THERE’S a buzz around Niseko as the town prepares for the inaugural Niseko Spring Charity Golf Classic at the Niseko Village Golf Course this weekend.
An initiative of local companies West Canada Homes and The Niseko Company, the event will raise money for several local causes including the local Kabayama Primary School.
A list of sponsors longer than the 10th fairway has donated money and prizes to the event, and the booty up for grabs in the silent auction will have bidders champing at the bit (check it out here).
Back on the green, there are plenty of prizes to keep players’ minds on their games, including a mammoth ¥600,000 (US$6000) jackpot for a hole-in-one on the 17th.
Event co-organiser Dale Riva said as well as raising money for worthy causes, it also gave locals a chance to get together and celebrate Niseko’s world class golf courses.
"The golf courses and scenery are really amazing and all the companies around here are working hard to continue to promote the area," he said.
"The support from all the local Hirafu, Kutchan and Niseko companies has been amazing and hopefully some of this co-promotion will pay off for everyone down the line.
"With Niseko Cycle Week, the Hanazono Kutchan Music Festival, Niseko Golf Week and all the other local events, there is a good foundation to spread the good word about Niseko’s ‘other seasons’ which are the main reason many of us stay here."
Golf is the recreation of choice in Niseko this year after Niseko Village launched its bargain-priced season golf pass, offering unlimited play on their two courses this green season.
Event co-organiser and local golf sensei John Barton said the current buzz around golf made it a good platform from which West Canada Homes and The Niseko Company could help give back to the local community.
"With golf booming at the moment we thought a tournament would be a good way to do it," he said.
"The competition has had a superb response from the local community and a lot of people are practicing or taking up the game.
"We’re hoping to carry this on as an annual event and hope it will drive attention to the area’s golf and green season, and encourage people to participate and feel part of the local community as well."
Check www.nisekocharitygolf.com for all the details, and we’ll have a full wrap up and pics next week here on Powderlife.com.