LPGA's Japanese trio back on tour in California
Source: Agencies |
March 24, 2011, Thursday
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STAR LPGA golfer Ai Miyazato spent four days fearing the worst after the earthquake and tsunami devastated northern Japan.
When she finally learned her friends were safe in tsunami-flattened Sendai, she resolved to join her fellow Japanese players in helping their homeland's recovery while still pursuing their careers.
Ai Miyazato, Momoku Ueda and Mika Miyazato are returning to the LPGA Tour this week at the Kia Classic in suburban Los Angeles. They announced plans on Tuesday to channel their grief into disaster relief through a fundraising website and a supportive logo to wear in upcoming tournaments.
"I've never had this situation before, so it could be difficult to have good concentration during the tournament," said Ai Miyazato, the former world No. 1.
"But all I can do is just stay in the present and do something like playing really good ... and hopefully get back good news to Japan."
The three players have paid to set up a fundraising site for a nonprofit relief organization, and they're hoping their fellow professionals will join them in wearing the self-made buttons with Japanese characters reading: "Makeruna Nippon," or "Never Give Up Japan."
But the tragedy is still fresh in the minds of the golfers, who were all in Japan when the earthquake and tsunami hit on March 11.
Ueda was on the freeway in Tokyo when the earthquake hit, literally feeling the ground shake beneath her.
"The initial emotion was speechless, and it's still the same right now," Ueda said. "I've seen someone being rescued after nine days at the site, as well as other stories. I feel sadness, (but) feeling sad just can't move us forward in the right direction. So with golf, hopefully, I can provide smiles to as many people as possible. Right now sadness is behind me."
Mika Miyazato, no relation to Ai Miyazato, was on a flight from Okinawa to Osaka at the time of the quake, not learning what happened until the following day.
"It's certainly difficult right now," Mika Miyazato said. "But I feel that it is one of my responsibilities as a professional golfer to go out and play, hopefully be able to provide hope and courage to the Japanese people."
When she finally learned her friends were safe in tsunami-flattened Sendai, she resolved to join her fellow Japanese players in helping their homeland's recovery while still pursuing their careers.
Ai Miyazato, Momoku Ueda and Mika Miyazato are returning to the LPGA Tour this week at the Kia Classic in suburban Los Angeles. They announced plans on Tuesday to channel their grief into disaster relief through a fundraising website and a supportive logo to wear in upcoming tournaments.
"I've never had this situation before, so it could be difficult to have good concentration during the tournament," said Ai Miyazato, the former world No. 1.
"But all I can do is just stay in the present and do something like playing really good ... and hopefully get back good news to Japan."
The three players have paid to set up a fundraising site for a nonprofit relief organization, and they're hoping their fellow professionals will join them in wearing the self-made buttons with Japanese characters reading: "Makeruna Nippon," or "Never Give Up Japan."
But the tragedy is still fresh in the minds of the golfers, who were all in Japan when the earthquake and tsunami hit on March 11.
Ueda was on the freeway in Tokyo when the earthquake hit, literally feeling the ground shake beneath her.
"The initial emotion was speechless, and it's still the same right now," Ueda said. "I've seen someone being rescued after nine days at the site, as well as other stories. I feel sadness, (but) feeling sad just can't move us forward in the right direction. So with golf, hopefully, I can provide smiles to as many people as possible. Right now sadness is behind me."
Mika Miyazato, no relation to Ai Miyazato, was on a flight from Okinawa to Osaka at the time of the quake, not learning what happened until the following day.
"It's certainly difficult right now," Mika Miyazato said. "But I feel that it is one of my responsibilities as a professional golfer to go out and play, hopefully be able to provide hope and courage to the Japanese people."
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