NOVEMBER 2017
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CONNECT & A C
BOWLING IN THE RAIN: YC&AC WINS JAPAN INTERNATIONAL OPEN BASEBALL: BUDDY FERRIE REMEMBERED HISTORY: YC&AC IN WORLD WAR I NEWS • REVIEWS • EVENTS
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CONNECT
CLUB
YOKOHAMA COUNTRY & ATHLETIC CLUB HOURS
Concierge Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat/Sun 9am8pm Accounting Office Weds-Sun 10am-6pm Mollison’s Restaurant Mon/Weds/Thurs: 10am-9pm (Tues Closed), Fri-Sun 9am9:30pm Members Bar Mon/Weds/Thurs closes 11pm, Fri-Sun and Holidays closes midnight Changing Rooms & Sauna Mon-Sun 9am9pm (early/late users, see Concierge to arrange a key)
SPORTS HOURS
Billiards Mon-Sun 9am-10pm Bowling Alley Open for general use on non-league days Mon-Fri 4pm-8pm (Tues closed), Sat/Sun/Holidays 12pm-8pm Fitness Centre Mon-Sun 8am-10pm (access possible after hours, please see Concierge to arrange a key) Dance/Yoga Studio Mon-Sun 8am-10pm (access possible after hours, please see Concierge to arrange a key) Golf Range Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat/Sun 9am-8pm Gymnasium Mon-Sun 8am-8pm Main Field Open for member use Mon-Sun except when booked Pool May-October, Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat/ Sun 9am-6pm Squash Courts Mon-Sun 9am-10pm (sign out a key to play) Clay Tennis Courts Mon-Sun 10am-10pm (night tennis requires a key sign out) Hard Tennis Courts Mon-Sun 6am-10pm (night tennis requires a key sign out)
GENERAL MANAGER Erol Miftahittin
HEADS OF DEPARTMENT
Finance Keisuke Satoh Sport Chris Kelly Membership, Sales & Marketing Adam Bunting
JOIN THE YOKOHAMA COUNTRY & ATHLETIC CLUB The most historic sports club in Japan welcomes new members as part of its upcoming 150th anniversary celebrations. To join us, please contact us at your leisure to arrange a tour of the facilities.
Yokohama Country & Athletic Club 11-1 Yaguchi-dai, Naka-ku, Yokohama, 231-8684, Japan (T) 045-670-9004 (E) concierge@ycac.or.jp www.ycac.or.jp
YC&AC Since 1868
6 YC&AC Sports in WW1 10 Buddy Ferry Remembered 14 YC&AC Wins the 5th Annual International Lawn Bowls Tournament 18 New Segment: Local Knowledge On the cover: Scene from the third day of the 5th Japan International Open.
Rugby • Soccer • Hockey • Basketball Volleyball • Billiards • Badminton • Table Tennis Ten Pin Bowling • Squash • Gym • Restaurant Sports Bar and much more...
The Home of Winter Sports
YC&AC CONNECT MAGAZINEADVERTISING & SPONSORSHIP
Inquiries and submissions to Adam Bunting: a.bunting@ycac.or.jp
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Richard Gustafson Vice President Bill Baker Secretary Tom Tyrrell Treasurer Shinya Fujiwara Directors Ishu Chugani, Dan Coughlin, George Fu, Alex Hendy, Sadao Hosogai, Julia-Sophie Selig-Sonderhoff Auditors Onno Jalink, Marcel Niederhauser
150th Anniversary Campaign
• 50% off initial sign up fees • ¥10,000 per month for young adults • ¥18,000 per month for adults NOVEMBER
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MESSAGES
A word from the General Manager
Erol Miftahittin General Manager
Dear Members, Autumn is here and I hope you are enjoying the beautiful koyo (fall colors) season in Yokohama. We had 57 days of rain over the past 4 months that affected many of our outdoor sports. However, a group of dedicated lawn bowlers from the Club played hard in the rain to contest the 5th Japan International Open Lawn Bowls Championship and Japan Ladies Singles Championship. YC&AC won the International Tournament and we definitely made a mark with the level of our game. Congratulations also to our grounds team for making these tournaments playable in difficult conditions. As we enter the holiday season, our team has planned many promotions and events. Chefs Sugiyama and Antoine are bringing back Weekly Specials at Mollison’s Restaurant beginning November 3. Chef Sugiyama, whose background is in kaiseki cuisine, will offer classes twice a month in which members can learn and practice some of Japan’s distinctive ways of cooking before enjoying the dishes that they have
MESSAGES
A word from the Editors
As this issue goes to press, Typhoon No. 22 is rattling through Yokohama, bringing high winds, heavy rain and thundering disappintment to many. Today’s Lawn Bowls Nations Cup has been postponed. The tennis courts and field are unplayable. And spare a thought too for the region’s longdistance runners, 27,000 of whom trained hard for today’s Yokohama Marathon, which has been cancelled. On the bright side, our Halloween event in the Gym will have a naturally windswept and haunting backdrop! Please share your photographs of the sporting life in Yokohama in good time for next month’s issue of Connect! NOVEMBER
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prepared. A Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet will be offered on November 23 with live music from the South to West Band on the same evening in the Members Bar. Shortly after Thanksgiving we’ll be hanging the Club’s seasonal illuminations as we head into the Christmas period. In December our trainer Chuck Wilson will offer a nutrition and weight-loss seminar that will include a healthy lunch. More details to follow soon. The Bill Scholer Band returns by popular demand to perform at the Members Bar on December 9. And a Christmas Buffet Dinner with Roast Ham Carving Station will be offered on Christmas Eve. Please enjoy this edition of Connect. We look forward to seeing you at the Club! Sincerely, Erol Miftahittin General Manager
Until then, thanks to all who helped to make this month’s issue so much fun to pull together. The editors, Alex, Tom and Adam a.bunting@ycac.or.jp
The famous “Three Wise Monkeys” carving at Toshogu, Nikko.
