While overseas training is believed to be the ideal ground to mould golfing skills, local golf courses have begun luring talented young Indonesian golfers to train through scholarships and sponsorships.

For Tatiana Jaqueline Wijaya, who turns 13 on June 18, her victory at a recent junior golf tournament was down to a six-month overseas workout in Perth, Australia.

Tatiana was the only Indonesian to stand out amid the Thai domination at the Enjoy Jakarta Junior Golf Championship early this month. She said being coached for free by trainer and golf academy owner David Milne had given her a greater opportunity to improve her skills.

However, not many in the country can get this kind of privilege. No need to worry, though, because several golf academies providing coaching scholarships as well as tournament sponsorships have been sprouting up here over the past few years.

The Commonwealth Bank Institute of Golf (CBIOG), established in December 2006 by the Jagorawi Golf and Country Club in Cibinong, Bogor, is one of those that provides golf scholarships.

"We have a five-year commitment with Commonwealth Bank," Jagorawi Golf and Country Club general manager Edwin Palmer said recently.

"We started with 12 talented young players who receive free coaching from international-level coaches who are professionals. We also support them with golf equipment."

Among the players is Agnes Retno Adriani Sudjasmin, who won the 30th Indonesia Ladies Amateur Open Golf Championship in Bali last year.

The 18-year-old has been awarded a golf scholarship to study in Arkansas, in the US.

Renaldy, the father of trainee Putri Aisya Amani, said he was proud his daughter had received a sponsorship from the CBIOG.

"It allows my daughter to take part in the Evian Junior Cup Championship in France in July," he said.

The Indonesian Amateur Golf Association (PGI) says it is not enough to pin hopes for an established golf scene in the country only on parents' enthusiasm. It has been encouraging more golf course owners to give young, talented golfers free access to play at their facilities.

The Ancora Golf Institute, established last year at the Damai Indah Golf Course, at Bumi Serpong Damai, Tangerang, not only gives free golf lessons but accommodation in their scholarship packages.

"The young golfers who receive our scholarships are also given free dormitory accommodation, golf equipment and sponsorships to participate in local and international tournaments," said the institute's Nia Adriana.

Ancora is currently home to nine young trainees, including Rory Hidayat Hie and Lydia Ivana Jaya, who both recently turned pro.

Rory was reliant on his father's support in turning himself into a strong golfer in the region, before Ancora stepped in to provide sponsorships for him to play in international tournaments.

"Young golfers need sponsorships from companies and golf course owners as well," said PGI official Christine Wiradinata.

"We need to learn from Thailand how golf development grows vigorously," said fellow PGI official Zaenal Soedjais.

He was referring to Thailand's young golfers, who dominated the recent Enjoy Jakarta World Junior Golf Championship.

"The junior tournaments are held very often in Thailand, every month. In April, May and June, we even hold junior tournaments every week," said Thailand team manager Likit Chaiyakitch.

He added parents had grown aware that possessing golf skills was beneficial not only to pursue sporting achievements but also non-sporting achievements, such as business networking.

"Golf is popular among juniors because if you have a good score, you can use it to get a scholarship. We've now start developing juniors from high school level," Likit said.

In Indonesia, while interest among youngsters in golf is growing, not many will continue playing, according to Christine.

"They usually grow out of it after they finish high school, as most parents are still concerned with their children's formal education," she said.

"There are currently only a handful of schools in the capital that allow their students to take miss classes for tournaments."

She added only about 10 percent of schools in Jakarta supported their students' pursuit of a career in sports.

Christine also pointed out the importance of an idol to inspire younger golfers.

"Just look at how the Thai juniors are largely motivated by Thongchai Jaidee and many others top pro golfers from the country, not to mention the world-class golfer Tiger Woods, whose mother is Thai," she said.

"Once they have an idol to look up to, young players will want to follow that idol."

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