Veteran Golfer Says Donating to Charity Helps Her Game

GolferKim Hae-rim, a nine-year veteran of the LPGA of Korea Tour who has never won a title, has slowly emerged into the sport's limelight of late. Her rise through the rankings this season and revelations of her quiet charitable works have made her a sought-after interview subject.

This month, Kim and members of her fan club visited a children's shelter, where they helped clean the place and care for children. Kim made a donation of W44 million -- more than 10 percent of the prize money she won this year (US$1=W1,184). On top of this, Kim's fans donated W16 million, the amount they accumulated by collecting W1,000 per fan for every birdie Kim scored this season.

Since turning professional in 2007, Kim has kept her promise of donating 10 percent of the prize money she earns each year. She is the only member of the Honor Society of the Community Chest of Korea on the KLPGA Tour that has yet to win a title. The society admits those Community Chest members who have donated at least W100 million.

While Kim has yet to claim a title, she has gradually made a name for herself, receiving full seeding in the top-tier KLPGA Tour in 2012, and steadily climbing the money-list rankings from 28th in 2012 with W119 million to 25th in 2013 (W155 million), 17th in 2014 (W220 million) and ninth in 2015 (W418 million).

Kim believes she has been able to consistently improve in the sport because of her commitment to making donations. "If it hadn't been for the donations, I would have already quit golf; the stress and pressure from being obsessed with titles and prize money would have got to me. After I discovered freedom from money, I was able to focus on golf and training", Kim said.

Since she earned a full-time KLPGA Tour berth in 2012, she has vowed to donate all of the winnings from her first title to charity. "I want to win my first title next year so I can help children in need realize their dreams", she said.