to have golf recognized as a respectable sport," emphasizing, "We will make golf easily accessible to youth and promote the health benefits of golf."

Park Chang-yeol, Chairman of the Korea Golf Course Management Association, promised, "We will actively engage in ESG management and eco-friendly activities to change the negative perception of golf." Photo by KGBA

President Park took office as the 18th president in 2019 and was re-elected in 2022, leading the association for six years until March 2024. He has a unique background. A graduate of Hanyang University’s Department of Civil Engineering, he served as a public official at Gwangju City Hall and as a teacher at Gwangju Daedong High School. Later, he moved to a construction company operated by his father. Park explained, "There was only one golf course in the Gwangju-Jeonnam area, and since my father loved golf very much, we directly started construction work," adding, "In 1989, we purchased land in Hwasun County, Jeonnam, and built Namgwangju Golf Course. Later, in 2002, we acquired a former salt farm site by the sea in Gochang County, Jeonbuk, where we currently operate the non-member Gochang Golf Course."

The golf population has exploded since the outbreak of COVID-19. According to recent data released by the Korea Golf Association (KGA), as of 2021, the domestic golf activity population was 11.76 million, an increase of 16.4% compared to 2017. Among those aged 20 and over, 3 out of 10 participate in golf activities. However, perceptions of golf are not favorable.

President Park is working hard to promote the positive aspects of golf. He is dedicated to establishing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management and eco-friendly golf courses. Park emphasized, "With the increase in visitors, golf courses need to fulfill their social roles," adding, "Since 2021, we have actively introduced ESG management at golf courses and are developing various ESG programs to fulfill their social responsibilities."

Hesley Nine Bridges, a prestigious member-only golf course selected as one of the top 100 platinum clubs, was the first in Korea to receive eco-friendly golf course certification. In 2014, this golf course was certified as a ‘sustainable eco-friendly golf course’ by the UK-based eco-certification organization GEO (Golf Environment Organization) and has continuously succeeded in re-certification since then. Park said, "Passing GEO’s environmental certification requires passing very stringent inspections," noting, "There is a regulation to maintain more than 40% green space, and Hesley Nine Bridges maintains over 60% green space that naturally blends with the surrounding forest."

Member golf courses also engage in social contribution activities related to the environment. These activities communicate and coexist with local residents while preserving the environment, achieving two goals at once. Rexfield CC, an affiliate of Woongjin Group, frequently conducts river cleanups in nearby villages. In 2008, it was the first golf course to receive the Minister of Environment Award, and from 2011 to 2021, it was selected as one of the ‘Top 20 Eco-Friendly Golf Courses in Korea.’ Park stated, "We continue environmentally friendly activities such as removing weeds around rivers and collecting trash," promising, "We will support all member companies to be recognized as eco-friendly golf courses through association-level support projects."

President Park is also very interested in the issue of golf course fees. He said, "I have requested member companies to refrain from excessive fee increases," and expressed, "We are making great efforts to represent the position of golf courses in response to negative public opinion, the National Assembly, and the government." The association has launched a large-scale campaign to promote safety and etiquette. It is also working hard to discover and promote ‘Good Golf Courses.’

President Park’s motto is sincerity, which he emphasizes most to his employees while managing golf courses. He said, "Sincere employees develop a strong affection for the company," adding, "Sincere employees should be given appropriate treatment corresponding to their dedication." During his tenure as the head of the association, he won lawsuits regarding the revision of local taxes on ‘preservation of original form’ and the abolition of the Sports Promotion Fund. He transformed the association, which had been passively operated with bank loans, by paying off all debts last year and is now pursuing more proactive initiatives for the benefit of association members.

President Park’s biggest challenge is tax issues such as property tax surcharges and individual consumption tax. He pointed out, "Unless tax issues are resolved, there is a limit to lowering usage fees." Although golf courses are defined as sports facilities under current law, under the Local Tax Act, member-only golf courses are still grouped with gambling halls and entertainment bars as subjects of property tax surcharges. The individual consumption tax is twice that of domestic casinos, 12 times that of horse racing, and 30 times that of bicycle racing, making it the highest. Park analyzed, "Before COVID-19, 60% of member-only golf courses operated at a loss," adding, "Although there were various fee increases due to the surge in golf course users during the COVID-19 crisis, this is likely a temporary phenomenon, like a mirage."

KGBA will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. President Park said, "We plan to change the association’s CI as we open a new half-century," adding, "We are inviting notable figures related to golf to create a meaningful event." He further stated, "Golf courses should operate in various forms rather than a uniform fee system," and added, "We will establish reasonable usage fees and faithfully fulfill the social role of the golf industry."