Player here to officiate Satelindo Golf Course

JP/rsl

JAKARTA (JP): A new 18-hole golf course designed by South Africa's world-famous golfer Gary Player (extreme left, photo above) at Bukit Sentul, Bogor was officially opened yesterday by a group of VIPs playing a round.

Among the VIPs playing were Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Subiakto Tjakrawerdaya (extreme right), State Minister of Investment Sanyoto Sastrowardoyo (center) and Satelindo President Director Iwa Sewaka (second left).

The par-72 Satelindo layout, in contrast to other golf courses already established in Greater Jakarta, is a public course.

"We believe if we manage the course well we can do sufficiently well by keeping it a public course," course director Teguh Pudjowigoro said.

He said that between 100 and 120 golfers play there each week day and at weekends the figure "may reach 120 to 150 golfers."

The course is owned by Sentul Highland (20 percent), Satelindo (40 percent) and Lippo Group (40 percent).

Of the scores of golf courses in Indonesia only a small handful are public courses, the rest requiring membership of golf clubs.

One public course that is proving profitable is the Bali Golf and Country Club in Nusa Dua.

Player, 62 this November, turned pro when he was 18 in 1953 and won his first major six years later when he won the British Open, becoming the youngest golfer to win the prestigious event.

Golf, according to Player, is a multibillion-dollar enterprise which can also attract tourists.

With golf a country has the chance of producing merchandise, laurels, and almost everything else needed to play golf, "and from that a country can harvest dollars", he said.

"I feel like coming home to see the beautiful surroundings of this course. Maybe this course will be one of the best layouts I have ever designed.

"There is no doubt that someday soon Indonesia will produce a great champion with great facilities such as these and the intense efforts of the club to boost junior golfers and caddie programs."

After his round Player, accompanied by Sanyoto, Subiakto and Iwa Sewaka, spent time at the Gary Player Golf Academy giving tips to the VIPs. (rsl)