RI expects to send two putters

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Professional Putters Association (PPA) expects to see two putters compete in the 2001 PPA-National Putting Championships in the United States.

Director of PT Setia Mandiri Mitratama Tbk., which operates Putt-Putt Golf and Games in Indonesia, Suyat Martowiyono, said on Saturday that a championship would be held three months prior to the US$100,000-prized annual event to net best local putters.

"We expect two champions to represent Indonesia in the international championships, which are held every July. We also hope that there will be professional golfers from the Indonesian Golf Association and the Indonesian Professional Golf Association joining the putter contest," he said.

Suyat said anyone interested in trying his or her putting skills in the local and international competition should be a member of PPA. Memberships will be launch next month.

Putt-Putt Golf Indonesia has sent local putter Iwan Kurniawan to this year's National Putting Championships in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Iwan managed to score six-under par 30 which was claimed to be the best record among his four Asian counterparts from Japan, South Korea, Beijing and Lebanon. (ivy)