2014 ASEAN PGA Tour Schedule Will Feature 2 Indonesian Tournaments

February 5 - This season’s ASEAN PGA Tour will boast at least 11 tournaments offering nearly US$1 million in overall prize money thanks to one of its strongest schedules.

Commencing with the Singha Esan Open in March, one of four tournaments jointly sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour, the 2104 ASEAN PGA Tour will traverse the region with an emphasis on providing playing opportunities for up and coming players.

The Singha Pattaya Open, the Singha Hua Hin Open, and the Singha Chiang Mai Open, all part of the All Thailand Golf Tour, return to the schedule.

In addition three events will be jointly sanctioned with the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour in Melaka, Penang, and Negeri Sembilan.

The Laos Open, which was inaugurated in 2012, returns to the schedule as does the Palembang Musi Championship and Gowa Classic in Indonesia.

The season will come to a close in January of 2015 with the Sabah Masters, an event which over the past two years has cemented its place as the season-ending Tour Championship.

Indeed, the success of the Sabah Masters recently led its main sponsor the Sabah Tourism Board to announce its support for the event for another three years starting in 2015.

“This year marks the eighth season of the ASEAN PGA Tour and its success is because it continues to be enthusiastically embraced by players, sponsors and tours,” said AC Wong, Executive Chairman, ASEAN PGA.

It has been a prolific rise for the ASEAN PGA Tour which boasted five events when it was launched in 2007.

“The Tour is continually looking to expand in to new markets and is hopeful of announcing additional events in 2014, ” added Wong.

The 2013/2014 came to a close last month when Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat won the Sabah Masters at Sutera Harbour Golf and Country Club.

The tournament also saw his compatriot Kwanchai Tannin claim the Order of Merit title.

He topped the Merit list, and secured a OneAsia card, with earnings of US$35,630 – an ASEAN PGA Tour record.

World Sport Group are the Official Commercial Partner for the ASEAN PGA Tour and will continue to produce a one-hour highlight show for each event on FOX Sports.

2014 ASEAN PGA Tour Schedule

Singha Esan Open
March 27 to 30
Singha Park Golf Club, Khon Kaen, Thailand
US$ 100,000
Defending champion: Prayad Marksaeng (THA)


Singha Pattaya Open
Burapha Golf Club, Thailand
May 8 to 11
US$100,000
Defending champion: Kwanchai Tannin (THA)


PGM-ASEAN PGA A’Famosa Masters
A’Famosa Golf Resort, Melaka, Malaysia
May 28 to 31
US$60,000
Defending champion: Mardan Mamat (SIN)


Singha Hua Hin Open
Royal Hua Hin Golf Club, Thailand
July 17 to 20
US$65,000
Defending champion: Phachara Khongwatmai (amateur) (THA)


PGM-ASEAN PGA Penang Classic
Penang Golf Club, Malaysia
August 6 to 9
US$60,000
Defending champion: Shaaban Hussin (MAS)


Singha Chiang Mai Open
Mae Jo Golf Club and Resort, Thailand
August 21 to 24
US$65,000
Defending champion: Thammanoon Sriroj (THA)


PGM-ASEAN PGA Staffield Championship
Staffield Country Resort, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
October 15 to 18
US$60,000
Defending champion: Kwanchai Tannin (THA)


Sabah Masters
Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club, Malaysia
January (Specific Dates TBA)
US$75,000
Defending champion: Wisut Artjanawat (THA)


Palembang Musi Championship
Palembang Golf Club, Indonesia
Date TBA
US$150,000
Defending champion: Nicholas Fung (MAS)


Gowa Classic
Padivalley Golf Club, Indonesia
Date TBA
US$100,000
Defending champion: Annop Tangkamolprasert (THA)


Laos Open
Venue TBA
Date TBA
US$100,000
Defending champion: Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA)

Raja Ampat Golf

Between 2 and 27 August I traveled our incredible archipelago to play some serious golf with the Tscheschlok family - Ina, Edy and 18-year old son Janik and all three avid golfers from Stuttgart, Germany.

