'Tiger Golf' Kim Sang-yeol, Kang So-yul, and others appointed as first batch of 'KPGA BIRDIES'... Aiming to expand fan engagement

*This content was translated by AI.

Popular golf YouTubers, including Kim Sang-yeol, well known as 'Tiger Golf,' have been given a special mission to increase the connection between fans and Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA).

KPGA held the appointment ceremony on the 19th on the 10th floor of the KPGA Building in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. At the event, the seven selected BIRDIES members were officially appointed, and activity guidelines and operational directions were shared.

On this day, KPGA held the appointment ceremony for the first batch of its official influencer program 'KPGA BIRDIES' and began full-scale activities with official partners who will convey vivid stories from the tour sites.

KPGA BIRDIES is an official influencer program designed to enhance the brand value of the tour and attract a young fan base in their 20s and 30s. KPGA created the program with the intention of spreading on-site content such as practice rounds, atmosphere at competition venues, and player interviews in a more approachable and stylish manner through collaboration with golf creators.

The name 'KPGA BIRDIES' was finalized after a vote by association staff and employees. In the naming vote, 'KPGA BIRDIES' ranked first with 123 points (25.8%), carrying a cooperative meaning of 'partners who create good scores together with KPGA.'

During the selection process, applicants were comprehensively evaluated based on reach (40%), content quality and planning ability (30%), expertise in the golf field (20%), and willingness to cooperate with KPGA (10%). Eligibility required golf creators to have at least 30,000 YouTube subscribers or 10,000 Instagram followers. The selected BIRDIES members will produce and post at least three pieces of KPGA-related content per month through their personal SNS channels going forward.

A total of seven members were appointed as the first batch of KPGA BIRDIES. The group includes influencers from a professional background, on-site golf creators, and lifestyle-based content producers, and is expected to convey the diverse charms of the KPGA tour in a three-dimensional manner.

Kim Sang-yeol, a former badminton player who captured the attention of many amateur golfers with his uniquely smooth swing, also challenged the professional test and became a YouTuber who joined KPGA. He holds 172,000 YouTube subscribers and 339,000 Instagram followers.

Kim Sang-yeol stated, "I will strive to effectively convey the competitiveness and on-site energy of the KPGA tour to more fans," and added, "I plan to build a dynamic tour culture that the MZ generation will love by combining in-depth data-based analysis with hip visual aesthetics."

Kang So-yul, a full member of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA), has been evaluated as possessing both expertise and public appeal, with 134,000 YouTube subscribers and 56,000 Instagram followers, based on her tour experience and lesson background.

In addition, golf influencer Park Seul-ki with 30,000 Instagram followers, KPGA tour pro Ahn Baek-jun, golf creator Oh Se-in, golf pilates instructor Jung Ji-yeon, and Jo Eun-ju, who showed growth potential based on her experience in golf-related external activities, were selected, totaling seven members.

Park Seul-ki said, "I want to contribute to the 2030 generation naturally accessing and enjoying the KPGA tour," and added, "I want to leave information-based content with expertise to professionals and make golf, a healing sport, into more approachable content from the perspective of amateurs only."

KPGA President Kim Won-seop said, "KPGA BIRDIES is a new communication channel that connects the tour and fans more closely," and added, "I expect BIRDIES members, each with their own personality and capabilities, to convey the on-site feel of the KPGA tour and the charm of the players more vividly. KPGA will also actively support efforts to expand connections with young fans and enhance the brand value of the tour."

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*This content was translated by AI.