Rumors to the contrary,
Takeshi is nocheapskate.
The truth is, Takeshi 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.

Golf is not the most important
thing in Takeshi's life.
He knows how to set priorities and
put things into perspective.
It is not true that Takeshi once
played an entire round of golf in
a tornado.

He played 17 holes - his golf clubs
blew away!

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 thecup.
Some golfers even aspire to the
ultimate accomplishment - shooting
one's age.
Takeshi has no trouble shooting 30.
The problem is, he does it on the
first few holes.

Most ''good'' golfers have a
collection of shots for every occasion.
These include a fade, a draw, a bank shot, and a bunker shot.

Takeshi 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 Sasou, Yamada
and Inoue.

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 Kazu 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 Takeshi, he has never played
10 rounds of golf worth counting.

Despite his apparent lack of skill,
Takeshi still manages to hit the occasional good golf shot.
There is still talk about the birdie Takeshi got last year when he miraculously hit his shot out of a
deep bunker right into the hole.

Takeshi Tanaka 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. Takeshi once
said,

''Every time I hit the golfball, my
stress level goes down.''

Otherwise, why would he hit so
many shots?

Takeshi has always dreamed
about writing.
his own golf book. Some of the
titles he has considered include:

Takeshi's Tips on Lining Up Your
4th Putt.

Golf and Divorce: Do It Takeshis Way.

The 19th Hole: How Takeshi Never
Buys.

Despite suffering through years
and years of frustration playing
golf his way,
Takeshi has always remained
a good sport.
His demeanor isbeyond 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
Takeshi always pays off his losing
bets, makes him the perfect partner.

The game of golf is certainly a
challenge to Takeshi Tanaka.
Many friends, including Sasou,
Yamada and Inoue, ask why he
even plays the game.
The reason is simple. Takeshi
enjoys watching miraculous events
such as a long putt dropping in or
an iron shot finding its way into the
hole.

Takeshi would enjoy it even more if
he were the person hitting these shots.

Dear Takeshi:

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.