Page 12 - Golf Champion - August 2022

[FROM THE PUBLISHER]

WHAT I REGRET AND MISSED NOT ATTENDING

AT THE U.S ADAPTIVE OPEN

미국 골프협회 장애우 골프대회에 후회

Publisher Kyu Yang
발행인 양규철

oday I decided to write an apology for I wasn't really paying attention to the society.
Tnot attending the U.S Adaptive Open. A few years ago, my younger brother, who
This is my regret for not attending the was healthy, suffered from a disability in
U.S Adaptive Open even with the sincere one arm and one leg due to stroke, I finally
request from Yang Chan-Guk, who is a broke down the wall of prejudice.
senior golf instructor Yang Chan-guk from Seeing the fact that such difficulties can come
South Korea. to anyone at any time, I reflected on my thoughts.
I know how much he worked to raise funds for the
players’ participation expenses. The appearance of players playing golf with one hand
After a company that promised support withdrew as the with an uncomfortable body or playing with prosthetic
sponsor, Mr. Yang raised funds from his acquaintances legs or a wheelchair is very moving in itself, regardless of
and contacted me for an interview at the event. I feel their performance.
deeply sorry for the excuses of working on other events USGA used the word 'Adaptive' instead of 'Disabled' for
and businesses. the title of the tournament.
I am ashamed of myself because I couldn't go to the U.S Instead of the negative meaning of 'can't do it', the word
Adaptive Open while I travelled to the LIV Golf, which is 'adaptive' was chosen as the title to help people with
a feast for the money in Saudi Arabia, the PGA Tour, and disabilities understand and I didn’t understand the term
the LPGA tournaments as media. at first.
They say “I think it will become more popular with the
The 1st U.S Adaptive Open, newly established by USGA, public by using this expression in a more positive sense
has successfully ended. at the U.S Adaptive Open this time.”
The first champion is Seung-Min Lee, who is also a Disability is not a criterion that separates normal from
member of the Korean men's Professional Golf, and he abnormal, but an expression of different.
has autism spectrum disorder. I want to give a big round of applause to USGA because I
Although not many players participated, I think that think it is truly a social practice and a right sports spirit
USGA held an official tournament for golfers with based on a more outstanding change of consciousness.
disabilities that reflects the spirit of America and sports. Mr. Yang,
A long time ago, I met a Canadian who played golf with For the next year's tournament, I promise that I will attend
only one arm at a Palm Springs golf course. the event and deliver a message of hope to everyone with
And at many golf courses, I have seen golfers with disabilities by taking pictures of their powerful tee shots
prosthetic legs or prosthetics playing golf. and conveying their emotions in writing.
Of course, they did take some time and delay, but they
finish 18 holes and I admired their courage and the 는 오늘 미국 장애우 골프 대회에 대하여 사죄를 구하는
society that created the conditions for them to play. 나글을 쓰기로 마음 먹었다.
At the PGA Tour Shriner Children's Hospital Golf 한국에서 활동하시는 원로 골프지도자 양찬국 프로님께서 여
Tournament, children with prosthetic legs, or 러모로 마음을 쓰고 동분서주하시며 취재와 후원을 부탁하셨
wheelchairs, came to the event, held scoreboards, or 던 미국 골프협회 장애우 골프대회에 취재를 못간 것에 대한 회
watched as volunteers throughout the course. 환이다.
선수들의 출전경비를 모금 하기 위해 애쓰시면서 노심초사하셨

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