Tournament article
Shigeo Nagashima Invitational SEGASAMMY Cup Golf Tournament 2019
Shigeki Maruyama makes a debt as a caddy at Shigeo Nagashima Inv this week
This will be Sean's 2nd try at the Japan Tour, and seeks to make the CUT for the first time. Daddy Maruyama has been away from competitive golf since 2009 JT Cup victory, due to several injuries, and has not been in the tournament since 2016. Now he is busy doing commentary on TV.
Shigeki Maruyama belongs to the tournament host SEGASAMY holdings, so is will be the host pro, if he was in the field, but since he can't, the have offered his son, Sean to play as sponsor invitee.
"I always wanted to do a caddy for him and teach him on the tournament course how to build course management and strategy, show him the mentality to fight throughout the game."
Daddy Maruyama has started to play golf at 10 and has been on the top since his junior days. He made plenty of Amateur Titles and became a pro at 1992, but he was already a star player when he came onto the Tour. He will turn 50 in September, now his filed will be on the Senior Tours. But just before he sets off to the next step, Daddy wants to give all of his 40 years of experience and knowledges to his daring son.
"Golf is a sport that has so many unexpected and young ones these days ware out when things don't turn out the way they want it to be. So, I want to give a training on the course to my son."
Sean has suffered from back injury and couldn't finish half of the tournament tasks in his college.
On the other hand, Sean is pretty nervous playing along with the legendary top player.
"I must do well, I can't let him down."
One thing worries Sean, Daddy Maruyama's stamina.
"Dad took a walk with me on Sunday and Tuesday, but he says he is already too tired."
So, Daddy is not "carrying" the bag, he bought the electrical cart instead.
"I never have done a caddy, so I am nervous too. I will have hard time calculating the yardages and I am still wondering how to tell him the wind situations. As a player I can feel the wind and make a clear image how to hit the shot, but I don't know if I could manage to give Sean the proper advices. I hope that Sean will be able to play all 4 rounds. Since I cannot commit to the Tournament as a player, I want to give back to the Tournament as a Caddy."