'Professional Baseball Halted by Heatwave,' KLPGA Also Takes Action: Jeju Samdasoo Masters Special Measures for Heat-Related Illnesses

*This content was translated by AI.

A scorching heatwave has brought professional baseball to a standstill across the Korean Peninsula. The Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) has also implemented special countermeasures.

On the 6th, KLPGA announced that it has prepared for summer tournaments by pre-distributing 'Professional Golf Safety Manuals' and 'Heatwave Response Manuals' to tournament officials, designating safety management responsible persons for each event, establishing emergency contact networks, and operating response systems to prevent heat-related illnesses caused by extreme heat.

KLPGA is working closely with Jeju Development Corporation, the sponsor of this year's tournament, to ensure the safe operation of the '13th Jeju Samdasoo Masters.'

Jeju is currently forecasted to reach a high temperature of around 33°C, which is about 4–5 degrees lower than inland areas such as Seoul, indicating relatively favorable weather conditions. However, given the recent succession of extreme weather events including heatwaves, KLPGA and Jeju Development Corporation have thoroughly prepared proactive heatwave prevention measures to respond flexibly to various situations.

First, to prevent heat-related illnesses among players, iceboxes are placed at every hole on the course, providing ice water and ice continuously. Additionally, support measures such as distributing ice packs and glucose to players are being implemented to prevent physical exhaustion and heat-related illnesses during matches.

Heatwave response facilities for gallery spectators have also been installed throughout the course. Three Mongolian-style tent shelters for gallery evacuation are operating at various locations on the course. Ice water is provided at key points including the start plaza, 1st and 10th tees, and gallery shelters. The plaza operates a first aid room with air coolers and stocks glucose. Furthermore, automatic mist spray systems have been installed at the 1st tee entrance path, 10th tee, and plaza—areas where gallery movement is frequent—to lower the perceived temperature.

Medical response systems have been strengthened to enable rapid action in emergency situations. A total of six medical personnel are organized into two teams, with separate assignments for player support and gallery support. In case of heat-related illness or other patients, a step-by-step response system is activated, starting from the first discoverer, moving through zone supervisors, the general situation room, safety management responsible persons, and finally connecting to medical services, police, and fire departments.

Continuous monitoring of on-site conditions has also been enhanced. Tournament officials, along with broadcast staff and recorders, regularly share any unusual occurrences on the course. Tournament officials report course conditions via radio at every hour to continuously check for abnormal signs caused by heatwaves and respond immediately if necessary.

In addition, when a heatwave warning is issued, KLPGA will send real-time text messages to players with weather updates and safety instructions. The association will also continuously disseminate heat-related illness prevention guidelines using LED screens at registration areas and scoreboards throughout the course as part of ongoing preventive activities.

KLPGA stated, "We will prioritize the safety of not only players but also gallery spectators and tournament officials who visit the venue. We will operate a detailed step-by-step safety management system from pre-event prevention to on-site monitoring and emergency response, striving to ensure a safe tournament."

Going forward, KLPGA plans to continuously monitor weather conditions during tournament periods and promptly implement safety measures as needed to fully secure the safety of players and gallery spectators.

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*This content was translated by AI.