The Korea Golf Association (KGA) ran a two-day training camp for its 2026 national team and national reserve squad.
Held at the Seoul Olympic Parktel in Songpa-gu, Seoul beginning on the 7th, the program covered mindset and mental training, operational rules, the KGA ranking system, media training, sports human-rights education, anti-doping instruction, the rules of golf, and a session titled "Athletes Who Shine Because They Are Happy."
On the second day, sessions focused on golf-specific training, a biomechanical approach to the golf swing, substance misuse and intake, self-directed injury care, and a guide to putter fitting and selection.
The camp also included a conversation with veteran national team members. Grand Slam champion Inbee Park joined the discussion and told the younger players, "Don't get cocky. Until I turned pro, I thought I could beat anyone. Once I reached the pro tour, I realized the best players from around the world were all there. Confidence is good, but you can't be complacent. You might be the best here, but that might not hold true elsewhere."
Park added, "Don't fear failure. I want you to give everything you've got. Keep challenging yourself and learn from failures — keep going until you run out of things you want to try."
Inbee Park owns 21 career wins on the LPGA Tour, including seven major titles, and she captured the gold medal in the women's event at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She currently represents the KGA as a director and member of the International Golf Federation's administrative committee.
The 2026 national team and reserve squad were chosen via the KGA ranking system. The national team comprises six men and six women, while the reserve squad includes ten men and ten women. The men's national team members are Kang Seung-gu (2nd-year, Namseong High School), Kim Min-su (3rd-year, Howon High School-affiliated correspondence program), Park Geon-woong (1st-year, Korea National Sport University), Son Je-i (1st-year, Dongnae High School-affiliated correspondence program), An Hae-cheon (2nd-year, Korea National Sport University), and Yoo Min-hyeok (3rd-year, Seogang High School). The women's national team members are Koo Min-ji (1st-year, Korea National Sport University), Kim Gyu-bin (2nd-year, Haksan Girls' High School), Park Seo-jin (3rd-year, Seomun Girls' High School), Yang Yun-seo (3rd-year, Incheon Girls' High School-affiliated correspondence program), Oh Soo-min (3rd-year, Sinseong High School), and Yoon Gyu-ri (1st-year, Haksan Girls' High School).
Reporter Oh Hak-yeol kungkung5@viva100.com
