Day 1 was a glorious sun-kissed day with temperatures of about 24° and a light breeze blowing. But only 3 of us practised on day 1 at Hakone Country Club (Low Kok Ang, Zulkefly Daim, Khor Yew Teik). Yew Teik had just spent the previous 4 days hiking up and down Mount Fuji from sea level. An impressive feat I might gladly add.
Day 2 was the official friendly match day. We were greeted by another stunning day and eventually played on what can probably pass off as the most beautiful golf course on the island. There have been publications describing the Hakone Country Club as the most aesthetically pleasing golf course on the island. It is set in the Owakudani valley surrounded by the Fuji mountain range. Although Fujisan itself was hidden, but there was not any view point on the golf course that can be described as anything else but breathtaking. All RSGC golfers must make this course a bucket list item. The club president Iwazaki San and all members and staff of the Hakone Golf Club were all so welcoming and hospitable. Never mind the superb food and drinks served but we were also treated to a Kabuki show, Japanese pantomime staged by Katsuji Seto a member of HCC & his family members. Truly an amazing experience.
Day 3
This was a free and easy day reserved for the long trip from Hakone to Ryugasaki. Our breakaway group of Ibrahimnuddin, Low Kok Ang, Danny Choong and yours truly made our own arrangements of booking our own hotels, and picked up a rental car throughout the entire trip and spent our free and easy days by driving up to Mount Fuji base station 5. Not the best of our days here with rain unfortunately, but we did catch a glimpse of the majestic peak of Fujisan. We then headed out on a 2-hour drive to have dinner at the Tokyo Club kindly hosted by the former Japanese ambassador to Malaysia and club member Dr Makio Miyagawa. It is a dining club on Ginza which was so exclusive that we were not allowed to take photos within the confines of the dining area. Of course the jacket dress code was strictly observed. After dinner we continued our drive to Ryugasaki Plaza Hotel where we stayed, which is only a short drive to Ryugasaki Country Club.
Day 4
We started the practice day with a lovely mixed Japanese & Continental breakfast. Later to be welcomed again by good weather albeit higher temperatures & somewhat muggier conditions. The beauty of many golf courses in Japan continues at Ryugasaki Country Club. A little less undulating grounds but they felt longer, as perhaps we were affected by fatigue and heat from our previous rounds of golf. The golf course ground conditions were not comparable with Hakone due to the extreme weather conditions, by Japanese standards but very enjoyable all the same.
Day 5
Our second day golfing at Ryugasaki Country Club was the official match day of this year’s friendly golf match, and the final game of the trip. Greeted and welcomed by our gracious hosts we were led again to a wonderful pre-game breakfast. This day was even hotter at 33°C and muggier. As a joke I turned to our host Nakamura San telling him that his country is very hot. After a draining round we were glad to jump in the Club’s onsen before getting ready for our formal lunch. The normal formalities and toasting followed after a delicious lunch as we bid our farewells and thank yous. A short drive back, followed by a final night at Crowne Plaza Hotel. Our flight home was early the following morning from Narita International Airport, bringing to a close the early autumn Japan trip this year.
Another memorable trip to Japan for a handful of us. Hoping the turn out will be better next year than it was this year.
