GOLF IN JAPAN

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 301, 4 December 1936, Page 6

GOLF IN JAPAN

“A RICH MAX'S GAME.” STANDARD OF PLAY IMPROX ING. Mr liaruid Campbell, manager "f ihe Australian golf pro. es.-r.-ir.-s' ream which visited America a-a-a -v, lately returned to Sydney after ft four of Japan. He said that Mr : mua, president of the Jupuue-, -t Association, had urged that :u. >- t.raliau team sho-Md visit Jupi.i- r vear, and that the visit should ;i'- r be returned. The Japanese clubs • ” prepared to finance such a tom. t" Australian team to eonipme ’onplayers. "Golf is a rich man’s game Javan,” said Mr ('ampbell. “To pay it gives one social standing. r"” courses are kept in perfect order. al>our being very eheap. It is cm... - n to see women weeding and rolling A l -’ greens, their pay being about n.nepenee a day. The caddies are umne, bowing to one before and alter one plays a round. “Although the standard of play in Japan is not as high as I hat of Australia. they are improving rapid.v. The Japanese sent a team to America in 1934, and two of the players. Tor-

cha Toda and Chic Chin, were so successful that they left again for -no United States shortly after their return to Japan.” Air Campbell said that Japan h.-tl some extremely fine courses. In company with Mr Geoftrey Joyce, of B isbane, he played -at Asaka and Hir-mo. At the former course he met I’r.n e Asaka, after whom the course wa-i named. Prince Asaka was a keen goiter, with a handicap of 12. At. H.rono they met Lieutenant Gem ral Prim e Highashi Kami. who played a ggame also, having a handicap of in. With Mr Joyce, Mr Campbel] pinyed a match with Mr Hajime Knwtm-'u amateur champion of Japan from to 1927. and 'who plays off three. Mr Kawasaki and his son played ’wo matches against the Australians, losing the first and drawing the sicn'id. They were so enthusiastic that they travelled 450 miles to Kobe to ba-'e another game with the two Austialians.