Sukamdi 'untouchable' after lead extension
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)