Frisco, Texas, United States: PGA of America Golf Professional Dr Eric Chun, the CEO of Opus 18, a high-end golf training centre near Atlanta, has earned PGA Master Professional status, the highest educational designation a PGA of America Member can obtain.

The Association comprises more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals, and Chun, a Member of the Georgia PGA Section, joins a special group as the 450th to earn Master Professional status. He achieved his designation in Teaching and Coaching.

The PGA Master Professional Programme is available to those with at least 10 years of PGA of America membership along with having achieved advanced certification through the PGA Specialised and Certified Professional Programmes.

The curriculum includes an extensive project based on the specific certification previously acquired by the PGA of America Golf Professional. PGA Master Professional status is earned upon successful completion of the project’s presentation.

The programme was established in 1969 to recognise PGA of America Members who make a significant effort to improve as golf professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their operations.

The curriculum is designed to ensure golf professionals are prepared to meet the growing demands of the marketplace within the Executive Management, Golf Operations and Teaching and Coaching Designations.

“I’ve been involved in the golf industry for almost 30 years now,” said Chun, who received a doctorate degree in Sports Science from Korea in 2021.

He added: “I don’t see becoming a PGA Master Professional as the end, this is a whole new beginning, another chapter in my career. I’m extremely honoured to be a part of this group of elite, accomplished professionals and will use this opportunity to inspire others to do the same.”

Born in Korea, Chun moved to the United States in 1988 and began his professional journey in the golf industry in 1996 at Clearview Park Golf Course in Bayside, New York, as the Head Golf Professional.

In 2000, he earned his PGA of America Membership while working at Countryside Country Club in Clearwater, Florida. In 2001, he was invited to join Korean Golf TV channel SBS Golf to produce golf educational content.

Since then, he has produced, commentated and directed over 900 episodes of golf television programmes, introducing numerous golf legends and PGA of America Golf Professionals such as Bob Toski, Jim McLean, David Leadbetter, Annika Sorenstam and more to Korean and Asian golfers.

In 2021, he returned to the United States and served as Director of Golf at Paragon Golf Centre in Duluth, Georgia.

Opus 18, his new golf training centre, equipped with 3D motion and club sensors powered by Gears Golf, is set to open by the end of 2024.

Chun resides in the Atlanta metropolitan area. His daughter, Chun Young-in, has competed on the LPGA Tour and is now starting her journey to become a PGA of America Member.

*The PGA of America is an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.