Arguably the most significant event on the Japan Golf Tour’s calendar, the Japan Open, begins this Thursday at the Musashi Country Club’s Toyooka golf course near Saitama in the north west of Tokyo.
Designed by Seiichi Inoue the layout is one of two incorporated into the facility at the Musahshi Country Club. The last time this layout held the Japan Open was back in 1982 when Akira Yabe won the title.
Fresh from his outstanding performance for the Internationals in San Francisco last week, Ryo Ishikawa is the hot favourite to make it five wins for the season and to win the Japan Open for what most feel will be the first of many occasions.
Only a month past his 18th birthday Ishikawa is playing his third Japan Open Golf Championship. His best result to date was when he finished alone in second position four shots behind Shingo Katayama last year at the seaside Koga Golf Club in Fukuoka in Southern Japan.
The house full sign is likely to be put up on most days this week as the huge population base of Tokyo pursues the chance to witness first hand perhaps that country’s most exciting sports star. In a country where Sumo Wrestling and Baseball dominate much of the attention of Japanese sports, Ishikawa’s successful debut at the Presidents Cup has taken his profile and popularity to another level again.
In 2009 nearly 30,000 attended the event over the four days but given the location in 2009 and Ishikawa’s rising star then it is likely a record number of golf fans will be in attendance this week.
Shingo Katayama and Toru Taniguchi have together won four of the last five Japan Opens and it would seem that Katayama in particular has a chance to win another. Katayama has not won this season but has gone close on several occasions and his liking for the Japan Open set ups will work in his favour.
Taniguchi won just a few weeks ago in Hokkaido and could add a third Japan Open to his lengthy list of Japan Golf Tour victories while the hottest Japan Golf Tour player other than Ishikawa, Yuta Ikeda must also be a great chance to win for the fourth time this season. Ikeda won last Sunday in the absence of Ishikawa and just $6000 separates the pair as the number one and two players on the 2009 money list.
The Japan Open has been good to Australasian golfers with Paul Sheehan, David Smail and Craig Parry winning the event in the past 12 years. It is likely that either Smail or the leading Australasian on the Japan Tour money list this season, Brendan Jones, could continue that good record.
Jones finished third in the event last year and a victory would be just reward for the quality of his play in Japan over the last six or seven years and more especially in the last three. Jones played reasonably well last week in Yokohama when he finished strongly for a share of 8th position.
Smail won this event in and is having another solid season in Japan where he sits in 9th position on the money list. He tied for 8th with Jones last week and is primed for another good showing in this event. The set-up of courses for the Japan Open often suits the grinding type of player and Smail fits very much into that category.
Other Australasians who get their chance are Paul Sheehan and Steve Conran.
The tournament carries a purse of ¥200 million or A$2,500,000.
2009年10月14日星期三
Ishikawa seeks first Japan Open title
2009年10月13日星期二
Keeping the industry posted
AFTER 105 years golf has been readmitted to the Olympic Games. Together with Rugby Sevens golf was reinstated for the 2016 and 2020 games after a vote Friday by the International Olympic Committee. Each sport received majority support in separate votes after leading athletes and officials from both camps gave presentations, including a taped video message from Tiger Woods and other top golf professionals. Woods has indicated he would be keen to play in the Olympics if golf were accepted for 2016. “There are millions of young golfers worldwide who would be proud to represent their country,” Woods said from the Presidents Cup in San Francisco. “It would be an honor for anyone who plays this game to become an Olympian.” Golf was approved 63-27 with two abstentions. Rugby was voted in 81-8 with one abstention.
THE Australian PGA Championship, presented by Coca-Cola, has scored a major coup by getting three of the hottest young golfers on the planet to tee it up at the Hyatt Regency Coolum in December. Michael Sim, Marc Leishman and James Nitties will line up at the and all have one intention – to win the PGA Tour of Australasia’s season-ending event. In a massive bonus for Aussie golf fans the Aussie young guns have announced that they will compete at the PGA of Australia’s flagship event to be held at the Hyatt Regency Coolum from December 10-13. News of the talented trio’s inclusion in the field is a further boost to the event which most recently announced the inclusion of three time World Major winner Vijay Singh and defending champion, Australia’s number one golfer Geoff Ogilvy. The 2009 Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola is the final event on the Australasian Tour and OneAsia Super Series calendars for 2009. Tickets for the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola went on sale last week. Tickets can be purchased by calling the PGA Hotline on 1800 009 499. For more details go to the PGA of Australia website www.pga.org.au.
A UNIQUE Australia v New Zealand Golf Challenge, featuring former US Open winners Geoff Ogilvy and Michael Campbell and a host of sports and entertainment celebrities will be staged at Sydney’s Moore Park Golf centre in December. Ogilvy and Campbell will head a host of sports stars and celebrities for the Australia -- New Zealand Golf Skins Challenge on December 7. Competing alongside Ogilvy and Campbell will be rock legend Jimmy Barnes, INXS’s Tim Farriss, Rugby League stars Nathan Hindmarsh, Nathan Cayless and Benji Marshall, Rugby Union personalities Phil Kearns and Matthew Burke as well as golfers Peter O’Malley, Greg Turner and Masterchef Australia’s Lucas Parsons. The charity based golf tournament will combine professional golf, amateurs and entertainment in a unique format to be telecast on TEN and ONE. The event will raise funds for Streetworx, a youth charity devoted to helping at risk and disadvantaged youth using golf as a tool, as well as to other Australian and New Zealand Charities. The tournament will be staged at Moore Park Golf Course, centrally located near Sydney’s CBD and will be preceded by a Gala Dinner and Concert Launch at Doltone House Pyrmont on December 6. Public entry into the event will be free of charge, however registration prior to the event is essential. For more information or to register to attend log on to www.skinschallenge.org.au
THE rapidly developing OneAsia Tour will put the international golf spotlight on China this week with the staging of the $600,000 Midea China Classic, the third event of the inaugural OneAsia season. The field for the tournament at the Nick Faldo-designed layout at the Royal Orchid International Golf Club in Shunde, south of Guangzhou includes some of Australia’s top PGA professionals. The big-hitting Kurt Barnes will be among a strong contingent of Australians competing and he is relishing the return to China after winning April’s Sofitel Zhongshan IGC Open in Nanjing on the mainland’s domestic circuit, which marked his first overseas victory. Before winning in Nanjing in April, Barnes finished tied 11th at the previous week’s US$2.2 million Volvo China Open in Beijing, which marked the first event on the inaugural OneAsia circuit and was co-sanctioned with the European Tour. However, Barnes was unable to compete at OneAsia’s second event, last month’s Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open, as the Australian was competing in the second stage of the Japan Tour Qualifying School. Liang Wenchong and former champion Zhang Lianwei will be among the local stars at the Midea China Classic, now in its fifth year. Zhang won the 2006 edition a year after losing a play-off to compatriot Yuan Hao in the inaugural event and has also competed in the last two editions. Liang, Asia’s number one in 2007 and joint runner-up in last month’s Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open in Japan, will be gunning for his first victory in the Midea China Classic, which was won by Thai legend Thaworn Wiratchant in 2007 and Korean teenager Noh Seung-yul last year. OneAsia plans to offer 12-15 events next year and 17-20 annually from 2011.
AUSSIE ace Michael Sim recorded a tie for 55th in the PGA Tour's Turning Stone Resort Championship last week. It was his first PGA Tour start since he won his third Nationwide Tour event of '09 in August and earned an automatic promotion to the big tour. Sim got off to a rough start when he made a quadruple-bogey seven on the sixth hole of his first round. He recovered and went on to play the next 66 holes in nine under par, with rounds of 75, 66, 72, 70.
