Nasim flies RI flag in Valvo matchplay
JAKARTA (JP): Maan Nasim is the only Indonesian golfer taking part in the Volvo Asian Matchplay at the Emeralda golf course, Cimanggis, West Java, that tees off today.
Based on Tuesday's draw, Nasim is to face the winner between Australian Paul Foley and Nico Rensburg of South Africa for a place in the second round.
"I'll try my best in this prestigious tournament," he said.
Twenty four golfers from South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, South Africa, Thailand, India, Scotland, China and Indonesia are competing in the event.
They include winners of the eight previous Omega Tour competitions: Kang Wook-soon of South Korea, Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand, last year's winner Jeev Milkha Singh of India, Robert Stephens of Australia, John Wither of Scotland, Lian Wei Zhang of China and Nasim.
Players who do not take part in the first and second rounds, will automatically miss the next tournament.
"It is the first chance in Asian golf history for Asia Pacific's top seeds to take part in a matchplay tournament," said Mel Pyatt, the Volvo Event Management's executive director.
Meanwhile, the Volvo golf team won the pro-am tournament yesterday.
The team, consisting of Frankie Tilaar, CYO Sorongan, Soebyanta and Marksaeng, carded 127 points and beat 29 other teams.
The Parker team and the Emeralda golf course team came second and third respectively after earning 129 and 130 points.
President's Cup
Yesterday, Sofyan Idup and Ani Iman won the eighth President Soeharto's and Mrs. Tien Soeharto's Cups at the Matoa Golf Course, South Jakarta.
Sofyan, a seven handicapper, regained his title after carding four-under-par with a total gross score of 154 and net score of 140.
Ketut Budiana, handicapped five, and Deny Supriadi, handicapped four, finished second and third after carding 144.
Ani Iman, with a handicap of three, won the title after shooting a four-over-par with a total gross score of 154 and net score of 148.
Anis, handicapped 14, came second, after carding a five-over- par, with a net score of 149 and Murni R, handicapped 12, won the third prize after scoring eight-over-par with a net score of 152. (yan)
First round drawings: Craig Kamps (Rsa) vs Richard Kaplan (Rsa) Paul Friedlander (Rsa) vs Boonchu Ruangkit (Tha) Thaworn Wirachant (Tha) vs Felix Cassas (Phi) Paul Foley (Aus) vs Nico Van Rensburg (Rsa) Kenny Walker (Sco) vs Eric Rustand (USA) Thammanon Sriroj (Tha) vs Choi Kyung-yu (Kor) Kwon Oh-chul (Kor) vs Jeff Wagner (Aus) Glenn Joyner (Aus) vs John Kernohan (USA)
Seeds: 1. Zhang Lian Wei (Chn) 2. Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 3. Rob Moss (USA) 4. Maan Nasim (Ina) 5. Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) 6. John Wither (Sco) 7. Robert Stephens (Aus) 8. Kang Wook-soon (Kor)