Finnish Golfer Wins 2011 North Korean Open

The 2011 DPRK Amateur Golf Open is in the books… and by all accounts it was a stellar success.

The awesome event took place on the 29th April 2011 and was covered by journalists from the Associated Press and by Japanese and Korean media.  And how’s this for global golf: there were 17 competitors, from 8 different countries.  The nationalities included UK, South Africa, Finland, France, Germany, Australia, Luxembourg and DPRK.

The tournament was played in Callaway format and top place with a joint score of 72 were 25 year old Olli Lehtonen (hcp 1.1) and 31 year old Johannes Raitio (hcp 9.4), both from Finland. With the top gross score of 84, Olli was crowned the overall winner.

I hope to be talking to Mr. Raitio later today about the experience.

North Korea is considered the world’s most isolated country and travel to what some call “the hermit kingdom” is quite controversial, particularly for US citizens. Some feel that those who travel to DPRK are supporting an enemy regime, others feel it’s a dark and dangerous place that should be avoided for safety’s sake.  I’ve got to say it doesn’t look particularly threatening the the tournament’s slide show.

Plans are already underway for next year’s event.  It’ll take place over 3 days in Pyongyang from May 19th to 21st 2012 and additional information and reservations are available through Lupine Travel.

  Munsingwear. Awesome in Japan.  Here in the US, not so much.

…with our spikes firmly planted where golf meets new media

It’s supposed to snow again tomorrow!!!! Lots.

Pimpological is an urban fashion company that does the naughtiest polo shirts I’ve seen in a while forever!