Tournament article

Mitsui Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Masters 2019

Gotemba's Tourism Ambassador Nobuo Serizawa will comeback to Taiheiyo Masters since 2017

Nobuo Serizawa's home is less than 10 minutes' drive to this week's tournament venue Taiheiyo Club Gotemba Course. He is originally from this Gotemba City and has been the Tourism Ambassador for the city. Nobuo has become 60 years old this week on November 10th. He will be in his second regular tour event this year, since the last one in May at Chunichi Crowns.

He is suffering from the pain from hip osteoarthritis and can't sleep with heads down. He had surgery at August last year to place 12cm of titanium piece in his left joint. He was able to gain his distance thanks to the surgery, which enabled him to make smooth weight transitions to his left leg during the swing.
"Players in Senior Tour jokes that, I gained distance by cheating with titanium in my leg."

Nobuo's art of conversation and his stylish feature is the key to his popularity. He also has the indomitable fighting spirit. Nobuo has made a comeback to this tournament since 2017, which his fans were waiting for.

This week, before the tournament began, his apprentices head by Hiroyuki Fujita and Katsumasa Miyamoto and many others gather to celebrate his 60th birthday.
"They gave me so many gifts."
His fans from local Gotemba is also waiting to see Nobuo to have successful play on his birthday week tournament.

Nobuo says he already have signed so many. The souvenir pin flags that Nobuo is promoting is available at gift shops near the entrance gates and back of the putting green.