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Local golfers to get shot at Asian Tour events
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Wed, 11/08/2006 11:48 AM
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Twenty Indonesian golfers -- 16 pros and four amateurs -- will have the chance to compete in Asian Tour-sanctioned international tournaments next year, including the maiden US$400,000 Indonesian International Championship.
""The tournament will be very tough with the participation of Asia's top golfers, including Thongcai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant, both of Thailand,"" Koko Soegih Arto, the chief executive officer of the championship's organizer, International Sports Tour, said Tuesday.
""The winners will be recorded in the Tour's rankings and therefore are entitled to play in other Tour tourneys across the region,"" he added.
In a statement, the Asian Tour said some of the world's best golfers, including Terry Pilkadaris of Australia, Englishman Chris Rodgers and India's Jeev Milkha Singh, would likely play in the Tour's new events in Indonesia in 2007.
Indonesia will host three of five new tournaments sanctioned by the Asian Tour for 2007, namely the Motorola International Bintan from March 22-25, the Jakarta Masters from May 31 to June 3 and the Indonesian International Championship in Jakarta from Aug. 23-26.
Those new tournaments will join the existing $1 million Indonesia Open scheduled in 2007 for Feb. 15-18 in Jakarta.
""One of the goals of the Asian Tour is to constantly create new tournaments in emerging golf nations like Indonesia. I am optimistic that the Indonesian International Championship will have a great future ahead which we believe will raise the profile of the game in Indonesia,"" Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han said in the statement.
""At present, we do not have a single Indonesian player competing on the Asian Tour, but with the emergence of exciting events like the Indonesian International Championship, this will all change in the future.""
Indonesian Amateur Golfers Association (PGI) chairman Jero Wacik said his association would work with Indonesia's Professional Golfers Association (PGPI) and the Asian Tour to boost the standard of play among local golfers.
""There is a need for us to forge closer links with the PGPI so that our top amateur players will join the pro ranks. Hopefully, our top amateurs will have the opportunity to see what is required of them to excel on the Asian Tour and aspire to be the best through the championship,"" said Jero, who is also the state minister for culture and tourism.
PGPI executive director Nursalam Tabusalla said the championship would be a platform for local pro golfers to get a taste of top-class golf.
""The development of golf in the country will benefit greatly, and hopefully this will generate a keener interest among our young and aspiring players,"" he said.