QUEENSLAND’S Callaway Order of Merit champion Eddie Barr had an outstanding year on the Sunshine Tour with four title wins plus 24 top-10 finishes. Barr was unstinting in his praise and gratitude for all of the sponsors, golf clubs and event organisers after capping his year by finishing third at the Howeston Pro Am on Wednesday. However he was comically honest when he said, on receiving his Callaway award: “I would like to say that I look forward to defending my title next year, but in some ways I hope I don’t have that opportunity, because that would mean that I will be living my dream on the European Tour.” The PGA of Australia website www.pga.org.au reports that Barr, who successfully negotiated first stage of European Tour School the week before, talked about his 2009 season “It has been a long year in many ways, I have played more tournaments in a row than ever before but I really feel it has helped me to prepare for Europe as well as the Australasian Tour Events at the end of the year”. Barr also won the 2004 Callaway Order of Merit and Callaway Managing Director Frank McCarthy is excited to see what this victory can do for his career. “Eddie has been a part of our Callaway team for a number of years now and it is great to see him fulfilling the potential we all know he is capable of.” This was the seventh year that Callaway has been the sponsor of the Queensland Sunshine Tour Order of Merit and McCarthy confirmed his commitment into the future “Callaway is more than happy to once again support the 2010 Sunshine Tour Season, and in addition to our support of the Order of Merit, we hope we can also inspire the stars of tomorrow through the Sunshine Tour’s Callaway Expression Sessions”. For his efforts, Barr won two return airfares to Los Angeles, with transport to visit the USA Callaway factory in Carlsbad, California. Meals and accommodation at the Hilton Garden Inn in Carlsbad are also included. During his stay Barr will be personally fitted with a set of Callaway Golf Clubs including 3 woods and 9 irons, a personalised Staff Bag and an Odyssey Putter.
AN indication of how important the Australian PGA’s pro-am circuits are to professional golfers across the nation came from the Queensland Sunshine Tour’s Brad Andrews. After finishing second this year to Eddie Barr for the Callaway Order of Merit title Andrews, who won the OOM in 2006 and 2007 told the PGA website www.pga.org.au about how it had helped his career: “I have finished 1st, 1st, 3rd and 2nd in the last four years and with the way the points work, I think winning the Order of Merit really rewards the player who has not only played the best all year, but supported all of the smaller regional events as well. I took a lot of confidence away from my two victories and I hope Eddie can do the same”.
WHILE Eddie Barr won the Callaway Queensland Order of Merit with 345 points in a runaway from Brad Andrews (275) there were some other interesting statistics from the results posted on the PGA of Australia’s website www.pga.org.au: Barr won $38,492 from playing in 63 events but the biggest moneywinner was Michael Wright, who collected $52,072 from 30 events; the busiest players were Wade P Brunjes, who teed it up in 73 PGA tournaments and Tim Porter, one behind on 72; the Sunshine Tour competitors played for a total prizemoney distribution of $943,738.
ENTRIES for the European Senior Tour Qualifying School close on October 22 and the success of recent Australian graduates and of those players from the 2008 School is an inspiration. A new set of hopefuls will tee it up at the Pestana Golf Resort, on Portugal’s Algarve, for the 17th edition from November 16-19. Sydney club professional David Merriman, who won the School in 2006 has gone on to win more than $450,000 in three years and is currently 11th in the money list. South African Bertus Smit, who finished second behind Jimmy Heggarty at last year’s Qualifying School Final, leads the 18 graduates so far in 2009 after his maiden victory in the lucrative Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open. Smit is currently sixth in the Order of Merit having amassed about $166,000 in prize money from his 12 appearances this season.
AUSSIE star Peter Senior is looking to increase his lead in the chase for the European Seniors Tour Rookie of the Year award. Senior has raced to the front on the moneylist with earnings of about $153,000 after playing in just three events. Senior, who has finished, fourth and second twice, leads England’s Roger Chapman by about $3500. Senior has one more event – the $800,000 OKI Castellon Seniors Tour Championship in Spain on November 6 - in what seems certain to be the start of a lucrative second golf career.
GOLF'S Olymic Format. Nowthat golf again is an Olympic sport how many players will be in the team and how and where will the events be played? The International Golf Federation, the representative body for golf by the IOC, has proposed a format of 72-hole individual stroke play for both men and women. That format was recommended because top players felt that was the fairest and best way to identify a champion, mirroring the format used in golf's major championships. In case of a tie for either first, second or third place, a three-hole playoff is recommended to determine the medal winner(s). The IGF recommended an Olympic field of 60 players for each of the men's and women's competition, utilizing the Official World Golf Ranking as a method of determining eligibility. The top 15 world-ranked players would be eligible for the Olympics, regardless of the number of players from a given country. Beyond the top 15, players would be eligible based on world ranking, with a maximum of two available players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top 15.
WHILE South America’s Rio de Janeiro might make for a spectacular host city for the 2016 Summer Olympiad it has only two two full-length, 18-hole golf courses in the city of 14 million people. According to the authoritative US golf website www.golf.com “it is by no means clear whether Olympic golf will take place there or in an adjoining region. Among the candidates are the coastal resort of Buzios, 100 miles to the east, and Sao Paulo, 275 miles to the southwest. John Byers, director of rules and international affairs for the Brazilian Golf Confederation, said that when it comes to the logistics of site selection, “we’re moving onto uncharted waters here.” It was still unclear whether men’s and women’s golf at the 2016 Games would be contested on the same golf course or on two layouts. Details are likely to be made in a joint decision involving the International Golf Federation and Brazilian Olympic authorities. Brazil’s winning Olympic bid at a budgeted cost of $14 billion did not anticipate construction of a new golf venue for the 2016 Games. But it is hard to imagine a private developer not jumping at the chance to fund such an undertaking. The long-term goodwill and publicity likely would prove to be a valuable asset.”
GOLF followers with a Fox Sports TV subscription will have plenty to watch this week. There will be live telecasts of the European Tour’s Portugese Open, the US Tour’s Justin Timberlake Open in Las Vegas, the US PGA Tour’s Nationwide Tour’s Miccosukee Open and the US PGA Champions Tour’s Administaff Classic from Thursday night to Monday morning. Go to FoxSports website TV guide for full details.
THE Golf Show on Fox Sports which is screened tonight at 7.30 and 10.30 and repeated tomorrow at 7am and 12.30pm, will have a full review of the Presidents Cup, where Golf Show host Brett Ogle played a starring commentators role. This week there will be previews of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children’s Open in Las Vegas and an update on end-of-season news. PGA Members Ossie Moore and Ben Doney will present their informative rules and tips segment.
THE US Presidents Cup team roster was expanded by one, just in time for Sunday’s singles session. And it proved to be quite an inspirational addition – Amy Mickelson. The wife of world number three player Phil Mickelson’s spirited wife, who is battling breast cancer, arrived Saturday night and greeted her husband when he got back to the team hotel following his afternoon four-ball match.
THE Victorian Golf Association has announced that Subaru again has agreed to be the naming rights sponsor of the 2010 Victorian Open Championship. The 2010 Subaru Victorian Open will be held in Melbourne over 72-holes from Thursday January 7 to Sunday January 10 at the Spring Valley Golf Club. Being the first Australasian PGA Tour event in the New Year, it’s expected that a top quality field will be participating for prizemoney of approximately $115,000. First played in 1957, the Victorian Open honour roll boasts a who’s who of Australian golf and has provided the initial major tournament break through opportunity for numerous talented young players, including this year’s winner in Ashley Hall. PGA Chief Executive Officer Max Garske said the Victorian Open has produced a long line of champion golfers, many of whom have gone on to achieve great
success on the world stage. “Some of Australia’s greatest champions including Greg Norman, Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, Ian Baker- Finch and Robert Allenby all have their name engraved on this prestigious trophy, and the PGA is proud to have this tournament back on the PGA Tour of Australasia schedule in 2010.”
