Friday, March 27, 2025
On Monday, March 24th, after the 31st Hokuryu Town Park Golf Association General Meeting, the venue moved to the banquet hall on the first floor of Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen, where the Hokuryu Town Park Golf Association's 30th anniversary celebration was held from 5:00 pm.
- 1 Hokuryu Town Park Golf Association 30th Anniversary Celebration
- 1.1 Moderator: Akira Tanimoto, Secretary General
- 1.2 silent prayer
- 1.3 Message from Chairman Katsuzo Ito
- 1.4 Meritorious Service Award: Certificate of Appreciation
- 1.5 Representative of the award winners: Susumu Yotsuji
- 1.6 Guest speech
- 1.7 Guest introduction
- 1.8 Toast: Yoshiki Tanaka, Superintendent of the Hokuryu Town Board of Education
- 1.9 banquet
- 1.10 Closing with three cheers: Hokuryu Town Athletic Association Chairman Masato Sawada
- 1.11 Commemorative photo
- 2 YouTube videos
- 3 Other photos
- 4 Related articles
Hokuryu Town Park Golf Association 30th Anniversary Celebration
Moderator: Akira Tanimoto, Secretary General
silent prayer
We will observe a moment of silence to pray for the repose of the souls of our members who have passed away.
Message from Chairman Katsuzo Ito
"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the mayor and all the relevant organizations for attending this memorable milestone of the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Hokuryu Town Park Golf Association.
Park golf was invented in Makubetsu Town in 1983. It is the only sport that originated in Hokkaido, and I believe it is a sport that can be enjoyed by three generations of parents and children, while maintaining health and physical fitness, allowing people to interact with each other, and improving both physical and mental health.
Looking back, the Hokuryu Town Park Golf Association was founded in October 1995 by 34 members, led by the late Hajime Hoshiba, the first chairman, who was one of the first to take notice of park golf.
At the time, there were no park golf courses in Hokuryu Town, so with the permission of the chief priest of Shinryu Shrine, one course was built within the shrine grounds in 1995, two courses at the Miwagyu Training Center in 1996, and one course at Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen in 1998, all of which were built with the volunteer work and manual labor of members, and I have heard that it was a very difficult process.
Later, the town acquired the site of the former Forestry Agency nursery next to Hokuryu Junior High School, and the current park golf course was completed over a five-year period starting in 2001.
The wish of the first president, the late Hajime Hoshiba, was fulfilled, and he worked hard to raise the awareness and improve the skills of members.
The organization was then passed on to the second chairman, Susumu Yotsutsuji, the third chairman, Moriaki Tanaka, and the fourth chairman, Tadashi Hoshiba, and we would like to express our sincere gratitude to each of them for their guidance and hard work and achievements.
As soon as the park was completed, the NPO Himawari took over all operation and management. The course has been recognized as a well-maintained, high-grade course, and with the cooperation of various related organizations, it has been used to host many different competitions both within and outside the town.
We would like to continue to cooperate with the park to increase the number of tourists by collaborating with Hokuryu Onsen and the Sunflower Festival, a major event in Hokuryu Town.
In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to announce the 30th anniversary of the Hokuryu Town Park Golf Association to work hard with all our members to make the sport a healthy and enjoyable one that is loved by the local community, so I would like to ask for your continued guidance and support, and conclude my 30th anniversary greetings with this, Chairman Ito said.
Meritorious Service Award: Certificate of Appreciation
We would like to present a letter of appreciation to you for your outstanding achievements as a past president of the Hokuryu Town Park Golf Association.
- Second Chairman:Susumu Yotsuji (2005-2014)
- Third Chairman:Mr. Moriaki Tanaka (2015-2018)
- Fourth Chairman:Tadashi Hoshiba (2019-2022)
Representative of the award winners: Susumu Yotsuji
"Today, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the relevant organizations for attending this glorious celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Hokuryu Town Park Golf Association.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for the letter of appreciation that we three have received as past presidents.
Hokuryu Town Park Golf was founded on October 14th, 1995, led by Hajime Hoshiba, and was officially recognized by the Japan Park Golf Association as No. 201 on October 30th, 1995.
During my term, I received a great deal of support from everyone involved in increasing membership, the number of tournaments, and improving the environment. In particular, Shiomi Construction was extremely helpful in improving the environment. The course is now highly regarded as one of the best in Hokkaido.
Some of the most memorable events during my time here were the 17th JAL Cup All Japan Championship and the 18th Southern Hokkaido Park Golf Tournament, which we held in collaboration with Uryu Town.
"Finally, as the chairman said earlier, I hope that Hokuryu Onsen, Himawari no Sato, the cherry blossom trees, and the park golf course will continue to develop as assets of Hokuryu Town, and I would like to conclude my speech with my gratitude. Thank you very much," said Yotsuji.
Guest speech
Hokuryu Town Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki (Acting: Deputy Mayor Masaaki Okuda)
"Congratulations to the Hokuryu Town Park Golf Association on their 30th anniversary today.
