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| Simon Seung-min Lee poses with the trophy after winning the U.S. Adaptive Open at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, July 20, 2022. Yonhap |
By Lee Hyo-jin
Simon Seung-min Lee, a 26-year-old professional golfer with autism, has been appointed as the ambassador of the country club golf course that is owned by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, according to the ministry, Tuesday.
Lee, who lives near the 88 Country Club, located in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, will be offered membership benefits for its outdoor driving range. The ministry-affiliated country club was established in 1988 to raise funds in order to support veterans.
"We will support Lee, who has been pursuing his dreams despite hardships, so that he can practice in a better environment," Vice Minister Yoon Jong-jin said in a written statement.
Lee believes that this will help him pursue his dreams, expressing hope to compete at the 2024 Paris Paralympics if golf is selected as a medal sport. Golf will be featured at the Paris Olympics, but the International Paralympic Committee has yet to announce whether it will include golf in its games.
Lee was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 3 in his childhood. He started his golf career at the age of 14, using the sport as a way to communicate with people.
He secured professional status at the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) trial in 2017 on his sixth attempt, becoming the first player with a developmental disability to do so. In July 2022, the pro golfer won the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open, making history as the first winner of the tournament.
The U.S. Adaptive Open is a championship game for golfers who have a disability of some kind. Hosted by the United States Golf Association (USGA), golfers from 11 countries competed in eight different categories in the inaugural competition. Lee competed in the intellectual impairment category.
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