what’s on
YOKOHAMA COUNTRY & ATHLETIC CLUB
Encore! The Bill Scholer Band Words: YC&AC
The Bill Scholer Band played the YC&AC Deck on September 30, winning over a lively crowd of discerning music-loving members and fine dining bon vivants. Previous incarnations of the Bill Scholer Band have opened for major acts including Los Lobos and The Ventures, and Bill last year was inducted into the Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame. We liked the band so much - and are so convinced that you will too - that we’ve invited them back for an extended encore. Head to the Members Bar on the evening of Saturday December 9 and Let the Good Times Roll.
THURSDAY
STEAK NIGHT NOVEMBER 2, 9 & 16
1 lb T-BONE STEAK (4,000 yen)
300g SIRLOIN STEAK (2,400 yen) &
180g HAMBURGER STEAK w. 180g BEEF LOIN STRIPS (2,000 yen) ALL SERVED WITH SOUP & SIDES ABOVE PRICES FOR MEMBERS INCLUDE A GLASS OF WINE OR SOFT DRINK ON THE HOUSE!
Giving Thanks: South to West Before Bill Scholer’s return, on Thanksgiving Day we welcome back another act popular with the YC&AC crowd, the South to West Band. South to West play hits from the 70s that really take you back. Fans of the Doobie Brothers will not want to miss this groovy show. Whoa listen to the music... See the poster on the inside front cover for more details of what promises to be a great evening at the Club.
HISTORY
YC&AC IN
WWI
Mike Galbraith investigates the sporting health of YC&AC 100 years ago during World War I. The YC&AC grounds and sports facilities at Yaguchidai have been enjoyed by the Club’s sporting members for just over 100 years, and those of no other “open” club in Japan’s major cities come anywhere near matching them. Many members in that time have happily played sports at YC&AC for ten or even twenty years or more. However, the generation of YC&AC members who bequeathed us this splendid legacy through their initiative to raise money (they raised about 55,000 yen or about 90% of the costs!) to acquire the land on the hill in Yaguchidai, and convert it into the flat sports field which officially opened on 6 June 1914, were not so fortunate. Within a few weeks, on July 28, WWI began and European nationals were soon called upon to sign up to fight for their countries. The war in Europe must have seemed far away to the Europeans resident in Japan. Moreover, as Japan was an ally, the peer pressure to enlist was not nearly as
strong as it was back home. Nonetheless, many did sign up to fight. J. P. Mollison’s Two Sons Set an Example For example, the two sons of YC&AC founder J. P. Mollison were quick to sign up to serve, with James Murray Mollison enlisting as a private in the 1st Reinforcement of the 15th Battalion of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces on 14 November 1914 in Australia. The 15th Battalion was in the forefront of the Gallipoli landings in April 1915 but it appears Mollison may have been transferred to the IAF HQ. James’s brother, John Pender Duff Mollison, who had been working in a bank in London, resigned on 9 September 1914 and obtained a commission in the Queen’s Glasgow Yeomanry. He spent the war in Palestine and Egypt, and was a Captain at the end of the war.
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Above: An Interport cricket match versus KR&AC, 1915 (c) YC&AC.
Both brothers survived WWI but John would tragically die in the 1923 earthquake at the Mollison family home in Yokohama. Steady Decline in Membership Accordingly the membership of YC&AC went into a gradual but steady decline from 320 members in February 1914 to 219 members in February 1918. The biggest drop, not surprisingly, was in the year up to February 1916 when the drop was 48. Those who went off to fight included some of the best athletes, but throughout the war the sports fixtures, including Interports, continued more or less as normal. However, the black clouds of war and death hung over all events and grew darker year by year. Team captains often struggled to find enough players. Club Life Goes On Rugby, which required more players – 15 – than other sports, was soon to be affected. According to the report given at the 1915 AGM, the first wartime season got off to a strong start under the captainship of N. Buckle and the Club easily beat Keio 19 points to 5. The report reads: “However, since a large number of Rugby members have left Japan for various reasons and a weak Y.C. & A. C. 1st XV was defeated in December on the Yokohama
Ground by 18 points to 6. Unfortunately, it has been found impossible to get together full XV.’s for practice games, and interest in the game has naturally fallen off.” Rugby’s loss was a gain for soccer, with the captain, V. A. Hearne, reporting a very satisfactory season “as owing to the Rugger men not being able to get full sides, the Soccer players have had the use of the Ground on most Saturdays.” There were 14 “Club games” and one “outside” game against the S.S. Nagoya, which the club won by 20 goals to 1. (Is this a YC&AC record?) The Club won the first ever soccer Interport against KR&AC (Kobe Regatta & Athletic Club) played on the Yokohama ground by two goals to one. YC&AC cricketers thrived in that first year of the war and it was reported that “full use was made of the new Club Grounds.” The Interport, played in Kobe with YC&AC winning by 3 wickets, was notable for its high scores. YC&AC captain A. P. Scott hit a record 165 while W. D. S. Edwards scored a magnificent 86. Hockey also had a good season. Despite the captain P. A. Cox making an early departure from Japan, under his replacement, T. M. Knot, the section went from strength to strength. They even got permission from the city authorities to borrow the “Settlement Ground” (presumably the “new” ground in a corner of Yokohama Park) for noon practices twice a week. It was
