⛳️ Golf Diary in Kikugawa (November 17, 2025)
Good morning!
It’s a lovely morning here in Kikugawa, Shizuoka, with a refreshing clear blue sky spreading overhead. The forecast is "sunny, sometimes cloudy," with only a 10% chance of rain! The high temperature is expected to reach 20°C, so it looks like it will be a warm, jacket-free day. Absolutely no need to worry about an umbrella! It's definitely going to be a perfect day for golf! 😊
🇯🇵 Thoughts on Yesterday's News
Now, among the news that caught my attention yesterday was the headline: "Japan's Foreign Policy Review Becomes a Hot Topic Overseas."
The review of foreign policy being advanced by the Takaichi administration—particularly the strict reinforcement of the national health insurance system and the tightening of naturalization requirements—is sparking significant debate among overseas media and resident expat communities here in Japan.
A new health insurance system is set to be introduced in June 2027. It will involve strict checks on residency status, employment status, and consistency in premium payments. The authorities are expected to fully implement the revocation of residency status for those who habitually fail to pay their premiums. Reports suggest this could lead to a massive impact on Japanese society, including an estimated 48,000 Chinese residents leaving Japan.
It is only natural that anyone residing in Japan should adhere to the country’s laws, rules, and manners. This policy, which aims to protect the integrity and public order of Japan, will likely garner a certain level of understanding and support.
✈️ To Our Global Golfers
I hope it’s an absolutely perfect golf day somewhere in the world today!
As golfers, we are upholders of a sport that values rules and etiquette. This crucial spirit applies not only to golf but also to respecting the rules of the place we call home!
🛍️ Club Sales Announcement!
The shop I run carefully selects high-quality, pre-owned golf clubs of Japanese standard and sells them via hand-carry all the way to Legazpi, Philippines!
Please visit the website to see the excellent clubs that have been lovingly used by Japanese golfers!
If you like any of the clubs, please hit the "Like" button and share them with your golfing friends! ✨
To all golfers around the world, have a nice shot today!
📣 P.S. Heading Back to Legazpi!
Excuse the personal note, but I am scheduled to return to Legazpi, Philippines, on November 20, 2025.
I am planning to hand-carry as many golf clubs as possible this time. If you are looking for a specific club or have any special requests, please message me as soon as possible!
I look forward to supporting your golf life!
🇵🇭 ☆Philippines Golf News☆ (November 16, 2025)
1. PGT Final Stretch: Juniors vs. Veterans Clash!
The upcoming ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge is garnering significant attention as one of the final events of the PGT season, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. (PGTI).
A particularly exciting highlight is the valuable opportunity for promising players from the Junior PGT to compete against the nation's top professionals, such as Tony Lascuña and Jhonnel Ababa.
Junior talents like Patrick Tambalque, Jacob Taruc, Christopher Nadales, Alexis Nailga, and Armando Copok are expected to gain crucial experience and mental toughness in these serious competitions against veteran players, preparing them for their future careers.
2. Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Golf Cup Held
The hosting of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Golf Cup was a major topic around this time.
This customary event brings together sports figures and media personnel to foster both competition and camaraderie.
It was held at the Legends Course at Manila Southwoods, with sports dignitaries and young journalists participating to compete for titles across three divisions.
💡 Note: Major Tournament Dynamics
This period marks the run-up to the final events of the PGT, with high-profile tournaments taking center stage.
ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge: With the final round set for November 21, the excitement for the tournament was building significantly on the preceding weekend of November 16.
🇺🇸 ☆US Men's Golf News◇November 16, 2025☆
1. Butterfield Bermuda Championship Final Round
The PGA Tour's Butterfield Bermuda Championship (Port Royal GC, Bermuda), which began on November 13, concluded with its final round on Sunday, November 16.
🏆 Adam Schenk Wins
Adam Schenk (USA) claimed his first PGA Tour title with a winning total score of 12-under par.
🇯🇵 Strong Showing by Japanese Players
It was a very exciting final day, with Japanese players in contention for the win.
Takumi Kanaya started the final day tied for 3rd, one shot off the lead, but was unable to extend his lead, finishing in a tie for 3rd place at 10-under par. He narrowly missed his first US Tour victory.
Rikuya Hoshino also mounted a strong challenge but dropped shots late in the round, finishing 8th at 9-under par.
Both players' excellent performance, putting them within reach of a victory, raises high expectations for their future success.
Ryo Hisatsune finished T52, and Keito Onishi finished T67.
2. Keita Nakajima Secures Next Season's PGA Tour Card!
Although not a direct US tournament, the results from the final event of the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour), the "DP World Tour Championship," which concluded on Sunday, November 16, brought a major achievement for Keita Nakajima.
Nakajima finished the tournament tied for 16th, placing him 14th in the season-long points ranking (Race to Dubai).
This secured him a spot among the top 10 non-exempt players, earning him the coveted 2026 PGA Tour Card (full playing rights).
This is monumental news for Japanese golf, and we eagerly anticipate Nakajima's performance on the PGA Tour next season!
🇺🇸 ☆US Women's Golf News◇November 16, 2025☆
1. ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican Final Round
The LPGA Tour's regular season finale, the ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican (Pelican GC, Florida), held its final round on Sunday, November 16.
🏆 Swedish Players Leading the Charge
The final round started in the local morning, with Sweden's Linn Grant leading the field alone.
