Japanese golfers sample Sisters

Three friends from Japan hit the fairways of Central Oregon golf courses last week in a whirlwind tour of pars, eagles, and birdies. A group representing the premiere golf and travel magazine, Waggle Golf, was in town to photograph and experience golfer's Nirvana for a comprehensive six-page spread highlighting the abundant variety of golf sanctuaries offered in Oregon.

Waggle is one of nine major golf publications in Japan and has a circulation of 120,000. The magazine's title refers to a player's pre-shot routine, the small back-and-forth movements of the clubhead at approach, prior to grounding the club.

Escorted by guide and interpreter Rob Thomas, Travel Oregon's Asia sales manager, The Nugget caught up with the trio Wednesday during lunch at Brand 33 Restaurant after a stimulating round on the Aspen Lakes course, the last leg of their four-day tour, which also included Crosswater, Lost Tracks, Pronghorn and Tetherow.

The golfers did not have time to play at Black Butte Ranch, but they planned to stop by for a look at the courses.

Travel Oregon is part of the Oregon Tourism Commission and promotes tourism and travel in Oregon both nationally and internationally.

Course manager Grant Cyrus said "the guys" have had quite a trek and are playing a lot of golf. A short morning frost delay did not chill the spirits in the least, and 18 holes went by quickly and enjoyably.

The game of golf may have originated on the hallowed links of St. Andrews, Scotland, but the Japanese people have embraced it as a treasured pastime worthy of feverish devotion. Golf is fast becoming the country's most popular sport, rivaling only baseball.

With limited space for new courses and exorbitant green fees, it is not uncommon for Japanese golf enthusiasts to travel out of the country to walk the verdant acres of international courses.

Golf for women is gaining in popularity as well with bright fashion statements and a means of social interaction.

Pam Mitchell, whose family owns and manages Aspen Lakes, explained that golf is huge in Japan.

"For them, the Northwest is a natural destination for golf due to the close proximity and wide choice of outdoor recreation," she said.

The magazine's editor in chief, Mr. Yuichi Ishikawa, proudly pulled out a current copy of Waggle, a thick glossy issue with an illustration of Tiger Woods on the cover and every conceivable inch of page space devoted to golf technique, travel, clothing and accessories, splashed in bold colors. Japanese magazines are read in the opposite direction as Western counterparts, something that seems very strange upon first encounter.

Mr. Takeo Nomura, professional golfer and model for Waggle Golf, spoke through Thomas and expressed that they loved Oregon and had a great trip so far. He explained that Japanese people are very particular about what they eat and had found the food in Bend and Sisters to be exceptional in every way, especially the micro-brew beers and fine wine selections.

With its dry climate and vast expanses of flat, high desert plateau land, Central Oregon is paradise for golf enthusiasts and golf developers. It was recently ranked 35th in the world as a traveled golf destination. As more exposure and publicity illuminates the region, Thomas hopes that ranking to move up fast.

Mr. Tanabe Yasuhiro, the magazine's photographer, laughed and wondered what people do with llamas. They had seen the unusual animals as they drove past the llama farm just outside Sisters. When told their primary duties were as pack animals and hiking companions, Yasuhiro joked, "Maybe we can teach them to haul golf clubs on the course."

The trio departed for Portland for a round at Pumpkin Ridge before returning home to Tokyo.