PGPI holds first playing ability test

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.