ASO Iizuka Challenged Golf Tournament makes noble debut on JGTO

The Japan Golf Tour is making a welcome return to the ASO Iizuka Golf Club in Fukuoka for the first time since 2006 for the inaugural ASO Iizuka Challenged Golf Tournament this week.

"Challenged"? Yes, you read that right.

The word "Challenged" does refer to individuals who have a disability, and this is exactly why ASO Group and JGTO are putting together this ground-breaking tournament – to make a difference to these groups of people and inspire them.

Headquartered in Iizuka City, Fukuoka, the ASO Group is a renowned Japanese conglomerate with 140 years of history in the field of infrastructure, environmental solutions, medical and healthcare, education and lifestyle services.

They have been a strong advocate for people with disabilities by actively funding the annual Iizuka International Wheelchair Tennis Championships since 1985, which has since evolved into a top-tier event on the ITF's UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour.

ASO Group has also been supporting competitive athletes with disabilities by providing them with employment opportunities under the "C's Athlete" initiative, with the letter "C" standing for challengers so that they could strike a balance between work and training.

Therefore, this week's tournament was named as such to promote independence and social participation for people with disabilities.

On the eve of the tournament, the challenged golfers will get to play alongside the JGTO stars in the Pro-Am Tournament. The challenged kids will be introduced to the sport by participating in the SNAG Golf (Starting New At Golf) program conducted by professionals.

On the competitive note, a formidable field of 120 competitors will continue to do battle in the ninth stop of the season with a buoyed Kazuki Higa seeking to win back-to-back victories following his triumph at the BMW Japan Golf Tour Championship Mori Building Cup last week.

A victory at the ASO Iizuka Golf Club will see Higa become the first player to win three titles this season, a feat that Shugo Imahira, being another two-time winner this year, will aim to accomplish too.

The venue had previously hosted the Asahi Ryoken Yomiuri Aso Iizuka Memorial Open Golf Tournament between 2004-2006.

A well-established championship course, the golf course is spaciously designed with flat hills and moderate undulations, featuring large and small ponds and a large bent one green.