AUSSIE Paul Gow’s website www.paulgow.com reports that he will have to finish in the top two this week at the Miccosukee Championship in Miami if he is to have any chance of making the elite field for the US PGA’s Nationwide Tour Championship the following week. Gow on Friday missed his 14th weekend cut in 23 starts this year despite an eagle at the final hole in the Chattanooga Classic. With about $60,000 in earnings this year Gow is 98th on the moneylist and needs a big week to reach the top 60 and so qualify for the $1.1 million Tour Championship. Otherwise he will need to wait for Stage Two of the PGA Tour School in November.
TIGER Woods and caddie Steve Williams this year celebrated 10 years competing together on the world’s golf circuits during which time the world number one player has enjoyed 83 wins worldwide including 14 majors. The official Tiger Woods website www.tigerwoods.com in the section introducing the Tiger support group reports that Steve joined Team Tiger back in the US Spring of 1999, and ever since both Tiger and Steve have been the most dominant duo in the game. “Steve's so positive out there, keeps me upbeat,” Woods said. “I get on him, he gets on me. We have a good time out there. Even if I'm playing good or bad, we're going to enjoy each other's company.” Williams said of Woods: “It's one of those things, when you find that perfect partner, you're just so calm with each other. We've become very good mates. We socialise together. It's one of those things that's developed, not something I planned on happening.” Over the years, Williams has caddied various employers, including Greg Norman, Raymond Floyd and Ian Baker Finch, to the tune of 75 professional victories. Steve is also the only caddie in history to have won all four of golf's professional majors.
SPANISH great Seve Ballesteros has described himself as "the luckiest man alive", a year on from suffering a life-threatening brain tumour. Ballesteros, who has had four operations and is still undergoing radiotherapy, said he had required tremendous patience to endure his treatment, and told fans not to feel sorry for him the website www.guardian.co.uk reported. In an interview with the BBC commentator Peter Alliss, to be broadcast tomorrow’s Inside Sport program, Ballesteros said: “I've had a very good life. I'm sure that some people will feel sorry for me or maybe cry when they see this program. But I feel very happy and a very lucky person because throughout my life I have had so many great moments and I feel that I live two or three more lives than the average person. This thing that happened to me is a very little thing compared to other people who have tougher times. They didn't have the opportunity to live life so intensely and as well as I did.” Ballesteros lost three quarters of his left eye during his operations and has walked around his indoor swimming pool for four kilometres a day to build up his strength. He said he can now hit full shots and play on the course but his impaired vision means he struggles with his putting. “Nine months ago I was feeling I was useless. I couldn't walk and I couldn't do anything and progressively I set up goals. One of them was to hit balls and play golf,” he said.
RISING world star Rory McIlroy is probably the most communicative golf pro in the world with not only his own excellent website at www.rorymcilroy.com but also a Facebook page (which has about 3000 Friends) and he Twitters – especially when his football team Manchester United is in action. A recent Rory website daily blog informed the world that in golf, as in life, it often is not what you know but who you know. In explaining how, because of rain, he was unable to play a practice round at Kingsbarns early in the week of the Dunhill Links Championship, McIlroy revealed: “We had a bit of lunch at St Andrews and then a friend of mine who works there opened a bay at the driving range for me and Dad, sorted us out some Pro V1s, so we had a good old practice in the dry whilst everyone else was out on the range getting a good soaking!”
McIlroy, who is leading the European Tour’s moneylist and the Race to Dubai with winnings of about $4 million, is one of the world’s busiest and most travelled elite golfers. The 20-year-old will be playing his 23rd event when he tees it up in the Portugal Open this week and he plans to play another five events before year’s end. By the time he competes in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup at the end of November he will have played in 12 countries this year. And even when he is not competing McIlroy stays busy with his golf career. As he revealed on his website www.rorymcilroy.com website last week: “I'm having a week off now and plan to have a bit of r and r and I've also got a sponsor's thing to do up at Lough Erne on Friday so I think I'll be taking Theo (his Labradoodle dog) with me and enjoy some time up there.”
AUSTRALIAN golf courses and their superintendents have left an indelible impression on a recent visitor to Australia, the Royal &Ancient’s Steve Isaac, the Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association newsletter, The Cut, reported last week. “In an article that appeared this week on The R&A website, Isaac had nothing but praise for the way Australian superintendents were rising to the challenge of producing firm and dry playing surfaces at a time when critical resources, such as water, were diminishing. Issac commented: “The R&A, the AGCSA and Golf Australia share a similar philosophy with regard to course management and presentation.” Isaac was impressed by the Australian philosophy of producing firm and dry playing surfaces, focusing more on playing performance than appearance. “Addressing water restrictions has forced the hand of Australian golf clubs, though they seemed to be well positioned to adapt to a limited supply and the need to find alternative sources to drinking water for irrigation,” he said.
AARON Baddley’s website www.badds.com reveals that he supports an unusual charity drive with the headcovers he has on his golf bag. As he explains: “Daphne’s make ‘Tobo’ my little koala headcover. ‘Tobo’ means “let it fly” in Japanese and for every koala headcover sold by Daphne’s we make a donation to the Save The Koala Foundation in Australia.
THE Presidents Cup had everything when it came to sporting celebrities at Harding Park in San Francisco last week. First off there was basketball legend Michael Jordan, who was a volunteer assistant on the US team. In the gallery was another legend in Barry Bonds, the baseball record-holding slugger watching Tiger Woods along with Jim Plunkett, who led the Oakland Raiders to a Super Bowl. Golf superstar parents B.J. and Bo Wie, whose daughter Michelle is one of the biggest name in women's golf, were also among the Woods-Stricker gallery. And later in the week former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was spotted in the gallery. On the opening tee was Whistling Straits golf course and St Andrews Old Course Hotel owner Herb Kohler, multiple major championship winners such as British Open great Peter Thomson and Dave Stockton, former U.S. Open champion and San Francisco native Ken Venturi and upcoming Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin.
THE Australian PGA Championship, presented by Coca-Cola, has scored a major coup by getting three of the hottest young golfers on the planet to tee it up at the Hyatt Regency Coolum in December. Michael Sim, Marc Leishman and James Nitties will line up at the and all have one intention – to win the PGA Tour of Australasia’s season-ending event. In a massive bonus for Aussie golf fans the Aussie young guns have announced that they will compete at the PGA of Australia’s flagship event to be held at the Hyatt Regency Coolum from December 10-13. News of the talented trio’s inclusion in the field is a further boost to the event which most recently announced the inclusion of three time World Major winner Vijay Singh and defending champion, Australia’s number one golfer Geoff Ogilvy. The 2009 Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola is the final event on the Australasian Tour and OneAsia Super Series calendars for 2009. Tickets for the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola went on sale last week. Tickets can be purchased by calling the PGA Hotline on 1800 009 499. For more details go to the PGA of Australia website www.pga.org.au.
