The Asia Professional Golf Association, a private organization dedicated to developing golf instructors, has selected its inaugural class of APGA professionals through an evaluation that assessed not only playing ability but also specialized knowledge and coaching skills.
APGA said Wednesday that about 100 candidates took part in the first round of practical tests, conducted in partnership with the Korea Golf Industry Evaluation Institute, with 19 advancing. Those who passed then completed 60 hours of professional training before sitting written and oral examinations. The final evaluation was scored out of 1,000 points — 650 for practical performance and 350 for the written, oral and interview components.
In the men's division, Shin Seung-cheol topped the rankings with 943 points, followed by Ko Myeong-yong with 934. In the women's division, Kim Ha-eun placed first with 932 points and Kim Ye-ji second with 926.
APGA plans to hold its second pro selection test on Nov. 27 at Dongwon Sun Valley in Gangwon Province.
"A professional should not simply be someone who plays golf well, but an expert who combines specialized knowledge, coaching ability and a sense of responsibility," APGA President Jo Sang-hyeon said.
yjc@heraldcorp.com
