The purpose of this study is to investigate the historical background for outstanding achievements of Korean women’s golfers at the international arena. I have derived following conclusions by investigating the significant sport history of Korean wo...
The purpose of this study is to investigate the historical background for outstanding achievements of Korean women’s golfers at the international arena. I have derived following conclusions by investigating the significant sport history of Korean women’s golf, and defining the key figure for why they became the powerful nation in golf.
First, the Korean elite women’s sports have begun after 1950s, and they have caught the public attention by winning medals at the domestic basketball competitions among girl’s high school and their foreign competition(1953∼1954), and at the Tokyo Asian Games(1958). After the foundation of the Girl’s Vocational Team, development policy for elite sports since 1960, and excellent game scores of Korean female athletes in foreign competition have certainly gave an opportunity for them to be recognized in the world, and established a groundwork for Korean elite women’s sports to make progress. Moreover, this appeased the existing perspective of the domestic discrimination between men and women, and gave an opportunity for women to become athletes, leaders, and administrator in various social positions. The consecutive success of Korean female athletes in foreign competition during 1990s∼2000s have gained great pubic interest for elite women’s sports, and this have strengthened the domestic position for elite women’s sports as well as transforming Korea to become powerful nation for women’s sports.
Second, negative perspective for golf was rampant in Korea for its historical background, which in that golf was first introduced by the Japanese Imperialists. Despite this fact, golf became recognized as designated sports in Korea since numerous golf courses were constructed in Seoul and various suburb areas, and foundation of golf competition along with the Chosun Golf League. Nevertheless the golf industry was temporarily frozen due to the WWII and the Korean War, they have reclaimed their position after the foundation of the Seoul Country Club. Especially, the Seoul Country Club was located at the center area of the main Korean golf course, and they have established the Korea Golf Association which later became the headquarter for Korean professional golfers, and foundation for golf to be recognized as Korean elite sports.
Third, the expansion stage of Korean women’s golf at their individual period and its’ significance in sport history is as follows:
1. 1950∼1969 is defined as the inception of Korean women’s golf which the distinction between professional and amateur golfers was obscured; however, establishment of several golf classes and clubs in college, and assembly of women’s association at the Seoul Country Club have promoted friendships among female members, while the significance was that they attempted to change the image of golf through participating in social volunteer activities.
2. 1970∼1989 is the period when Korean women’s golf have been developed and active, which established groundwork for them to be recognized as sports for private education institute due to the establishment of competitions by institutions related to golf have changed the age of amateur Korean women’s golfers from mid-age to teenagers. Furthermore, in 1978 the first Korean women’s golfer was born at the Republic of Korea; however, several athletes have departed for Japan because of the inferior domestic arena for women’s pro-golfers. Among them were Ok-Hee Ku, and her victory in JLPGA and USLPGA tour as a first Korean women’s golfer has established a basis for her to expand to the foreign arena.
3. 1990∼1999 was the period when domestic and foreign activities of Korean women’s golfers were prosperous, the rate of female junior golfers who have strong purpose to become successful pro-golfers has grown, and women’s pro-golfers have faced a great turning point due to the establishment of the KLPGA(Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association). The KLPGA has started to make qualitative improvements since efforts from KLPGA to invigorate the domestic female pro-golfers. Especially, grand victory of Se-Ri Pak at 1998 USPLGA tour has made a groundwork for domestic women’s golfers to join USLPGA, and it has significance in sports history since this has unequivocally invigorated the KLPGA and transformed golf into designated public sports.
4. 2000∼2010 is the period when Korean LPGA became globalized and Korea became recognized as a powerful nation in golf, which the significance is that amateur and professionals have made progress in both domestic and foreign arena. Influence of Se-Ri Pak has led to ‘Seri Kids’, which they have contributed in promoting the KLPGA to become unrivaled entity at the international arena even after they became professionals through passing amateur years. Therefore, KLGPA became prosperous and dealt a heavy blow in both domestic and foreign arena. Especially, the special feature for this is that it has led to the rise of interest for Korea at the international arena, and the growth of interest from domestic public and media for women’s sports.
Lastly, the key figure for successful Korean women’s golf is because of the characteristics of Korean parents and athletes, popularization of golf, and organized system for athlete training. In addition, the organized system for athlete training has played a catalysis role in improving the skills of amateur golfers, and the popularization of golf has not only rapidly increased the golf-related facilities; however, it also has provided more opportunities for junior golfers to learn golf and improved an environment for them to be cultivated.