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