Golf hopes to capture one gold at SEA Games
Golf hopes to capture one gold at SEA Games
By Primastuti Handayani
JAKARTA (JP): Golf is better known as an expensive sport only
popular among the affluent community. For a biennial event like
the SEA Games, what can Indonesia hope to achieve?
"A gold. We just want to retain our achievement here from two
years ago," nonplaying captain Johnny Sujana said on Wednesday.
Indonesia won the sole gold in the men's team event, thanks to
Sukamdi, Deny Supriadi, Jemin Saputra and Dana Mahmud. It also
won two silvers from the women's team of Ani Iman, Siti Retno
Purwandari and Titi Puryanti and in the women's individual event
from Ani. Another bronze medal came from Sukamdi in the men's
individual event.
Can Indonesia repeat its success despite a very short training
session?
Coach Gimin expressed confidence that the men's and women's
players would be able to retain the gold.
"The golf course in Brunei Darussalam is flat and doesn't have
an up-and-down layout like the Jagorawi course. That's why we
train them in Sawangan because it has a similar layout," said the
professional player.
The National Sports Council (KONI) chairman, Wismoyo
Arismunandar, urged PGI to move its men's team training from
Bandung to Sawangan, West Java, because of the similar layout
with the course in Brunei.
The Indonesian Golf Association (PGI) is serious in preparing
its athletes despite the short period. It hired two foreign
coaches -- David Breen of Australia for the men's team and
Stephen Lindskog of Sweden for the women's team.
Breen was behind Indonesia's success two years ago.
Both foreign coaches said the national team had a very short
time to practice but they hoped the players would be able to
overcome the pressure on the course.
"Three months is not enough. If we had a longer time, it would
be better for the players," Lindskog said.
"I just arrived on Sunday and I only have two weeks to train
the men's team. We are focusing on their mind and game plans on
how to play in Brunei. We are not talking about technical
skills," Breen said.
"SEA Games is every two years. It's better if Indonesia
prepares its athletes continuously for the event."
Breen said the course in Brunei had a lot of water hazzards
and it would be very important for both teams to have a special
strategy to overcome them.
Johnny said although the preparation time was shorter, it had
more training programs.
"Two years ago we had five tournaments as tryouts. This year
we only have one tournament, the Brunei Open."
Problems
Titi won the bronze in the warm-up tournament.
"I think we don't have any problems with the course as long as
the players use the technic taught by the two foreign coaches. We
also staged a simulation at the Sawangan golf course," Johnny
said.
Titi said Indonesian players met rivals from Thailand,
Singapore, Malaysia and host Brunei.
"But no Filipinos competed at the event," Titi, nicknamed
Ipur, said. "I think we all have equal chances at the Games."
Ipur and Retno named Dorothy Delasin, 28, and Jennifer
Rosales, 20, of the Philippines as the strongest rivals in the
Games.
Ipur said another strong contender was Lim Ai Lian of
Malaysia.
"I beat her in the Malaysia Open by only one stroke. It was my
best play," she said.
Retno expressed hope she would not have to undergo a playoff.
"In the 1997 Malaysia Open I had to do the playoff and I was
trembling that I couldn't swing. I was lucky I did win," she
said.
All players must jog every afternoon for about an hour. Two
years ago they underwent weight training but not this year.
The players start playing from 8.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. Every
Monday they practice driving from 1.00 to 5.00 p.m.
"We don't have any problems with their technical skills but we
must work hard on their physical condition," Gimin said.
Gimin is optimistic with his players' preparation.
"They are good players and I don't have any troubles in
coaching them. I hope they can be the best."
Team members
Men: Denny Supriadi, Sarmilih, Suprapto, Abdul Rochim
Women: Ani Iman, Siti Retno Purwandari, Titi Puryanti