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reported that “these games have been well supported, full sides being available for the majority of the games.” There were three hockey matches against the Keio Hockey Club, with YC&AC winning the first in Tokyo 1-0, losing the second, also in Tokyo, 4-8, and tying the home match 3-3. Preparing for the Interport, YC&AC beat the Tokyo Hockey Club 4-2 at home on February 13 but a week later lost the key Interport match on their home ground 4-1. The YC&AC baseball season was blighted by the Interport in Kobe when the Club was forced to forfeit the series after they fielded a non-member player. Perhaps tennis was the most popular sport at the Club in the first year of the war. “Considerable interest has been shown in this branch, and the hard courts have had continual use.” The hard courts were used so much that in places the surface was worn off and the foundations exposed. Four new grass courts were opened in August 1914 but, “as the ground was still soft and the surface consequently slow, the courts were not used to any great extent. These courts will, however, be in excellent condition for the coming season.” Following numerous complaints about the quality of the tennis balls, the Club decided to allow members to purchase their own balls by paying half the cost. Tournaments for Singles (won by W. A. Tomlinson) and Doubles (won by C. H. Thorn and R. H. Blair) were the first ever tennis tournaments held on the Yaguchidai ground courts. 1916–17 Reports Show Most Sports in Reasonable Health Two years later, the YC&AC AGM at the end of February 1917 offers another snapshot of the sporting activities of Club members, and on the surface things are not too bad. The Committee started its annual report by
naming the four members who had died “at the front”: J. Barnes (7th Battalion Notts & Derby Regiment), G. W. Hawkins (King’s Royal Rifle Corps), T. H. G. Kenderdine (2nd/5th Lancashire Fusiliers), and C. Sellier. (The first three names are listed on the memorial at the Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery in Yamate for WWI soldiers from Yokohama who died overseas.) In its round-up of the main sports, the first to get a mention was the “Sports Meeting” (athletics) held on 10 June 1916 which featured “good entries and close races.” Next up was baseball, captained by C. H. Thorn with K. F. Coe as vice captain and L. M. Howe acting as manager. The team was looking good until the game against the Club’s old rivals the Tokyo Americans played on July 4 which they lost 19-1. This had demoralized the players. Nevertheless, the team for the coming season promised to be the best for several years. The report on cricket noted that “there was considerable difficulty in raising full sides, but under the present circumstances this was not to be wondered at.” The Interport was played at Kobe and Kobe won. The YC&AC soccer team won, for the second year running, the newly formed League set up in 1915 on the initiative of British diplomat William Haigh, who managed and captained the Tokyo AFC. However, one game had to be forfeited “due to insufficient support.” Meanwhile the Interport was a 1-1 draw. The rugby section, which was also captained by B. Deveson after the elected captain was transferred to China and the vice-captain fell ill, managed to win their Interport 8-3 at home and of its three games against Keio, it won one, drew one and lost one. Nonetheless the summary stated that “The prospects are not encouraging, and the game has not been well-
Above: James Murray Mollison, one of the soldiers pictured in the Queenslander Pictorial, supplement to The Queenslander, 1915 COURTESY: STATE LIBRARY OF QUEENSLAND. Opposite Page: An Interport hockey match at the Club’s Yaguchidai ground versus KR&AC, sometime between 1914 and 1923, probably 1915. Hockey was one of the Club’s stronger sections during WWI (c) YC&AC NOVEMBER
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supported this season.” The story was similar with the hockey team, which was obliged to abandon its twice weekly practice games in Yokohama Park: “Some of last year’s players have left, others have become incapacitated or too busy to turn out, while a marked falling off was evident among the younger players, which is to be regretted.” It was only tennis that appeared to be attracting more interest both in terms of players and spectators for its expanded program of tournaments. I. M. Isaacs, son of Club savior Sigmund Isaacs who led the Club’s move from Yokohama Park to Yaguchidai, was the Singles Champion.
Yokohama Sports in Crisis as War Ends By the time of the AGM in February 1919, WWI was over but the report clearly indicated that the war had finally started to take a heavy toll on the sporting life in Yokohama. The deaths of G. H. Box and K. Hardman were reported, along with the following: “Owing to the absence at the front of many of the athletes of the Club there had been less interest in sport. There had been no athletic meeting, no hockey and no rugby football. Soccer, baseball, cricket and tennis found some support during the season.” In next month’s issue, we’ll take a closer look at some of the YC&AC sportsmen who fought for the allied forces in World War I. (C) Mike Galbraith, mike.galbraith@interworld.jp
Charitable Fundraising Until 1917–18, key Interports involving the Yokohama and Kobe teams were still followed by formal dinners with numerous toasts and speeches. However, in the 1917–1918 period there is suddenly a trend towards forgoing the entertainment and donating the money that would otherwise have been spent to various war charities. Entrance fees were also charged to watch Interport matches, and the tennis tournament entrance fees were donated
instead of spending the money on prizes. It was reported in the 1918 AGM that 868.40 yen had been raised by these means and delivered to the Ladies Relief Fund, which forwarded what it received to the French, British and Belgian Red Cross Societies, the American Relief Fund and the British Red Cross. Just the week before the AGM, the hockey Interport resulted in 900 yen being given to the French Red Cross through the Alliance Française.
