In a groundbreaking display of skill and sportsmanship, Korean golfer Soo Yeon Kim has made a remarkable debut in Season 3 of the UAE’s Ultimate Golf Challenge. Competing for team Meteora Magicians at Abu Dhabi’s challenging Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Kim demonstrated exceptional prowess by scoring 27 Stableford points individually while helping her ten-player squad achieve 247 points, positioning them second behind Noble Legace Masters after the opening round.
Kim’s participation represents a significant milestone in the traditionally male-dominated corporate golf league, which features 160 players across 10 teams competing in 350 rounds over four days. Rather than being intimidated by the gender imbalance, Kim has embraced the competition as both a motivational opportunity and a chance to showcase women’s capabilities in professional golf.
‘From a performance perspective, it’s a great source of motivation,’ Kim noted. ‘The obvious differences in driving distance and aggressive shot-making help me identify my strengths and weaknesses more clearly, which drives me to practice even harder.’
What distinguishes Kim’s experience in the UGC is the unique team dynamic that contrasts sharply with individual tournaments. She emphasized the exceptional camaraderie among teammates including Russel Yeomans, Praveen Sharma, and Chris Cahill, highlighting how players genuinely celebrate each other’s successes while providing support through mistakes.
‘The team environment creates a strong sense of camaraderie that I find personally very rewarding as a female golfer,’ Kim explained. ‘I love the atmosphere of cheering for each other’s shots and reassuring teammates when they make errors.’
Beyond her competitive achievements, Kim hopes her presence will inspire other women to participate in team golf events. With infectious enthusiasm, she expressed: ‘Above all, I hope that the way I carry myself on the course can give other women a nudge to think, ‘Maybe I should try a team event too.’ If I can play even a small part in that, I’d be very happy.’
Kim’s debut performance demonstrates that positivity, teamwork, and determination are equally as valuable as technical skills in competitive golf, marking the beginning of what promises to be a memorable journey in the UAE’s innovative team golf league.