The E1 Charity Open (total prize money of 900 million won) will be held at Seongmunan CC (par 72, 6662 meters) in Wonju, Gangwon-do, for three days starting on the 26th. This is the first time the tournament, now in its 11th year, has been held at Seongmunan CC.
That’s because the golf course opened in September 2022. With the creation of this premium public Seongmunan, HDC Resort (formerly Oakle Valley) completed the final piece of the 90-hole puzzle, the largest in Korea.
As such, visitors to the site will not only have the pleasure of witnessing the players in action, but will also be able to enjoy the beauty of the course, which is said to have set a new milestone for golf courses in Korea.
Seongmunan is named after the old place name of ‘Seongmun’ because the two huge rock walls are like gates guarding the village.
The fairways are lined with bentgrass and the course has just the right amount of difficulty to keep you on your toes throughout the 18 holes. In short, you’ll feel like you’re on an 18-hole themed golf trip.
Among them, the 9th (par 5), 12th (par 3), and 16th (par 5) holes are expected to be the most competitive.
“If you watch the tournament from the point of view of the golf course strategies and tactics of world-class KLPGA players participating for the first time, you can feel the great charm of the course,” said Lee So-yeon, head of the golf department.
A view of the 12th hole (par 3) 안전놀이터 at Seongmunan CC in Wonju, Gangwon Province. Courtesy of Seongmunan CC
The prize fund for this year’s tournament has increased by 100 million won from last year. The big question mark is whether the tournament will produce its first multiple winners. The tournament has yet to produce a double winner. This is a testament to the great battles that have been fought every year.
All eyes will be on defending champion Jung Yoon-ji (23-NH Investment & Securities). If he succeeds in defending his title for the first time, he will become the first multiple winner in the history of the tournament.
Park Hyun-kyung (23-Korea Land Trust) will be in search of her first win of the season after falling to Sung Yoo-jin (23-Hanwha Q CELLS) at the Doosan Match Play Championship last week for her third runner-up finish of the season. Sung has withdrawn due to a sore thumb.
Choi Hye-jin (24-LOTTE), who plays on the Women’s Professional Golf (LPGA) Tour, will also be competing in a domestic event for the first time in two years and five months. Bang Shin-sil (19-KB Financial Group), who has played in four tournaments and finished in contention for the title on two occasions, will also be looking for her first win of the season.
Lee Jung-min (31-Hanwha Q CELLS), Kim Hae-rim (34-Samcheon-ri), and Choi Gar-ram (31) are returning for the 11th consecutive year. Lee has three top-10 finishes, including a win in 2015.
Park Ji-young (27, Korea Land Trust), Lee Jung-min, Lee Ye-won (20, KB Financial Group), Lee Joo-mi (28, Golden Blue), Choi Eun-woo (28, Amano) and Park Bo-gyeom (25, Ankang E&C) will be looking for their second win of the season.
Yoo So-yeon (34-Medihill) and Bae Jung-eun (38) will be playing as recommended players, while defending champion Kim Bo-kyung (37) will make her first appearance on the regular tour in a long time.
Past winners such as Ji Han-sol (27-Dongbu E&C) and Lee So-young (26-Lotte), as well as Park Min-ji (25-NH Investment & Securities), Kim Soo-ji (27-Dongbu E&C), Ahn Sun-joo (36-National Beef) and Hong Jung-min (21-CJ), are also in the field.
