A group of four Korean teen golfers, with their coach, has opted to train in Fiji as they chase for a career in professional golf.

In order to accomplish their educational curriculums together with their training, they are currently attending Nadi Airport School and Ratu Navula College.

Ratu Navula College Year 12 student Jieun Lee has decided to propel her path in Fiji because of its blessed geographical condition.

“Practical training is the most important part, the more you practice the more progress you make,” Jieun told SUNsports.

“Fiji has not many restrictions climatically when compared to other countries, where in winter I can’t have field training which is crucial. Here, I can train outdoor 24/7.”

They are at the dominating stage of the local junior golf competitions and are proceeding internationally as well.

The other three students are Gaeun Lee, Gain Lee and Jiyong Son.

Recently they were able to win medals at a Golf Junior tournament, in Australia, in the Under-12 and U18 categories.

“The final goal is to pull my players up to the world-class level,” said coach Hyungju Yi.

The golf team belong to Edupia Fiji Limited- an educational centre for Korean students in Nadi.

“Bringing in foreign sporting players for training should be taken into account as it helps in the growth of the economy.

“Once a player decides to train, he or she stays in Fiji for longer period than the usual tourists do. Hence, even if it may be in a smaller number, economical contribution of a single sports player can cover that of numerous common tourists.”

Meanwhile, Edupia is pioneering this form of tourism so that it is not only reaching out to the Korean students in the educational sector but in sports as well.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

litia.tikomailepanoni@fijisun.com.fj