President Park Geun-hye poses for a photo with professional golfers at Songdo Convensia convention center in Incheon on Oct. 7. She is the Honorary Chairman of the Presidents Cup golf competition this year.
The opening ceremony for the Presidents Cup 2015 was held on Oct. 7 at Songdo Convensia convention center in Incheon, the first time for the international golfing competition to take place in Asia. President Park Geun-hye attended the ceremony and will act as the Honorary Chairman for the competition this year.
During the ceremony, the president said, “I want to say, ‘Welcome to Korea,’ to the best golfers in the world, their families, golf fans and officials. This contest started in 1994 and has since become the greatest international golf tournament, with higher athletic performances and a great series of matches. Finally, it is quite significant that proceeds from this contest will be given to charities from around the world.”
President Park Geun-hye, Honorary Chairman of this year’s Presidents Cup, delivers the congratulatory address during the opening ceremony of the Presidents Cup 2015 at the Incheon Songdo Convensia convention center on Oct. 7.
During her speech, the president said, “Incheon is a historic site where we defended freedom and democracy with Operation Chromite during the Korean War. I’ve heard that some of the players are from countries that fought in the Korean War and that helped us. This makes me overflow with emotion. Also I hope that this contest can give a peaceful and harmonious message to the world, beyond simply being the best golf contest in the world.”
Former U.S. President George W. Bush, Professional Golfers’ Association of America Commissioner Tim Finchem, Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Chong, Incheon City Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok and about 2,700 other people attended the opening ceremony.
President Park Geun-hye receives applause from players and officials during the opening ceremony of the Presidents Cup 2015 at Songdo Convensia convention center in Incheon on Oct. 7.
The Presidents Cup is hosted by PGA Tour. Each of the two teams is composed of 12 players. One team is from the U.S. and the International Team represents the rest of the world, ex-Europe. There are 30 matches this year, including foursomes, four-balls and singles. The total score then determines the winning team. Foursomes see golfers competing in teams of two, each team using one ball. Four-balls consist of two teams of two golfers each competing directly against each other, with four golf balls in play.
Thailand and India are joining the contest for the first time this year, and the U.S., Korea, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Japan are returning to the green, giving us champions from eight countries competing for the cup.
The matches will be played at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Songdo, one of the top golf courses in the world. The green is fast yet not easy, and there are par-4 holes where power hitters can get on the green with their tee shot. It looks to be the most interesting Presidents Cup ever.
By. Jeon Han, Gu kyeong-ah
Korea.net Staff Writers
Photos: Cheong Wa Dae
hanjeon@korea.kr
President Park Geun-hye poses for a picture with golfers and officials during the opening ceremony of the Presidents Cup 2015 on Oct. 7.
President Park Geun-hye greets former U.S. President George W. Bush during the opening ceremony of the Presidents Cup 2015 on Oct. 7.
