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Ｔｈｅ Ｇａｍｅ
ｏｆ Ｇｏｌｆ，
Nao’ｓ Ｗａｙ
a personalized storybook
Written by
Nicholas
Illustrated by
Stephen McKelvay |
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This book was created
especially for
Naoya Asai
a golfer without equal!
April 28,2003 |
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The game of golf, as we know it,
was developed in Scotland in the
early 1700's. Since its humble
beginnings, the game has exploded
in popularity
around the world.
From its legendary stars like
Slammin' Sammy Snead to the current
crop of rising young stars on the
PGA and LPGA tours, the game
has
been played many ways. And then, there is Nao Asai's way ! |
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Nao and Masaki, often
tee it up on their favorite golf
course, Kitahiroshima Golf Club. When this
happens, the only thing safe from
their golf shots is the middle of the
fairway. Worms, trees, ducks,
fish
and birds are in mortal danger! |
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Rumors to the contrary, Nao is no
cheapskate. The truth is, Nao may
be a bit frugal when it comes
to
less important issues like
retirement planning, dental work and
back - taxes - but not when it comes
to golf equipment. |
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Nao learned long ago that golf is a
game you play to win. After all,
there's usually a wager or two at
stake.
Over the years, Nao has learned to
hold his breath on his backswing,
play the ball where it lies, and
never worry
about a little water. |
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Golf is not the most important thing
in Nao's life. He knows how to set
priorities and put things into
perspective. It
is not true that
Nao once played an entire round of
golf in a tornado.
He played 17 holes - his golf clubs
blew away! |
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Every golfer dreams about a perfect
round of golf. This is a game where
every drive is down the middle of the
fairway, every green is hit in regulation,
and every putt is knocked into the center
of the cup. Some golfers even aspire to the
ultimate accomplishment - shooting one's age.
Nao has no trouble shooting 36. The problem is,
he does it on the first few holes. |
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Most ''good'' golfers have a collection of
shots for every occasion. These include a
fade, a draw, a bank shot, and a bunker
shot.
Nao also has a collection of golf shots
including the worm burner, the skull, and
the pop-fly. His best shot
is called,
''Ooops, that's a mulligan," so named by
Masaki. |
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Years ago, a golf handicap system was
invented. This system was designed to
let golfers of different skills and abilities play
against one another on an equal basis.
The idea is to take the best 10 rounds of
a golfer's last 20 rounds and use these to
determine one's handicap. The system has one major flaw for Nao:
he has
never played 10 rounds of golf
worth counting. |
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One of the reasons Nao plays golf is
for the exercise it provides. Other
activities were just not right for Nao.
He tried swimming, but kept sinking to the bottom.
He tried tennis, but the net kept getting in the
way. Jumping to conclusions was fine,
but tired him out.
Golf provides exactly the right amount
of exercise for a finely tuned athletic
body like Nao's. |
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After most rounds of golf, Nao usually
joins Masaki for a visit to the 19th hole.
This provides them with a chance to rehash
the shots of the day, settle the wagers, and plan
their next outing. The scene is usually the same. Nao
delays in the pro shop until the drinks are bought.
Then he rehashes all of his unlucky bounces,
pays off his debts, and leaves just before it is his
round at the bar. |
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Despite his apparent lack of skill,
Nao still manages to hit the
occasional good golf shot. There is
still talk about
the birdie Nao got
last year when he miraculously hit
his shot out of a deep bunker right
into the hole. |
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Nao Asai and his partners play
golf for the love of the game. For
them it's an outing, a chance to get
close to nature, and
a way to
relieve tension. Nao once said,
゛Every time I hit the golfball, my
stress level goes
down."
Otherwise, why would he hit so many
shots? |
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Nao has always dreamed about writing
his own golf book. Some of the
titles he has considered include:
Nao's Tips on Lining Up Your 4th
Putt
Golf and Divorce: Do It Nao's Way
The 19th Hole: How Nao Never Buys |
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Despite suffering through years and
years of frustration playing golf his
way, Nao has always remained a good
sport.
His demeanor is beyond
reproach, he never loses control, and
his voice is never loud enough for
anyone over a mile away to hear.
This, together with the fact that
Nao always pays off his losing bets,
makes him the perfect partner. |
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The game of golf is certainly a
challenge to Nao Asai. Many friends,
including Masaki, ask why he even plays the
game. The reason is simple. Nao
enjoys watching miraculous events
such as
a long putt dropping in or an
iron shot finding its way into the
hole.
Nao would enjoy it even more if he
were the person hitting these shots. |
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Dear Nao:
Enjoy the game as you play it. Don't
let your scores ruin your day. Think
of golf the same way you think
about
bowling: the higher the score, the
better. |
|
with love from
Manami
April 28,2003 |
