Sukamdi 'untouchable' after lead extension
JAKARTA (JP): Sukamdi justified his billing as top local amateur golfer and looked untouchable as he extended his lead by five strokes in yesterday's third round with a 213 (70 73 70) at Pondok Indah Golf and Country Club.
Sukamdi, who began gracing the golf links at home and abroad 20 years ago when he was only 17, found his true form yesterday and went out with a 2-under 34.
After bogeying the first, he charged the next holes with three birdie putts in the 3rd, 5th and 8th to close the front nine with level par in the 558-yard 9th hole.
Homeward bound, the Medan-born golfer whose four elder brothers -- including Sumarno and Suparman -- are all former national players, racked up nine pars for a 36 and closed the round with a 2-under 70.
Sumarno and Suparman played for Indonesia when the par-72 posh layout hosted the 1983 World Cup, one of the world's prestigious golf championships. They were among the few amateurs given the privilege of playing in the World Cup.
"I had problems with my right calf muscle when I began the round on Wednesday. But today (Thursday) I managed to control the pain," Sukamdi told The Jakarta Post commenting on his 1-over 73 score.
Sukamdi's SEA Games teammate, Ahmad Indra, was placed second after a 72 (38 34) for a 218 (75 71 72), two shots ahead of defending champion Denny Supriadi who was third with 220 (72 74 74).
Indonesia is training Sukamdi, Denny Supriadi, Dana Mahmud, Ahmad Indra and Jemin Saputra for the men's individual and team events in the SEA Games.
"I think our team is solid enough to hold off the challenge at the SEA Games from our opposite numbers from Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar and Brunei Darussalam," Sukamdi said.
They, according to Sukamdi, are all best players from their respective countries "and I rate them tough opponents".
Four gold medals are at stake in the SEA Games, two in the men's competitions and two in the women's events.
For the women's events, Indonesia is preparing four golfers, Ani Iman, Titi Puryanti, Retno and Agustia Kaligis and Jamila.
They are also under the tutelage of Australian coach David Breen, who is coaching the men's team.
Golf at the SEA Games will be played from Oct. 13 to Oct. 18 for the men's events, the women will start one day later as they will play over 54 holes.
The events will be played at the newly built Matoa Nasional Golf and Country Club some 20 kilometers south of the capital. (rsl)
Selected results: 213 - Sukamdi (70 73 70) 218 - Ahmad Indra (75 71 72) 220 - Denny Supriadi (72 74 221 - Sarmili (71 75 75), Nasin (77 73 71) 222 - Asep S (72 74 76) 223 - Dana Mahmud (74 76 73), Jemin Saputra (72 72 79) 224 - Ruswin Nasir (72 75 77) 230 - Arman Aziz (79 77 74) 231 - Jamil Ondo (80 77 74) 234 - Mansyur Tandiono (79 79 76)