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the captain’s report
YOKOHAMA COUNTRY & ATHLETIC CLUB
BASEBALL Words: Tom Tyrrell
Back in 2010 YC&AC began hosting an annual allday baseball tournament that includes the YC&AC team plus three more of our regular opponents. Along with bragging rights, the winning team each year gets its name inscribed on a tournament cup for the event. The YC&AC has won the tournament four out of the eight years it has been held. This year team members decided to rename the tournament as the Buddy Ferrie Memorial Cup, in honor of long-time Club member and baseball player Buddy Ferrie, who passed away in January. The newly inscribed cup was presented in a ceremony after the tournament by Buddy Ferrie’s youngest daughter, Emi, to the captain of the winning Blue Stars team. Buddy played on the YC&AC baseball team from the first year he joined the Club in 1988. In remarks from Emi and some of the YC&AC players during the tournament ceremony, Buddy was fondly remembered as one of the most
The Buddy Ferrie Memorial Cup talented and popular players on the team. He was captain of the team one year and played every position. Baseball was one of his favorite sports at the Club, and he played even when injured. During the 2016 season he was the chief organizer along with Darth Murakami in putting together the highly successful “Field of Dreams” event that celebrated 120 years of international baseball in Japan. Buddy was a natural recruiter, bringing many new members onto the team over the years, some of whom had never played the game before. He was also a leader after the games, holding court at the dice table, thus upholding a fading and nostalgic tradition of the Club. Beyond baseball, Buddy was one of the true great sportsmen of the Club in recent memory. He played every sport at the Club — which is rare in itself — but even more rare was his ability to excel at them all. His greatest sports triumph at the Club was most likely in 2009 when he won the Lawn Bowls Men’s Singles championship in Japan, thereby becoming only the second foreigner to ever represent Japan in the Lawn Bowls World Championship held that year in Scotland. Buddy will be missed and remembered for years to come, and in particular on his beloved YC&AC baseball pitch where his name will live on through the Buddy Ferrie Memorial Cup.
Baseball Rewind Words: Toshi Nakahama
The YC&AC baseball team wrapped up its 2017 Baseball season with a friendly intrasquad game to cap off a fun and successful winning season. An endof-the-year party and awards night will be held in December. Following are some highlights from the final two games: Annual Tournament “Buddy Ferrie Memorial Cup” Monday, September 18th Our YC&AC team participated in an annual end-ofthe-year Baseball tournament that the Club has hosted since 2000. This year’s tournament was re-named the “Buddy Ferrie Memorial Cup” to honor legendary Club sportsman Buddy Ferrie who passed away in January of this year. (See previous story). Four teams participated in the tournament, which was won by the first-time entrants Blue Stars. Highlights for the YC&AC in their game against the Blue Stars included RBIs in the fifth and seventh innings from Koike, Kenny, Ebihara, Darth and Mimo that put us ahead 9-4. But the Blue Stars’ bats
came alive with six RBIs in the bottom of the seventh to hand YC&AC a heart-breaking 10-9 loss despite a well-pitched overall outing by Ebi-san. In the consolation final versus the Angels, YC&AC again put points on the board throughout the game with RBIs from Darth, Mimori, Kenny and Hiro. However, it wasn’t enough to match the equally strong bats of the Angels, who ended up with a 12-8 win. Intrasquad Game Sunday, October 1st The YC&AC 2017 baseball season ended with a friendly intrasquad game between Team Yachi and Team Toshi that had the added luster of some new lateseason members who will be welcome additions to the roster for next season. Team Toshi broke out to an early lead, but Team Yachi counter-attacked with a threeRBI triple from rookie Ben. Team Yachi piled on more runs later in the game, including a second over-thefence homerun of the season by Hong along with other strong batting from both the veterans and rookies to put Team Yachi ahead in the end by 15-4. Great game and great fun with the only unfortunate incident of a serious ankle injury to Yachi. Take care of your magical ankle in the off season Yachi as we need you healthy on the mound in 2018!
Opposite Page Above: Buddy Ferrie at bat. Opposite Page Below: Emi Ferrie, youngest daughter of Buddy Ferrie, presents the inaugural Buddy Ferrie Memorial Cup to the captain of the winning Blue Stars team. Below: Team Yachi (left) and Team Toshi (right) line up for final intrasquad game of the season.
Advantage Seisen
TENNIS Words: Makiko Ueshima Tennis Committee
The YC&AC ladies played a tennis match against the Seisen Tennis Team on September 25th. It was a great day for playing tennis with beautiful weather and clear skies. These matches have been arranged primarily to improve our skills and this was our 7th meeting. It was a very close match with Seisen winning by just one point (13 to 12)! In the overall game count YC&AC came out ahead, so it couldn’t have been any closer! We look forward to our next match, scheduled on October 31st. Above: YC&AC and Seisen ladies tennis teams on the YC&AC clay.
GOLF Words: Ishu Chugani Golf Captain
YC&AC recently formed a reciprocal arrangement with the prestigious Hodogaya Country Club, which is the closest private golf course to YC&AC, located less than half an hour’s drive away. The reciprocal arrangement includes the following for YC&AC members: • You can book tee times (weekdays only) 24 hours in advance for yourself and your friends even if they are not YC&AC members. When booking your tee time and checking in at Hodogaya Country Club, you have to identify yourself as a YC&AC member with your membership card. You will be checked in by the manager in charge. • The price for one round with caddie on weekdays is Yen 19,500 in December, January, February, July and August, and Yen 26,000 in other months (not including holidays). This price includes caddie fee. • To book tee times, contact the Hodogaya Country Club at: 045-921-0115. • Hodogaya Country Club members are given similar guest fee access to YC&AC.
