Japan and Europe co-hosted the tournament, the 51st country on the European Tour, and the first tournament to be held in Japan was over.
I commuted to Ishioka Golf Club in Ibaraki on Saturday, Sunday, and over the weekend to watch the final round.
A wonderful person I met on Saturday and Sunday at the “Handa Pavilion,” a hospitality tent on the course.
Ms. Enda Kenny…former Prime Minister of Ireland and President of ISPS (Patron).
And Brenda Scandell, former Irish Ambassador to Japan.
And on Sunday, the last day of the event, we will meet Mike Tindall, ISPS Ambassador, former England rugby captain and a key player in the 2003 World Cup winning team.
By the way, Mike’s wife is Zara Tindall. She is the eldest daughter of Princess Anne and grandson of Queen Elizabeth II.
She is an ISPS Ambassador, ISPS British President (Patron), and one of England’s leading equestrian athletes, winning the silver medal in the team event at the 2012 London Olympics.
And then there is Brender Lawler. He is the 2nd ranked golfer in the world with a disability. He is from Dantock, Ireland. He was born with Ellis Van Calefeldt Syndrome (a skeletal growth disorder), but has won many games.
Everyone is very friendly.
And the winner of this year’s competition was Lucas Herbert from Australia!
He is an ISPS ambassador and a contracted professional. It was a dramatic decision on the second hole of the playoff!
Congratulations!
There was also a Chinese freak show, acrobatics, a dock & monkey show, and on the last night, an illusion by Princess Tiangong! And when night fell, it was disco dance Time, and truly, I have never seen such a fun and fulfilling tournament on a golf course!
The crescent moon and the star of Venus were shining in the night sky to celebrate the success of the tournament.
I eagerly await next year’s event!
Thanks for allowing me to participate!