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KPGA players praise Teddy Valley course at season-ending Jeju championship

by
Chough Yong-jik
Published : Nov. 8, 2026 - 11:51:44
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Wang Jeong-hun, Kang Gyeong-nam call conditions and layout 'outstanding'

Overseeding keeps turf in top shape for second consecutive season finale

A view of the 4th hole at the KPGA Tour Championship in Jeju, with Sambangsan in the background.
A view of the 4th hole at the KPGA Tour Championship in Jeju, with Sambangsan in the background.

Teddy Valley Golf & Resort in Jeju, the venue for the final event of the 2026 KPGA Tour season, is drawing high praise from players for maintaining excellent turf conditions deep into autumn while also testing their accuracy and course-management skills.

The KPGA Tour Championship in Jeju — played on the Valley and Teddy courses (par 72, 7,332 yards) at Teddy Valley Golf & Resort in Seogwipo, Jeju, from Thursday through Sunday — is the season-closing event, carrying a purse of 1.1 billion won ($820,000). Teddy Valley is hosting the season finale for the second consecutive year.

Wang Jeong-hun, who shared the first-round lead, said the course was in superb shape. "The course conditions and layout are just beautiful. The greens are clean and the turf suits my game perfectly," Wang said. "I personally prefer tighter setups, and there are a few holes here with narrow fairways that really separate the field."

Kang Gyeong-nam, competing in the event for the second straight year, also offered praise. "Tournaments in November are not easy to set up, but the greens here at Teddy Valley are immaculate and the fairways are in great condition," Kang said. "The rough is a little short because it's late autumn, but this course doesn't just favor big hitters — there are plenty of holes that demand precision."

Kang Gyeong-nam plays from the fairway at the KPGA Tour Championship in Jeju, which got underway Thursday.
Kang Gyeong-nam plays from the fairway at the KPGA Tour Championship in Jeju, which got underway Thursday.

Teddy Valley maintains its turf quality through late autumn by using an overseeding technique. The course uses Bermuda grass as its base — a variety that tolerates summer heat well — and each September oversows it with cold-resistant ryegrass. The method compensates for Bermuda grass's tendency to turn yellow as temperatures drop.

All 18 holes are designed so that players can see the pin position from the tee box. With no blind holes and several fairways that narrow considerably, the layout demands precise shot-making and strategic course management.

Teddy Valley signed a five-year agreement with the Korea Professional Golf Tour to host the Tour Championship through 2029. This year, as in previous years, the resort coordinated course setup with tournament organizers ahead of the event.


yjc@heraldcorp.com
This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.

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