E. Java capital boasts variety of golf courses

Indra Harsaputra and ID Nugroho, Correspondents, Surabaya

There are many courses for golf lovers in Surabaya, East Java. But if you want to play golf in an international-standard golf course and at the same time enjoy the cool, fresh air of the mountains, you should try either the Taman Dayu or Finna golf clubs outside the city.

At the Finna Golf and Country Club in Pasuruan, Roger Bradshow, an amateur golfer from the United States, hits a ball that lands not far from the second hole.

"Yes -- this is good!" he shouts.

Standing a short distance away, his partners in the game, Jab Ball, Walter Mcguire and Mark Wheeler, applaud.

"Let's take a ride in the cart to the next hole," a smiling Bradshow tells The Jakarta Post.

Bradshow and company say they enjoy playing at Finna because of the mountainous scenery. While the course is about 60 k.m. from Surabaya's Juanda Airport, Bradshow and his friends say they come here often.

"You can stay here for hours and not realize it because of the beautiful landscape," Bradshow said before leaving for the country club for a fruit juice and a salad.

Finna offers its members a range of dining options -- the Lotus Chinese restaurant, Pool Cafe, Spike Bar and Golfer Terrace, which looks out on Mount Arjuno.

Course public relations manager Erly Rizka said that about 30 percent of Finna's members were expatriates from the US, Europe or Australia.

"They have chosen our golf course not only because of the pleasent atmosphere but also because of its challenging nature," she said.

She added that only a few golfers, professional or otherwise, could play well at Finna. That's why there was a saying among golfers that unless one could "conquer" Finna, one couldn't become a professional.

Chun Gon Young, a pro from South Korea said the course was difficult but enjoyable.

The eighteen-hole course was designed by international golfers Peter Thompson, Michael Wolveridge and Ross Perret. Thompson and Wolveridge were British Open champions and captains of 1998 President Cup Tournament.

In terms of its design, Finna has features of the St Andrew Golf Course in Scotland, the Royal Golf Course in Hong Kong and the Handara Golf Course in Bali.

Located in a similarly mountainous landscape, Taman Dayu, meanwhile, is similarly popular among expatriates. Both courses rank in Indonesia's golf course top 10, according to Asia Golf magazine.

Taman Dayu is a subsidiary of cigarette company PT Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna Tbk.

Also with 18 holes, Taman Dayu was designed by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, who has also designed courses in Norway and Sweden.

Taman Dayu has become an international-class golf course and has frequently organized national and international golf tournaments, including the Tamandayu Sony Putri Open.

Course public relations officer Elanora says many expatriates have bought houses or plots of land around Taman Dayu.

"A Japanese man working in East Java recently bought a house in Taman Dayu. He is enchanted by the natural surroundings," she said.

Other golf courses in West Surabaya include Bukit Darmo Golf, Graha Family Golf, Ciputra Golf and A. Yani Golf.

Bukit Darmo Golf (BDG), which has 18 holes, is located in West Surabaya and is managed by PT Adhibaladika Agung, a real estate, property development and general contracting company in Surabaya. It is designed by Jack Nicklaus II, the eldest of Jack Nicklaus' four sons.

Another course Nicklaus II designed is the Traditions Club at the Texas A&M course in the city, which is close to exclusive residential areas where many expatriates, particularly from Japan, Korea and the US reside.

Sidebar

Golf means good business

The presence of many golf courses in Surabaya and its surrounding area means good business for hotel owners and leather golf bag makers.

One of these golf bag makers, Lili, who comes from Tanggulangin, Sidoarjo, says her business is booming.

She says she sells up to 30 percent more of her bags every time there is a tournament.

Locally made Tanggulangin bags are much cheaper than those sold in the golf shops in Tunjungan Plaza in Surabaya and several other shopping malls in this city. The prices range between Rp 500,000 and Rp 2 million. The quality, however, is excellent.

There are also stalls selling other golfing items such as leather shoes and hats. Clubs, however, are obtainable only in golf shops in several hotels and shopping malls, including the Shangri-La Hotel sports shop.

Hotel public relations manager Wike Trisnandhini said that the occupancy rate of the hotel was high during major golf tournaments in Surabaya.

"We cooperate with golf tournament organizers. We prepare hotel rooms and provide our guests with transportation facilities to get to the courses," she said.

Box

1.Golf courses in Surabaya

-Bukit Darmo Golf Resort -Yani Golf Club -Satelit Driving Range -Ciputra -Finna Golf and Country Club -Taman Dayu Golf Course -Bumi Citra Fajar Golf Sidoarjo

2.Golf Tournament Calendar in Surabaya -May 14-15: Bukit Darmo Golf -- Acacia Golf Tournament -September: Ryder Cup Charity Golf Tournament -September: TI&A Golf Tournament -November 20: Fourth Annual Deepavali Open Golf Classic