Editors: For photos of Hae-Yoon Jung-Kim, click here.
FRISCO, Texas (May 21, 2025) - PGA of America Golf Professional Hae-Yoon Jung-Kim, Golf Instructor at Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Coast, Calif., and Chief Operating Officer at The GolfLot in Laguna Niguel, Calif., has earned PGA Master Professional status, the highest education designation within the Association.
Jung-Kim, a Member of the Southern California Section PGA and one of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals, joins a special group as the 454th PGA Member and 13th woman to earn Master Professional status. She achieved her designation in Teaching and Coaching.
“To have the highest level of education within the PGA of America is a dream come true,” said Jung-Kim. “Becoming a PGA Master Professional was not just for the title, but to continue to motivate myself to get to the next level in my teaching. You have to continue to learn within this game, there’s no stopping. If I’m going to have this designation, I better be really good at what I’m doing. To be among this group is an honor.”
The PGA Master Professional 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.
The 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.
A PGA of America Member since 2009, Jung-Kim was involved with golf from an early age, playing in many junior events around the world. At age 15, she left her native Korea for the Kooralbyn International School in Australia for three years to learn English and play competitive golf. Upon completing high school, she came to the United States and attended the University of California, Irvine, and competed on the women's golf team.
After graduating in 2003, Jung-Kim played on the Futures Tour for two seasons. Hae-Yoon Jung-Kim began her teaching career in 2005 as a PGA Associate, working as a coach for The First Tee of San Diego and serving as the Site Director for LPGA-USGA Girls Golf. She then joined Pelican Hill Golf Club in 2008 as an Assistant Golf Professional, where she gained experience in all aspects of the golf industry, including operations and instruction while she successfully earned her PGA of America Membership in 2009.
In 2012, she became a full-time instructor at The Golf School of Tustin Ranch, and in 2015, she moved to Oak Creek Golf Club. Hae-Yoon earned her PGA Certified Professional status in 2016 and returned to Pelican Hill in 2020. Jung-Kim is also the Chief Operating Officer of The GolfLot, a state-of-the-art indoor golf practice facility in Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Jung-Kim resides in Laguna Hills, Calif., with her husband.
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