Sweden's Lindskog wins first major golf title

By Robert Soelistyo

NUSADUA, Bali (JP): Nigerian-born Swede Stephen Atako Lindskog won the Bali Open Golf Championship by three shots yesterday despite carding the worst score of his career at the Bali Golf and Country Club here.

Almost unchallenged on the first three days with rounds of 69- 69-70, the 29-year-old Lindskog saved his poorest performance for last. He carded 36 shots on the first nine and 39 on the final nine, including a triple bogey at the par-5 11th hole, for a 3- over-par-75.

"This is poorest score since I turned pro six years ago," Lindskog said as his father looked on with a big smile. "I'm sad with the poor showing but at the same time I'm happy with the victory."

Lindskog, who plans to play in the Asian PGA Tour in an attempt to qualify for the U.S. PGA Tour and European PGA Tour, will keep Indonesia as his home base.

"I love this country and the people," he told The Jakarta Post. "Even my father Erik decided to stay in Indonesia after he found Sweden was too cold when he went there last year."

Three shots back in second was Maan Naasim with 286 (71-71-75- 69). Maan, from the Sawangan golf club near Jakarta, carded the day's best score of 69 (33 36).

"I tried hard to get close to Stephen, but since I was left behind by six shots after the third day, my best score came too late," Maan said.

One stroke further back on 287 (73-68-75-71) was Kasiyadi from Yani Golf Club Surabaya. Kasiyadi was the champion at the Bukit Darmo Open in Surabaya last March after beating Lindskog and Maan. Kasiyadi also made golf history in Indonesia in 1989 he won the Indonesian Open at the Jakarta Golf Club.

The four-day event sanctioned by the Indonesia Golf Association is organized by the Udayana Military Command to commemorate its 40th anniversary. This military command oversees provinces of Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara and East Timor.

"We organize this event as our efforts to help develop golf in Bali in particular. This sport can also help attract more tourists to visit Bali," Major General H.A. Rivai said.

The plush golf course, designed by Rodney Wright and Robin Nelson, has also been the host of major international events including the Indonesian Open in 1993, Alfred Dunhill Masters in and Johnny Walker Skins, both in November 1994.

World rated golfer Nick Faldo of Britain and Colin Montgomery from Scotland played at the Masters. Faldo produced the best score of 63 before he was disqualified for carding an incorrect score. Ian Woosnam of Wales and Vijay Singh from Fiji are other world top golfers who have tested this superb layout.

Unique

One of the more unique characters of the front nine holes are the Wantilan Golf Villas located behind the number nine tee and just adjacent to the number 9 green.

Nestled within the secluded enclave yet only a short stroll from the Bali Golf Clubhouse, the Wantilan Golf Villas offer the perfect balance of privacy, tranquility, recreation and convenience.

The advantage for the discerning golfer is that guests of Wantilan are granted priority teeing off times, discounted green fees, signing privileges of Bali Golf and Country Club and free use of driving range facilities.

Bali Golf & Country Club, inaugurated on March 4, 1991 by President Soeharto, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of Singapore and Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, is situated amid acres of lush and landscape grounds on the southern tip of the deluxe resort of Nusa Dua with a spectacular vista of the Indian Ocean in the distance.

Selected results (Indonesian unless stated): 283 - Stephen Lindskog (Swe) 69 69 70 75 286 - Maan Nasim (SWG) 71 71 75 69 287 - Kasiyadi (YGC) 73 68 75 71 288 - Ilyasaak (JGC) 69 73 72 74 297 - Sumarno (PGPI) 71 76 74 76 299 - Buari (YGC) 77 74 74 74, Bahtiar Sanja (MGC) 77 73 73 76,

Burhan Bora (MGC) 72 73 75 79 300 - Asep Caprie (BSD) 73 78 74 75 303 - Mario Siodina (Phi) 74 76 79 74

Amateur: 307 - Putu Dipta (BHK) 80 76 73 78 309 - I Ketut Budiada (BGC) 81 73 78 77 311 - Soedijono (DGC) 76 83 77 75 313 - Wendy Kurnia (DEL) 76 73 88 76 314 - Komang Sujaba (BHK) 79 76 85 74