(Exclusive) “Proquents for donations?” KPGA, suspicious member privilege… Controversy over fairness

Sports | golf

(Sports Seoul | Reporter Kim Min -kyu) “Can I buy professional qualifications if I have money?”

It is known that the Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA) has granted hundreds of millions of won in donations such as competition and prize money, and it is known that fairness and equity are controversial. Among the amateur players and the current professional, who have been sweating for many years, there is a burst of “KPGA status has fallen to the ground.”

In summary of Sports Seoul, KPGA was confirmed to be approved by A, who paid hundreds of millions of dollars in the second board of directors held last month, ‘Champions Tour Achievement Privilege’.

A sponsored 340 million won in the KPGA Champions Tour in 2021 and 2022 for two tournament prizes and operating expenses. Last year, the company sponsored 150 million won in one competition and invested a total of 490 million won for three years. During this period, he received the Champions Tour annual seed, and he had already received a variety of privileges, including four recommended players in the challenge (2 bug). The association also granted KPGA associate membership qualifications.

Amateur players try to become a pro for tens of millions of won every year, including lessons and competitions. It is common to invest for many years for three KPGA Pro tests, which are three times a year. However, A held the ‘Pro’ title by holding his own competition.

KPGA professional player B said, “I teach amateur students, and students are jokingly say, ‘If you give money, I can be a professional,” he said.

Another player C also criticized, “It is clear that the support of the board of directors is obvious. It is hard to accept it.”

A qualified, A, explained in a sports Seoul call, “I was re -received by passing the 1997 test and being qualified.” This means that he has passed a professional test in 28 years.

The association did not preserve the record -based records in 1997. However, KPGA regulations lose their qualifications if they do not receive introductory training within three years after passing the pro test. The retroactive application of the test pass 28 years ago is not right.

But the association says there is no problem. A senior official of KPGA argued that Article 8, Paragraph 1 of the Articles of Incorporation (Member Qualifications are a member of the membership development or can be granted by other privileges) and the legislative procedure under the board of directors in accordance with Article 31.

Another player D said, “I want to ask the association if there are several sponsorships, and I want to ask the association if they will give a privilege to all of the companies who sponsor the competition every year.”

KPGA membership is a ‘public license’ that is directly related to the player’s life. It is a honor that many young golfers challenge with sweat and tears. The perception that the ‘economic power’ of the donation has destroyed the threshold has no choice but to give a negative signal beyond the industry. kmg@sportsseoul.com