UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship

When the very best players from the Japan Golf Tour gather at the Shishido Hills Country Club in early July, they will all once again have their eye on one of the most prestigious titles in the game – the UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship.

Considered the ‘players championship’ of Japanese men’s golf, this year’s event will take place from July 3-6 amongst the forests of Ibaraki Prefecture, about an hour northeast of Tokyo.

In 2007, it was the flamboyant king of Japanese men’s golf, Shingo Katayama, who clinched the victory. Completing his collection of the most prestigious titles in his home country, Katayama finished at nine-under 271 to collect the winner’s cheque for ¥30 million (about USD$245,000) and a unique trophy commissioned by UBS.

“As one of Japan’s most important titles, this victory is very meaningful for me,” said Katayama, as the tears flowed. “Unfortunately, my father passed away before I was able to win an event and I just wish he could be here to see me here today.”

However, the 2008 tournament, the third consecutive year that UBS has title-sponsored the event, promises to be an even greater show. Indeed, the competition for the ‘players championship’ will be even fiercer than ever before with the likely participation of young superstar Ryo Ishikawa.

The slightly-built schoolboy, known as the ‘Prince’ by his adoring fans, stunned international golf last May when he claimed the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup as 15-year-old amateur. The youngest player ever to win a professional tournament in Japan, he turned pro early this year and will spark unprecedented interest in greater Tokyo if he joins the field at Shishido Hills.

That interest, combined with 2007’s significantly increased spectator numbers and television ratings, ensures the UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship boasts an outstanding platform for even greater success this year.

The tournament provides an excellent opportunity for building the bank’s business in Japan, with activities such as two Pro-Am events, the superb UBS Pavilion and ‘inside the ropes’ experiences proving immensely popular.

On site, expanded programmes at the UBS Game Improvement Zone, where fans can take complimentary golf lessons, and the UBS Simulator Challenge promise to lure back plenty more spectators in 2008.