Golfzon Group said on the 31st that Chair Kim Young-chan, 79, donated about 45 million won this year to the Yuwon Golf Foundation as a "birdie fund."
Kim and his family donated 300,000 won for every birdie (one stroke under par) and 1 million won for every eagle (two strokes under par) or age shoot (an 18-hole score equal to or lower than one's age) made during their golf rounds over the past year. Kim has been making donations in this unique way for six years since 2020. The cumulative donation amount has reached 300 million won.
This year the Yuwon Golf Foundation expanded its "Hope Tree scholarship"—which provides 12 million won annually to one promising golf prospect—to four recipients. Accordingly, for 2026, players Kim Seo-ah, Jang Ha-eun, Kang Ju-won, and Yoon Tae-ung were selected as Hope Tree scholars.
Founded in 2015 with Kim's personal funds, the Yuwon Golf Foundation runs various support programs, including the "youth academic excellence scholarship," the "golf dream tree scholarship," and "support for expanding international amateur tournament experience." With the foundation's support, players such as Sung Yu-jin, Jang Yu-bin, Lee Jae-young, and Choi Hye-jin grew into well-known professional golfers and later delivered donations to the Yuwon Golf Foundation to help the development and training of their amateur junior players.
Golfzon Group, established by Kim in May 2000, marked its 25th anniversary this year. The company now operates businesses beyond screen golf, including ◇ golf course operations ◇ golf equipment distribution ◇ GDR Academy ◇ golf platforms. In 2024, it first unveiled the urban hybrid golf course "City Golf" in Tianjin, China, followed by opening a second location in Yanji this year. City Golf plans to participate in the PGA Show in January next year to seek various local partners.