A UNIQUE Australia v New Zealand Golf Challenge, featuring former US Open winners Geoff Ogilvy and Michael Campbell and a host of sports and entertainment celebrities will be staged at Sydney’s Moore Park Golf centre in December. Ogilvy and Campbell will head a host of sports stars and celebrities for the Australia -- New Zealand Golf Skins Challenge on December 7. Competing alongside Ogilvy and Campbell will be rock legend Jimmy Barnes, INXS’s Tim Farriss, Rugby League stars Nathan Hindmarsh, Nathan Cayless and Benji Marshall, Rugby Union personalities Phil Kearns and Matthew Burke as well as golfers Peter O’Malley, Greg Turner and Masterchef Australia’s Lucas Parsons. The charity based golf tournament will combine professional golf, amateurs and entertainment in a unique format to be telecast on TEN and ONE. The event will raise funds for Streetworx, a youth charity devoted to helping at risk and disadvantaged youth using golf as a tool, as well as to other Australian and New Zealand Charities. The tournament will be staged at Moore Park Golf Course, centrally located near Sydney’s CBD and will be preceded by a Gala Dinner and Concert Launch at Doltone House Pyrmont on December 6. Public entry into the event will be free of charge, however registration prior to the event is essential. For more information or to register to attend log on to www.skinschallenge.org.au
THE rapidly developing OneAsia Tour will put the international golf spotlight on China this week with the staging of the $600,000 Midea China Classic, the third event of the inaugural OneAsia season. The field for the tournament at the Nick Faldo-designed layout at the Royal Orchid International Golf Club in Shunde, south of Guangzhou includes some of Australia’s top PGA professionals. The big-hitting Kurt Barnes will be among a strong contingent of Australians competing and he is relishing the return to China after winning April’s Sofitel Zhongshan IGC Open in Nanjing on the mainland’s domestic circuit, which marked his first overseas victory. Before winning in Nanjing in April, Barnes finished tied 11th at the previous week’s US$2.2 million Volvo China Open in Beijing, which marked the first event on the inaugural OneAsia circuit and was co-sanctioned with the European Tour. However, Barnes was unable to compete at OneAsia’s second event, last month’s Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open, as the Australian was competing in the second stage of the Japan Tour Qualifying School. Liang Wenchong and former champion Zhang Lianwei will be among the local stars at the Midea China Classic, now in its fifth year. Zhang won the 2006 edition a year after losing a play-off to compatriot Yuan Hao in the inaugural event and has also competed in the last two editions. Liang, Asia’s number one in 2007 and joint runner-up in last month’s Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open in Japan, will be gunning for his first victory in the Midea China Classic, which was won by Thai legend Thaworn Wiratchant in 2007 and Korean teenager Noh Seung-yul last year. OneAsia plans to offer 12-15 events next year and 17-20 annually from 2011.
AUSSIE ace Michael Sim recorded a tie for 55th in the PGA Tour's Turning Stone Resort Championship last week. It was his first PGA Tour start since he won his third Nationwide Tour event of '09 in August and earned an automatic promotion to the big tour. Sim got off to a rough start when he made a quadruple-bogey seven on the sixth hole of his first round. He recovered and went on to play the next 66 holes in nine under par, with rounds of 75, 66, 72, 70.
QUEENSLAND’S Callaway Order of Merit champion Eddie Barr had an outstanding year on the Sunshine Tour with four title wins plus 24 top-10 finishes. Barr was unstinting in his praise and gratitude for all of the sponsors, golf clubs and event organisers after capping his year by finishing third at the Howeston Pro Am on Wednesday. However he was comically honest when he said, on receiving his Callaway award: “I would like to say that I look forward to defending my title next year, but in some ways I hope I don’t have that opportunity, because that would mean that I will be living my dream on the European Tour.” The PGA of Australia website www.pga.org.au reports that Barr, who successfully negotiated first stage of European Tour School the week before, talked about his 2009 season “It has been a long year in many ways, I have played more tournaments in a row than ever before but I really feel it has helped me to prepare for Europe as well as the Australasian Tour Events at the end of the year”. Barr also won the 2004 Callaway Order of Merit and Callaway Managing Director Frank McCarthy is excited to see what this victory can do for his career. “Eddie has been a part of our Callaway team for a number of years now and it is great to see him fulfilling the potential we all know he is capable of.” This was the seventh year that Callaway has been the sponsor of the Queensland Sunshine Tour Order of Merit and McCarthy confirmed his commitment into the future “Callaway is more than happy to once again support the 2010 Sunshine Tour Season, and in addition to our support of the Order of Merit, we hope we can also inspire the stars of tomorrow through the Sunshine Tour’s Callaway Expression Sessions”. For his efforts, Barr won two return airfares to Los Angeles, with transport to visit the USA Callaway factory in Carlsbad, California. Meals and accommodation at the Hilton Garden Inn in Carlsbad are also included. During his stay Barr will be personally fitted with a set of Callaway Golf Clubs including 3 woods and 9 irons, a personalised Staff Bag and an Odyssey Putter.
AN indication of how important the Australian PGA’s pro-am circuits are to professional golfers across the nation came from the Queensland Sunshine Tour’s Brad Andrews. After finishing second this year to Eddie Barr for the Callaway Order of Merit title Andrews, who won the OOM in 2006 and 2007 told the PGA website www.pga.org.au about how it had helped his career: “I have finished 1st, 1st, 3rd and 2nd in the last four years and with the way the points work, I think winning the Order of Merit really rewards the player who has not only played the best all year, but supported all of the smaller regional events as well. I took a lot of confidence away from my two victories and I hope Eddie can do the same”.
WHILE Eddie Barr won the Callaway Queensland Order of Merit with 345 points in a runaway from Brad Andrews (275) there were some other interesting statistics from the results posted on the PGA of Australia’s website www.pga.org.au: Barr won $38,492 from playing in 63 events but the biggest moneywinner was Michael Wright, who collected $52,072 from 30 events; the busiest players were Wade P Brunjes, who teed it up in 73 PGA tournaments and Tim Porter, one behind on 72; the Sunshine Tour competitors played for a total prizemoney distribution of $943,738.
ENTRIES for the European Senior Tour Qualifying School close on October 22 and the success of recent Australian graduates and of those players from the 2008 School is an inspiration. A new set of hopefuls will tee it up at the Pestana Golf Resort, on Portugal’s Algarve, for the 17th edition from November 16-19. Sydney club professional David Merriman, who won the School in 2006 has gone on to win more than $450,000 in three years and is currently 11th in the money list. South African Bertus Smit, who finished second behind Jimmy Heggarty at last year’s Qualifying School Final, leads the 18 graduates so far in 2009 after his maiden victory in the lucrative Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open. Smit is currently sixth in the Order of Merit having amassed about $166,000 in prize money from his 12 appearances this season.
AUSSIE star Peter Senior is looking to increase his lead in the chase for the European Seniors Tour Rookie of the Year award. Senior has raced to the front on the moneylist with earnings of about $153,000 after playing in just three events. Senior, who has finished, fourth and second twice, leads England’s Roger Chapman by about $3500. Senior has one more event – the $800,000 OKI Castellon Seniors Tour Championship in Spain on November 6 - in what seems certain to be the start of a lucrative second golf career.
GOLF'S Olymic Format. Nowthat golf again is an Olympic sport how many players will be in the team and how and where will the events be played? The International Golf Federation, the representative body for golf by the IOC, has proposed a format of 72-hole individual stroke play for both men and women. That format was recommended because top players felt that was the fairest and best way to identify a champion, mirroring the format used in golf's major championships. In case of a tie for either first, second or third place, a three-hole playoff is recommended to determine the medal winner(s). The IGF recommended an Olympic field of 60 players for each of the men's and women's competition, utilizing the Official World Golf Ranking as a method of determining eligibility. The top 15 world-ranked players would be eligible for the Olympics, regardless of the number of players from a given country. Beyond the top 15, players would be eligible based on world ranking, with a maximum of two available players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top 15.
WHILE South America’s Rio de Janeiro might make for a spectacular host city for the 2016 Summer Olympiad it has only two two full-length, 18-hole golf courses in the city of 14 million people. According to the authoritative US golf website www.golf.com “it is by no means clear whether Olympic golf will take place there or in an adjoining region. Among the candidates are the coastal resort of Buzios, 100 miles to the east, and Sao Paulo, 275 miles to the southwest. John Byers, director of rules and international affairs for the Brazilian Golf Confederation, said that when it comes to the logistics of site selection, “we’re moving onto uncharted waters here.” It was still unclear whether men’s and women’s golf at the 2016 Games would be contested on the same golf course or on two layouts. Details are likely to be made in a joint decision involving the International Golf Federation and Brazilian Olympic authorities. Brazil’s winning Olympic bid at a budgeted cost of $14 billion did not anticipate construction of a new golf venue for the 2016 Games. But it is hard to imagine a private developer not jumping at the chance to fund such an undertaking. The long-term goodwill and publicity likely would prove to be a valuable asset.”
