In the movie ‘Arrow, the Ultimate Weapon’, the main character Nam-i (Park Hae-il) said, “Wind is not to calculate, but to overcome.” But in golf, the story is different. The wind is calculating.
This is also the reason why the three old boys, who are still showing their competitiveness in the Korea Professional Golf (KPGA) Korean Tour, wait for rain or strong winds during the game. It is because he is confident that he can calculate wind and rain better than younger players. This is the story of Choi Ho-seong (50), Hwang In-chun (49), and Kim Seong-yong (47), who are 146 years old together.
It’s not that the three players hate sunny weather. The three players said, “It is virtually impossible to beat young players on a sunny day, but when it rains or strong winds blow, the story changes. That’s why bad weather news puts me at ease,” he said with a laugh.
Choi Ho-seong, born in 1973, is the oldest player on the Korean Tour. He turned professional in 1999 and has been on the professional stage for 25 years this year. Choi Ho-seong said, “His career as a professional golfer began on the second part tour, which was called the KTF Tour at the time. He made his debut on the regular tour in 2001 after three years of life on the second division tour.” I am happy to be able to play an active part in the Korean tour with his juniors,” he explained.
What is the driving force to be active on the Korean Tour for over 20 years? Choi Ho-seong, who was thinking deeply, raised his voice, saying, “It is the result of pouring 100% today without thinking about tomorrow.” He said, “As he wasn’t a very talented player, he focused on what I could do today. Looking back on his early professional debut, he seems to have risked his life to survive. He thinks that he has been on the Korean tour until now because of the accumulated efforts he has made.”
Choi Ho-seong is still working hard to survive the competition. Shot and putt practice is fundamental, and the amount of time I spend every year at the gym is먹튀검증 getting longer. Choi Ho-seong said, “I don’t think there is anything as honest as golf. If the amount of practice decreases, my grades drop immediately,” he said.
How does it feel to compete with his juniors? Choi Ho-seong said, “When I play against players who recently debuted on the Korean Tour, I am surprised that their swing is so good and the distance is beyond my imagination.” He is a senior, but he learns a lot from his juniors.” He added, “It is thrilling to see players such as Lim Seong-jae and Lee Kyung-hoon continuing to spread the power of K-golf to the world on the PGA Tour.”
Choi Ho-seong also revealed why he takes good care of his juniors. At the GS Caltex Maekyung Open, they have a special affection for them, such as playing practice rounds with national representatives Jang Yu-bin and Ahn Seong-hyun, and telling them how to attack the Namseoul Country Club. He said, “I wanted to be of some help to his juniors. It’s just a small job, but he thinks it’s fortunate that his juniors don’t feel burdened. If my juniors ask for help at any time, I am ready to blow it up.”
The three players are fixed members of the practice round preparing for almost all competitions this year. The atmosphere is good compared to any group. The Korean Tour juniors who watched the practice scene of the three players said, “It would be nice if seniors Choi Ho-seong, Hwang In-chun, and Kim Seong-yong could enjoy the Korean Tour even if they were over 40.” In particular, looking at senior Choi Ho-seong and senior Hwang In-choon’s driver shots, they reflect on themselves.”
What will be the average distance of driver shots of the three players? Hwang In-chun is recording an average of 300.08 yards this year. Choi Ho-seong and Kim Seong-yong also boasted a distance of over 292 yards, not far behind young players. Regarding Hwang In-chun’s driver shot, Kim Seong-yong said, “In-chun hyung’s distance is increasing every year, as if he is aging backwards. I will be 50 next year, but my impact sound is the same as that of players in their 20s. Hoseong hyung is no joke, but Inchoon hyung’s driver shot is excellent,” he raised his thumb.
Choi Ho-seong, Hwang In-chun, and Kim Seong-yong’s top priority is survival. However, it does not mean that there is no greed and desire to win. The three players said, “I can finally feel the words of my seniors in the past, ‘Let’s be grateful that there is a competition that we can participate in’. I know better than anyone that what I need to realistically aim for is securing the right to participate in the Korean Tour,” he said. “As a professional golfer, I have a desire to win. It’s difficult, but I don’t think it’s impossible. I will try harder with the belief that I will not have a chance to win at least one championship for the rest of the season.”