South Korean superstar Jiyai Shin is set to be a new favourite amongst Australia’s next generation of women professionals after an “incredible gesture” this week.
Fresh off her victory at the ActewAGL Canberra Classic at Royal Canberra Golf Club in February, Shin revealed she is donating all of her winnings to Australian Ladies Professional (ALPG) to put towards its ALPG Next Generation Rookie Camp and other development initiatives.
Shin’s $22,500 cheque is sure to go a long way in the program, a decision she made after spending time with ALPG patron Dawn Fraser, where she learned about the rookie camp and what the ALPG was doing to assist its younger members.
“I love coming to Australia at the beginning of the year. I feel so welcome and everyone I meet is so caring and passionate about women’s golf and growing the game,” says Shin. “I know what it is like to be a young player with a goal to play golf professionally. When I was just starting out and playing in South Korea, I was very lucky to have the support and guidance of some wonderful people. I know that support has helped me have such a wonderful career and I am always thankful for that.
“Every day, I am grateful for what I have been able to do and when I saw and heard what the ALPG is doing for young women players here, I wanted to give my support and give something back.”
ALPG CEO Karen Lunn said she was humbled by Shin’s gesture. “I really can’t thank Jiyai enough not only for this incredible gesture but for the support she gives to ALPG on an annual basis,” says Lunn.
“This exceptional young woman who is a former world number 1, two-time Major winner and winner of 50 international professional tournaments on the world’s major tours all before her 30th birthday, is truly a credit to our sport and all those who play it. Jiyai really is an incredible champion on and off the course and a very humble and generous young woman.”
In January this year, the ALPG held its first Next Generation Rookie Camp at Ballarat Golf Club, with 16 players attending the camp to learn their craft from ALPG stars Shani Waugh, Jennifer Sevil, Julia Boland, Stacey Peters, Cathryn Bristow and Mardi Lunn, along with osteopath Adam Olarenshaw, PGA representative Nick Bielawski and Karrie Webb who skyped in from her home in Florida.”
“The feedback following on from the camp and during our 2018 ALPG Tour has all been incredibly positive about the lessons our members learned and the knowledge they gained at the camp, and to have Jiyai’s support of this initiative is obviously a huge boost,” adds Lunn.
Lunn said when she spoke to Shin to thank her she replied, “Its no problem, I got what I wanted which was the trophy.”
It is no secret that the Korean loves competing in Australia, having won the Australian Open back in 2013, the Ladies Masters in 2016 and now the 2018 ActewAGL Canberra Classic.
Shin currently competes full-time on the lucrative Japan LPGA Tour and enjoys spending time in Australia in her off-season with her trainer, Queensland-based former Olympian Richard Nizielski.
