International goodwill

Mike Watney

By Chloë Tatro
Athletic Media Relations student-intern

For 22 years, the best collegiate golfers in the U.S. have traveled to Japan to test their game against that of the Japanese. For eight of those years, Fresno State’s men’s head golf coach Mike Watney has served as chairman for this now prestigious tournament, the Topy Cup.  

The Topy Cup originated with an agreement between Jerry Vroom, the former head golf coach at San Jose State, and a few Japanese officials determined to improve the game of golf in their country. The result was an annual tournament between six of the U.S.’s best collegiate golf teams (four men’s and two women’s) and six of Japan’s, designed to promote better skills and information exchange about golf.

The theory worked, according to Watney, who was asked by Vroom to assume the tournament director position in 1996.

“The Japanese have improved their game tremendously,” Watney said. “They have won six of the last nine tournaments.”

Watney’s involvement on the U.S. side is coordinating which teams will be participating, while Vroom is responsible for travel arrangements. The Japanese pay for all travel expenses. As tournament director, Watney said he is in charge of everything from pairings to competition rules.

While overseeing the Topy Cup’s progression, Watney receives operational assistance from the Japan Student Golf Association and management assistance from employees of Yomiuri Shimbun, the newspaper with the largest circulation in the world and owner of the Japanese baseball team, the Yomiuri Giants.

The Topy Cup received its name from its primary sponsor, Topy Industries – one of the world’s largest wheel manufacturers.  

Watney said the golfers who are invited to the tournament are always appreciative of their time spent overseas.

“I’m always glad to get home, but it is good that we get to experience the Japanese culture, especially customs we would never see in the United States.”

2004 Topy Cup Teams

• Arizona (men/women)
• Auburn (men)
• New Mexico (men)
• Texas (men)
• Florida (women)