"Sunyoung, let's go to America!" Kim Sun-young, a golfer with developmental disabilities, won the SKT Adaptive Golf 81 strokes!Lee Seungmin X Lee Bo Mi with the program 'Everyone's Happiness Field'

Aug 18, 2024

사진제공=SKT

'Happy Golfer'Kim Sun-young (23) won the third edition of the SK Telecom Adaptive Open 2024' this year.

SK Telecom held the 3rd 'SK Telecom Adaptive Open 2024 Contest' at Gamgok CC in Eumseong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do on the 16th. Kim Sun-young, who recorded 81 strokes (9 overs) based on stroke play, won the individual title at the tournament, which involved 28 developmentally disabled golfers and 15 professional golfers and influencers. Kim Sun-young, who won the National Developmentally Disabled Golf Championship with a 72 in June, proved her best performance by lifting the trophy again in two months. The runner-up went to Heo Do-kyung, who recorded 85 strokes.

SKT Adaptive Open is part of SKT Sports ESG management that seeks to improve awareness of developmental disabilities and create an unbiased sports ecosystem. In May, the charity fund for the 'SK Telecom Charity Open" was based on professional golfer Choi Kyung-ju and entertainer Lee Kyung-kyu. SKT actively supports winner Kim Sun-young and runner-up Heo Do-kyung to participate in international competitions in the future. If the winner and runner-up participates in the "US Adaptive Open" (a golf competition for athletes with physical disabilities and intellectual disabilities by the USGA) or "The G4D Open (a golf competition for disabled persons created by the European DP World Tour), the participation fee will be 10 million won (winner) and 5 million won (second-ranked). Park Do-kwon, the winner of last year's '2nd Tournament' also participated in the US Adaptive Open qualifying round with SKT's support in July this year.

In addition, various support is provided to those with excellent performance in this competition to help participate in international competitions. Gamgok CC provides the winner and runner-up with training space to round a total of 12 times a year (18 holes) once a month, while the Choi Kyung-ju Foundation provides golf equipment, including full sets of golf clubs. Meanwhile, professional Lee Jae-kyung, Cho Won-ki, and Cho Ye-joon, who were together in Group 13, won the team event, which was ranked as the team with the lowest total number of pars per team.

SKT Adaptive Open is a competition of communication and empathy for disabled and non-disabled golfers. Despite the heat wave of 35 degrees Celsius, a large number of professional golfers and sports influencers who sympathized with improving awareness of developmental disabilities participated in the event.

Lee Seungmin Pro's sita.

"Take a selfie, Bo Mi Lee!"

The competition has begun with the accompanying Citaro of professional Lee Seung-min and professional Lee Bo-mi, sponsored by SKT. Lee Seung-min is the first champion of the first US Adaptive Open and a hope and role model for Korean golfers with developmental disabilities who have been noted as runner-up at the 2nd and 3rd tournaments in a row. Lee Bo-mi, who accompanied the adaptive opening for the third time in a row, is a star professional golfer who has won a total of 25 wins in both Korea and Japan, including four KLPGA wins and 21 JLPGA wins as the top prize money winner in Japan's JLPGA 2015-2016. Top professional golfers such as Kim Han-byeol, Kim Baek-joon, Park Eun-shin, Bae Yong-joon, Baek Seok-hyun, Lee Jae-kyung, Choi Seung-bin, Choi Jin-ho, Kim Ji-young 2, and Yoon Chae-young, as well as sports influencers such as Yoon Seok-min, Jung Myung-hoon, and Shim Seo-joon (Simjjang). They teamed up with two players and played 'Mingul' as a trio to teach them their lethal skills and instill confidence.

Professional Lee Seung-min is shouting fighting with Kim Joon-young and Lee Jun-oh.

Kim Hee-jin and Kim Doo-hyun with professional Lee Bo-mi.

Lee Seung-min said, "Despite the hot weather, we all worked hard and played a good game together," he said, expressing his pride. Lee Bo-mi, the professional (SKT), said "We're going to be together again this year. It's a lot of fun to be with these players. "Happy 18 holes with endless laughter..." he said with a big smile. Regarding his willingness to split his busy schedule and share his talent, the program said, `I always run with joy because I belong to SKT and SKT holds competitions with good intentions every year.' The players who come here are also quite good. I want to help you do better?It's going to be "X?" Kim Han-byul (SKT) said, `Even in hot weather, I was surprised by the skills shown by golfers with developmental disabilities and their passion for golf.' `It was a place where I could learn a lot by rounding with players.'

Comedian Chung Myung-hoon, who served as a influencer 'single golfer'Thank you for inviting me again following last year. My friends and I have the same passion for golf. We had a happy day talking a lot and helping each other so that the players would not get bored," he said with a smile.

On this day, a beautiful collaboration of sports, art, and music took place on the field. The developmental disability art team 'Raw ART' held an exhibition of works by its artists at the clubhouse, while the developmental disability ensemble 'Dream with Ensemble' presented performances at the opening ceremony and dinner hall.

Kim Hee-seop, SKT's communication manager (vice president), said "Lee Seung-min, who is sponsored by SKT, has performed well at the U.S. Adaptive Open and is also active in the domestic KPGA Professional League, inspiring many people."SKT expressed its will to continue sports ESG activities in the future."

sky4us@sportschosun.com