Upcoming YC&AC Golf Outings Tuesday, November 28th: Taiheiyo Club, Ichihara Course, Chiba. This is a fund-raiser for the 23rd Universal Brotherhood Charity competition. Funds raised are donated to 200 charitable hospitals handled by the Universal Brotherhood in India, which serves over 2,000,000 patients a year. Cost for the outing is 14,000 yen with a 5,000 yen requested charity donation. The cost includes caddie fee and lunch, along with a party after the event. Friday, December 1st: Hodogaya Country Club, Yokohama. Invitational match at one of the closest courses to YC&AC. Cost for the outing is 18,000 yen including caddie and lunch. A party after golf will be hosted by the Hodogaya Country Club.
To reserve for the above events or to join the golf section mailing list for news of future events, contact Ishu Chugani at: chugani@gmcjapanltd.com
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Football
Fives Dodge the Wooden Spoon but Still Get “Six of the Best”
Words: No. 17
A traumatic campaign in Block B of the Kanagawa Senior Masters League finished in the summer with YC&AC propping up the table in ninth place with a solitary point to show for our Saturday Night Live efforts. Our misery was not yet complete however, as Block A and B equals now met in play-off groups to determine the very best and very worst of the prefecture’s senior football teams. Just like our respective points and goals hauls, Play-off Group Five was small, contested by three teams, each hoping not to suffer the indignity of a last-place finish. Our first match of the series was against Shin Yokohama on September 30. A thin squad of the bare eleven was cruelly depleted five minutes in when captain KY’s calf went pop, and we were indebted to the late-arriving Atsushi Furuya for joining us in the trenches. A tight match looked destined to end in a stalemate until the strangest of things happened: we scored! Winger Per Drange Hansen worked the ball infield from the left and found the No. 17 twenty yards out right central. The No. 17 shuffled the ball back to Russ Hannah in central mid, who ushered the ball on a few yards before pinging a return pass to the No. 17 on the edge of the box. A flick of the left boot later and the ball was spinning at the feet of Andreas Boettger 14 yards out. Boettger touched it on a yard before blootering the ball at the target for a certain goal. Like a scene from a
horror version of Groundhog Day, however, out sprang the gloved tentacle of the opposition octopus, denying us the goal. But what’s this! Unscripted, charging in at the far stick like a man possessed, it’s Shin Hirai, tumbling in at pace to bundle the ball over the line. GOOOOAAAALLL! The dying minutes dragged like a recurring nightmare but valiantly we held on, and the final whistle was greeted by a roar from the crowd as at last an excellent YC&AC performance was rewarded with three juicy points. Just as well, because we lost our final match 0-6 (October 14 v Yokohama FC), and the less said about that, the better. Wooden Spoon Warriors: Andreas Boettger, Per Drange Hansen, Atsushi Furuya, Alex Hendy, Shin Hirai, Russ Hannah, Sada Hosogai, Ippei Iwasaki, Raymond Mui, Joe Takeda, Ken Tanizumi, Richard van der Meer, Supreme Administrator Peter Yang, KY Goals: Shin Hirai Assists: Andreas Boettger Attendance: 4,712
Kanagawa Senior Masters League, B Block Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
GF
GA
GD
Points
Bon de Bola Fujisawa
8
8
0
0
23
0
23
24
Seisho Wings
8
7
0
1
32
2
30
21
YSCC
8
3
3
2
17
13
4
12
Kawasaki 40s B
8
3
3
2
8
9
-1
12
Nichi-Fuji Seniors
8
2
2
4
10
9
1
8
Kohoku Verdrero
8
2
2
4
5
14
-9
8
Kanagawa Prefectural Office
8
1
4
3
4
12
-8
7
Hadano 40s
8
1
2
5
12
24
-12
5
YC&AC
8
0
2
6
2
24*
-22*
1*
* = -1 point and 0-5 result for match forfeit.
Wooden Spoon Playoff Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
GF
GA
GD
Points
Yokohama FC
2
1
1
0
7
1
6
4
YC&AC
2
1
0
1
1
6
-5
3
FC Shin Yokohama
2
0
1
1
1
2
-1
1
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LAWN BOWLS Words: Hans Pauli Lawn Bowls Captain
YCAC Wins 5th Japan International Open
The 5th Japan International Open was held from Saturday October 14 until Monday October 16 at the YCAC green. Under constant rainy conditions the tournament started with an opening ceremony, complete with a marching-in parade supported by the band of Nakaodai High School — a spectacular opening, harbinger of more spectacular things to follow. Teams from seven countries and regions, namely Australia, Malaysia, UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and the Republic of Korea, and seven Japanese regional teams including YC&AC and Yokohama Lawn Bowls Club (made up of YCAC players) competed for the honors. Among the Asian teams, those from Hong Kong, China and Singapore were especially strong. In the qualifying round the YCAC team had an average performance but thanks to some spectacular skipping work from Marcel Niederhauser could finish with four wins, equal to Korea but with a better overall points difference, and progressed to the final
four. The semi-final was played against Hong Kong, by far the strongest team in the tournament. Going into the eighth and final end, Hong Kong was leading by three points and looked to be winning a place in the finals. But that was not what YCAC skip Above: The Nakaodai High School Band brought pomp and circumstance to the Opening Ceremony. Left: The Hong Kong skip, unfortunate semi-final victim of some superb bowling by his opposite number, Marcel Niederhauser. Opposite page: Bedraggled YC&AC champions (from left) Jun Adachi, Saori Hamada, Marcel Niederhauser and Ippei Iwasaki.
