THANK YOU DR HARUHISA HANDA !
GOLF ’ S GOOD SAMARITAN
By Mathilda Andersson
By Mathilda Andersson
If you follow golf , you ’ ve heard of him . Lending his name to professional golf tournaments around the world through his ISPS group , Dr Haruhisa Handa has endorsed the global golf industry for almost three decades now – simply out of love for the game .
A Japanese businessman and philanthropist , artist and tenor of some fame , Dr Haruhisa Handa is the sole founder of ISPS Handa . The acronym stands for International Sports Promotion Society , which is a fitting description of what the organisation does .
Established in 2006 , ISPS Handa has greatly supported Australian golf tournaments for many years , entitling events including ISPS Handa Women ’ s Australian Open , ISPS Handa Australian Blind Golf Open , and most recently the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth tournament conducted at Lake Karrinyup Country Club in February this year . In difference to most other naming right sponsors in the industry , the ISPS arrangements are not seeking any commercial gain for their funding ; but rather endorse the game for the game ’ s sake , and to help develop the game at every level .
Chief Executive Officer of Golf Australia Stephen Pitt has described Dr Handa as “ an inspiration to the organisation ” and dubbed him the “ most significant non-corporate contributor to Australian golf ” after he prolonged his support of the Women ’ s Australian Open .
“ The ISPS Handa Women ’ s Australian Open has experienced exceptional growth in recent years , particularly in its international profile as a major women ’ s sporting event in the Asia-Pacific region ,” Mr Pitt said .
“ A fundamental part of this excellent period for our national championship has been the support and enthusiasm from our title sponsor International Sports Promotion Society ( ISPS ) through Dr Haruhisa Handa .