NISEKO NEWS
By Thomas Shomaker
Niseko’s coveted community golf tourney the Jolly Fox Invitational kicked off for its fourth year last night with the ever-jubilant team draw celebration at the new Hirafu hotel Sansui’s restaurant, Lupicia.
The highly-contested, invite-only competition is largely made up of local golfers who came together to socialise on Niseko’s wide-open fairways at the peak of the COVID pandemic in 2020.
At last night’s team draw the foxes (low handicappers) strategically chose their mouse (high-handicap) partners with whom they will take on the field in the two-day competition kicking off on Friday.
Following that, the second exciting Jolly Fox International – created especially for international visitors following the reopening of tourism – is getting closer to its August 5 tee off.
”We at H2 are so thrilled to be hosting and sponsoring the 4th Annual Jolly Fox Invitational. Seeing the community come together for this exciting event is one of the true highlights of the year.
Michael ChenH2 Group Co-CEO
Meanwhile the third summer-long Jolly Fox Masters is well underway with a record field of 35 players competing for the coveted Orange Jacket which will be donned by the champion on 7 October.
2020 Origins & Invitational Tourney
The Jolly Fox began during the green season of 2020, in the midst of the COVID downturn, when keen amateur Niseko golfer Michael Chen (H2 Group co-CEO) had the idea for a community golf tournament to facilitate COVID-friendly social interaction amidst the isolation.
In that first year the Jolly Fox consisted only of the Invitational, in which, like this year, the two-person, fox-mouse teams compete over two days at Hanazono Golf Course across three rounds of competition – Round 1: Best Ball, Round 2: Scramble, and Round 3: Greensomes.
Prizes including clubs, free golf passes, golf bags, dinners, and hotel stays are given for different mini-competitions embedded throughout the three rounds, including the massive JPY ¥5 million hole-in-one and JPY ¥1 million putting comps.
The event culminates with a Gala Awards Dinner held at the Park Hyatt Hanazono Niseko.
”It’s a brilliant way to meet people in a relaxed and fun but also competitive environment.
Ruriko Taylor2023 Rookie Mouse
A signature attribute of the Invitational is the fox-mouse pairing, which emphasises teamwork and the community comradery which Jolly Fox has become known for.
And in the fall from 17-22 September, the inaugral Jolly Fox Aspect Invitational will be held in conjunction with H2 Group’s partners.
Masters and International Tourney Expansion
The Masters was added in 2021 with a single elimination format that can be seen in private golf clubs around the world.
In this format the top handicap golfer of the season has his or her name immortalised on the Champions Trophy and receives the tournament’s signature “Orange Jacket”, a nod towards The US Open Masters’ famous Green Jacket.
The International, which is open to the public, kicked off just last year as Japan’s borders opened, with 16 participants from around the world participating in the first event.
The International also starts with the highly entertaining team draw, and is then followed by three rounds of golf over three days at Niseko’s most picturesque courses; one round at Niseko Village Golf Course and two rounds at Hanazono Golf Course.
Like the Invitational, the International includes the JPY ¥5 million hole-in-one and JPY ¥1 million putting contests, and culminates in the crowning of the winning team at the Gala Awards Dinner.
”It is something that started for the community that is now going international. Those who played last year signed up for this year before they even left Niseko.
H2 Group Spokesperson
Competition and Friendship
Across the events, the teams or lone golfers are certainly trying to win, but the foundation of Jolly Fox is fun, comradery and Niseko community spirit – fitting for a tournament that began when such human attributes were sorely needed.
The 2023 calendar reflects the now famous and still-growing constellation of events that is Jolly Fox.
3rd Annual Niseko Masters
4th Annual Niseko Invitational
2nd Annual International
2nd annual Jolly Fox Aspect Invitational
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