Junior golf Open pulls numbers

JAKARTA (JP): A huge field of about 150 junior golfers from ASEAN countries, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, South Korea and India will take part in the Tugu Pratama Amateur Junior Open Championship next month.

The four-day tournament, which starts July 8, is one of the most prestigious junior tournaments sanctioned by Indonesia Golf Association.

It will be held at the plush par-72 Matoa National Golf Club on Jakarta's the southern outskirts.

"While the previous tournaments were organized mostly to attract young golfers to compete on the international scene, this time it is to test their skills," committee organizer chief Budi Santoso said.

The annual event started in 1992 will be split in two main groups - boys and girls between 11 years and 18 years old.

The boys division will be split into Class A (15 - 17 year olds), Class B (12 - 14 year olds), Special Class (18 - 21 year olds). Class C will be for those 11 years old and under.

The girls division will feature Class A (under-17) and Special class (18 - 21 years old).

The winners (based on their handicap) will be awarded the Bob Hasan Challenge Trophy and a one-year Rp 300,000 scholarship. The winner (without counting their handicap) will get a Rp 240,000 scholarship.

Last year's winner Iin Setiawan, 17, from Pondok Cabe golf club, is expected to face tough challenges from Pondok Indah's Marco Jacob and oversees competitors, including Singapore's Catherine Leluna. (rsl)