In June 2023, the Carbine Club of Tokyo held its first charity golf day at the prestigious Tsutsujigaoka Country Club in Tochigi Prefecture. Nearly 40 players boarded a charter bus or drove up to enjoy the excellent weather at what many consider one of Japan’s most beautiful courses. The event supported Unleash Potential, raising a creditable 436,000 yen for the organization, which has focused on supporting children around Japan with special needs for over 60 years.
We used Texas Scramble format for inclusivity, maximizing enjoyment and teamwork for players of all skill levels. We sold mulligans to increase interest in the near-pin and long-drive contests, with many players happily contributing to the cause. After completing their rounds, golfers gathered for an outdoor barbecue party to share highlights from the day. The menu, to the delight of many, included iconic Four‘n Twenty party pies donated by Patties Foods.
Sponsors offered a plethora of prizes, including Eclat Goblets for the winning team from Gold Sponsor Taylor Brunswick and Hyperice massage guns from STH Japan. Other individual prizes featured premium wines from Soul Diva and Swirl Wine, vouchers from sponsors like Big Iowa and Mogambo, and a voucher for the longest drive from Harnet Fresh Mega Meat Market. Raffle draw prizes included stays at the Noku Kyoto Hotel, the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, and other stunning Hyatt properties around Japan, as well as experiences at the Tokyo American Club and prizes from the East India Company.
While there were a couple of procedural hiccups on the day, the club has addressed these issues to ensure an even better experience at the next event. With 88 player spots booked for April 19, 2024, at Tsutsujigaoka Country Club, we look forward to welcoming returning and new participants to what we hope will become a permanent and popular event on the expat golfing calendar in Japan.
*Texas Scramble format in a nutshell
Every member of a team tees off on each hole. The team captain then decides which ball is in the best position for the second shot. Once this is confirmed, the other members of the team will pick up their balls and everyone will play from the chosen position. Members must each contribute at least four tee shots throughout the game. In addition, once one player has had their shot chosen twice in a row, their ball cannot be chosen for the third shot.