GOLF followers with a Fox Sports TV subscription will have plenty to watch this week. There will be live telecasts of the European Tour’s Portugese Open, the US Tour’s Justin Timberlake Open in Las Vegas, the US PGA Tour’s Nationwide Tour’s Miccosukee Open and the US PGA Champions Tour’s Administaff Classic from Thursday night to Monday morning. Go to FoxSports website TV guide for full details.
THE Golf Show on Fox Sports which is screened tonight at 7.30 and 10.30 and repeated tomorrow at 7am and 12.30pm, will have a full review of the Presidents Cup, where Golf Show host Brett Ogle played a starring commentators role. This week there will be previews of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children’s Open in Las Vegas and an update on end-of-season news. PGA Members Ossie Moore and Ben Doney will present their informative rules and tips segment.
THE US Presidents Cup team roster was expanded by one, just in time for Sunday’s singles session. And it proved to be quite an inspirational addition – Amy Mickelson. The wife of world number three player Phil Mickelson’s spirited wife, who is battling breast cancer, arrived Saturday night and greeted her husband when he got back to the team hotel following his afternoon four-ball match.
THE Victorian Golf Association has announced that Subaru again has agreed to be the naming rights sponsor of the 2010 Victorian Open Championship. The 2010 Subaru Victorian Open will be held in Melbourne over 72-holes from Thursday January 7 to Sunday January 10 at the Spring Valley Golf Club. Being the first Australasian PGA Tour event in the New Year, it’s expected that a top quality field will be participating for prizemoney of approximately $115,000. First played in 1957, the Victorian Open honour roll boasts a who’s who of Australian golf and has provided the initial major tournament break through opportunity for numerous talented young players, including this year’s winner in Ashley Hall. PGA Chief Executive Officer Max Garske said the Victorian Open has produced a long line of champion golfers, many of whom have gone on to achieve great
success on the world stage. “Some of Australia’s greatest champions including Greg Norman, Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, Ian Baker- Finch and Robert Allenby all have their name engraved on this prestigious trophy, and the PGA is proud to have this tournament back on the PGA Tour of Australasia schedule in 2010.”
AUSSIE Paul Gow’s website www.paulgow.com reports that he will have to finish in the top two this week at the Miccosukee Championship in Miami if he is to have any chance of making the elite field for the US PGA’s Nationwide Tour Championship the following week. Gow on Friday missed his 14th weekend cut in 23 starts this year despite an eagle at the final hole in the Chattanooga Classic. With about $60,000 in earnings this year Gow is 98th on the moneylist and needs a big week to reach the top 60 and so qualify for the $1.1 million Tour Championship. Otherwise he will need to wait for Stage Two of the PGA Tour School in November.
TIGER Woods and caddie Steve Williams this year celebrated 10 years competing together on the world’s golf circuits during which time the world number one player has enjoyed 83 wins worldwide including 14 majors. The official Tiger Woods website www.tigerwoods.com in the section introducing the Tiger support group reports that Steve joined Team Tiger back in the US Spring of 1999, and ever since both Tiger and Steve have been the most dominant duo in the game. “Steve's so positive out there, keeps me upbeat,” Woods said. “I get on him, he gets on me. We have a good time out there. Even if I'm playing good or bad, we're going to enjoy each other's company.” Williams said of Woods: “It's one of those things, when you find that perfect partner, you're just so calm with each other. We've become very good mates. We socialise together. It's one of those things that's developed, not something I planned on happening.” Over the years, Williams has caddied various employers, including Greg Norman, Raymond Floyd and Ian Baker Finch, to the tune of 75 professional victories. Steve is also the only caddie in history to have won all four of golf's professional majors.
SPANISH great Seve Ballesteros has described himself as "the luckiest man alive", a year on from suffering a life-threatening brain tumour. Ballesteros, who has had four operations and is still undergoing radiotherapy, said he had required tremendous patience to endure his treatment, and told fans not to feel sorry for him the website www.guardian.co.uk reported. In an interview with the BBC commentator Peter Alliss, to be broadcast tomorrow’s Inside Sport program, Ballesteros said: “I've had a very good life. I'm sure that some people will feel sorry for me or maybe cry when they see this program. But I feel very happy and a very lucky person because throughout my life I have had so many great moments and I feel that I live two or three more lives than the average person. This thing that happened to me is a very little thing compared to other people who have tougher times. They didn't have the opportunity to live life so intensely and as well as I did.” Ballesteros lost three quarters of his left eye during his operations and has walked around his indoor swimming pool for four kilometres a day to build up his strength. He said he can now hit full shots and play on the course but his impaired vision means he struggles with his putting. “Nine months ago I was feeling I was useless. I couldn't walk and I couldn't do anything and progressively I set up goals. One of them was to hit balls and play golf,” he said.
RISING world star Rory McIlroy is probably the most communicative golf pro in the world with not only his own excellent website at www.rorymcilroy.com but also a Facebook page (which has about 3000 Friends) and he Twitters – especially when his football team Manchester United is in action. A recent Rory website daily blog informed the world that in golf, as in life, it often is not what you know but who you know. In explaining how, because of rain, he was unable to play a practice round at Kingsbarns early in the week of the Dunhill Links Championship, McIlroy revealed: “We had a bit of lunch at St Andrews and then a friend of mine who works there opened a bay at the driving range for me and Dad, sorted us out some Pro V1s, so we had a good old practice in the dry whilst everyone else was out on the range getting a good soaking!”
McIlroy, who is leading the European Tour’s moneylist and the Race to Dubai with winnings of about $4 million, is one of the world’s busiest and most travelled elite golfers. The 20-year-old will be playing his 23rd event when he tees it up in the Portugal Open this week and he plans to play another five events before year’s end. By the time he competes in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup at the end of November he will have played in 12 countries this year. And even when he is not competing McIlroy stays busy with his golf career. As he revealed on his website www.rorymcilroy.com website last week: “I'm having a week off now and plan to have a bit of r and r and I've also got a sponsor's thing to do up at Lough Erne on Friday so I think I'll be taking Theo (his Labradoodle dog) with me and enjoy some time up there.”
AUSTRALIAN golf courses and their superintendents have left an indelible impression on a recent visitor to Australia, the Royal &Ancient’s Steve Isaac, the Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association newsletter, The Cut, reported last week. “In an article that appeared this week on The R&A website, Isaac had nothing but praise for the way Australian superintendents were rising to the challenge of producing firm and dry playing surfaces at a time when critical resources, such as water, were diminishing. Issac commented: “The R&A, the AGCSA and Golf Australia share a similar philosophy with regard to course management and presentation.” Isaac was impressed by the Australian philosophy of producing firm and dry playing surfaces, focusing more on playing performance than appearance. “Addressing water restrictions has forced the hand of Australian golf clubs, though they seemed to be well positioned to adapt to a limited supply and the need to find alternative sources to drinking water for irrigation,” he said.
AARON Baddley’s website www.badds.com reveals that he supports an unusual charity drive with the headcovers he has on his golf bag. As he explains: “Daphne’s make ‘Tobo’ my little koala headcover. ‘Tobo’ means “let it fly” in Japanese and for every koala headcover sold by Daphne’s we make a donation to the Save The Koala Foundation in Australia.
