Japan

A golfer recounts his August matches across courses in Japan and beyond, going 4-1 for the month after a final-round defeat that he half-blames on a lavish mid-round meal of wagyu beef and Asahi beer, with big tournaments still ahead in September and October.

A golf and turfgrass researcher shares how a misspelled “not rocet science” philosophy discovered at a Sannomiya sporting goods shop has inspired recent birdie-making success and breakthroughs in turfgrass data visualization, including animated bubble charts presented at a seminar at the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

A turfgrass professional recounts a whirlwind week traveling across Japan visiting golf courses in Chiba, Hyogo, and beyond, sampling local delicacies like giant oysters and whale sashimi, and finishing 5th in a golf tournament played in extreme heat.

A golf course consultant reflects on reviewing their Japanese-language Golf Course Seminar articles while in Japan, and highlights two case studies they authored for The Banyan Golf Club in Thailand and Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in the Philippines, now featured prominently on The R&A’s new Golf Course website alongside Royal St. Georges ahead of The Open.

A turfgrass scientist recounts a whirlwind month of international travel across six countries — including Malaysia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan, and Thailand — combining golf course advisory work, research, and full-day turfgrass science seminars in Tokyo and Osaka, highlighted by a chance meeting with golf designer Tiger Song.

A turfgrass management consultant shares personal highlights from a work trip through Sapporo, Furano, and Asahikawa in central Hokkaido, covering standout food and drink experiences — including exceptional shirako, a surprisingly subtle sweet potato shochu, and late-night ramen — alongside uncrowded powder skiing at Furano and a visit to Asahikawa’s Otakayama sake brewery.

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A turfgrass expert recounts presenting to 160 greenkeepers at the Park Hyatt Tokyo on the unique challenges of growing grass in Japan, the first of six seminars scheduled across the country including Fukuoka, Osaka, and Hokkaido.

ATC’s end-of-year bonenkai company party at Senri Chuo followed the Turf Science Seminars held in Tokyo and Osaka, celebrating the close of 2010 after a busy week of professional events.

A turf scientist and golf enthusiast recounts a failed attempt at songwriting during train travels across Japan, unable to get past a lyric mixing English with the Japanese word for “railroad tie” (枕木/makuragi), before concluding he’s better off appreciating Townes Van Zandt than writing songs himself.