Senior golfer bound for Korea

Chase Fritz gets personal invitation from International Vice Captain

Both boys' and girls' golf were hitting the courses all day Tuesday. The boys team ended in 1st and the girls in 3rd.

courtesy of Chase Fritz

Both boys’ and girls’ golf were hitting the courses all day Tuesday. The boys team ended in 1st and the girls in 3rd.

The Presidents Cup tournament, held every two years, brings together elite golfers from around the world in a series of golf matches. This year, the Presidents Cup will be held in South Korea Oct. 8-11 and senior varsity golfer Chase Fritz will be leaving Saturday to fly out as a guest of International Team Vice Captain K.J. Choi at the tournament.

“Being asked to go to the Presidents Cup with one of the most iconic golfers of our time is not only a huge honor but will be a once in a lifetime experience,” Fritz said. “These 15 golfers are the best in the world and to be in their presence for six plus days is an experience I will certainly not forget.”

Two teams go against each other in the tournament: a U.S. team and an International team representing countries from Asia, Africa, Australia, and Latin America. Although the International Team has not seen a victory for the last eight Cups, Choi believes the team is well on its way to success at the 2015 tournament.

“The Presidents Cup has never been more important than it is this year,” Choi said. “I, as Vice Captain of the International Team, will do my best to change that record in my home country, Korea.”

Choi and his family asked Fritz, who has won several tournaments, to join them in Korea and see golf at its highest level in one of the biggest international tournaments there is. Fritz and the family, specifically Choi’s oldest son David, became friends through various amateur golf tournaments.

“Our family invited Chase because we felt it was necessary for a junior golfer like himself should be able to see the impact that golf can have on communities,” Choi said. “Not just in the States, but also in other countries like Korea.”

Considered one of Asia's most successful golfers with 20 career wins, including eight on the PGA tour, Choi is a major sports star in his home of Korea. Above, Choi is surrounded by the media upon his arrival in Korea Friday morning.
David Choi
Considered one of Asia’s most successful golfers with 20 career wins, including eight on the PGA tour, Choi is a major sports star in his home of Korea. Above, Choi is surrounded by the media upon his arrival in Korea Friday morning.

For Fritz, this means traveling across the globe and meeting professional golfers from around the world while getting to see how different cultures approach golf.

“We trust that he will one day become an important ambassador of golf who can represent the sport well in all corners of the globe,” Choi said.

While Fritz is busy with his senior year classes and extracurriculars, he is ecstatic to venture outside of his comfort zone to see golf through a new, more experienced perspective.

“As a golfer, I can learn an immense lot while watching these guys. Their skills, technique, practice regimen, and preparation will be very interesting to watch,” Fritz said. “I am looking forward to this incredible experience and hope it will open many doors for more opportunities like this in the future.”