Normally, Mayor Sasaki would be in attendance to offer his congratulations, but due to other official duties, I will be speaking in his place.
As Chairman Ito mentioned earlier, park golf was born in Makubetsu Town in 1983, and I understand that it was originally conceived based on grand golf.
At the time, a hole about 20cm in diameter was carved into the grass of a sports park, and the course was created to resemble a cup. The name "park golf" comes from the fact that it is golf played in a park. Unlike golf, the rules for playing on the course are easy to understand, and it has become a popular sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and genders.
I heard that the park golf association was founded in Honmachi in 1995 and that they built a hand-made course at the shrine. I imagine that it must have been very difficult at the time.
Your steady efforts have borne fruit, and the course has now been developed as an official course of the Japan Park Golf Association, which we believe is entirely due to the efforts of our members.
Park golf helps promote the health of townspeople, and we are very pleased that players from inside and outside the town visit our town through various tournaments.
We would like to once again express our gratitude for your association's activities. The town would like to continue to provide support in the future.
"In closing, I would like to express my respect for the activities of the chairman and all the members to date, and as the association celebrates its 30th anniversary, I would like to offer my congratulations and pray for its continued growth in the future. Congratulations to all of you today," said Deputy Mayor Okuda.
Congratulatory speech by Hokuryu Town Council Chairman Shoichi Nakamura (represented by Vice-Chairman Keiko Ozaki)
"Chairman Nakamura is unable to be here today due to other commitments, so I will offer my congratulations on his behalf.
As it is the 30th anniversary, I had the opportunity to have a look at the commemorative magazine. I looked over it from cover to cover and felt that it was a wonderful commemorative magazine that was handmade with great passion. This kind of energy is typical of Hokuryu Town, and I was strongly impressed that it was all driven by you all.
The first time I played park golf was in 2019 (the first year of the Reiwa era). We participated together in the Chairman's Cup. It was my first time, so I was really bad at it, and my score was around 288, so I had to laugh it off (lol). I was just playing casually, hoping to build friendships, but everyone else was different. It was a really serious game. I was amazed at everyone's dexterity and speed of calculations.
And it was very disappointing that the event was cancelled (suspended) for the second year in a row due to the effects of COVID-19.
When I looked at the commemorative magazine, I saw that there were an incredible number of matches (about once every 10 days), and I was impressed by the energy involved. I believe that enjoying park golf leads to good health and longevity.
I am very happy that 95-year-old Nakayama Rokusaburo is still in good health and still playing park golf. He is the father of one of my classmates. I heard he got a hole-in-one in last year's tournament. I am sure he will continue to be in good health and lead Hokuryu Town forward. I hope he continues to do his best.
On a personal note, I came to Hokuryu Town 30 years ago. My two-year training program started in April. At the time, I was in my 30s and quite cute, but I hope that in the next few years, I will be able to join you all and have fun together.
"I hope that this energy will continue to circulate and be passed on to those in their 40s and 50s who are in the prime of their working lives, those in their 20s and 30s who are in the prime of their learning, and to the children who will be responsible for the future, and that they will continue to live healthy, happy, and cheerful lives. I would like to conclude my remarks on the 30th anniversary with this. Thank you," said Vice Chairman Ozaki.
Guest introduction
- Hokuryu Town Deputy Mayor Masaaki Okuda, Hokuryu Town Council Vice-Chairperson Keiko Ozaki, Hokuryu Town Board of Education Superintendent Yoshiki Tanaka, Hokuryu Town Sports Association Chairman Masato Sawada, NPO Himawari Representative Mitsuyuki Koshida (Shiomi Construction Representative), Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen Manager Manabu Hashimoto
Toast: Yoshiki Tanaka, Superintendent of the Hokuryu Town Board of Education
"Congratulations on your 30th anniversary. I think it's truly amazing that this event has been passed down every year since it first began.
I'm sure you'll have many stories to share about the past 30 years. I hope you'll enjoy the time and talk and have a great time. And I hope you'll start your 31st year tomorrow.
So, congratulations on your 30th anniversary! Cheers!!!" said Superintendent Tanaka.
banquet
The delicious food and celebratory drinks created a great atmosphere.
Banquet course meal
Harmonious and peaceful atmosphere
Closing with three cheers: Hokuryu Town Athletic Association Chairman Masato Sawada
"Congratulations to the Park Golf Association on their 30th anniversary.
The banquet is in full swing, but we would like to pray for the good health of all members of the Park Golf Association and for the continued growth of the association, so please join in with us in shouting "Banzai" three times.
"Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! Congratulations!" the crowd concluded with three powerful cheers.
Commemorative photo
Hokuryu Town Park Golf has been passed down and protected for over 30 years!
With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers for the Hokuryu Town Park Golf Association, which aims to promote healthy longevity and deepen relationships with other people while enjoying the game.
YouTube videos
Other photos
Related articles
◇ Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editing assistance: Noboru Terauchi)
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