Kasiadi leads East Java Golf Open

SURABAYA (JP): Pre-tournament favorite Kasiadi led host golfers to hold off visitors' charges and take control of the game by one shot in the Prasidha East Java Open at Ciputra Golf course yesterday.

Twenty-one pros and 20 amateurs from an original field of more than 180 golfers won the right to continue their games yesterday.

Several players, including a group of pros, had to play 19 holes yesterday after their game Thursday was stopped by darkness at the 18th hole.

Bahtiar Sanja from Makasar Golf Club was one of the golfers who had to play 19 holes yesterday.

He finished 74 for 146 and was in the lead by one stroke ahead of Sweden's Stephen Lindskog.

Another golfer who had to play 19 holes yesterday was Budiono who had a poor 6-over par 78.

"When we approached hole number 15 we were worried about dusk falling as we hit the final hole. But we agreed to continue the game, until we were told to leave after the 17th hole due to darkness, and to resume the game tomorrow (Friday)," Budiono said.

Kasiadi, who was two shots behind leader Bahtiar, yesterday charged ahead of the field with three fine birdie putts for a 3- under 69, the best score ever produced after three rounds.

Following a series of even par shots throughout the 8th hole, the 34-year-old Kasiadi birdied the 9th for a 35.

Homeward bound he opened with a birdie put before finishing the round with another birdie for an impressive 34, taking his three-day round to 217 (72 76 69).

One shot behind for equal second place was veteran Ilyasak from the Jakarta Golf Club after carding a 2-under 70 (35 35) and Gimin Suwiryo from BDNI who also made a 70 (34 36) for a total score of 218 each.

Standing alone in third place was Bahtiar who played the 19 holes in a 1-over 73 which included an eagle put in the final hole, for a three-day total of 219 (72 74 73).

Despite the late start which forced several groups to stop play due to darkness, the main sponsor of the Rp75 million competition, the Prasidha Group has plans to host the annual competition next year.

"We plan to sponsor the East Java Open again next year. Hopefully we can find a joint sponsor, so we can raise the cash prizes to Rp 100 million," said Sjamsul B. Uding, Senior Vice President Director of the Prasidha Group.

Last year the event, sanctioned by the Indonesian Golf Association, was not held because there was no sponsor.

Results: 217 - Kasiadi (Ina) 72 76 69 218 - Ilyasak (Ina) 70 78 70, Gimin Suwiryo (Ina) 77 71 70 219 - Baktiar Sanja (Ina) 72 74 73 220 - Stephen A Lindskog (Swe) 73 74 73 224 - Ahmad (Ina) 73 77 74 225 - Sumarno (Ina) 78 75 72, Buari (Ina) 72 79 74 226 - M Said (Ina) 74 73 79 228 - Djoko Setiyobudi (Ina) 74 73 79, Burhan Bora (Ina) 77 78 73 229 - Jonathan Porter (Aus) 79 74 76, Asep Capri (Ina) 73 79 77 230 - Surisman (Ina) 75 80 75 232 - Kastori (Ina) 79 76 77, Budiono (Ina) 76 78 78

Amateur: 227 - Suprapto (Ina) 76 77 74 228 - Ketut Budiade (Ina) 78 722 73 230 - Sahid (Ina) 75 79 76