🇯🇵 Japanese Players Fighting for Seeding
For the Japanese players, this was a critical final day with spots in the following week's season finale, the CME Group Tour Championship (Top 60 in the points ranking), and next season's seed (Top 100) on the line.
Yuna Nishimura started the final day T10 at 7-under par, aiming for a major comeback to secure her seed (temporarily ranked 107th).
Mao Saigo started T15 at 6-under par.
Rio Takeda started T25 at 4-under par.
Hinako Shibuno unfortunately missed the cut, making it highly unlikely for her to finish within the Top 100 for the year.
The results of this tournament will finalize the top 60 players in the Annual Points Ranking who will advance to the season-ending championship next week.
💡 Note: Final Stage of the LPGA Tour
This tournament was held under intense pressure, as it was the final opportunity to secure a spot in the year-end "CME Group Tour Championship" (only Top 60 eligible), which takes place the following week.
* Since the tournament concluded in the early hours of Monday, November 17, JST, the final results will be available later today.
1. Japan Men's Tour (JGTO): Kuga Kaneko Dominates for Second Win, Jumps to #1 in Money Rank!
The Japan Golf Tour's Mitsui Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Masters (Taiheiyo Club Gotemba Course, Shizuoka) concluded its final round.
🏆 Winner: Kuga Kaneko
Kaneko secured his second victory of the season with a commanding performance, finishing at 17-under par—a tournament record for the most strokes under par for a par-70 setup—and winning by a margin of six shots.
This victory propelled him to #1 in the Money Ranking, leading the race for the season-end Money Title.
Kaneko commented that his motto is, "Steadiness is the key to victory."
Ryo Ishikawa finished T30 at 1-under par.
2. Japan Women's Tour (JLPGA): Hana Wakimoto Achieves Long-Awaited First Tour Victory in Comeback!
The Japan Women's Tour's Itoen Ladies Golf Tournament (Great Island Club, Chiba) concluded its final round.
🏆 Winner: Hana Wakimoto
Wakimoto, who started the final day T8, delivered a furious charge with a score of "65," securing a comeback victory at 16-under par total.
She shed tears of joy after achieving her long-desired first Tour victory in her 8th year as a professional, at the age of 28.
Akari Sawada, who is aiming for the Player of the Year title, could not advance her score enough and missed the victory, leaving the Queen title race to be decided in the final event next week, the "JLPGA Tour Championship Ricoh Cup."
3. Overseas Tour: Keita Nakajima Secures Next Season's PGA Tour Card!
Although not a domestic tournament, the success of a Japanese player on an overseas tour was major news.
Keita Nakajima finished high in the annual points ranking of the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour), securing full playing rights for the 2026 PGA Tour season (seed). This is great news for Japanese golf.
🇯🇵 ☆Japan Golf Equipment Industry News◇November 16, 2025☆
As of November 16, 2025, the golf equipment industry in Japan is mainly focused on the launch of new products and the resulting market activation, particularly the latest models of the "XXIO" series, which are buzzing in the market ahead of the year-end shopping season.
1. 🏌️♂️ Clubs & Gear: New Product Offensive by Major Brands
Launch of the "XXIO 14 (Fourteen)" Series:
Sumitomo Rubber Industries (Dunlop) released the next-generation models of their flagship brand "XXIO," including the irons for the "XXIO 14 (Fourteen)" and "XXIO 14+ (Fourteen Plus)" series around this time.
The "14+ Driver," in particular, is generating significant buzz for its pursuit of "overwhelming distance", incorporating the latest technologies such as "VR-Titanium" and an evolved "REBOUND FRAME". (Information release and launch concentrated around this time, with the official launch of some models scheduled for November 22).
Corresponding new model caddy bags, including pro replica and lightweight models, were also launched around November 15, accompanied by in-store campaigns.
Evolution of High-Function Navigation Tools:
Voice Caddie launched the "T12 Pro," a watch-type golf GPS that uses AI to support shot direction. (Launched on November 12).
This high-function model, featuring "Dual Pointing" and a putt guide function that uses AI to suggest the target direction, is drawing attention for helping golfers reduce uncertainty during a round.
Driver Sales Ranking Trends:
Sales rankings during this period showed PING models dominating the top three spots, while Ryoma's new high-restitution model managed to break into fifth place, confirming the strong market presence of high-performance models.
2. 👟 Accessories & Apparel
Launch of Functional Insoles:
The high-function insole " Dymo® Golf," developed through joint research between industry, academia, and medicine to help people walk without foot discomfort, began sales on November 16. Its design, which aids stability and weight shift during a swing, is making it a focus in golf equipment.
Golf Apparel Brand Development:
Brands with high fashion appeal are releasing functional wear, such as "EA7 Emporio Armani" launching its latest golf wear collection for the 2025 Autumn/Winter season, keeping the golf apparel market vibrant.
Apparel Brand Collaboration News:
A special collaboration design between popular golf apparel brand "PEARLY GATES" and "FEILER" was announced around this time, scheduled for release on November 27.
The Japanese golf equipment industry is active as the year-end approaches, with appealing products constantly appearing, including clubs and gear equipped with the latest technology, and apparel that balances both function and fashion.
Thank you very much for reading to the end.
(This text was checked and researched using Google Gemini.)
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