SPORTEX'04B, JAAGA Invitational Golf Tournament, was carried out at Tama
Hills Golf Course on 23th November 2004 which was Japanese Labor Day. It's
the best weather to play golf, no wind and sunny. Gen.Tsumagari (JASDF
Chief) and 29 JASDF active duty, Brig.Gen. Baker (5AF/CV, USAFJ) and 21
USAF, and 40 JAAGA members participated this tournament. The players and
tournament officers got together at appointed time (6:00 AM) and took breakfast
at club house. At 6:30 AM, all participants moved to the practice green
in front of club house, then Mr. Muraki (JAAGA president) and Brig.Gen.
Baker had the opening speech. After the explanation of tournament rule
and way of scoring by tournament officer, each player drove golf cart to
each starting tee. At just 7 o'clock, starting signal horn echoed over
the hills, then players shot off at all tees. Each party was organized
with JASDF, USAF and JAAGA members. They enjoyed talking each others and
sometimes shouted for joy here and there on the course. There were some
who struggled English conversation, and had trouble for playing golf. Needless
to say, ceaseless effort is important for both things. About noontime,
each party returned to club house, and submitted the score cards to tournament
officer. While all participants were taking lunch, they wait the total
result of the tournament. Result was smoothly totaled, then commendation
ceremony started. After results were announced, cheer loudly arose in club
house, and winners moved to award place and received awards from Mr. Muraki. At
closing ceremony, Gen. Tsumagari expressed the appreciation to JAAGA and
pointed that this kind activities definitely straightened JASDF and USAF
relationship more. With the word of "See you soon" by Mr. Wuraki,
the tournament successfully completed. (Reported by secretariat Yotsue)
SPORTEX'04B