Why the Kolon Korean Open Changed Venues for the First Time in 22 Years

The 67th Tournament Changes Venue for the First Time in 22 Years
From Woojeong Hills in Cheonan to Laviebel Dunes in Chuncheon
Woojeong Hills, Owned by Kolon Group, Under Renovation Until This Month
After Considering Multiple Venues, Expected Return to Woojeong Hills Next Year

"To create an even more perfect course."

When people think of the Korean Open, which was established in 1958, there is one place that naturally comes to mind: Woojeong Hills Country Club in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do. From 2003 until last year, this venue served as the stage for the Kolon Korean Open. Just as the Masters Tournament, the world’s most prestigious major, is held exclusively at Augusta National Golf Club, the Korean Open also established Woojeong Hills as its representative venue.

Kolon Group has sponsored the Korean Open since the 33rd tournament in 1990. The event, which was once held at Hanyang Country Club, moved to Woojeong Hills in 1993, named after the pen name "Woojeong" of the late honorary chairman Lee Dongchan. Over the following 21 years, Woojeong Hills became a symbol of the Korean Open.

Chuncheon Laviebel Golf & Resort has hosted the 67th Kolon Korean Open this year. Laviebel Golf & Resort

However, this year, the 67th Kolon Korean Open (with a total prize fund of 1.4 billion KRW) has kicked off at a new venue: the Dunes Course at Laviebel in Chuncheon, Gangwon-do. The venue changed because Woojeong Hills began renovation work, including course and green maintenance, which will continue until the end of this month. Both Woojeong Hills and Laviebel are golf courses owned by the tournament sponsor, Kolon Group.

The Laviebel Dunes Course, which opened in September 2016, is Korea’s first-ever dunes course. It is a modern reinterpretation of the rugged natural beauty of Scottish links-style courses. The course features almost no trees, tough rough, and deep bunkers. This is a stark contrast to the mountainous terrain of Woojeong Hills, and is expected to be a key factor in determining this year’s champion.

According to the Korea Golf Association (KGA), the course rating from the black tees is 76.6. The course plays as a par 72, stretching 7,352 yards. In 2023 and 2024, the Kolon Korean Open qualifiers were held here, and the adjacent Laviebel Old Course hosted the final event of the 2023 KLPGA Tour, the SK Telecom·SK Shieldus Championship.

This is a view of the course at Woojeong Hills Country Club, where the Kolon Korean Open was held for 21 years until last year. Woojeong Hills Country Club

The Korean Open is the national title event representing men's golf in Korea. Based on this year’s results, the top two finishers will earn spots in the 153rd "The Open." The 2025 edition of The Open will be held at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland from July 17 for four days. The tournament is open, providing both amateurs and professionals an opportunity to qualify through preliminary rounds. Next year, the Kolon Korean Open is scheduled to return to Woojeong Hills after the completion of renovations.