News
Club to Welcome Top Squash Players
The Club is set to host the sixth edition of its annual, three-day TAC Premier Classic squash tournament from July 24.
More than 120 of Japan's top players, including defending men's and women's champions Ryousei Kobayashi and Chinatsu Matsui, will battle it out for top honors at the Japan Squash Association-sanctioned event.
The competition also features a "friendship tournament," where a few Club Members will be able to put their skills to the the test against the pros.
Find out more about the tournament and the growth of squash at the Club in the June issue of iNTOUCH.
Former Club Assistant General Manager Passes Away
Bob Sexton, who was assistant general manager at the Club for more than six years, passed away in Thailand on July 10.
Initially working at the Club as a consultant, Bob joined the management team in May 2005 and helped oversee the Club’s redevelopment project, its temporary relocation to Takanawa and the opening of its present facilities in Azabudai in January 2011. He later served as interim general manager.
After serving in the US Army, he forged a career in private membership club management, including a number of years at The Springs Country Club in California.
Bob died in Bangkok after a long illness.
Club Set for July Fourth
The Club is gearing up for its annual Independence Day Celebration on July Fourth.
The all-day event, which is expected to draw hundreds of Members and guests, kicks off with a morning Fun Run/Walk, led by Olympic gold medalist and Member Koji Murofushi.
Other organized activities include a basketball tournament and street b-ball demonstration, kids' games, a ceremony attended by US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and Prince and Princess Hitachi, music performances, a traditional barbecue buffet and an evening dinner in CHOP Steakhouse.
This year's party doubles as a fundraiser for USO Japan, a nonprofit that supports American military personnel and their families.
July iNTOUCH Out Now
It might not boast the same numbers of devoted followers as soccer or basketball, but the sport of squash is still played in more than 180 countries across the world. Ahead of July's TAC Premier Classic pro squash tournament at the Club, Members explain what draws them to the racket sport in the latest issue of the Club's monthly magazine, iNTOUCH.
Elsewhere in the issue, the Club's wine expert Anna Tyack offers her picks of CHOP Steakhouse's award-winning wine list, Member Chizoba Obi ponders the challenge of preparing her children for life as African-Americans back in the United States, and former Brazilian jiujitsu world champ and Club instructor Mikio Oga explains what he loves about the martial art.
Check out the rest of the issue and back issues of iNTOUCH.
CHOP Wins Top Wine List Award
CHOP Steakhouse's wine list has been named the world's best medium-sized wine list by The World of Fine Wine magazine.
In receiving the accolade, the Club's home of steaks becomes the only restaurant in Japan to win three stars, and it is one of just 22 three-star dining spots in all of Asia.
Senior judge Alder Yarrow described the list as “really nicely designed, and the curation in terms of diversity is excellent. It’s so well-edited, and with really nice descriptions on all the by-the-glass wines.”
In particular, the judges praised CHOP's collection of California wines, and Francis Percival complimented the list's range of “classic modern, new wave and classic old names” from the state.
Three stars are awarded to wine lists that have exceptional breadth; a range of leading producers; a good mix of vintages, styles and prices; an extensive by-the-glass program, with a wide selection of half bottles and larger formats; outstanding organization; and originality, personality and vision.