We traveled from Singapore, where they arrived, to Bintan and Surabaya and then on to Timika where we played the awesome Rimba Irian course. We then traveled to Jayapura to play the lovely 9-holes Cendrawasih course in Papua’s capital city. Then Sorong and Raja Ampat were on the schedule and we finished this golfing holiday in Makassar, where we played the incredibly beautiful course of Padivalley.

For the third straight year the Tscheschloks were back in Indonesia, the country that - as they themselves say - offers the best golf experience and most adventurous après golf option. During the last days of their 2012 Indonesia golfing holiday, they requested us to include some diving at the end of their 2013 golf trip. And so we planned a trip to Raja Ampat, in Papua - without doubt the world’s most remote and pristine diving location.

We spent 6 days at the Papua Diving Sorido Bay Resort at Cape Kri, a dive location that offers the world’s best house reef. An average of three dives a day at different locations genuinely showed the true beauty of Raja Ampat is all its colorful facets. The Tscheschloks were genuinely thrilled.

Golfers, however, remain golfers, and wherever they go they feel the itch of playing some golf or at least hitting some balls. For die-hard golfers, going for one week without feeling a golf club is hard to do. And as beautiful as Raja Ampat is, it goes without saying that it wasn’t going to be the place where we could play some golf anytime soon. Unless, that is, we create a place where we can hit some balls; and so we did!

About one mile in front of the bungalows that we were staying at, each day at low tide a genuine sand bank appeared. As this natural phenomenon remained there for the better part of 4 hours, one day we decided to head for that half-a-mile-long plot of sand and practice our bunker shots a bit.

In the picture above German junior golfer Janik Tscheschlok is seen on the sand bank in Raja Ampat and as the pictures turned out to be pretty amazing, I couldn’t resist sharing them with you.

Have great game and hit ‘m straight, on and off the course.

2013 ASEAN PGA Tour Schedule Released

January 23, 2013 - The ASEAN PGA Tour will burst into life in 2013 with a record number of events ensuring the overall prize money surpasses US$1 million for the first time.

A total of 12 tournaments will be played worth US$1,095,000 providing an abundance of lucrative playing opportunities.

The popular circuit will stage its’ established events while welcoming onboard new tournaments thanks to burgeoning ties between the All Thailand Golf Tour, run by Sports Management Group (SMG), and the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour.

The circuit will tee-off with the US$100,000 Singha Esan Open from February 14 to 17.

This has been a regular ASEAN PGA tournament since the Tour was formed in 2007 and will be one of four events this year joint-sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour.

The additional ones are the Singha Pattaya Open, the Singha Hua Hin Masters and the Singha Chiang Mai Open. The Pattaya event was first played on the ASEAN PGA Tour in 2009 while the other two are making their first appearances.

The ASEAN PGA Tour will also break new ground by working with Malaysia’s fast rising circuit at the PGM-ASEAN A’Famosa Masters, the PGM-ASEAN Penang Classic and the PGM-ASEAN Negeri Sembilan Masters.

Another new tournament to be played will be the Bali International Pro Am.

“The eighth season of the ASEAN PGA Tour is set to be our finest ever,” said AC Wong, Executive Chairman, ASEAN PGA.

“We will meet our main objective of providing more playing opportunities for our ASEAN-based members, be they rookie professionals or more seasoned campaigners.

“We are also extremely confident this year’s schedule will be the catalyst for an ongoing expansion for our Tour.”

Prior to this year the ASEAN PGA Tour experienced its strongest schedule in 2010 when 10 tournaments were held offering US$590,000.

In 2013, the ASEAN PGA will welcome back the Palembang Musi Championship, which with prize money of US$250,000 is the most lucrative tournament.

