Veteran golfer takes early lead to East Java Open<\/p>\n
By Robert Soelistyo<\/p>\n
SURABAYA (JP): Veteran Jakarta golfer Ilyasak took an early
\ntwo-stroke lead in the Prasidha East Java Open championship
\nyesterday as favorites got off to poor starts at the Citra Raya
\nGolf and Country Club here.<\/p>\n
The par-72 course, designed by world renowned American
\ndesigner Andy Dye, got the thumb ups from players who described
\nthe course as \"very good\" and \"quite challenging\".<\/p>\n
Home favorite Kasiadi, who played in the Sabah Masters and
\nSingapore Open last week, both part of the Asia Omega PGA Tour,
\nwas equal second with the Makasar Golf Club's Bahtiar Sanja, on
\nan even 72.<\/p>\n
\"The poor putting jinx has given me poor results,\" Kasiadi
\nsaid of his three consecutive bogey putts on the 15th, 16th and
\n17th holes for a total of 38 on the back nine.<\/p>\n
The 37-year-old Kasiadi said the course was excellent and much
\nbetter than the layouts in Sabah and Singapore.<\/p>\n
Kasiadi came second in the Sabah Masters and tied for fourth
\nin the Singapore Open which ended last Sunday at the Jurong
\ncourse.<\/p>\n
He and Maan Naasim are representing Indonesia for part of Asia
\nOmega Tour.<\/p>\n
\"I promise to play better in the next rounds,\" Kasiadi said
\nafter putting practice at Citra Raya yesterday.<\/p>\n
The beautiful course was overcrowded as about 180 golfers,
\nonly 64 of them pros, took to the course.<\/p>\n
Players who teed off from tee box number 10 said their play
\nwas slow because many of the groups in front of them were female
\namateurs.<\/p>\n
Australian Patrick Young, a teaching pro at the Taman Dayu
\ngold course said \"I think 180 players fielded in such an
\nimportant tournament is too many because there are scores of pros
\nvying for the cash prizes on offer\".<\/p>\n
It took many groups more than the usual four hours to get
\nthrough the course and several of the amateur groups were told to
\nleave the field because of darkness.<\/p>\n
They will resume this morning and will tee off at 6 a.m.<\/p>\n
Admiral (ret) Sudomo opened the annual event which is
\nsanctioned by the Indonesia Golf Association.<\/p>\n
The tournament, which ends Saturday, offers cash prizes of Rp
\n75 million (US$25,000).<\/p>\n
Popularizing golf<\/p>\n
The Prasidha Group, which owns PT Aneka Coffee Industry, is
\nthe tournament's major sponsor.<\/p>\n
Last year the tournament was not held because a sponsor could
\nnot be found.<\/p>\n
The company's senior VP director, Sjamsel B. Uding, said \"we
\nare organizing this championship as part of our efforts to help
\npopularize golf in East Java. With this competition being played
\nat Citra Raya, one of East Java's best courses, I believe an
\nAsian PGA Tour can be hosted here soon\".<\/p>\n
Sweden's Stephen Lindskog, who won last May's Bali Open at the
\nBali Golf and Country Club, was a shot further behind for joint
\nthird place with a 73 (35 38). Other players in third place were
\nAhmad from Jakarta and Asep Capri from Bumi Serpong Damai.<\/p>\n
Results:
\n 70 - Ilyasak (JGC) 34 36
\n 72 - Buari (YGC) 36 36, Bahtiar Sanja (MGC) 36 36, Kasiadi (YGC)
\n34 38, Kamin Jaya (Ancol)
\n 73 - Stephen A Lindskog (Swe) 35 38, Ahmad, Asep Capri
\n 74 - M Said (Pegas Golf Club)
\n 75 - Surisman
\n 76 - Budiono (YGC), Endang Supriatna (HGC), Douglas Hood (Aus),
\nSudihartono (HGC) and Suwarno (BDGC)
\n 77 - Gimin Suwiryo (PIGC), Burhan Bora (MGC)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/veteran-golfer-takes-early-lead-to-east-java-open-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}