Accessibility has been at the heart of GOLFZON since its founding. More than 25 years ago, Chairman Kim Young-Chan established the company with a vision that anyone should be able to play golf, anywhere.
Today, that vision has grown into a global community spanning more than 60 countries, with over 13,000 locations worldwide and more than 100 million rounds played annually on GOLFZON simulators.
That same philosophy continues to guide GOLFZON America CEO Sean Pyun, whose commitment to expanding access to golf is reflected in the company’s partnership with First Tee of Greater Charleston. Through a virtual golf course and a simulator donation, GOLFZON is helping bring new opportunities for junior golf, education and character development to young people in Charleston, South Carolina.
Bringing the First Tee Kids Course Vision to Life
First Tee of Greater Charleston is rallying support for a $14 million capital campaign, Fore the Kids, to fund a Youth Leadership Campus that will serve thousands of young people.
The new campus will feature a dedicated Kids Course and Learning Center designed to broaden access to golf-based character development programs and educational enrichment opportunities for Charleston-area youth.
Located in the West Ashley neighborhood of Charleston, the Kids Course will be a one-of-a-kind, nine-hole junior golf course where only children ages 5–18 can become members. Adults who want to play must be accompanied by one of the course’s youth members. First Tee hopes to open the course in early 2028.
While the physical Kids Course is still in development, GOLFZON is helping bring the vision to life through golf simulator technology. Indoors, junior golfers can try hitting shots and learn basic course concepts in a welcoming setting, offering a way to explore the game before the course opens.
GOLFZON plans to launch a virtual version of the Kids Course on its TwoVisionNX golf simulator by the end of October 2026, allowing players to experience the planned course ahead of its anticipated opening.
Golf should be accessible to everyone and we at GOLFZON want to do our part to help more young people experience the game First Tee of Greater Charleston is creating something special for the next generation and we’re excited to be part of it. By putting the Kids Course as a virtual course in our course library and donating a simulator to the Learning Center, we hope to make golf more accessible and give young people more opportunities to learn, grow and enjoy the game.
By recreating the planned Kids Course in a virtual environment, GOLFZON is giving First Tee of Greater Charleston a new way to introduce the project to program participants, coaches, donors, partners and the broader community. The simulator can also help junior golfers build confidence before stepping onto the physical course. In a welcoming indoor setting, they can practice shots, explore the layout and become familiar with basic course concepts at their own pace — making an outdoor round feel less intimidating when the Kids Course opens.
This is a nonprofit project, and we are still actively fundraising for it so the virtual play option is going to be a really special way to give the community a sneak peek. We are sincerely grateful and can’t wait to offer virtual play as a learning tool and weather-proof programming.
Supporting Youth Development Through Golf and Education
The state-of-the-art Cartter Lupton Learning Center will provide space for educational enrichment, mentoring and community programs. GOLFZON will donate a golf simulator, giving junior golfers another way to learn and play throughout the year. Families interested in golf access can contact First Tee of Greater Charleston to ask about current options for equipment, program costs and transportation, which may vary by program and availability.
Affordable program options and access to practice time can help more junior golfers try the game. Loaner clubs can let beginners use a Golf Club without buying equipment first, while coordinated school or community group visits may make travel to golf programs easier. Families can contact First Tee of Greater Charleston to ask what options are currently available.
The project represents an investment in more than golf. Through the Kids Course and Learning Center, First Tee of Greater Charleston aims to give young people opportunities to develop life skills, build confidence and learn through the game. Golf activities can encourage junior golfers to practice patience, make decisions and persevere, while supportive guidance from coaches and mentors can help them carry those lessons beyond the course. First Tee Youth Programs may also connect with schools and community organizations; families should contact the local chapter to ask about current programs, availability and registration.
For junior golfers, the journey can begin with discovering the game in a welcoming setting, continue with developing skills and confidence, and grow into opportunities to play regularly. This progression gives young people room to learn at their own pace and build on each experience.
By combining accessible golf experiences with educational resources and mentorship, the Youth Leadership Campus will help support the next generation both on and off the course. GOLFZON is proud to contribute to this mission by making golf more accessible through its technology.
Young golfers with disabilities may benefit from adaptive golf instruction and equipment tailored to their individual needs, helping them take part at a comfortable pace. Families can contact First Tee of Greater Charleston to ask what accessibility support and adaptive golf options are available through its programs.
A Shared Commitment to Growing the Game of Golf
For GOLFZON, the partnership with First Tee of Greater Charleston reflects a broader commitment to making golf more accessible and creating new ways for people to experience the game.
That commitment extends to communities in some of the world’s most remote locations. GOLFZON supplies and fully maintains indoor golf systems at two stations in Antarctica: South Pole Station and King Sejong Research Station and Jang Bogo Station. These installations help improve morale and support the mental and social well-being of researchers living and working in isolated environments.
GOLFZON will also host an activation at the Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal, in November 2026, giving participants and fans an opportunity to experience the game of golf.
By combining GOLFZON’s technology with First Tee of Greater Charleston’s mission, the partnership supports a shared goal: introducing more young people to golf, expanding access to the game and creating opportunities for future generations.
Learn more about First Tee of Greater Charleston’s Kids Course and its Fore the Kids fundraising campaign at forethekids.org.
