[Interview] Olympic men’s golf team coach Choi Kyung-ju

[Interview] Olympic men’s golf team coach Choi Kyung-ju. August. 11, 2016 06:57. by 리우데자네이루=이헌재 기자uni@donga.com. Choi Kyung-ju, the men’s national golf team coach for the 2016 Rio Olympics, was wearing a cap with the word "Korea" on it when the Dong-A Ilbo journalist team met him on the Olympic golf course in Rio on Wednesday. Golf has become an Olympic sport again in 112 years. “Six years ago, I made my own cap with a Korean flag on it. This time, I am wearing a cap that says ‘Korea’ as the coach who leads the national team," Choi said. "Perhaps that is why this cap feels particularly heavy today.”

His love for the nation is evident in his daily life, as he would draw the Korean national flag in his shoes and golf bag for tour matches.

As Choi was appointed as the national team coach early this year, he pledged that he would make his utmost effort for the team to achieve good results. That is why he went to Brazil days earlier than the players in order to check the courses, weather and wind there. For two days in a row, he was with two players, Ahn Byung-hoon (25, CJ) and Wang Jung-hoon, in a field for their practice, sharing his skills and experience.

As Choi is still playing in the PGA, Ahn and Wang could be his competitors. “Think about the situation of Korean male golfers. We do not participate in as many competitions as Korean female golfers and we receive much less recognition," Choi said. "This Olympics is a good opportunity to change that. We need top players such as Ahn and Wang to get good scores in the Olympics.”

Choi has built a high reputation in the PGA Tour, and players from other countries recognized and greeted him while passing by.

“When the group arrangement was finished yesterday, I introduced Ahn to Adilson da Silva (Brazil) who is in same Group 1 as Ahn. I told Silva, ‘You are older than Ahn, so please take care of him,' and he said ‘Okay, don’t worry’,” the coach said with a smile. “There are some mean foreign golfers who look down on and sometimes bully their opponents. Inexperienced players such as Ahn and Wang might not be able to display their full capability if playing with such bad-mannered competitors. However, I will make sure that they would not be bothered by any one.”

Choi brought abalone to Brazil from his home town, Wando, in South Jeolla Province, where abalones are its special product. “I ate some abalones and it took effect. I felt more energetic and my stomach was more comfortable," he said. "The players also each ate three of them today and asked for more. Most of all, they liked eating something from their home country that cannot be found here." The first men’s golf match commences at 7:30 pm on Thursday.