'Hwacheon Sancheoneo Park Golf Festival,' the "Stage of Dreams," Concludes... Lee Youngil and Seo Hyunok Named MVPs

Hwacheon County Celebrates Successful Conclusion of the Hwacheon Sancheoneo National Park Golf Festival
Lee Youngil and Seo Hyunok Crowned MVPs, Each Awarded 30 Million Won and the Green Jacket
With 3,650 Participants and a 191 Million Won Prize Pool, Korea's Largest Park Golf Festival
Spotlight on Local Economic Impact and International Exchange as Park Golf Draws National and Global Attention

The "2025 Hwacheon Sancheoneo National Park Golf Festival," known as the "stage of dreams" among domestic park golf enthusiasts, concluded its month-long journey on the 19th.

Choi Moonsoon, Hwacheon County Governor (center), is taking a commemorative photo with Lee Youngil, the male MVP, and Seo Hyunok, the female MVP, at the "2025 Hwacheon Sancheoneo National Park Golf Festival" which concluded on the 19th. Provided by Hwacheon County

During the finals held over four days from the 16th to the 19th at the Sancheoneo Park Golf Course, Lee Youngil (Gyeonggi Province, 479 strokes) won the MVP title in the men's division, and Seo Hyunok (Gyeongnam Province, 516 strokes) claimed MVP honors in the women's division. Each received a prize of 30 million won, a trophy, and the prestigious green jacket.

Additionally, rankings were determined in both the general and senior divisions for men and women, with prize money awarded to each winning athlete.

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo National Park Golf Festival generated significant buzz among club members throughout the tournament, demonstrating its potential for further growth.

First, both the duration of the festival and the size of the participating teams drew attention.

This year, more than 3,650 participants took part in the event, a significant increase from about 2,900 last year, and a total of eight fiercely contested preliminary rounds were held.

Second, the festival attracted attention for its unprecedented prize pool, unmatched even in Japan, the birthplace of park golf.

The total prize money for this year's tournament reached 191.2 million won, an increase of about 60 million won compared to last year, making it the largest ever. Both the male and female MVPs received 30 million won each.

Third, the Sancheoneo National Park Golf Festival has established itself as not only a national event but also an international competition, becoming a focal point of attention.

For the second consecutive year, a team of 11 athletes from Tomakomai City, Hokkaido, Japan, participated and engaged in an exciting Korea-Japan showdown, drawing considerable attention.

2025 Hwacheon Mountain Whitefish National Park Golf Festival Awards Ceremony. Provided by Hwacheon County

Domestically, athletes from all over the country-including Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan, Sejong, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, North Chungcheong, South Chungcheong, South Jeolla, North Jeolla, South Gyeongsang, and North Gyeongsang Provinces-joined the competition.

Fourth, the Sancheoneo National Park Golf Festival demonstrated that park golf can develop into a new driving force for the local economy.

During the month-long event, which began on August 19, participants visited Hwacheon over several days, staying in the region to take part in the tournament.

In particular, with the dissolution of the 27th Infantry Division dampening local business in Sachang-ri, Sanae-myeon, the newly opened Sanae Park Golf Course hosted a total of eight general division preliminary rounds, boosting business for nearby restaurants and shops thanks to the festival's economic impact.

Choi Moonsoon, Governor of Hwacheon County, stated, "We will actively work to broaden the base so that more people can enjoy park golf," adding, "We aim to develop park golf in a way that contributes not only to the local economy but also to public health."