Chun In-gee displays warm heart through sharing

Chun In-gee displays warm heart through sharing. December. 21, 2016 07:02. by Jong-Seok Kim, Bo-Mi Im kjs0123@donga.com,bom@donga.com. Chun In-gee (22), the LPGA Rookie of the Year for 2016, is still as busy as a bee even though this year’s golf season is over.

A senior at the department of international sports science at Korea University, Chun will graduate from the school in February next year. “I have been completely tied up these days. I have to do study that I put off due to participation in overseas tours, and take the final exam," she said. "I will finish my final exam with a sports Japanese test tomorrow, and I have mixed feelings of freedom and sadness. My friends helped me out a lot.”

Since Chun had to take the "athletic learning and psychology" test on Tuesday, she was late for a ceremony to pledge her 100 million-won (84,000 U.S. dollars) donation, which took place at Korea University. Her donation will be operated as a fund for the "Social Contribution Program with Chun In-gee." After graduating from Korea University, Chun also plans to share ideas on volunteer service with the university’s students, select beneficiaries from among the underprivileged, including children, teenagers, senior citizens and handicapped people, and provide assistance. "Flying Dumbo," her fan club with about 9,000 members, will also join a fundraising campaign for the fund.

Chun has been making donations to the Beautiful Foundation and her alma mater Hampyeong Golf High School every year. “I have agonized over how to make donations. I have sought a way through which I can take part in person, and that is sustainable rather than a one-off event," Chun said. "Even if I have to skip competitions, I will come to Korea and join my fans to participate in volunteer activities.”

Chun announced her plan to take on new challenge in the LPGA amid high expectations around this time of the year last year. Unknowingly, she has now emerged as an ace player of the Korean female golf community. She won the Evian Championship with the fewest par ever, and acquired not only the LPGA Rookie of the Year award but also the Bear Trophy (fewest par prize). She saw her world ranking to hit No. 3, the highest among the Korean golfers.

Chun stopped by a golf driving range for the first time in more than a month on Tuesday, and lightly warmed up her body. On January 3, she will leave for Orlando, Florida, where she will start training to prepare for the 2017 season. “My biggest wish in the New Year is to stay healthy and not to fall ill," Chun said. "Only then will I be able to make strides. Please root for me."