THE Presidents Cup had everything when it came to sporting celebrities at Harding Park in San Francisco last week. First off there was basketball legend Michael Jordan, who was a volunteer assistant on the US team. In the gallery was another legend in Barry Bonds, the baseball record-holding slugger watching Tiger Woods along with Jim Plunkett, who led the Oakland Raiders to a Super Bowl. Golf superstar parents B.J. and Bo Wie, whose daughter Michelle is one of the biggest name in women's golf, were also among the Woods-Stricker gallery. And later in the week former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was spotted in the gallery. On the opening tee was Whistling Straits golf course and St Andrews Old Course Hotel owner Herb Kohler, multiple major championship winners such as British Open great Peter Thomson and Dave Stockton, former U.S. Open champion and San Francisco native Ken Venturi and upcoming Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin.
2009年10月12日星期一
Miyazato a winner again in Japan
Ai Miyazato today became the beneficiary of a late stumble by Korean golfer Mi Jeong-Jeon and won the Sankyo Ladies Open in Gunma Prefecture in Japan. In doing so the still only 24 year old won her first Japan Tour title in Japan in three years.
It was Miyazato’s 14th career win on the Japan LPGA Tour but her first since leaving to play the LPGA Tour full time in 2007.
Miyazato, who won for the first time on the LPGA Tour this season when she won the Evian Masters, came from five shots off the second round lead of Jeong’s to snatch victory after Jeong faltered over the closing four holes. A bogey and two double bogeys by Jeong cost the 26 year old her fourth title of the season.
Miyazato finished one shot ahead of Jeong and Mayu Hattori.
Australia’s Nikki Campbell had worked herself into fourth position before a double bogey by her at the last hole saw her slip to 9th position.
Campbell however it was her 8th top ten of the season and she moves into 20th position on the money list.
2009年10月11日星期日
Ishikawa right at home on world's stage
Even when the shutters are not screaming in his ears, the feeling that the noise will pierce the air at any moment is always there.
It lurks around doglegs and in parking lots and on practice tees. In Japan, it could be on a sidewalk, in a department store, at the airport.
The guy might not be Tiger Woods' equal on the golf course, but he certainly can relate to the game's No. 1 player when it comes to unrelenting attention.
Ishikawa, who turned 18 on Sept. 17, is the youngest player ever to compete in the Presidents Cup. He played in the Masters, British Open and PGA Championship this year. He has won four times this year on the Japan Tour, including this past Sunday.
And the Japanese media are there to chronicle every step in the journey.
More than 80 credentialed media from Japan are at the Presidents Cup, more than half of them photographers. And there is nothing quite like the awe of the gallery as all those media folks come trudging along the ropes, following Ishikawa.
On Friday, he rewarded their never-ending pursuit of him with one of his best efforts on the international stage. Ishikawa has mostly struggled in his PGA Tour events, but he made two birdies and helped partner Y.E. Yang easily defeat Americans Kenny Perry and Sean O'Hair 4 and 3 in their four-ball match.
"I am very happy to help get one point for captain [Greg] Norman," Ishikawa said through an interpreter. "That point is very precious. I felt much better today about the way I played. My body felt looser. I was quite nervous yesterday."
And that is understandable. Ishikawa was paired with Geoff Ogilvy on Thursday and going up against Woods and Steve Stricker, who handled them easily in foursomes, 6 and 4.
Friday was a different story, and the Ishikawa-Yang pairing helped the International squad split the six matches and trail by just a point, 6? to 5?, heading into Saturday's double session. The two will be paired again in the Saturday morning foursomes.
"He's young, but he definitely doesn't play young," Yang said. "I told him on the first tee that we should have fun and we did have fun, and we had a win as well. He's been a great teammate."
Ishikawa already has an impressive résumé for someone so young. On Sunday, he birdied the final two holes at the Coca-Cola Tokai Classic in Japan to win by 1 stroke, the sixth Japan Tour title of his career.
Two years ago when he won the KSB Cup as a a5-year-old amateur, he became the youngest winner in Japan Tour history. He finished fifth on the circuit's money list in his rookie season last year and has risen to 43rd in the Official World Golf Ranking. If he can stay inside the top 50 to the end of the year, he'll be exempt for all the major championships next year.
O'Hair, 27, knows a thing or two about turning pro as a teenager. He did so at age 18 right out of high school and has since won three times on the PGA Tour.
Considered one of America's top young players, O'Hair is nine years older than Ishikawa and chuckled at that thought.
"I can imagine what he's going through," O'Hair said. "I think it's going to be interesting to see how he plays over here [on the PGA Tour]. I think people are expecting a little bit too much out of him. He's going to develop on the PGA Tour, and it's not the easiest place to develop.
"I think the experience will be great for him, but I don't see him winning a golf tournament right away. He's a good player, and if he doesn't get burned out and get tired of all the crap -- which I don't see happening -- hopefully he's managed properly.
"I'm not sure he's Tiger at 18. But he's just behind Tiger at that age. And that's saying a lot."
Norman made Ishikawa -- along with Australia's Adam Scott -- one of his captain's selections. And he said the choice was easy.
"This kid has got a lot of the right qualities that you see," Norman said. "I secretly went and watched him practice at the British Open this year at Turnberry. I snuck in behind the gallery and I just stood there and he didn't know I was standing there, just to watch him, where the club was at the top.
"And I always like to see a guy, how he works on the driving range. If he's into it on the driving range, you know he's going to take that energy out onto the golf course. And he was so focused hitting balls, I was extremely impressed, for a young guy, because a lot of things happen on the driving range at the British Open. There's a lot of activity, a lot of cameras, a lot of people, and he was into his game. Technically, he looks great.
"And then he started winning. … So he really stepped up to the plate. His English is excellent. He's very engaging with everybody, and he wants to be included in everything. For a kid of his young age, he's got heaps of maturity about him. So I look forward to him just go out there and just play golf and just have fun."
Ishikawa drives to many tournaments in Japan, somewhat to avoid the crush of attention that he gets even in an airport but also to clear his head. (Actually, his father, Katsumi, does the driving because Ryo is not yet licensed to drive; he will take care of that in the offseason.)
Yet he hardly seems frustrated by all the attention.
"I've never thought that's very difficult for me," he said. "Obviously, because of the media, golf gets covered, and the popularity of golf will increase because of the media. I would like to continue this good relationship that the media and I have, and hopefully it will be a long relationship."
Now that is youth for you.
It lurks around doglegs and in parking lots and on practice tees. In Japan, it could be on a sidewalk, in a department store, at the airport.
The guy might not be Tiger Woods' equal on the golf course, but he certainly can relate to the game's No. 1 player when it comes to unrelenting attention.
Ishikawa, who turned 18 on Sept. 17, is the youngest player ever to compete in the Presidents Cup. He played in the Masters, British Open and PGA Championship this year. He has won four times this year on the Japan Tour, including this past Sunday.
And the Japanese media are there to chronicle every step in the journey.
More than 80 credentialed media from Japan are at the Presidents Cup, more than half of them photographers. And there is nothing quite like the awe of the gallery as all those media folks come trudging along the ropes, following Ishikawa.
On Friday, he rewarded their never-ending pursuit of him with one of his best efforts on the international stage. Ishikawa has mostly struggled in his PGA Tour events, but he made two birdies and helped partner Y.E. Yang easily defeat Americans Kenny Perry and Sean O'Hair 4 and 3 in their four-ball match.
"I am very happy to help get one point for captain [Greg] Norman," Ishikawa said through an interpreter. "That point is very precious. I felt much better today about the way I played. My body felt looser. I was quite nervous yesterday."
And that is understandable. Ishikawa was paired with Geoff Ogilvy on Thursday and going up against Woods and Steve Stricker, who handled them easily in foursomes, 6 and 4.
Friday was a different story, and the Ishikawa-Yang pairing helped the International squad split the six matches and trail by just a point, 6? to 5?, heading into Saturday's double session. The two will be paired again in the Saturday morning foursomes.
