Editors: For a photo of PGA Master Professional Dr. Eric Chun, click here.
FRISCO, Texas – PGA of America Golf Professional Dr. Eric Chun, the CEO of Opus 18, a high-end golf training center near Atlanta, has earned PGA Master Professional Status, the highest educational designation a PGA of America Member can obtain.
The Association comprises more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals, and Chun, a Member of the Georgia PGA Section, joins a special group as the 450th to earn Master Professional status. He achieved his designation in Teaching and Coaching.
The PGA Master Professional Program is available to those with at least 10 years of PGA of America Membership along with having achieved advanced certification through the PGA Specialized and Certified Professional Programs. The curriculum includes an extensive project based on the specific certification previously acquired by the PGA of America Golf Professional. PGA Master Professional status is earned upon successful completion of the project’s presentation.
The program was established in 1969 to recognize PGA of America Members who make a significant effort to improve as golf professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their operations. The curriculum is designed to ensure golf professionals are prepared to meet the growing demands of the marketplace within the Executive Management, Golf Operations and Teaching and Coaching Designations.
“I’ve been involved in the golf industry for almost 30 years now,” said Chun, who received a doctorate degree in Sports Science from South Korea in 2021. “I don’t see becoming a PGA Master Professional as the end, this is a whole new beginning, another chapter in my career. I’m extremely honored to be a part of this group of elite, accomplished professionals and will use this opportunity to inspire others to do the same.”
Chun, born in South Korea, moved to the United States in 1988 and began his professional journey in the golf industry in 1996 at Clearview Park Golf Course in Bayside, New York, as the Head Golf Professional. In 2000, he earned his PGA of America Membership while working at Countryside Country Club in Clearwater, Florida. In 2001, he was invited to join South Korean Golf TV channel SBS Golf to produce golf educational content. Since then, he has produced, commentated and directed over 900 episodes of golf television programs, introducing numerous golf legends and PGA of America Golf Professionals such as Bob Toski, Jim McLean, David Leadbetter, Annika Sorenstam and more to Korean and Asian golfers.
In 2021, he returned to the United States and served as the Director of Golf at Paragon Golf Center in Duluth, Georgia. Opus 18, his new golf training center fully equipped with world-class 3D motion and club sensors powered by Gears Golf, is set to open by the end of 2024. For more information, visit opuseighteen.com and gearssports.com.
Chun resides in the Atlanta metropolitan area. His daughter, Youngin Chun competed on the LPGA Tour for six seasons starting in 2019 and is now starting her journey to become a PGA of America Member.
About the PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Media Contacts
Jesse Dodson, PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com
Jared Minski, Mastro Communications, jared@mastrocomm.com