Marcel had in mind. With a miraculous last shot he scored three points and took the match to an extra end. [Ed. A video of this shot and Marcel’s wild celebrations can be found on the YC&AC Facebook page.] In the extra end too, Marcel managed a turnover with his last shot, and the match was won. The final game was played against Singapore. YCAC took an early lead and was never in real danger,
claiming victory, for the first time in an international tournament. Great job YCAC team, which comprised Saori Hamada, Ippei Iwasaki, Jun Adachi and skip Marcel Niederhauser. The Yokohama team of Kazuko Yasuda, Toshiharu Saito, Toshiaki Arai, substitute Makoto Honjo, and skip Seishi Yoda managed 7th place.
Heartbreak for YC&AC Trio in Kanto Mixed Triples Words: The RAMs
YC&AC hosted the Bowls Japan Kanto Mixed Triples tournament on Sunday 8 October. Six crack teams from across the region took part, including two from YC&AC. A long hot day of to-and-fro action came to a head in the final match, with the YC&AC team of Jun Adachi, Toshiaki Arai and Ippei Iwasaki needing a win or even just a draw to claim the title. Their opponents? None other than the YC&AC threesome of Russell Brown, Alex Hendy and Marcel Niederhauser (the RAMs). Talk about “home advantage.” What could possibly go wrong? Not for the first time on the day, the RAMs charged into an early lead but gradually saw their horns whittled away as their opponents found their range. 9-2, 9-4, 9-5, 9-7…
In the final end, the orange woods of the impressive Arai were lying one and two, enough for a 9-9 tie and the Kanto Triples Title. Niederhauser, holding the day’s very last wood, weighed his options. Should he wobble down a rubbish one and let his Clubmates win? Or should he do the honorable thing and play his best shot?
Time stood still as Niederhauser selected his line and went through his familiar pre-shot rocking motions. One, two… down came the big brown Neiderhauser wood, arcing with heavy intent in the direction of Arai’s exposed No. 2 wood. Thunk! Out rolled the orange wood, down sat the brown wood, and 9-8 the match finished. Victory for the RAMs but, more significantly, defeat for Adachi, Arai and Iwasaki, a result that butted the triumvirate into second place. A trio from the Tokyo Lawn Bowling Club claimed the Kanto Mixed Triples crown, but the real winners on the day were the pride and honor of YC&AC. Previous Page: Toshiaki Arai bowled impeccably in the final match. Left: Kanto Triples runners up (from left) Ippei Iwasaki, Toshiaki Arai and Jun Adachi.
Alley Bowling Words: George Fu Alley Bowling Captain
YC&AC 2016 Players of the Year: Above left, Naoko Bracha; above right Phil Eymard. Below: Winning couple Ishu and Poonam Chugani flanked by runners-up Yusuke and Hiroko Onodera (left of picture) and Jimmy Kijima and Naoko Bracha.
Eymard and Bracha Named 2016 Players of the Year
YC&AC Bowling’s Players of the Year are determined based on win records in the year’s three main league competitions, the Autumn, Winter and Spring (new year) Leagues. The numbers have at last been crunched and we are delighted to announce that the winners of the 2016 Player of the Year awards in ladies and men’s categories are, respectively, Naoka Bracha and Phil Eymard! Congratulations to them.
Champion Chuganis
The Club’s annual Couples Bowling tournament was held on Saturday August 19. Eight couples participated in the handicap tournament, with Ishu and Poonam Chugani eventually coming out on top after a competitive sequence of games. Runners-up were Yusuke and Hiroko Onodera, with Jimmy Kijima and Naoko Bracha finishing third. Congratulations again!
meet your instructors YOKOHAMA COUNTRY & ATHLETIC CLUB Words: Chris Kelly Sports Manager
Chuck Wilson Personal Trainer Specialties: •Weight Loss (training and dietary advice) •General Fitness; Muscular conditioning / Cardio / Flexibility
Background Chuck is a registered member of the American College of Sports Medicine and US National Strength and Conditioning Association. A Japan national powerlift-
Mari Fujita Personal Trainer Specialties: • General fitness and wellness through exercise and self-confidence boosting • Muscular conditioning and athletic training • Power enhancement & muscular endurance (for sports training)
Background Mari recently returned to teaching and training at YC&AC, making it seven years that she has been associated with the Club. Mari has also provided personal training at The Club at Ebisu Garden and at Gold’s Gym South Tokyo. Recently profiled in Woman’s Shape magazine’s “Top Studio Instructor/Trainers” edition, Mari has served as instructional programming director and/or head cycling and fitness instructor, personal trainer at three fitness clubs in Los Angeles. She is a graduate of
ing title holder, he has worked as a conditioning coach for the Tokai University American football team and as the designated conditioning coach for the Imperial Guards judo and kendo teams since 1990. He is a 7th dan black belt in judo. Why to train with Chuck, and what to expect? Chuck has been getting people fitter for over 40 years, developing programs to counteract hypertension, obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis and other lifestyle-related afflictions. Chuck has also been providing health and fitness counseling and conditioning to corporations and hospitals. He has authored six books (Japanese language) on fitness and health, and is a regular contributor to health and fitness periodicals. Chuck will start your session by talking with you about your medical history and goals for training, and will set up realistic guidelines to get you to your goals safely and surely.
