[The Editors' Verdict] KPGA Brings Shame to a Golf Powerhouse

Taejeve CC 'Srixon Tour' Qualifier
Disqualified Due to Incorrect Hole Cup Size
Obstacle to Establishing 'Golf Powerhouse' Status

Kwangho Lee, Head of Distribution Economy Department.

At the end of last year, I remember frowning at the shock a runner must have felt after a world record set at the U.S. long-distance (100 miles, approximately 161 km) track and field championship was invalidated due to a course setup error, as reported by CNN. An equally absurd incident has now occurred domestically. Due to the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA)'s poor event management, an unprecedented situation arose where players were brought to tears. While professional golf tournaments have been suspended before due to war, COVID-19, or natural disasters (such as severe weather or earthquakes), this is the first time a golf tournament was halted because of a ridiculous mistake by the organizers.

This concerns the first qualifying round of the '2023 Srixon Tour' held on the 20th at Tejeve CC located in Oksan-myeon, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju City. A total of 120 players participated in the event. The first group played up to the 16th hole, and the last group up to the 8th hole, when suddenly the tournament was canceled. Players, unaware of the specific circumstances, gathered at the clubhouse with bewildered expressions, confused about what was happening. However, the KPGA, the organizer, provided no explanation regarding the suspension of play. It was only on the following day, the 21st, that a notice titled '2023 Srixon Tour 1st Qualifier (Tejeve CC, West and South Courses) Schedule Change Notice' was posted on the website. In the notice, KPGA stated, "We ask for your understanding regarding this decision, which was made because the hole cups did not meet the specifications outlined in the golf rules, rendering the tournament unfit to proceed."

According to golf rules, the cup specifications require a diameter of 108 mm, a minimum depth of 101.6 mm, and the cylinder must be buried at least 25 mm below the ground surface. However, the hole cups at Tejeve CC, where the first qualifier of the Srixon Tour was held, were 114 mm in diameter?6 mm larger than the regulation size. It is also reported that the hole cups were shallower than the standard depth. This clearly illustrates how sloppy KPGA's tournament preparation and management were.

KPGA has expressed deep remorse for this incident and has waived all golf course fees (green fees, cart fees, caddie fees) for the affected players. Additionally, as a gesture of consolation for the inconvenience caused to the participants, the entry fees for the tournament were also fully waived. KPGA has pledged to establish and implement thorough measures to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.

This is a case of "giving a disease and then the cure." The players' emotional wounds run deep. One participant said, "I don't want to talk much about it since it's in the past, but golf is a sport where mental strength is crucial, and everyone is in a sensitive state," adding, "I hope such an incident never happens again." Watching famous golfers miss putts less than 1 meter long clearly shows why golf is a sport of mental toughness. Especially for players with shorter golf careers, it is not easy to maintain the consistent and stable swings demonstrated by highly skilled professional players, requiring intense mental focus and concentration.

South Korea has established itself as a golf powerhouse. Small mistakes like these can accumulate and cause significant adverse effects. KPGA must prioritize enhancing players' rights and welfare as its most important value. That is the very reason for the association's existence. We hope KPGA humbly reflects on this matter once again.