Takumi Kanaya Hosts Golf Experience for Elementary Students in Hiroshima

Takumi Kanaya Hosts Golf Experience for Elementary Students

On December 24, 2025, pro golfer Takumi Kanaya hosted a special event, "Try Golf with Takumi Kanaya," for students at Showa Kita Elementary School in Kure, Hiroshima. Organized by SOMPO Himawari Life Insurance, this event aimed to introduce the joy of golf to children while promoting health through sports.

Background of the Event

SOMPO Himawari Life initiated their sponsorship of Kanaya in August 2021, aligning with their vision of being a "health-supporting company" driven by his unyielding spirit of challenge. Starting in January 2025, he officially became one of the company’s athletes. This event was born from Kanaya's desire to expand the recreational golfing population and contribute to his hometown of Hiroshima, together with SOMPO’s aim to promote health awareness through sports.

Event Highlights

The event, designed for students who had never played golf, featured an engaging introduction to Snag Golf, which simplifies the game for beginners. Kanaya himself led a hands-on session, providing direct instruction and answering numerous questions from the kids, fostering an interactive and fun learning environment. The students expressed their excitement saying things like, "Golf is so much fun!" and "I was so happy to learn directly from Kanaya!"

Takumi Kanaya shared his happiness about hosting this event in his local school, stating, "It was truly wonderful to conduct an event at my old elementary school. Hearing kids express that they had fun and improved was the best part." This successful occasion was undoubtedly a remarkable day for everyone involved.

Future Initiatives

Through this event, we are delighted to have provided a platform for children to experience the fun of golf and understand the importance of health and wellness. As a company committed to supporting health, SOMPO Himawari life will continue to engage in initiatives that contribute to society, particularly through sports.

About Takumi Kanaya

Takumi Kanaya began playing golf competitively at the tender age of five. His illustrious amateur career includes winning the "Japan Amateur Championship" as the youngest winner at just 17 years and 51 days, and becoming the fourth amateur to win the "Mitsui Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Masters" in 2019. He turned professional in October 2020 and has since achieved seven tournament victories on the domestic men's tour, earning recognition.

In 2024, he secured wins in both the Token Homemate Cup and the ACN Championship Golf Tournament, and was crowned the "Money King" of the domestic tour. Following these accolades, he placed third in the PGA Tour qualifying tournament, ultimately earning his much-anticipated PGA Tour card. As the 2025 season approaches, he prepares to take his talent to international arenas, where immense achievements are expected.