RSGC recently sent a record contingent of 26 members, led by Captain Raymond Yeoh, for our annual Interclub Away Matches in Japan, visiting Hakone Country Club and Ryugasaki Country Club. This is by far the largest group ever sent to our Japanese reciprocal partners, showing just how much our members look forward to these trips — a perfect blend of golf, culture, and friendship.
HAKONE COUNTRY CLUB (HCC)
The first stop was Hakone Country Club, a club RSGC has shared a warm relationship with since the agreement was signed on 16 October 2016 by Past Captain Chang See Tum and HCC President Toshio Iwasaki. The first friendly match at RSGC marked the start of this lovely tradition.
Members arrived in Japan on 9 November and checked in at The Celecton Gotemba Interchange, where some stayed for the Hakone leg. The hotel is famous for its views of Mount Fuji, though the first day was cloudy and rainy, and Fuji-san stayed shy. On the second day, the peak finally appeared — but only for a brief, fleeting moment before clouds rolled in again. I was able to see Fuji-san once more on the last day before we checked out, and the weather was so clear! I was honestly in awe — simply majestic and breathtaking, a perfect reminder of why Mount Fuji is so famously elusive: it’s visible only about 70–80 days a year, often hidden by clouds, rain, or haze, making every glimpse a real treat.
Hakone is simply stunning, especially in autumn, with mountains and forests ablaze in reds, oranges, and golds — a truly breathtaking backdrop for golf. Hakone Country Club, formed in July 1954, lies at the bottom of a caldera in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, surrounded by the somma at an elevation of around 1,000m. The club offers a rare 360-degree panoramic view, with Mt. Kamiyama (1,438m) towering behind. Lake Ashinoko and Owakudani valley were shaped by volcanic activity thousands of years ago, creating the unique landscape we see today. The course was designed by Shiro Akahoshi, a renowned golf architect who inherited design philosophy from Alister MacKenzie.
On 10 November, RSGC members played a practice round among themselves, followed by lunch after nine holes to familiarise everyone with the course. On 11 November, the official Interclub Friendly Match was held, with a few Hakone Country Club members joining to play alongside RSGC. The day began with breakfast and a group photo, followed by the match. Captain Raymond Yeoh emerged as the winner with 68.4 nett, followed by Lim Chee Khoon (68.6 nett) and Wong Hong Nung (71.5 nett) in third place. The day concluded with a Welcome Party and Prize Presentation, celebrating both the results and the enduring camaraderie between the clubs.
RYUGASAKI COUNTRY CLUB
The second leg of the tour took the RSGC contingent to Hotel Nikko Tsukuba before visiting Ryugasaki Country Club on 13–14 November 2025. Some of us stayed at Tsukuba, which is known as Tsukuba Science Group photo during the practice round at Hakone Country Club HCC President Toshio Iwasaki and RSGC Captain Raymond Yeoh during the shirt exchange City, a planned hub for research and education. The drive to Ryugasaki took around 35 minutes. The reciprocal relationship with Ryugasaki began in 2013 through Datuk Ichiro Suzuki, culminating in the inaugural match in 2015.
Members enjoyed a practice round on 13 November, followed by lunch after nine holes. The next day saw the official Interclub Friendly Match. The courtesy and hospitality extended by Ryugasaki Country Club was so warm, it almost felt like home, and several Ryugasaki players joined the RSGC members on the course. The Ryugasaki course, an 18-hole, par-72 layout designed by eminent golf course planner Sei-ichi Inoue, is beautifully maintained, scenic, and challenging, consistently ranked among the top-ten golf courses in Japan by well-known Japanese golf magazines, providing a delightful test for all.
Chew Cheong Kin claimed the championship with 66 nett, Danny Choong finished runner-up with 69 nett, and Wong Hong Nung secured third place with 72 nett (OCB). The day concluded with a Welcome Party and Prize Presentation.
During the welcome remarks, Captain Raymond Yeoh expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Ryugasaki Country Club President Konishisan, Managing Director Mikamisan, and all members for their generous hospitality and for making the team feel so welcome on their championship course. With his signature humour, he reflected on the simple joys of golfing with friends and families, the camaraderie that these Interclub Matches foster, and the fun moments that make these trips so memorable — from sharing a friendly round with local players to celebrating each shot and laugh along the way. Captain Yeoh concluded by warmly looking forward to welcoming Ryugasaki Country Club to RSGC in Kuala Lumpur, promising continued friendship, spirited competition, and many more fun-filled days on the fairways for all.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Hakone Country Club and our heartfelt thanks to Ryugasaki Country Club for the warm hospitality and courtesy extended to all RSGC members. Congratulations to all the winners, and we look forward to seeing everyone again in future!
