RI to host Asia-Pacific junior golf tourney

RI to host Asia-Pacific junior golf tourney

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia will host the Asia-Pacific Junior Golf Championship, with the country's amateur golf managing body, PGI, pinning its hopes on world runner-up and local star Alexander Sitompul.

The championship is scheduled to take place at the Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) Golf Course in Tangerang, Banten province, from April 29 through May 2.

PGI Chairman Haryanto Dhanutirto said that the event, for which Indonesia's appointment as host followed his promotion to the presidency of the Asia-Pacific Junior Golf Federation last year, would line up young players from 15 countries in the region.

They will be divided into four competition age groups.

"We have a big chance in the boys' category because we have Alexander in the competition. He will play in the U-14 category," Haryanto said here on Tuesday.

"On the other hand, we can't expect much from the girls. However, we will push them to do their best," he said.

Alexander, 13 years old, finished in second place at the 2002 World Junior Golf Championship in San Diego.

Haryanto said that as host Indonesia would be allowed to have up to 30 players in the competition, while other countries could only field seven.

Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Hong Kong, India and Bangladesh will be among the participating countries.

PGI is currently grooming 16 golfers at the national training center, which, according to Haryanto, was initiated by the parents.

"This is a good precedent. The parents take up the cost. PGI just assists in that we recommend play free of charge for players at golf courses," Haryanto said, adding that PGI would hold a selection event on April 6 to select another 14 players for admission to the training center.

The upcoming Asia-Pacific junior event is one of the 11 junior and senior events planned for the 2003 season by PGI.