Introduction of Japan's First "R&A Certified Community Golf": Kanuma Group Wins "12th JGJA Award" for Highly Evaluated Initiatives to Deliver Golf to the Local Community
The Kanuma Group received the 12th JGJA Award for introducing Japan's first R&A certified "Community Golf" program and their innovative approach to delivering golf to local communities in cooperation with the city and JGA.
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- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 20:33
- 🔍 Collected: April 11, 2026 at 00:25 (3h 52m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 02:58 (218h 33m after Collected)
The Kanuma Group (Headquarters: Kanuma City, Tochigi Prefecture; Representative Director: Noriharu Fukushima), which owns and operates 108 holes of golf courses based in Tochigi Prefecture, has won the "12th JGJA Award" selected by the JGJA (Japan Golf Journalists Association).
This award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant efforts in social contribution and the promotion of golf from a unique perspective, praising their activities. The Kanuma Group received this award in recognition of their introduction of Japan's first R&A certified "Community Golf" junior training program and their efforts to spread golf to the local community. The award ceremony was held at the Japan Golf Fair venue on March 6, 2026.
Following the award ceremony, a panel discussion was held with Mr. Akira Ogawa, Chairman of the Japan Golf Journalists Association, acting as the facilitator, alongside Mr. Shoichi Matsui, Mayor of Kanuma City, and Mr. Hiroshi Yamanaka, Executive Director of the Japan Golf Association. They exchanged views on the collaboration between regional revitalization and golf promotion, as well as the new possibilities for golf through community golf.
## Background of the Award
In collaboration with the Japan Golf Association (JGA) and Kanuma City, the Kanuma Group introduced the pilot version of the R&A certified "Community Golf" for the first time in Japan in November 2025. This program promotes the training of community golf instructors and provides opportunities for anyone to easily experience golf, indoors or outdoors, by visiting local public facilities, various events, and elementary schools. It is an initiative that allows participation across generations, from children to the elderly, leading to the promotion of community interaction, health building, and the popularization of golf as a lifelong sport.
Furthermore, a major feature is that it is being promoted through collaboration among the government, sports organizations, and the community, based on the new idea of "delivering golf to the community," rather than the conventional style of "making people come to the golf course." The award was granted in recognition of these community-based promotional activities that transcend the boundaries of golf courses and the advanced efforts to expand the social value of golf.
## About the JGJA Award
The JGJA (Japan Golf Journalists Association) grants this award to honor outstanding initiatives that have contributed to the development of the golf industry and the enhancement of its social significance. It targets advanced challenges that lead to the future of golf, evaluated from a wide range of perspectives, including regional revitalization, promotional activities, and new value creation, not limited to the competitive field.
## Panel Discussion "The Future of Community Golf ~Proposals for Solving the 2025 Problem~"
On the day of the event, with Mr. Akira Ogawa, Chairman of the Japan Golf Journalists Association, as the facilitator, Mr. Shoichi Matsui, Mayor of Kanuma City, Mr. Hiroshi Yamanaka, Executive Director of the Japan Golf Association, and Mr. Noriharu Fukushima, Representative Director of the Kanuma Group, took the stage. A panel discussion was held under the theme of "Collaboration between Regional Revitalization and Golf Promotion."
This award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant efforts in social contribution and the promotion of golf from a unique perspective, praising their activities. The Kanuma Group received this award in recognition of their introduction of Japan's first R&A certified "Community Golf" junior training program and their efforts to spread golf to the local community. The award ceremony was held at the Japan Golf Fair venue on March 6, 2026.
Following the award ceremony, a panel discussion was held with Mr. Akira Ogawa, Chairman of the Japan Golf Journalists Association, acting as the facilitator, alongside Mr. Shoichi Matsui, Mayor of Kanuma City, and Mr. Hiroshi Yamanaka, Executive Director of the Japan Golf Association. They exchanged views on the collaboration between regional revitalization and golf promotion, as well as the new possibilities for golf through community golf.
## Background of the Award
In collaboration with the Japan Golf Association (JGA) and Kanuma City, the Kanuma Group introduced the pilot version of the R&A certified "Community Golf" for the first time in Japan in November 2025. This program promotes the training of community golf instructors and provides opportunities for anyone to easily experience golf, indoors or outdoors, by visiting local public facilities, various events, and elementary schools. It is an initiative that allows participation across generations, from children to the elderly, leading to the promotion of community interaction, health building, and the popularization of golf as a lifelong sport.
Furthermore, a major feature is that it is being promoted through collaboration among the government, sports organizations, and the community, based on the new idea of "delivering golf to the community," rather than the conventional style of "making people come to the golf course." The award was granted in recognition of these community-based promotional activities that transcend the boundaries of golf courses and the advanced efforts to expand the social value of golf.
## About the JGJA Award
The JGJA (Japan Golf Journalists Association) grants this award to honor outstanding initiatives that have contributed to the development of the golf industry and the enhancement of its social significance. It targets advanced challenges that lead to the future of golf, evaluated from a wide range of perspectives, including regional revitalization, promotional activities, and new value creation, not limited to the competitive field.
## Panel Discussion "The Future of Community Golf ~Proposals for Solving the 2025 Problem~"
On the day of the event, with Mr. Akira Ogawa, Chairman of the Japan Golf Journalists Association, as the facilitator, Mr. Shoichi Matsui, Mayor of Kanuma City, Mr. Hiroshi Yamanaka, Executive Director of the Japan Golf Association, and Mr. Noriharu Fukushima, Representative Director of the Kanuma Group, took the stage. A panel discussion was held under the theme of "Collaboration between Regional Revitalization and Golf Promotion."