June 30, 2008, 11:11 AM
The 2008 UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship kicked off in fine style on Sunday, when some of the country’s finest golfers gathered in Tokyo for the annual Fan Fest
With preparations nearing completion for the 2008 UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship, golf fans enjoyed a special treat when four of the biggest names in Japanese golf headlined the annual Fan Fest at Roppongi Hills in downtown Tokyo over the weekend.
Defending champion Shingo Katayama and 16-year-old superstar Ryo Ishikawa, known as the ‘Bashful Prince’, along with Katsumasa Miyamoto and rising Korean star Lee Dong-hwan, were welcomed by more than 2,000 golf fans who took advantage of the UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship bringing elite golfers into the city.
Considered the ‘players championship’ of Japanese men’s golf, this week’s event will take place amongst the forests of Ibaraki Prefecture, about an hour northeast of Tokyo. In 2007, it was the flamboyant king of Japanese men’s golf Katayama that clinched the victory.
The champion and Ishikawa were the crowd favourites, as the players conducted an open question and answer session for the fans and took part in a long drive competition on a simulator replicating the famous 18th hole at St Andrews.
The stars also donated numerous autographed items for a charity auction, raising more than ¥360,000 for relief efforts for both the recent China earthquake and cyclone in Myanmar.
This year also sees the introduction of ‘The First Step Project’, which aims to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the tournament.
A combination of initiatives has been implemented by the Japan Golf Tour Organisation with the support of UBS, including a campaign to reduce, separate and recycle waste produced by the event and to offer local products at the public food concessions, reducing the ‘food miles’ accrued by the tournament.
UBS is putting its weight behind The First Step and will supply all spectators with a reusable commemorative mug, which will be used for purchasing drinks on-site and will allow for a significant reduction in the use of cans and bottles.
In addition, the bank will provide shuttle services for employees attending the event to reduce the number of private cars travelling to the tournament. A similar campaign will be implemented for the public.