Nippon Sport Science University, where she has served for fifteen years as strength and conditioning coach for the university’s speed skating team, specializing in core and cycling training. Additionally, she serves as personal conditioning coach for Miho Takagi, who recently broke the Japan record in speed skating and will represent Japan in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in February 2018. Free to “Get Moving”? On Sundays at 9:00 am, Mari puts her charges through their paces with a bit of Step, Shake and Muscle activation! This class is free for all YC&AC members to attend, young or old.
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Mari focuses on muscle movements to give the best results, but also likes to keep her classes fun. She has a vibrant personality and is very knowledgable about fitness and strength training. Her clients have a good time while getting fit, but also show results! Getting Personal Mari’s personal training style is similar to her group classes, but before embarking on your fitness journey together, Mari will want to know about your goals and background. Her exercises will focus on improved ways to use and strengthen your body so that you look and feel better.
Personal Training: Times and Fees The personal training sessions offered by Chuck and Mari are by appointment only. Personal Training (single): 1 hour, 7,200 yen Personal Training (couple) 1 hour, 5,000 yen each To book, write to c.kelly@ycac.or.jp
Lecture & Lunch Series As we gear up for the festive season, fitness guru Chuck Wilson will be holding three interactive lectures at YCAC on the topics of nutrition, weight loss, and exercise to help us safely navigate the festivities of the next few months. The first lecture will be free and subsequent lectures to be scheduled upon feedback.
WYEC& LLN AC ESS
Lecture 1: Basic Nutrition Basic requirements: Current thoughts regarding “proper” nutrition: the role of carbohydrates, fats and protein and how those change in response to physical and mental stress. Weight Reduction Energy expenditure and energy balance, basic metabolism calculation and caloric expenditure of varying lifestyles. Exercise Role of exercise: Image and reality. Myth of “spot” reduction and various devices-valid and invalid.
The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session, and an optional light, nutritionally balanced lunch especially created for this lecture series (¥1200).
Wednesday 13th of December 11am Mollison’s Please reserve your attendance with Concierge and indicate inclusion of lunch if desired.
Book Your Company
CHRISTMAS PARTY
At YC&AC With 150 years’ experience, numerous function spaces, friendly staff and delicious food, YC&AC is the perfect location for your end of year celebration. Contact us now for early bird discounts and to secure your date of choice.
150年もの歴史と実績を誇るYC&ACには、 多くのイベントスペース、 フレンドリーなスタッフ、 そして美味しい料 理を提供するレストランがございますので、 一年を締めくくる忘年会に最適な会場をご用意できます。
Yokohama Country & Athletic Club
11-1 Yaguchi-dai, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0831 (T) 045-670-9004 (W) www.ycac.or.jp (E) concierge@ycac.or.jp 横浜カントリー＆アスレティッククラブ 〒231-0831 神奈川県横浜市中区矢口台11−1
Join Us For A
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY FEAST DECEMBER 24 666-1000 th
• Featuring a festive themed buffet with all of the classics and a delicious glazed ham carved to order •
11/19(日) 10 時 -16 時 駐車場はありません。公共の交通機関を ご利用ください。
• どなたでも• お気 軽 にどうぞ !
ゲーム大会・読み聞かせ・サンタと写真会 お楽しみ抽選会・クリスマスミュージック 世界のグルメ・がらくた市など盛りだくさん！ * 抽選チケットは学校受付にて、１枚 200 円で発売中。
Kids' Games, Story Time, Santa's Grotto, Raffle, Holiday Music Thrift Shop, International Food , Vendors and MORE !!
Mollison’s Restaurant ¥5000 Adults ¥2500 Children YC&AC Members 20% off
* Raffle Tickets are on sale at the Front Office. 1 ticket for 200 yen !
www.stmaur.ac.jp
83 Yamate-cho, Naka-ku , Yokohama
Local knowledge
YOKOHAMA COUNTRY & ATHLETIC CLUB
Hiking Trip to Hakone Words: Wenling Liu and Nagako Cooper
This section of Connect, called “Local Knowledge,” is a space for YC&AC members to share their experiences of life in Yokohama and around Japan so that others can learn, enjoy and even join in. If you have a story idea you would like to submit, please contact the editors at a.bunting@ycac.or.jp.
Japan is blessed with many scenic mountain hiking trails, a number of which are within a day-trip range of Yokohama. During the past year we have spent many recent weekends exploring the beautiful outdoors of Japan on hiking trails both nearby and deeper into the Japan Alps. On Thursday, November 23rd we would like to invite members to join us on a hike to picturesque Mount Kintokiyama in Hakone. The course features stunning views of Mount Fuji, photo opportunities at shrines, teahouses and other interesting landmarks along the way, and a quick dip in the Fuji Hakkeinoyu hot spring after the trek. Those interested to join please contact the Concierge
to sign up. A pamphlet with additional details will be provided. TRIP SUMMARY Date: Thursday, November 23rd Hiking duration: 3 1/2 hours Experience level: Intermediate Minimum age: 14 years old Meeting place: Yokohama station, Tokaido platform middle area Departing time: 6.52am Tokaido line for Odawara (participants gather between 6:30am-6:40am) Estimated return time to Yokohama station: 6:00pm Recommended attire: Trekking shoes, hiking slacks or shorts (no jeans), backpack, 1 liter of water, packed lunch, and a towel for the hot spring. Cost: About 4,000–5,000 yen for the round-trip train fares and 800–1,500 yen for the hot spring, depending on final route and choice of hot spring.
If the weather is cloudy, Mount Fuji will not be visible so a different trail highlighting the beautiful colored fall leaves will be taken. In case of rain, a decision regarding cancellation will be made 8 p.m. the previous evening and all participants will be notified.
