SPORTEX'09A, one of JAAGA annual events, was opened at USAF Tama Hills Golf Course at 2 (Fri) October.　Toutake JAAGA president and 46 regular and cooperate members, Lt.Gen.Rice (commander of 5th Air Force) and 29 USAF airmen ,participated in this golf competition.　Several JAAGA officers and USAF members supported this.
　　Participants and the competition officers begun to gather at club house from about 5:00am, took breakfast there, and prepared for competition.
　　At half past six, the opening ceremony was carried out at the practice green.　In this ceremony, president Toutake expressed gratitude on participating and supporting to this competition and said "It rains now, but let's enjoy playing golf!"　And Gen.Rice "I would like to give thanks to JAAGA on behalf of USAF.　I think golf without rain falling is not golf of JAAGA.　Hit straight and long!"　Also Mr.Kamiya said as representative of JAAGA associate members "I look forward to this competition. Let's deepen friendship between Japan and the United States!"　Each player took each golf-cart and moved to each starting tee after the ceremony, , and waited starting signal.　At just seven O'clock, horn signal resounded over Tama Hills.
　　Rain occasionally fell intensely, but all players competed the golf skill.　Some players sent golf club flying longer than golf ball because of wet grip.　There were great play and funny play, but players enjoyed very much.　When they finished playing, they became dripping wet from head to foot, so they changed their clothes.　Then they took lunch and enjoyed conversation.　After lunch we have award ceremony, winners for 1st prize, 2nd prize, 3rd prize, hop prizes, booby prize, best gross, longest driving and nearest pin were presented prize by JAAGA president.　 And Gen.Rice handed golf balls printed with 5AF emblem to prize winners.
　　In closing ceremony, president Toutake said "We played golf in rain today, but we could enjoy golfing and deepen our friendship.　We would like to thank that Gen.Rice and USAF airmen joined today, and appreciate that golf course staffs and competition officers of volunteer supported us very much.　Gen.Rice stated "I would like to express gratitude to JAAGA and golf course staffs."
　　SPORTEX'09A ended in great success
　(reported by secretariat Kurabeishi)