Fifteen local golfers to take on foreign starts at Satelindo Open
Fifteen local golfers to take on foreign starts at Satelindo Open
JAKARTA (JP): Fifteen local golfers will challenge Craig Parry of the U.S., Anthony Painter and Lucas Parsons of Australia and other internationals at the US$275,000 Satelindo Indonesian Open Golf Championship from April 23 to April 27.
The Indonesia Golf Association (IGA) selected 10 professionals yesterday and will name five amateurs today to take on 144 foreign golfers.
Kasiyadi and Maan Naasim will head the Indonesian challenge. Kasiyadi, who trains in Surabaya, won the Bukit Darmo Golf tournament last month and was the first local golfer to win the Indonesian Open in 1989.
Kasiyadi has represented Indonesia in many prestigious events like the Alfred Dunhill Cup, Volvo Masters and Johnnie Walker Classic.
Maan, who trains at Jakarta's Sawangan Golf club, has won eight local tournaments since turning professional in 1980. Last year he finished in the top ten at the Volvo China Open and in the top 20 at the Indonesia Open.
The eight other local pros are Burhan Bore, Ilyasyak, Bachtiar Sanja, Sumarno, Budiono, Asep Capri, Buari, Efendy and Sukamdi.
They will take on the leading players in the Asia-Pacific Golf Association's Omega Tour at the Indonesian Open at the Jagorawi golf course, near Bogor.
Satelindo, the main sponsor, will give financial assistance to two local pros who perform well at the tournament. The private- owned telecommunications company will give $5,000 to each golfer to travel and compete in a minimum of four events on the Omega Tour.
Pleased
"The IGA is very pleased that Satelindo has agreed to help finance our golfers in international tournaments on the Omega Tour. Taking part in such events will help boost their golfing skills," said the association's secretary-general, Taufic Aziz.
Satelindo sponsors several major golf events in Indonesia, and wants to help develop local talent to play world-class golf.
"We hope the valuable tournament experience those two golfers gain will allow them to compete on an equal footing with the best in the region and the world," Mario Cardinalo of Satelindo said.
Sukamdi of North Sumatra will be the top-ranked local amateur at the open. He has dominated domestic and regional amateur golf for the last decade, won the Indonesian Amateur Open seven times and a gold medal at the 1991 SEA Games in Singapore.
The four other amateurs will be selected according to the results of yesterday's qualifying round at the new par-72 course at Jagorawi. (rsl)