Teruо Sugihаra – a legendary golfer leaves his fans in sorrow
Japanese legendary golf player, Teruо Sugihаra, who ruled the world of Japanese golf during his long-lasted career, lost the match against prostate cancer and died at the age of 74.
In 1997, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and publicly announced about his ailment in 1998. In 2011, the disease went severe and he was then hospitalized. In the meantime, he also missed some of the tournaments he always participated in.
Before his death, Sugihаra wrote a column in a local newspaper and said that the cancer was become unbearable to him and he would rather be dead. It was really a disappointing comment for many of his fans and they were not expecting his words to become
true so quickly.
Another amazing fact was that he ended his column with the word “sayonara” which means good-bye. Just after few days, he passed away and left millions of his fans in grief.
Isao Aoki, the World Golf Hall of Fame’s inductee, looked really upset for his deceased friend and said: “Mr. Sugihara taught me the rigours of golf since I was young. It is really regretful that we have lost Mr. Sugihara, the most senior active player
in golf.”
"I can only guess that he fought a tough battle with the disease. May he rest in peace." Masashi Ozaki, another Japanese golf star, said.
Sugihаra was nicknamed as “Don” of Japan's pro tour for his contribution to golf for over 50 years. He participated in hundreds and thousands or tournaments and took home 63 of them. His only victory outside Japan came at the Hong Kong Open in 1969.
Before turning professional in 1957, he used to work as a caddy, and helped Osaka taking home a number of professional events. He then decided to stop carrying others’ bags and started playing as a professional himself. He recorded his first win after
five years of struggle in 1962 at the Japan Open.
After being diagnosed with cancer in 1997, he did not lose hope and continued participating in different tournaments. In 2006, he became the the oldest player in top-tier Japan Golf Tour to make the cut, as he made it to the final two rounds of the
Tsuruyа Open, when he was 68 years old.
This was not his only unique achievement. In fact, he continuously played the Chunіchі Crowns tournament for 51 years throughout his career and broke the record of Arnold Palmer who appeared in 50 consecutive Masters.
He appeared in 2010 Mizuno Open for the last time in his career and never came back on the course again.
Legends like him have made the game of golf elite and he will be missed greatly by the world of golf.
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