COMMUNITY involvement-
sport
Hiroshi Naka . Christchurch Golf club
i co- invented a game at the club called The international. The internationals loved it and the kiwis were bemused.
I ran it with Bryan Graham for twenty five years from 1995 - 2020 . We then closed it down. It opened again in 2026!
SPORT
I have been a sports nut forever. I love to play and I enjoy being a spectator. In Canada, what you do sportswise is determined by the weather. Summer was baseball, golf and swimming. Winter was skating, hockey, skiing and watching sports on television.
I have good hand/eye coordination. I can hit, kick, throw and catch. I could run too, but I never enjoyed it. Today walking is a major task. I did well enough in a small town sort of way. Soon enough golf became my main summer interest. Golf could be played for about 4 months. My uncle Gerry ( not really an uncle, but it’s what I always called him ) owned a 9 hole course in our village. I started playing when I was about 8 years old. We could easily play 54 holes a day in high summer. Sunrise at 5 AM and sunset around 10 PM. I was on a 4 handicap when I was 12 . When I went to Bishop’s University at 16, I stopped playing. Too many other things to do. I didn’t pick up a golf club for 30 years.
I live close to the Christchurch Golf Club. The CGC is one of the top club courses in NZ. It is the third oldest club outside the United Kingdom ( incorporated in 1873 ) . We have hosted 6 NZ Opens, several major amateur tournaments and have Sir Bob Charles ( Open winner in 1963 ) as Patron.
Typical of me, I wanted to get involved in club operations. I was Club Captain for five years 2003- 08 ) and President in 2013. Throughout most of that time I played on a 4 handicap, represented the club on several levels and made many friends.
Golf is a solitary game. Your major opponent is yourself even though you usually play with other people. I have met the basic milestones: broken 100, 90, 80 and 70, had 3 holes in one, shot my age ( 75 when I was 76 ), represented the club on many levels and in several countries and generally have had lots of fun. I am writing this in my 82nd year, a summer member only and play to a modest 14 handicap. With reduced mobility I bought an electric vehicle and with good management I hope to play for many years to come.
I have been a sports nut forever. I love to play and I enjoy being a spectator. In Canada, what you do sportswise is determined by the weather. Summer was baseball, golf and swimming. Winter was skating, hockey, skiing and watching sports on television.
I have good hand/eye coordination. I can hit, kick, throw and catch. I could run too, but I never enjoyed it. Today walking is a major task. I did well enough in a small town sort of way. Soon enough golf became my main summer interest. Golf could be played for about 4 months. My uncle Gerry ( not really an uncle, but it’s what I always called him ) owned a 9 hole course in our village. I started playing when I was about 8 years old. We could easily play 54 holes a day in high summer. Sunrise at 5 AM and sunset around 10 PM. I was on a 4 handicap when I was 12 . When I went to Bishop’s University at 16, I stopped playing. Too many other things to do. I didn’t pick up a golf club for 30 years.
I live close to the Christchurch Golf Club. The CGC is one of the top club courses in NZ. It is the third oldest club outside the United Kingdom ( incorporated in 1873 ) . We have hosted 6 NZ Opens, several major amateur tournaments and have Sir Bob Charles ( Open winner in 1963 ) as Patron.
Typical of me, I wanted to get involved in club operations. I was Club Captain for five years 2003- 08 ) and President in 2013. Throughout most of that time I played on a 4 handicap, represented the club on several levels and made many friends.
Golf is a solitary game. Your major opponent is yourself even though you usually play with other people. I have met the basic milestones: broken 100, 90, 80 and 70, had 3 holes in one, shot my age ( 75 when I was 76 ), represented the club on many levels and in several countries and generally have had lots of fun. I am writing this in my 82nd year, a summer member only and play to a modest 14 handicap. With reduced mobility I bought an electric vehicle and with good management I hope to play for many years to come.
