In 2010, Matt Kang was playing for the New Jersey Devils farm team and was on track to a career in the NHL. A career that he worked towards since the age of 9. A career that would generate a six to seven figure income like those of his friends PK Subban, Chris Stewart, Cody Hodgson and Wayne Simmonds. A career that would make him an instant role model to millions of Korean children who love hockey in North America and around the world. However, a series of concussions forced Kang to leave the only game he knew and start fresh back in his hometown of Toronto.
It was shortly afterwards that Kang, now 24, picked up golf at the suggestion of his father, an avid golfer. It was a game often overlooked by Kang – hockey was always on his mind and he didn’t have the patience for the game. But with the dream of being a professional athlete still deeply embedded in Kang’s heart, he hit the greens hard and has come further in the last 3 years then the average man would in a lifetime. A feat he attributes to hard work and the grace of God.
Only playing a “handful of times” throughout his hockey career, Kang’s father bought him his first set of clubs and a Club Link membership in 2010 with the instructions to “get out there, don’t stress and enjoy life a little”. He admits at first, golf caused more anger and frustration as a result of some terrible rounds but he was having fun and it got his mind off hockey. Now, three years later, Kang is a full-time professional golfer with the Great Lakes Tour and is sitting on their Order of Merit list. Kang is sponsored by Assure Franchise Consulting and Evans Electrical, whom which he is very thankful for their support.
Wyndance in Uxbridge is Kang’s home course where he practices everyday when he isn’t playing events. It is a 1 hour, 15 minute drive out of Toronto but he loves the practice facility and grass range. “The putting green is massive with and the range of undulation is challenging”. Kang feels that compared to the other pros, he has a lot of catching up to do which is why he puts in hours of reps every single day. After spending 6 months in Florida last winter, he only took 2 days off. “I am pretty new to this golf world and I am still learning the rules and the game with each day so, the more work I put in, the sooner I can compete at a higher level and make it to the PGA Tour.”
His training also takes him into the gym 6 days a week. He works out at Grind Fitness in Toronto through one-on-one sessions with trainer Damian Porter. His goal in the gym is to get stronger and stay injury free. “I have trained with some of the best trainers over my hockey career hockey but this has by far been the best experience I have had in the gym. I am in better shape now then when I was playing hockey”, says Kang.
Kang has only skated once since he stopped playing hockey. He fills what free time he has in Toronto. Living at Ossington and Harbord, T.O.’s trendiest neighborhood amongst the 20-something crowd, Kang takes in the culture, food, fashion and nightlife with friends. With his goals set on the PGA of Canada Q School this fall followed by Korean Tour or the Asian Tour Q School Kang says Toronto will always be his home.
Written by Christine MacDonald