Just after gate opened at 5 O'clock in early morning, players got together, practiced at driving range and took breakfast at clubhouse. Opening ceremony was carried out at clubhouse because of bad weather.
At beginning of ceremony, Mr.Takegochi explained about aim of SPORTEX and gave thank to participants to this event. Successively Gen.Rice stated "On behalf of USAF, we are very glad to play golf with you. Today's weather condition is very good to me started playing golf in South Dakota. Let's challenge and deepen friendship. Hit straight and long! (outline)". And Chief Tamogami said "It's first playing golf since Commander Rice arrived, let's play with friendship first (outline)". Then SPORTEX'07B was started.
In cold weather and unfortunate bad condition from the day before, 27 parties which were consisted with Japanese and American rushed their assigned starting tee, then they began playing with signal sound at 7:00a.m.. Some guys threw golf clubs without sending ball flying because of wet gloves. Afterward golf course condition turned worse and couldn't expect recovery of weather, we decided to quit competition when we finished 9th hole for players' health.
All players finished 9th hole out, they returned to clubhouse. After taking lunch, we had closing ceremony there. Every times prize winners announced, shout of joy broke out here and there. Many kinds of prize were presented by president Takegochi. At closing speech, Gen.Tamogami and Lt.Gen.Rice expressed appreciation, "JAAGA provided us good opportunity to interchange each others, we could build friendship (outline)".
To finally sum up SPORTEX'07B, president Takegochi pointed "weather condition was bad, however SPORTEX'07B was very successful", and he expressed appreciation to Tama Hills Golf Course and volunteers (4 USAF airmen and 5 JAAGA officers) who supported on the event this time. I think we could build and deepen our friendship through this events in severe situation. (Reported by secretariat Harada)
