On Saturday, 15th March, 14 C&O golf enthusiasts, joined by two guests, journeyed across Tokyo Bay (most at least under the sea via the Aqualine!) to Fuji Country Club Ichihara, for the C&O Spring Golf Meeting. This was the first time for the Society to try out Fuji Ichihara, a good test of golf designed by Robert Trent Jones, and opinions were generally positive as to the quality and condition of the course and facilities, as well as the chance to take advantage of the group package rate of \25,000 all-in for golf play, all food and drinks.

The early spring weather was not quite what had been hoped for, but the rain held off for the most part. The morning nine saw some steady play from a number of participants, with Sir Stephen, Dalby, Thomas, and our two guests Miko Fordyce and Yamamura-san all scoring around their handicaps or better. A good lunch was enjoyed by all and then it was a return to the course where the strengthening wind in the afternoon provided an extra challenge. Both Dalby and Thomas were blown off course, finally recording the same scores of 81 gross. Our guests were again steady, and finished 2nd and 3rd in the final rankings. However, at the end of the day, it was the President of the Society, and surely one of the keenest golfers, Sir Stephen Gomersall, who recorded the best net score, a solid 73, to take the first place and ownership, until the next time at least, of the C&O Society Golf Trophy. Congratulations again to Sir Stephen.

In the University Match, Cambridge were too strong for Oxford on this occasion and scored an easy victory to edge ahead once again in the historic rankings.

The C&O golf programme is particularly strong for 2003, with a return to Hodogaya scheduled for July 5th and the prospects of a trip to Karuizawa later in the year. All are welcome to join and we look forward to seeing a few more C&O members on the links in future. Thanks always to Terry Nakamura for his organisation of the event.

Flight report by Steven Thomas