Competition heats up at junior golf tourney in BSD

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Competition in the Damai Indah-Panin Bank ASEAN Junior Golf Championships 2003 at the Damai Indah Golf and Country Club intensified on Tuesday with Amin Zarens drawing level with Michael Song after Tuesday's second round.

Amin, 17, shot a remarkable six birdies, blighted somewhat by two bogeys.

Opening the round with a bogey on the 339-meter par 4, Amin bounced back with birdies on the 3rd, 4th and 7th holes for a 34 on the front nine.

Amin, representing the Jagorawi Golf Club (not Jakarta Golf and Country Club as reported on Tuesday) completed the back nine with birdies on the 5,446m, par 5 13th, the par 4 16th and the tricky 5,449m, par 5 18th, carding a total score of 139 (71 68) over the first two days.

The 18th has been rated by golf icon Jack Nicklaus, the designer of the scenic links in Tangerang, Banten, as the most difficult hole.

"I was forced to play better today (Tuesday) to emerge the winner here," Amin said. Amin was placed third in last year's championship, hosted by the Jagorawi Golf Club near Bogor.

Michael Song, the sole leader on Monday, finished the second round with a 71, tied for first with a two-day total of 139 (68 71).

Julius Caesar from the Riverside Golf and Country Club was placed third with a 145 (73 72). In fourth was Damian Ardika from the Denpasar Golf Club with a 147 (74 73).

The four Indonesians, competing in the A Division for golfers aged between 15 and 17, topped a list of 150 young golfers from Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.

The field was split into five age divisions, namely 18-21 years old, 15-17, 13-14 11-12 and 10 and under.