PGPI holds first playing ability test

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Former national amateur golfers Iin Setiawan and Indra Hermawan performed well in the 2002 playing ability test held by the Indonesian Professional Golf Association (PGPI) for its member candidates earlier this week.

The test, the first ever to be held in Indonesia, was played at the Pondok Indah Golf and Country Club on Monday and Tuesday.

The players were required to reach a maximum of 162 or 18-over-par from 36 holes before they could officially join the PGPI. But as members only, those who past the first test must also pass a more difficult playing test for a playing card.

Iin carded a total of 146 to grab the second place while Indra shot 150 earning him the fourth place. The pack was topped by Wahyu Hendarman of Pondok Indah club with an aggregate of 142. Finishing third was Nasin Surahman of Pondok Cabe club with a total of 150 shots.

There were 51 golfers in total who took part in the test but only 22 of them qualified as members.

"PGPI wants its members to have a certain level of golf playing ability which reflects their quality. We want to improve our members' quality," PGPI executive director Avie K. Utomo told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

"The candidates must realize that being a professional golfer is different than being an amateur one. PGPI will provide its members with various related trainings such as on playing, coaching and management," he added.

Apart of the playing ability test, PGPI has also set a minimum education level of senior high school for its candidates.

PGPI has also set dates for qualifying school for the 2002 tour season.

"After passing the player ability test, it doesn't mean that the new member can automatically take part in the PGPI tour. They have to get touring cards by passing a qualifying school which is harder than the previous test," said Avie.

"Golfers who want to acquire the touring card must shoot an eight-over-par or an aggregate of 152," he added.

The Emeralda Golf and Country Club in Cimanggis, Bogor will host the qualifying school for the western Indonesian region on Feb. 25-26. Meanwhile golfers from the eastern region will attempt to qualify on Feb. 26-27 at the Bukit Darmo Golf Course in Surabaya.