Watching golf in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has inspired me to open the scrapbook and journals from 2009, when Tom was privileged to spend a day golfing in Saitama Prefecture.

Saitama Prefecture is providing venues for Olympic events during Tokyo 2020: Saitama Super Arena – Basketball, Saitama Stadium 2002 – Football, Kasumigaseki Country Club – Golf, and Asaka Shooting Range – Shooting.

Back in April 2009, together with Tammy G we were leading a group of school students on a 3-week study tour to Japan. We had visited the usual places such as Kyoto and Hiroshima, had spent time in classrooms with the students, and were nearing the end of the trip.

Tom had a rare day off, leaving home early with Otoosan (host father) for a 1½ hour 35km drive into the mountains to play golf.

Meanwhile, Tammy and I went to school to supervise the students, spending the day with cultural activities and various classes. Leaving school as soon as the last bell went (usually we stayed to see students at afterschool clubs and other activities), we left to meet Hiromi O (assistant teacher).

We dashed “home” for a quick change before heading to the baseball. I enjoyed baseball immensely as an exchange student in Shikoku back in 1985 and was looking forward to attending a game. We had secured tickets for the local team, based at the Seibu Dome (now MetLife Dome), which is only a short walk and one train stop along the local line from our host family home in Tokorozawa.

Tammy, Hiromi, Okaasan (host mother) and I arrived at our seats just after the start time of 6pm. A thoroughly enjoyable game, won by the Seibu Lions 3-1. Always amazed at how the opposing team supporters take turns to cheer and chant and are amazingly polite!

Having expected Tom and Otoosan to arrive in time for the start of the match, I was beginning to wonder where they were. Back in 2009 we had only the one digital camera – no smart phones with cameras or access to the Japanese network either. Will they be back in time to see some of the match and take a few photos? Eventually they arrived after 7pm.

Tom fully enjoyed his golfing day out and to this day describes it as the best course he’s ever played on.

The special treatment of the golfers (Tom, Otoosan and Otoosan’s friend) began as they arrived; ladies from the staff of the country club came to the car to greet them as they arrived and took their clubs from the car boot to be cleaned prior to placing them in the personalised lockers. Tom even had his own locker, complete with his name in Japanese katakana on the door.

The clubroom itself was nothing short of spectacular. Opulent, plush, 5-star! Every facility you could wish for. Saitama Rika Country Club – OK, so it’s not actually the Olympic Venue, but it’s a golf club in Saitama!

Time to tee off; they had their own remote controlled golf buggy which followed on a track along the edge of the fairways. Typical advanced Japanese technology back in 2009!

The beautifully manicured course inspired you to play your best – or was that the fee to play? Tom’s outlay for the day’s golf fee/buggy hire/lunch was Y13530 (about A$220 based on that year’s exchange rate).

After playing the 9^th hole there was a Japanese tea house where ladies in traditional dress served refreshments. An unhurried tea break, sipping drinks and eating nibbles while admiring the beauty of the course, before beginning the back nine holes.

At the end of the game somewhat later, full facilities were available to refresh the players, including the option of enjoying a traditional hot bath overlooking the course.

The golfers feasted on a delicious “Viking style” (smorgasbord) meal. “Buffet” would not do justice to the gourmet spread that greeted them.

I can see why they were in no rush to join us back at the baseball!