Fancy a round of Japanese park golf?
The day when such a question becomes commonplace in Barrhead seemed a little closer last Monday after five Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program delegates arrived from Kitami City.
Shiina Tamura, Saoli Ishikawa, Kana Inami, Norihiro Maehata and Kazuo Hata went to Barrhead Town Council chamber bearing gifts, including a golf club and a special hard blue ball, which looked more appropriate for snooker.
All that is missing now is a course – about five acres of land would probably suffice.
The golfing gifts come after a Barrhead delegation to Japan last month was invited to a park golf tournament.
Following their experience, Mayor Brian Schulz and the nine other delegates said they wanted park golf in Barrhead. Now their wishes are closer to being realized.
Schulz expressed his delight after being presented with the golf club.
“This is a fun game,” he said. “It would be nice if Barrhead was the first to offer park golf in North America. It could be a really good business venture.”
Schulz said the game was played with one club and should appeal to people of all ages and abilities.
He added that Japan’s 18-hole courses were slightly smaller than Canada’s Par 3 courses and could be played in less than 90 minutes.
Last month’s trip to Tokoro and Kitami was organized to mark the 20th anniversary of Barrhead’s twinning arrangement with Japan. The arrival of the Jet students further enhanced ties between the two places.
Schulz welcomed the delegation, saying: “We are so happy you are here.”
“You are strangers, not friends,” he said. “I hope you enjoy your stay here with us.”
Barrhead twinning committee chairman Roy Ulmer hoped the delegates would have an enjoyable stay.
“We will try to make it pleasant for you and hope you have a good time,” he said.
Inami, speaking on behalf of the JET students, spoke of the cultural and educational ties being enhanced through the exchange program.
During an exchange of gifts, the students presented Japanese rusks (hard, dry biscuits) and tea, among other items. They received bags packed with Barrhead souvenirs in return.
The next day the delegates, who stayed with local families, were taken on a tour of the town and county. They had lunch at Fort Assiniboine Museum and in the evening attended a barbeque at Barrhead United Church.
They left Barrhead on Wednesday morning.
