KPGA Srixon Tour 'Disrupted Operation'... "1st Qualifier Canceled"

Cancellation Notice During Match at Cheongju Teseve CC

The first qualifying round of the Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Srixon (2nd division) Tour was suddenly canceled.

On the 20th, KPGA halted the competition during the 2023 Srixon Tour first qualifying round held at Tejeve CC in Cheongju, Chungbuk. KPGA sent a message to the players stating, "Today's scheduled qualifying round has been rescheduled due to operational issues. The tournament will be held again on the 27th. There will be no golf course usage fees for the players." KPGA is expected to explain its position on this incident on the 21st.

A player participating in the tournament expressed frustration, saying, "The first qualifying round at Tejeve CC was canceled due to KPGA's absurd event management," and added, "The reason for the cancellation was not clearly communicated to the players." The player criticized, "A golf course staff member told me that the tournament was canceled due to a problem with the hole cup. If the tournament was canceled, the tournament director or association staff should have provided a detailed explanation to the players."

On that day, 120 players competed fiercely. The first group played up to the 16th hole, and the last group up to the 8th hole. All players were confused in front of the clubhouse immediately after the cancellation announcement. Meanwhile, the qualifiers held at seven other courses, including Solago CC in Taean, Chungnam; Podo CC in Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk; Gunsan CC in Jeonbuk; and Grand CC in Cheongju, Chungbuk, were completed normally, and the finalists were decided.

Players who chose Tejeve CC must retake the qualifying round on the 27th, one week later. After passing the qualifier, they must participate in the finals held at Solago CC on the 28th. The player expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "Players with personal matters on the 27th cannot participate in the tournament," and added, "The travel schedule is inconvenient, and it is difficult to find accommodations."

The KPGA Srixon Tour conducts regional qualifiers before the finals. The first qualifying round was held across a total of eight courses. Both tour players and amateurs can participate in this tournament.