Hiro Fujii: Tama Hills Golf Pro

Hiro Fujii, Tama Hills Golf Course assistant director of golf, holds his pose after hitting a pitch shot into the second green Dec. 2, 2014. Fujii has worked at THGC for more than 14 years teaching American and Japanese civilians of all skill levels. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)(Released)

Hiro Fujii: Tama Hills Golf Pro

Hiro Fujii, Tama Hills Golf Course assistant director of golf, shows some of his trick shot ability by bouncing a ball off his knee Dec. 2, 2014. Fujii has played golf since he was in junior high school after his father encouraged him to pick up the game. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)(Released)

Hiro Fujii: Tama Hills Golf Pro

Hiro Fujii, Tama Hills Golf Course assistant director of golf, holds his pose after hitting a 5-iron into the 192-yard par-3 third hole Dec. 2, 2014. Fujii credits his love of the game to watching American professional golfers on television when he was a teenager. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)(Released)

Hiro Fujii: Tama Hills Golf Pro

Hiro Fujii, Tama Hills Golf Course assistant director of golf, hits a shot out of a greenside bunker Dec. 2, 2014. Although never playing on a professional tour, Fujii is a certified Professional Golf Association of Japan instructor and holds free clinics at THGC every Sunday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)(Released)

Hiro Fujii: Tama Hills Golf Pro

Published Dec. 3, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Chad Strohmeyer
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Golf is a game that can bring out the best in people and depending on how many bad shots they hit, the worst. Watching someone react after hitting a duff, flub, shank, skull, slice or hook can instantly tell you about his or her personality. It can be challenging, frustrating and above all else, mentally exhausting.

Surprisingly enough, these aspects of the game intrigue many people. Hiro Fujii, Tama Hills Golf Course assistant director of golf, just happens to be one of them.

"I think golf is a wonderful game like no other," Fujii said. "Whether you are American or Japanese, old or young, it does not matter. Anyone can play the game as long as you enjoy a challenge and the company of others."

Sporting a scratch handicap, meaning he consistently shoots around par, Fujii is no slouch on the golf course. When he first started playing in high school he knew it was too late for him to play on a professional tour, but along the way, a different aspect of the game caught his eye.

"While my father was teaching me the fundamentals of golf, I became very interested in teaching," Fujii said. "After working with my first students at THGC and watching them learn more each day, I quickly fell in love with it."

For the past 14 years Fujii has instructed students of all skill levels and ages. Every Sunday, he holds free clinics for service members at the THGC driving range to entice more potential "hackers" to join the game.

"I don't care if you have never swung a club before in your life, I can help you," he said. "As long as you show up with an open mind and a willingness to learn, you will leave a better golfer."

While the game may be challenging, even for the best players in the world, Fujii believes there is something to be cherished in every round.

"Golf has taught me so much over the years," Fujii said. "Patience is something I now have because of it. There will always be trials and tribulations, but after hitting that perfect shot, I promise you will be coming back for more."

For more information about Fujii's Sunday clinic, contact the Tama Hills Golf Course at 224-3426.