Par Golf's Impact manga, media, and golf course maintenance
There is a really interesting manga comic this year in the Japanese weekly パーゴルフ (Par Golf) magazine.
Newest edition is on the shelves. This manga is definitely getting a bit interesting. ハイテンション‼️ @asianturfgrass #KBCオーガスタ #パーゴルフ #itoshima #chikuzenkai pic.twitter.com/T9z1bX4Ori
— Andrew McDaniel (@drumcturf) March 3, 2018
Why is it so interesting? This is a fictional story based on the KBC Augusta golf tournament, and it includes a storyline related to golf course maintenance during the tournament and includes the course superintendent Andrew McDaniel. The story is about the “KBS” Augusta tournament, rather than KBC, and in the manga, the Andrew character is “Daniel-san.”
Print magazines are a big business in Japan. Go to any convenience store—those are a big business in Japan too—and there will be a rack with all kinds of magazines, including golf weeklies, golf monthlies, and golf magazines that specialize in travel, fashion, and features.
After a few weeks the drama continues. Still in the first practice round but seems to be some issues with the caddy. #KBCオーガスタ pic.twitter.com/3INCzWmCM3
— Andrew McDaniel (@drumcturf) March 29, 2018
It is fascinating to see a golf course superintendent and golf course maintenance included in the mainstream golf media in Japan. This is great exposure and promotion of this industry and the career opportunities available in it.
The television coverage of the KBC Augusta tournament always includes special features about Andrew and the course preparations for the tournament. Now there is a manga series that will be compiled into a book at the end of its run.
For more about manga and golf in Japan, see this article that asks Is manga the miracle cure for your golf game? or watch the Living Golf segment from CNN.