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Golfzon strikes exclusive deal in China

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By Kim Yoo-chul
  • Published Oct 15, 2015 4:24 pm KST
  • Updated Oct 15, 2015 4:24 pm KST

By Kim Yoo-chul

Jang Sung-won

Golfzon, the country’s leading provider of golf simulators, has agreed with Byron Asset Management (BAM) of China to sell its products.

Under the contract, which is exclusive for Golfzon, the firm will supply 200 golf simulators to BAM over the next two years, from November. BAM will sell the products to cities in south China’s Guangdong Province.

“The agreement comes as BAM sees growth potential in golf simulators,” a Golfzon spokesman said, Thursday. “A growing number of Chinese have higher appetites to experience indoor golf practice. We believe the company’s simulators will match up with such demands.”

Golfzon CEO Jang Sung-won said: “This deal is ‘win-win’ for both. The agreement will pave the way for Golfzon to expand the company’s presence in the Chinese market, which is promising. Golfzon is eying more business opportunities in China.”

Golfzon declined to specify the financial details of the contract.

Established in 2000, Golfzon has indisputable prowess in golf simulators used in “screen golf.” Last year, its annual revenue was some 400 billion won.

It is the country’s dominant player in the screen golf market, supplying equipment to more than 5,500 shops out of an estimated 8,000 screen golf-playing zones here through last year, according to officials.

Golfzon’s gold simulators receive regular updates, with the company investing more to sharpen sensor technology and software. Therefore, its products are more responsive and customized.

Specifically, the spokesman highlighted the fact its VISON-branded gold simulator offers more accurate analysis of hit distance, trajectory and the quality of each club, which helps users systematically to practice golf by themselves.

The spokesman said it spends a sizable amount annually on research and development. As of September, it had 160 patents in the industry, in domestic and overseas markets.

It recently installed its VISION Golfzon Driving Range (GDR) systems at Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 2.