Golfzon County Leads South Korea's Corporate Golf Course Ownership | Be Korea-savvy

Golfzon County Leads South Korea’s Corporate Golf Course Ownership


Golfzon County expanded its operations to 19 golf courses nationwide after acquiring Eagle Mont CC in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, in November of last year. The company now manages six courses in the Gyeonggi and Chungcheong regions, seven in Gyeongsang, five in Jeolla, and one in Jeju. The photo shows a scenic view of a golf course operated by Golfzon County. (Image courtesy of Golfzon County)

Golfzon County expanded its operations to 19 golf courses nationwide after acquiring Eagle Mont CC in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, in November of last year. The company now manages six courses in the Gyeonggi and Chungcheong regions, seven in Gyeongsang, five in Jeolla, and one in Jeju. The photo shows a scenic view of a golf course operated by Golfzon County. (Image courtesy of Golfzon County)

SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Korea Bizwire) Golfzon County has emerged as the largest corporate owner of golf courses in South Korea, according to a report released on January 20 by the YouTube channel Leisure White Paper TV, operated by the Korea Leisure Industry Research Institute.

The company owns 15 golf courses and manages an additional four on a consignment basis, totaling 19 courses with 441 holes. This accounts for 4.1% of the nation’s 10,847 golf holes.

The rankings, based on data from the Fair Trade Commission’s 2024 report on designated corporate groups, reveal that Samsung holds the second-largest portfolio with eight courses comprising 162 holes.

Its properties include exclusive membership courses such as Anyang, Dongrae, and Gapyeong Benest, as well as public courses like Glenross and Lake Side Country Club, which Samsung acquired in 2014.

Shinan Group follows with ownership of five courses, including Riviera and Green Hill, totaling 144 holes. Among major conglomerates, Samsung, Booyoung, Hanwha, and GS lead in golf course holdings. Booyoung Group, ranked fourth overall, owns six courses with 126 holes, including Jeju Booyoung and Muju Deogyusan.

In total, 32 large conglomerates collectively own 87 golf courses across the country. The Seoul metropolitan area hosts the largest share, equivalent to 36.9 18-hole courses, followed by Gangwon Province with 18.5 and Jeju Island with 14.8.

The report also highlights a significant increase in green fees at corporate-owned membership courses. Between 2020 and 2024, fees rose by an average of 25.1% on weekdays, exceeding the overall membership course average increase of 21.3%.

Seo Cheon-beom, head of the Korea Leisure Industry Research Institute, commented on the findings, stating, “Owning a golf course offers excellent business utility and profitability, making them highly sought after by both large corporations and mid-sized firms.

However, it is concerning that corporate-owned membership courses, with their heightened social responsibility, have increased fees more sharply than the industry average.”

The report underscores both the lucrative appeal and ethical considerations surrounding corporate ownership of golf courses in South Korea’s growing leisure industry. 

Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com

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