For lasting world peace (4)

 On November 9 and 10, the ISPS Handa World Blind Golf Championship was held at the same course. It was held for the first time in 10 years since the last tournament. 55 visually impaired players from 16 countries belonging to the IBGA participated in the tournament. 

 The top scorer for handicap-adjusted male was Toshio Karasawa, guided by Yoshiaki Sakai. Linda Port, American, guided by Fred Port, carded the top handicap-adjusted score. She also turned in the top raw score for women. 

 The top raw B1 scorer was Israeli Zohar Sharon, guided by Shimshon Levi, while B2 honors went to American Jeremy Poincenot, guided by Lionel Poincenot. The top B3 score was carded by British Paul Appleyard, guided by Neil Oxborough. 

Participants of the ISPS Handa World Blind Golf Championship
at Shinrinkoen Golf Club in Yorii,
Saitama Prefecture

ISPS

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, November 18, 2016）

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/11/17/national/golf-events-aim-create-lasting-world-peace/#.WEa-lIVOLIU

For lasting world peace (3)

 On November 8, the Blind Golf Japan Open Championship was held for the first time since 2013. It was organized by Japanese Blind Golf Association(JBGA), overseen by the International Blind Golf Association (IBGA), sponsored by the ISPS, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan Sports agency, Japan Sports Association for the Disabled, Japan Golf Association, Japan Golf Tour Organization and other organizations. 

 The participants of the tournament were 80 visually impaired golfers from 11 countries. They were classified into three levels of impairment, namely B1, B2 and B3, with B1 being complete blindness. During the game, they were accompanied by guides who advice them on the position of the ball, the distance to the hole, conditions of courses and greens. 

 Those who marked a good score were awarded. The Foreign Minister Prize went to the best pre-handicap scorer, B2 Canadian Derek Kibblewhite, guided by Chris Chambers, who carded an 82 raw score.  

 The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Prize went to the best Stableford scorer, B1 Italian Stefano Palmieri, guided by Andrea Mencattini. 

 By category breakdown, the Stableford B1 champion was Palmieri, with B2 honors going to Yoshikazu Kitamura, guided by Tomoko Yokoyama, while the B3 winner was Sadanobu Asano, guided by Kumiko Asano.

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, November 18, 2016）

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/11/17/national/golf-events-aim-create-lasting-world-peace/#.WEa-lIVOLIU

For lasting world peace (2)

 The ISPS had long striven to organize golf tournaments for visually impaired persons and promote the globalization of the Japanese golf industry. Since last June, it has become the naming partner of the PGA Tour of Australia, which marks another milestone in the history of the ISPS.

 In addition, all tournaments on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australia carry Official World Golf Ranking points. Such tournaments include events to be held not only in Australia, but also in New Zealand and the South Pacific. The events will cost around $9 million Australian dollars.

 This November, the ISPS held another golf tournament for visually impaired golfers at Shinrinkoen Golf Club, besides the World Blind Golf Championships. 

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, November 18, 2016）

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/11/17/national/golf-events-aim-create-lasting-world-peace/#.WEa-lIVOLIU

For lasting world peace (1)

 Next year, ISPS Handa New Zealand Open will be held, sponsored by ISPS(The International Sports Promotion Society) itself.  This is in line with an open-ended partnership the ISPS entered into the PGA(Professional Golfers' Association) Tour of Australia this summer.
 After an awards ceremony for the ISPS Handa World Blind Golf Championships that was held at Shinrinkoen Golf Club in Yorii, Saitama Prefecture, Dr.Handa, ISPS Chairman, said, "By holding a unique tournament in which golfers compete, we can have a positive influence in not only sports, but also on the economies of the two countries...There will be 25 Japanese golfers(in the ISPS Handa New Zealand Open) as we extended a partnership contract with the Japan Golf Tour Organization."
 Then, Ian Kennedy, former New Zealand ambassador to Japan and the special representative of Japan for New Zealand, and Michael Glading, the ISPS Handa New Zealand Open tournament director, expressed their hopes of the two countries' bonds getting together through golf. 
 Kennedy said in fluent Japanese, "I hope it will lead to more active human interaction not only in golf, but also other things." And Glading added, "I believe Japan is a country that has similar values as New Zealand and golf creates bonds."  

From left: Ian Kennedy, former New Zealand ambassador to Japan
and the special representative of Japan for New Zealand,
Michael Glading, the ISPS Handa New Zealand Open tournament director,
and ISPS chairman Dr.Haruhisa Handa 

ISPS

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, November 18, 2016）
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/11/17/national/golf-events-aim-create-lasting-world-peace/#.WEa-lIVOLIU