Reigning Iskandar Johor Open champion, K.J. Choi shows his heart of gold by donating his winnings to six charities
Kuala Lumpur, March 5 2010 – Korean superstar KJ Choi looks tough with his stocky frame and as a teenager used to be called the “Tank” because he could lift 350 pounds despite weighing a scrawny 95 pounds.
Despite the tough-guy looks Choi has shown a tender, compassionate touch in his philanthropic
endeavours. Deeply religious, he is known for the various charitable efforts back home in Korea as well
as the USA where he plies his professional trade on the PGA Tour.
Today marks an auspicious occasion for the seven-time PGA Tour champion who will make good on
his pledge to donate his winnings from his Iskandar Johor Open victory last October at the Royal Johor
Country Club.
Choi took time off from his tournament routine at the ongoing Maybank Malaysian Open to give away
the donation in a simple cheque presentation ceremony at Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam. The
ceremony is also attended by Encik Hilmi Mohd Nashir, the Chief Operating Officer of the Iskandar
Regional Development Authority (IRDA), the title sponsor of the Iskandar Johor Open and Encik Manjit
Majid Abdullah, the Secretary of the Johor Golf Association.
"I am thankful to the sponsors of the Iskandar Johor Open for inviting me to participate in the
championship last year and to the golf fans and the Johor people for supporting me during the
tournament, which in no small way spurred me to the win," said Choi.
"It is therefore fitting that I do my part to benefit the people of Johor. I hope the small contribution I
made today will go a long way to help the charities continue their excellent work to bring greater good
to the community. That is the core vision of the KJ Choi Foundation – to link and inform people and
then provide them with the opportunity to help the poor."
Choi will donate a total of US$87,000 (approximately RM293,500) which is the sum after deducting
caddie fees, and withholding taxes. His contribution will benefit six Johor-based charities with each
receiving US$14,500 (approximately RM49,000).
The charities are Handicap Association of Johor Bahru, Sari Saujana Handicapped Children Home, the
Boys’ Brigade in Malaysia (the 1st Johor Bahru Company), Johore Area Rehabilitation Organisation
(JARO), Princess Elizabeth School (for the Blind and Visually Handicapped) and Badan Amal Tenaga
Isteri Wakil-Wakil Rakyat Negeri Johor (JUITA).
The donation was made available through the KJ Choi Foundation which was co-founded by him and
several others in 2007.
"Having won the tournament in style at his first attempt, we are indeed thankful that KJ Choi, through
the KJ Choi Foundation, has not forgotten the people of Malaysia, and Johor in particular. His kind
gesture to donate his prize money to six deserving organisations in Iskandar Malaysia today certainly
exemplifies his noble values and that sports is not all about winning but also assisting others in need to
be winners in their life," said Encik Hilmi.
"We are confident that the contributions will be used diligently and care to fulfil the objectives of the
respective organisations in helping those in need. We also hope that Choi will come back to defend his
title in IJO 2010 and pray for him to win so that he can contribute more to charity this year."
Last year Choi celebrated his return to Asia by claiming a four-stroke victory in the rain-disrupted
Iskandar Johor Open. The victory marked a happy return to Asia for Choi, who honed his skills on the
Asian Tour before turning his attention to the PGA Tour, where he has won seven titles.
About the KJ Choi Foundation
The KJ Choi Foundation is an international humanitarian and development organization based in Seoul,
Korea. The Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization established on November 23,
2007 with the vision of linking and informing people to give them the opportunity to help the poor. Since
its inception, the KJ Choi Foundation has reached millions of young people by delivering unique
experiences and innovative educational opportunities for youth worldwide. More information about KJ
Choi Foundation is available at www.kjchoifoundation.org
For further queries on this release, please contact Joyce Chai, Senior Event Manager from IMG at +65
65059300.
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