Below: Nagako (right) and Wenling (left) at Murodo, along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine trail.
English: 045-681-3359 Japanese: 045-664-4618
november schedule
YOKOHAMA COUNTRY & ATHLETIC CLUB ALLEY BOWLING- BOWLING ALLEY Mon/Wed/Thurs 8:00pm- Autumn Bowling League Sat 1:00pm- Youth Bowling League- Please enquire with Chris BALLET- WITH EMMA IN THE STUDIO Mon/Thurs 3:30pm- Kids Ballet (3-4yrs.)- ¥750/lesson Mon/Thurs 4:20pm- Kids Ballet (5-6yrs.)- ¥750/lesson Thurs 5:15pm- Kids Ballet (Advanced)- ¥750/lesson Fri 12:00pm- Adult Ballet Basics & Stretch- ¥1200/lesson
SOCCER- MAIN FIELD FREE Sun 9:00am- YC&AC Kids Soccer (5-12yrs.) Sun 10:15am- YC&AC Youth Soccer (13-17yrs.) Sun 11:30am- YC&AC Over 35’s Soccer (Check Fixture List) SQUASH- SQUASH COURTS FREE Thurs 6:30pm- YC&AC Squash Club Night Sat 4:00pm- Squash Saturday, All Welcome TABLE TENNIS- GYM FREE Sun 3:30pm- Table Tennis, All Welcome
BASKETBALL- GYM FREE Mon 6:30pm- YC&AC Youth Basketball Thurs 7:00pm- YC&AC Basketball (Teens & Adults) Sun 10:30am- YC&AC Kids Basketball (7-12yrs.) BILLIARDS- BILLIARDS ROOM FREE Weds 8:00pm- Pool & Snooker Night Sun 2:00pm- Snooker Sundays CARDS Friday 10:30am or 1pm- Bridge, All Welcome- (Card Room) FREE Second Friday of the Month- Tarot, All Welcome- ¥1300 CHESS- MOLLISON’S FREE Sun 2:00pm- Chess, All Welcome
TENNIS- TENNIS COURTS Tennis Academy- Please visit www.ycac.or.jp for times Weds 10:00am- YC&AC Ladies Tennis- FREE Sat 9:30am- Pee-wee Tennis with Coach Fong (3-4yrs.)¥2000/month Sat 10:15am- Tykes Tennis with Coach Fong (5-6yrs.)¥3200/month Sat 11:00am- Kids Tennis - Beginners with Coach Fong¥4800/month Sat 11:00am- Kids Tennis - Intermediate with Coach Milos¥4800/month Sun 10:00am- Sunday Social Tennis (12yrs. and older)- FREE VOLLEYBALL- GYM FREE Mon 7:30pm- YC&AC Volleyball
DANCE- STUDIO Tues 11:00am- Belly Dance with Billy- ¥6000/month Sun 11:00am- Latin Dance with Billy- ¥6000/month Varies- Country Line Dancing- Please enquire with Chris DARTS- MEMBERS BAR FREE Fri 7:30pm- Friendly Darts Session, All Welcome FITNESS Thurs 7:45pm- Body Blast with Chris- (Studio) FREE Fri 10:00am- Circuit Class with Chris- (Fitness Centre) FREE Fri 2:00pm- Healthy Exercise with Yu Saiki- (Studio) ¥4300/month Sun 9am- Get Moving! with Mari Fujita- (Studio) FREE
YOGA- STUDIO FREE Mon 10:15am- Hatha Yoga with Pascale Tues 5:00pm- Yoga Basics with Ingrid Tues 6:15pm- Yoga Vinyasa Flow with Ingrid (Advanced) Fri 4:00pm- Hatha Yoga Basics with Ingrid- (Bay View Room) Sat 11:00am- Hatha Yoga with Aki- (Bay View Room) ZUMBA- STUDIO FREE Mon 11:30am- Zumba with Dulce- (Studio)
GYMNASTICS- STUDIO FREE Fri 5:00pm- Intermediate & Advanced (Gym) Sat 10:30am- Tiny Tots Gymnastics Sat 11:15am- Beginners Gymnastics HOCKEY- MAIN FIELD FREE Sat 12:00pm- Field Hockey, All Welcome
Keep Fit, Keep Informed Most of the sports and activities listed here have member captains or organizers who maintain a mailing list enabling immediate and regular communication to interested members. If you would like to take part in any of the above activities, please contact Sports Manager Chris Kelly and he will forward your contact details to the relevant captain or organizer where appropriate.
IKEBANA- BAY VIEW ROOM Tues 10:00am- Ikebana ¥1000/lesson JAPANESE- CARD ROOM WITH KURISAKA-SENSEI FREE Thurs 8:45am- Japanese Class (Beginner) Thurs 10:20am- Japanese Class (Intermediate) Thurs 11:30am- Japanese Class (Advanced) *¥1000 yen annual fee MASSAGE- ANNEX ROOM FREE Sunday- Available All Day Until 5pm LAWN BOWLS- BOWLING GREEN FREE Sat 9:30am to 11am and 4pm to 6pm- Recreational Lawn Bowls Sun 9:30am- Morning League (Please Enquire) RUGBY- MAIN FIELD FREE Sun 2:00pm- YC&AC Adults Rugby
Please also read the Club’s weekly “This Week in Sports” email, which is sent to all members, for news of what’s happening at the Club. c.kelly@ycac.or.jp 045-670-9004 ext. 196
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