"He's young, but he definitely doesn't play young," Yang said. "I told him on the first tee that we should have fun and we did have fun, and we had a win as well. He's been a great teammate."
Ishikawa already has an impressive résumé for someone so young. On Sunday, he birdied the final two holes at the Coca-Cola Tokai Classic in Japan to win by 1 stroke, the sixth Japan Tour title of his career.
Two years ago when he won the KSB Cup as a a5-year-old amateur, he became the youngest winner in Japan Tour history. He finished fifth on the circuit's money list in his rookie season last year and has risen to 43rd in the Official World Golf Ranking. If he can stay inside the top 50 to the end of the year, he'll be exempt for all the major championships next year.
O'Hair, 27, knows a thing or two about turning pro as a teenager. He did so at age 18 right out of high school and has since won three times on the PGA Tour.
Considered one of America's top young players, O'Hair is nine years older than Ishikawa and chuckled at that thought.
"I can imagine what he's going through," O'Hair said. "I think it's going to be interesting to see how he plays over here [on the PGA Tour]. I think people are expecting a little bit too much out of him. He's going to develop on the PGA Tour, and it's not the easiest place to develop.
"I think the experience will be great for him, but I don't see him winning a golf tournament right away. He's a good player, and if he doesn't get burned out and get tired of all the crap -- which I don't see happening -- hopefully he's managed properly.
"I'm not sure he's Tiger at 18. But he's just behind Tiger at that age. And that's saying a lot."
Norman made Ishikawa -- along with Australia's Adam Scott -- one of his captain's selections. And he said the choice was easy.
"This kid has got a lot of the right qualities that you see," Norman said. "I secretly went and watched him practice at the British Open this year at Turnberry. I snuck in behind the gallery and I just stood there and he didn't know I was standing there, just to watch him, where the club was at the top.
"And I always like to see a guy, how he works on the driving range. If he's into it on the driving range, you know he's going to take that energy out onto the golf course. And he was so focused hitting balls, I was extremely impressed, for a young guy, because a lot of things happen on the driving range at the British Open. There's a lot of activity, a lot of cameras, a lot of people, and he was into his game. Technically, he looks great.
"And then he started winning. … So he really stepped up to the plate. His English is excellent. He's very engaging with everybody, and he wants to be included in everything. For a kid of his young age, he's got heaps of maturity about him. So I look forward to him just go out there and just play golf and just have fun."
Ishikawa drives to many tournaments in Japan, somewhat to avoid the crush of attention that he gets even in an airport but also to clear his head. (Actually, his father, Katsumi, does the driving because Ryo is not yet licensed to drive; he will take care of that in the offseason.)
Yet he hardly seems frustrated by all the attention.
"I've never thought that's very difficult for me," he said. "Obviously, because of the media, golf gets covered, and the popularity of golf will increase because of the media. I would like to continue this good relationship that the media and I have, and hopefully it will be a long relationship."
Now that is youth for you.
2009年10月10日星期六
SKorean actor Bae Yong-joon cuts Japan tour due to illness
South Korean actor Bae Yong-joon was forced to cut short his promotional tour in Japan on Friday after his health took a turn for the worse, his agency BOF said.
Bae who was scheduled to stay till Sunday, was overworked and had to cancel several events and return to Korea.
He has been resting since his return and his health has shown improvement, Bae’s agency said. However, he will undergo a medical checkup to see whether he needs to be hospitalised.
The star was in Japan to promote his travel book “A Journey in Search of Korean Beauty” and the animated version of the hit television drama “Winter Sonata” which he starred in.
Last month, Bae was hospitalised with sepsis, a blood disorder, while promoting his book in Korea. The illness is believed to have been caused by extreme fatigue and stress.
The 37-year-old actor shed more than 10 kilograms during his travels around the country for the compilation of essays on Korean culture and travel.
According to KBS Global, the book has topped the travel book bestseller category in major bookstores in Korea and has gone into its tenth printing in just seven days after its launch.
Bae who was scheduled to stay till Sunday, was overworked and had to cancel several events and return to Korea.
He has been resting since his return and his health has shown improvement, Bae’s agency said. However, he will undergo a medical checkup to see whether he needs to be hospitalised.
The star was in Japan to promote his travel book “A Journey in Search of Korean Beauty” and the animated version of the hit television drama “Winter Sonata” which he starred in.
Last month, Bae was hospitalised with sepsis, a blood disorder, while promoting his book in Korea. The illness is believed to have been caused by extreme fatigue and stress.
The 37-year-old actor shed more than 10 kilograms during his travels around the country for the compilation of essays on Korean culture and travel.
According to KBS Global, the book has topped the travel book bestseller category in major bookstores in Korea and has gone into its tenth printing in just seven days after its launch.
2009年10月9日星期五
Beijing big hit for holiday travel
The eight-day "golden week" holiday ended on Thursday, with Beijing being the most popular tourism destination thanks to the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
The holiday, from Oct 1-8, was extended by one day this year because the Mid-Autumn festival fell during the period.
According to online travel service ctrip.com, Beijing topped the popular destination list, followed by Shanghai, Hangzhou and Chengdu.
"Factors such as National Day, the parade and the Olympic Games together made Beijing the most popular," said Tang Yibo, supervisor of the holiday department of ctrip.com.
The Chinese capital received nearly 15 million tourists during the eight days, up almost 59 percent year on year, the Beijing Tourism Administration said yesterday.
Total tourism revenue reached almost 5.4 billion yuan ($790 million), up 3.1 percent from last year, which was the best year in history, it said.
Tian'anmen rostrum especially benefited from the patriotism aroused by the celebrations on National Day.
It and other scenic spots in Beijing, such as the Palace Museum, were closed to tourists because of the parade on Oct 1. So many people arrived in the following days, trying to grasp a feel of standing on the rostrum and reviewing the passing parade.
Official statistics showed that the Tian'anmen rostrum received at least 20,000 visitors on Oct 4 and 6 each, three times than the same day last year.
Other major scenic spots, such as the Palace Museum and Badaling section of the Great Wall, also saw significant growth in tourists.
Shanghai was the second most popular destination this year, according to ctrip.com.
"A destination like Shanghai, a metropolis, has longstanding appeal to domestic tourists," Tang said.
Though the number of tourist began to decline the past two days, major scenic spots in Shanghai still received a large number of visitors. On Wednesday, 15,000 tourists visited Shanghai's iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, an increase of 42 percent year on year, according to the Shanghai tourism department.
The China Tourism Academy forecast that domestic scenic spots would receive 200 million tourists, while tourist income was expected to be more than 100 billion yuan, an increase of 25 percent over the same period last year.
More people visited overseas, too, the China National Tourism Administration said yesterday in a news release.
The number of mainlanders visiting Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan grew by more than 50 percent year on year, it said.
Ctrip.com said the most popular overseas destinations included Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Maldives, Malaysia, Taiwan and the United States.
Starting from Wednesday, the country's railway, roads and air transport experienced a new peak of travel, as millions of travelers started returning home.
Ministry of Transport spokesman He Jianzhong said yesterday that some 62 million people were expected to travel by road yesterday, up 9 percent year on year.
The Ministry of Railways said 5.6 million passengers traveled by train on Tuesday, and 48.5 million did so between Oct 1-6, up 2.4 percent year on year.
Short-distance trips became popular, packing the high-speed bullet trains with travelers.
The holiday, from Oct 1-8, was extended by one day this year because the Mid-Autumn festival fell during the period.
According to online travel service ctrip.com, Beijing topped the popular destination list, followed by Shanghai, Hangzhou and Chengdu.
"Factors such as National Day, the parade and the Olympic Games together made Beijing the most popular," said Tang Yibo, supervisor of the holiday department of ctrip.com.
