Inbee Park Appointed as IGF Director: "Will Do My Best for Global Golf Development"

Appointed as Director and Executive Committee Member of the International Golf Federation (IGF)

'Golf Empress' Inbee Park (37) has been appointed as a director and executive committee member of the International Golf Federation (IGF).

Inbee Park, appointed as a director and executive committee member of the International Golf Federation (IGF). Photo by Wow Management Group

Wow Management Group, Park's management agency, announced on December 15 that "Inbee Park will officially serve as an IGF director and executive committee member, representing the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) of the United States," adding, "She will directly participate in formulating strategies and discussing mid- to long-term policies for the development of global golf."

Going forward, Park will be responsible for a range of duties, including overseeing the approval process for national federation memberships, supervising golf events at the Youth Olympic Games, managing the World Amateur Team Championships (WATC), and maintaining cooperative relationships with National Olympic Committees (NOCs).

Park expressed her thoughts, saying, "Based on my experience as a player, I will do my utmost to enhance the international recognition of Olympic golf, discover and support youth athletes, and popularize golf, all of which I have always been passionate about, to contribute to the global development of the sport."

The IGF commented on Park, stating, "She is the gold medalist at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and the first player in history to achieve the Golden Career Grand Slam," and added, "She has actively served on the IGF Athletes' Committee for nine years, elevating the status of women's golf on the world stage." The federation further explained the appointment by saying, "With her wealth of experience and insight, Inbee Park is expected to have a positive impact on IGF's overall policy and operations."

The IGF, chaired by Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, is the international sports body representing golf worldwide and is responsible for overseeing and managing golf as an Olympic sport.

The IGF has 152 national golf associations and major golf organizations as members, and it pursues various initiatives aimed at the global expansion of golf, strengthening cooperation among countries, and broadening the sport's base.

The IGF board consists of a total of 10 members: four representatives from national golf organizations, five athlete representatives, and the IGF president.