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Pharmacist by Day, Golf Pro by Dawn
17 Oct
Summary
- Yasuyo Nishiyama, 59, balances a pharmacy career with professional golf.
- She began her golf career at 38, a unique path in Japanese sports.
- Nishiyama aims to win a tournament to buy a sofa for her pharmacy colleagues.
Yasuyo Nishiyama, 59, from Takatsuki, Osaka Prefecture, is distinguished as the first woman in Japan to simultaneously pursue careers as a pharmacist and a professional golfer. Nishiyama debuted as a professional golfer at the relatively late age of 38, after already dedicating nearly three decades to her pharmaceutical profession.
She currently works for Flower Pharmacy Kumiyama, managing up to 200 prescriptions daily. Nishiyama devotes three days a week to her demanding role at the busy dispensing pharmacy, a commitment that often leaves her feeling exhausted but fulfilled.
Nishiyama's journey into golf began at 27 when she participated in an in-house tournament, discovering her exceptional athletic talent. After eight years of part-time work as a pharmacist and caddie, she successfully cleared the professional qualifying test at 38.
Currently, Nishiyama competes in six events annually on the Legends Tour for golfers aged 45 and over. She is driven by a desire to give back to her supportive colleagues at the pharmacy.
Her immediate goal is to win a professional tournament within the next two years. The prize money will be used to purchase a luxury sofa for the pharmacy's break room, providing a comfortable resting place for her colleagues.
Nishiyama intends to continue her pharmaceutical practice as long as she remains mentally alert, while aiming to excel in golf until she reaches 65.