The Chinese capital received nearly 15 million tourists during the eight days, up almost 59 percent year on year, the Beijing Tourism Administration said yesterday.
Total tourism revenue reached almost 5.4 billion yuan ($790 million), up 3.1 percent from last year, which was the best year in history, it said.
Tian'anmen rostrum especially benefited from the patriotism aroused by the celebrations on National Day.
It and other scenic spots in Beijing, such as the Palace Museum, were closed to tourists because of the parade on Oct 1. So many people arrived in the following days, trying to grasp a feel of standing on the rostrum and reviewing the passing parade.
Official statistics showed that the Tian'anmen rostrum received at least 20,000 visitors on Oct 4 and 6 each, three times than the same day last year.
Other major scenic spots, such as the Palace Museum and Badaling section of the Great Wall, also saw significant growth in tourists.
Shanghai was the second most popular destination this year, according to ctrip.com.
"A destination like Shanghai, a metropolis, has longstanding appeal to domestic tourists," Tang said.
Though the number of tourist began to decline the past two days, major scenic spots in Shanghai still received a large number of visitors. On Wednesday, 15,000 tourists visited Shanghai's iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, an increase of 42 percent year on year, according to the Shanghai tourism department.
The China Tourism Academy forecast that domestic scenic spots would receive 200 million tourists, while tourist income was expected to be more than 100 billion yuan, an increase of 25 percent over the same period last year.
More people visited overseas, too, the China National Tourism Administration said yesterday in a news release.
The number of mainlanders visiting Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan grew by more than 50 percent year on year, it said.
Ctrip.com said the most popular overseas destinations included Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Maldives, Malaysia, Taiwan and the United States.
Starting from Wednesday, the country's railway, roads and air transport experienced a new peak of travel, as millions of travelers started returning home.
Ministry of Transport spokesman He Jianzhong said yesterday that some 62 million people were expected to travel by road yesterday, up 9 percent year on year.
The Ministry of Railways said 5.6 million passengers traveled by train on Tuesday, and 48.5 million did so between Oct 1-6, up 2.4 percent year on year.
Short-distance trips became popular, packing the high-speed bullet trains with travelers.
2009年10月7日星期三
Guide to Hida Takayama
Takayama-city is located in northern Gifu prefecture, about 150 miles west of Tokyo, about 110 miles northeast of Kyoto, and about 65 miles north of Nagoya-city. It is also called Hida Takayama and is a popular tourist destination in Japan. Takayama is known for its streets lined with traditional wooden buildings. The Shirakawa-go Village, one of Japan's UNESCO World Heritage sites, is accessible within one hour from Takayama.
The Takayama Festival, originated in late 16th century, is held in spring and autumn every year. The spring festival is called Sanno Matsuri and takes place on April 14 and 15. The autumn one is called Hachiman Matsuri and takes place on October 9 and 10. The main feature of the festivals is gorgeous yatai (floats) which decorated with detailed carvings, tapestries, and karakuri dolls (marionettes).
Access: It takes about one hour and 40 minutes by Shikansen Nozomi train from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station. It takes 2 and half hours by JR limited express train from Nagoya Statioon to Takayama Station.
Book a Cheap Flight to Japan (by Kayak)
Find Places to Stay in Takayama by Kayak
Takayama Tourist Attractions:
Takayama Map
* Furui Machi Nami (Old Private Houses)
Old wooden buildings are lined on the east side of the Miyagawa River.
Location: San-machi, Shimonino-machi, Oshin-machi area
Access: 10-15 minute walk from JR Takayama Station
* Asa-ichi (Morning Markets)[/link]
Morrning markets which sell vegetables, fruits, and flowers are held mainly in two locations: Jinyamae Morning Market and Miyagawa Morning Market.
Time: 6 a.m.-noon (April - Oct.) 7 a.m. - noon (Nov. - March)
* Takayama Yatai Kaikan (Festival Floats Exhibition Hall)
It's located in the Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine and displays floats for the Takayama Festival.
Address: 178 Sakura-machi Takayama-city, Gifu
Access: 20 minute walk from JR Takayama Station
Phone: 0577-32-5100
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5p.m. (March - Nov.) / 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Dec. - Feb.)
Admission: 820 yen (adults), 510 yen (high school students), 410 yen (middle and elementary school students)
* Takayama Jinya
Takayama Jinya are used to as government offices during the Edo and Meiji periods.
Address: 1-5 Hachiken-machi Takayama-city
Access: 10 minute walk from JR Takayama Station
Phone: 0577-32-0643
Admission: 420 yen (adults), free for high, middle, and elementary school students
Hours: 8:45 a.m. - 5p.m. (March - Oct.) / 8:45a.m. - 4:30p.m. (Nov. - Feb.) / 8:45 a.m. - 6 p.m (Aug.)
* Hidano Sato (Hida Folk Village)
There are about 30 traditional Hida-style houses in which visitors can experience pottery making or traditional crafts.
Address: 1-590 Kamiokamoto-machi Takayama-city
Access: 30 minute walk from JR Takayama Station or take a taxi from the station
Phone: 0577-34-4711
Admission: 700 yen (adults) / 200 yen (middle and elementary school students)
Hours: 8: 30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Takayama Festival, originated in late 16th century, is held in spring and autumn every year. The spring festival is called Sanno Matsuri and takes place on April 14 and 15. The autumn one is called Hachiman Matsuri and takes place on October 9 and 10. The main feature of the festivals is gorgeous yatai (floats) which decorated with detailed carvings, tapestries, and karakuri dolls (marionettes).
Access: It takes about one hour and 40 minutes by Shikansen Nozomi train from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station. It takes 2 and half hours by JR limited express train from Nagoya Statioon to Takayama Station.
Book a Cheap Flight to Japan (by Kayak)
Find Places to Stay in Takayama by Kayak
Takayama Tourist Attractions:
Takayama Map
* Furui Machi Nami (Old Private Houses)
Old wooden buildings are lined on the east side of the Miyagawa River.
Location: San-machi, Shimonino-machi, Oshin-machi area
Access: 10-15 minute walk from JR Takayama Station
* Asa-ichi (Morning Markets)[/link]
Morrning markets which sell vegetables, fruits, and flowers are held mainly in two locations: Jinyamae Morning Market and Miyagawa Morning Market.
Time: 6 a.m.-noon (April - Oct.) 7 a.m. - noon (Nov. - March)
* Takayama Yatai Kaikan (Festival Floats Exhibition Hall)
It's located in the Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine and displays floats for the Takayama Festival.
Address: 178 Sakura-machi Takayama-city, Gifu
Access: 20 minute walk from JR Takayama Station
Phone: 0577-32-5100
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5p.m. (March - Nov.) / 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Dec. - Feb.)
Admission: 820 yen (adults), 510 yen (high school students), 410 yen (middle and elementary school students)
* Takayama Jinya
Takayama Jinya are used to as government offices during the Edo and Meiji periods.
Address: 1-5 Hachiken-machi Takayama-city
Access: 10 minute walk from JR Takayama Station
Phone: 0577-32-0643
Admission: 420 yen (adults), free for high, middle, and elementary school students
Hours: 8:45 a.m. - 5p.m. (March - Oct.) / 8:45a.m. - 4:30p.m. (Nov. - Feb.) / 8:45 a.m. - 6 p.m (Aug.)
* Hidano Sato (Hida Folk Village)
There are about 30 traditional Hida-style houses in which visitors can experience pottery making or traditional crafts.
Address: 1-590 Kamiokamoto-machi Takayama-city
Access: 30 minute walk from JR Takayama Station or take a taxi from the station
Phone: 0577-34-4711
Admission: 700 yen (adults) / 200 yen (middle and elementary school students)
Hours: 8: 30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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