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| Photo provided by the Didimdol Foundation |
The Didimdol Foundation, a public interest organization chaired by Choi Deung-gyu, announced on March 9 that it will conduct the fully-funded social program "2026 CLUBD Dreams" three times this year. The initiative is sponsored by YIDO, an AI infrastructure company led by CEO Choi Jeong-hoon, and Hangang Asset Management, a firm specializing in alternative infrastructure and real estate investments.
This year's program will be held simultaneously at four prestigious golf courses across the country. These include three ClubD courses: ClubD Boeun (18 holes) in Chungbuk, ClubD The Players (27 holes) in Chuncheon, and ClubD Geochang (27 holes) in Gyeongnam. The fourth venue is the renowned Paju Seowon Valley Country Club (45 holes), recognized as one of Korea's top 10 golf courses.
Each course will select 10 students per cohort, resulting in 40 participants per cohort and a total of 120 students across three cohorts annually. Registration for the first cohort of the year, the 13th overall, is open from March 9 to April 6. The training program will take place over eight weekend sessions from May 2 to May 24.
The CLUBD Dreams program aims to provide the next generation with sports-based educational experiences, fostering a spirit of challenge and instilling sound values to help young people develop into well-rounded athletes.
The program is open to elementary and middle school students who are interested in learning golf or aspire to become professional players. All tuition costs are covered. Participants are divided into three levels based on their experience: Level 1 for beginners, Level 2 for those with some golf experience, and Level 3 (Elite) for students registered with the Korea Golf Association (KGA).
Levels 1 and 2 focus on teaching golf rules and etiquette, basic on-course skills, and various game formats suitable for beginners. These levels also include programs designed to enhance emotional well-being and self-confidence through sports activities. The Level 3 elite track offers more advanced training, including on-course rounds, shot-data analysis, technical assessments, mental game strategies, and personalized feedback for improvement. This year, the foundation is also introducing a new program to expand access for students who may have difficulty visiting golf courses regularly.
A significant addition to this year's program is the participation of golf icon Inbee Park. Park's illustrious career includes 27 professional wins, with 21 on the LPGA Tour. She held the women's world No. 1 ranking for a record 59 consecutive weeks and 106 weeks in total.
Park's achievements, including her Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016 and her status as the youngest inductee into the LPGA Hall of Fame, solidify her position as one of the greatest players in Korean golf history. Drawing from her extensive experience, Park will conduct lessons and engage in games with the young golfers, sharing invaluable insights. The program will also feature KLPGA and KPGA professionals as coaches.
Global golf brand FootJoy has joined the initiative as a sponsor, signing an agreement with the Didimdol Foundation to provide apparel to the foundation's students, ensuring they have a stable training environment.
Since its inception in 2022, the CLUBD Dreams program has produced 550 graduates. With this year's sessions, the total number of alumni is expected to reach approximately 670. Many program graduates have gone on to join national teams, national reserves, and junior reserve squads.
YIDO CEO Choi Jeong-hoon expressed his hopes for the program, stating, "We envision CLUBD Dreams as a launching pad to the global stage. Our goal is to nurture that initial excitement when kids first pick up a club into the driving force that propels them to become future champions."
Yeo Ji-ye, executive director of the Didimdol Foundation, emphasized the program's broader impact: "CLUBD Dreams extends beyond golf instruction. It's about helping kids experience the value of challenge and personal growth. We are committed to expanding our support to enable more children to pursue their dreams."
For more information on program applications and details, interested parties can visit the Didimdol Foundation website.
[Sports Today reporter Lee Sang-pil sports@stoo.com]
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