Ron Pate

Ron Pate
Contributor
Jakarta

Golf, business and politics go hand in hand

Golf is a game that is popular around the world. And Indonesia
is no exception.

A survey of business executives and affluent residents of
Asian capital cities conducted in 2000 by ACNielsen found that 13
percent of Jakarta's elite claimed to be interested in golf, with
nine percent saying that they played the game and five percent
holding golf club memberships.

In the Greater Jakarta area, there are 32 golf clubs listed in
Golfer's Guide Indonesia. And Farquhar Stirling, the managing
director of ACNielsen, suggests that there are as many as 50,000
to 60,000 active golfers playing on those courses.

These courses provide a diverse selection of venues for the
elite of Jakarta to conduct business. Investors investigate new
business opportunities, salesmen meet and entertain customers,
government officials discuss political developments and economic
positions, tycoons plan takeovers and small business owners worry
over new tax laws.

But primarily, the courses provide a place for men and women
who really love the game to get away from the daily grind and pit
their skills against their opponents, the golf course and
themselves.

In developed countries where incomes are much higher, the game
is vastly more popular. There, golfers pay more attention to
their golf equipment than to the automobile they drive. They are
constantly on the lookout for the new driver that can add 10
meters to their drive, the new set of irons that are more
forgiving to not-so-perfect swings and the magic putter that will
reduce their putting stroke average.

When they are not practicing or playing, they are watching.
Professional competitions are held every week and tens of
thousands turn out to watch how the pros do it; millions more
watch on TV. The popularity of the game has grown exponentially
over the last few decades and if you look back down that curve
into the past, you might be surprised at how long the game has
been around.

While some people think the game of golf was invented by a guy
named Eldrick Woods -- popularly known as "Tiger" -- and even
though there are some misguided historians who believe golf
evolved from the French game jeu de mail or the Dutch game
kolven, among golfers, it is common knowledge that the game
developed from a Scottish pastime.

Malcolm Campbell in The Illustrious History of Scottish Golf
said: "... golf was played at St. Andrews before the founding of
the University there in 1411". And the word "golf" is not, as
many believe, an acronym for Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden.

The first recorded reference to the name is found in statutes
of the Scottish Parliament, where, in 1457, the game of golf was
banned because it interfered with archery practice.

However, back in present-day Jakarta, despite the wonderful
golf courses available, this ancient game is not for everyone.
Golf can be frustrating and humbling, and for many whose skills
or temperaments are unsuited, golf is nothing more than a good
walk spoiled.

But even for golfers with limited skills like myself, when, on
infrequent occasions, the left arm is kept straight, the desire
to over-swing is controlled and the body somehow responds to the
admonition to stay down through the shot, the resulting flight of
the ball down the fairway sets off the tuning-fork effect
described somewhat indelicately by Roy McElroy in the movie Tin
Cup.

One of those magical shots is worth at least 30 of the ones
where things didn't go right. And two or three good shots will
provide the worst duffer with all the reason he needs to arrange
the next lesson or plan the next golf outing.

And speaking of lessons, beginners should not go to the golf
course to learn to play. Beginners should go to a driving range
first. Most driving ranges have swing instructors and some of the
more prestigious clubs have teaching professionals. They can help
correct that glitch in the back swing and improve a slightly
incorrect grip or poor hand position at address. The lessons are
inexpensive and well worthwhile.

What else should beginning golfers do before venturing out on
the course? Learn the rules of the game. Buy a book of rules and
learn from that. Don't expect to learn from other golfers; you
would be surprised at how many "experienced" golfers ground their
clubs in hazards and take improper drops.

Golf is a wonderful game and Indonesia has courses suited to
challenge scratch golfers and more forgiving courses where higher
handicappers feel more comfortable. The poorer courses are little
more than cow pastures with ill-kept greens, but the best are
"world class". That was the consensus of expatriate and
Indonesian golfers queried in a recent survey conducted by yours
truly.

Respondents to that survey had handicaps ranging from five to
36 with playing experience levels from three to 46 years. Those
who have golfed in the U.S., Canada, UK and Europe rated their
favorite Indonesian courses as "world class". The best are
challenging, well-maintained, have beautiful vistas and excellent
facilities.

Astonishingly, there were 11 courses in Greater Jakarta
receiving votes as the most favorite golf venue. And, including
courses receiving second and third place votes, there were 19
different courses receiving votes. That is a wonderful
endorsement for golf in Greater Jakarta.

The two courses receiving the most votes, Riverside and the
Jagorawi-old course, were only separated by one point. And in the
all Indonesia voting, Jagorawi-old course proved once again to be
popular with golfers, receiving the same number of first place
votes as the most popular course, Bali Handara.

For those of us expatriates who enjoy playing these marvelous
courses, we selfishly hope the rest of the world will be slow to
learn what we already know: Golf on these scenic, world-class
courses is comparatively inexpensive and can be enjoyed year
round. See you on the links.