Also returning are the Luang Prabang Laos Open, the Gowa Classic, and the Sabah Masters.

World Sport Group, Asia’s leading sports marketing agency; specializing in sports sponsorship, sports content, and sports event management, remain as the official commercial partner for the ASEAN PGA Tour.

Their television arm will continue to produce a one hour highlight show for each event which will be broadcast on ESPN Star Sports.

2013 ASEAN PGA Tour Schedule:

Singha Esan Open	Singha Park Golf Club Khon Kaen, Thailand	Feb 14-17	US$100,000
Singha Pattaya Open	Burapha Golf Club Thailand	Apr 18-21	US$100,000
Luang Prabang Laos Open	Luang Prabang Golf Club Laos	Apr 24-27	US$100,000
PGM-ASEAN A’Famosa Masters	A’Famosa Golf Resort Melaka, Malaysia	May 8-11	US$60,000
Palembang Musi Championship	Palembang Golf Club Indonesia	May 15-18	US$250,000
PGM-ASEAN Penang Classic	Penang Golf Resort Malaysia	Jun 12-15	US$60,000
Singha Hua Hin Masters	Royal Hua Hin Golf Club Thailand	Jul 18-21	US$65,000
Bali International Pro Am	New Kuta Golf Bali, Indonesia	Jul 31- Aug 3	US$60,000
Singha Chiang Mai Open	Venue TBC Thailand	Aug 8-11	US$65,000
PGM-ASEAN Negeri Sembilan Masters	Seremban International Golf Club, Malaysia	Oct 23-26	US$60,000
Gowa Classic	Padivalley Golf Club Gowa, Indonesia	Date TBC	US$100,000
Sabah Masters	Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club, Malaysia	Date TBC	US$75,000

Stormy Finish At Padivalley Gowa Classic

Gowa, November 17 - Thailand’s Annop Tangkamolprasert came of age today with a fine victory in the storm interrupted Gowa Classic on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

The promising young golfer registered his first win since turning professional in 2007 after shooting a three-under-par 69 to triumph by three shots over Singaporean rookie Choo Tze Huang, who also carded 69.

In a dramatic finish at Padivalley Golf Club, a lightning and heavy rain storm hit just as the final group, consisting of Annop, Choo and Thailand’s Pravee Visalkit walked off the 17th green.

Annop led by three from Choo at that stage but play was stopped for two hours and 15 minutes before both players returned to make par.

“I was a bit worried because I thought the delay would stop my flow,” said Annop.

“I made a par though so it went to plan. I didn’t really expect anything this week so I am really happy. It will be a big confidence boost.”

He finished with a four-round total of nine-under-par 279.

The 22-year-old started the day with a three shot lead and was never really threatened until the storm hit at about 2pm and left an element of uncertainty.

However, Annop so often in the shadow of his older brother Pavit, comfortably handled the situation.

“I will call my mum first before I call him (Pavit),” joked Annop, who is based at Amata Spring Country Club in Thailand.

Pavit, a regular on the ASEAN PGA Tour and OneAsia, chose not to play this week as he is at home in Thailand awaiting the arrival of his visa so that he can play in the final stage of the forthcoming Japan Tour qualifying school.

Annop picked up a cheque for US$16,675 while Choo earned US$11,350.

It was also the finest performance of Choo’s fledgling professional career.

He turned professional last November and despite a brilliant amateur career has found life in the paid ranks difficult.

Making the cut in last week’s US$6 million Barclays Singapore Open - where he won US$19,200 – appears to be a key turning point for the 25-year-old.

“I am really pleased with myself as I played very well,” said Choo.

“It is turning out to be a great finish to the year. I am learning all the time and being in the final group in the final round today for the first time in a pro event was good experience.”

He is Singapore’s most successful amateur, having won the individual title in the Putra Cup in 2006 and 2011, and now appears to be on his way to success as a professional.

Pravee returned a 71 to finish in third place five shots behind Annop.

Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat, winner of last year’s ASEAN PGA Tour Order of Merit title, finished in sole possession of fourth place on two-under for the tournament. He fired a 72.

Indonesians George Gandranata and Andik Mauluddin finished best for the host nation with a total score of 289 for a share of 7th place.

The Gowa Classic is the first professional tournament staged in Makassar - a port city located on Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. Gowa is located on the perimeter of Makassar.

The next event of the 2012/13 season on the ASEAN PGA Tour schedule is the US$75,000 Sabah Masters.

The tournament, won last year by Wisut, will be played at Sutera Harbour Golf Club from January 9 to 12, and is the final counting event for the Order of Merit.

Leading final round scores (Par 72):

279 - Annop Tangkamolprasert (THA) 73 70 67 69

282 - Choo Tze Huang (SIN) 71 70 72 69

284 - Pravee Visalkit (THA) 72 71 70 71

286 - Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 73 70 71 72

287 - Piya Swangarunporn (THA) 73 72 73 69

288 - Chawinroj Krobteeranon (THA) 72 71 77 68

289 - Somsak Khaoprathum (THA) 79 73 69 68, Ekalak Waisayakul (THA) 77 70 70 72, George Gandranata (INA) 71 72 73 73, Andik Mauluddin (INA) 73 71 71 74

290 - Kenneth De Silva (MAS) 72 71 72 75

291 - Ian Andrew (INA) 74 77 73 67

292 - Pawin Ingkhapradit (THA) 74 73 73 72

Andik Mauluddin Overtakes Gandranata In Podium Chase At Padivalley Gowa Classic

Gowa, November 16 - Annop Tangkamolprasert from Thailand took control of the US$100,000 Gowa Classic today by posting a third round five-under-par 67 for a three stroke lead.

The 22-year-old put himself in an excellent position to claim his maiden professional title by making an eagle, five birdies and just two bogeys.

Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang and Pravee Visalkit from Thailand lie in second place at Padivalley Golf Club.

Choo shot a 72 while Pravee carded 70 in the second from last event of the season on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat, last year’s ASEAN PGA Tour Order of Merit champion, returned a 71 and is four behind the front runner.

His compatriot Apichart Papitak, the leader after the first two rounds, tumbled down the leaderboard with an 82.

For the second day in a row a lengthy delay due to bad weather that lasted about two and a half hours hit as players were nearing the end of their rounds.

Annop was forced off the course on the 17th and returned later to birdie it although he dropped a shot on the last.

“I have been playing well for the past three months but today’s round is more than I expected,” said Annop, whose brother Pavit also plays on Tour.

The Thai golfer leads on six-under-par 210.

“I have never won as a professional so I feel quite nervous. My best finish is second in Thailand. I will just stick to my game plan, play safe and see what happens tomorrow.”

He turned professional in 2007 and plays his golf at Amata Spring Country Club in Thailand.

Rookie pro Choo is also in search if his first professional victory.

“It is great to be in this position. It is proving to be quite a test with these delays but I am staying patient and relaxed,” said 25-year-old Choo.

The Singaporean was the region’s top amateur before turning professional in November last year. He won the individual title in the Putra Cup in 2006 and 2011 and played college golf at the University of Washington.

Indonesia’s Andik Mauluddin came in with 71 and is five behind Annop along with Kenneth De Silva from Malaysia who fired a 72.

Roby Sugara from Indonesia, who is based at Padivalley, shot a 66 for the best round of the week but is six over for the tournament.

The Gowa Classic is the first professional tournament staged in Makassar - a port city located on Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. Gowa is located on the perimeter of Makassar.

Leading third round scores:

210 - Annop Tangkamolprasert (THA) 73 70 67

213 - Pravee Visalkit (THA) 72 71 70, Choo Tze Huang (SIN) 71 70 72

214 - Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 73 70 71

215 - Andik Mauluddin (INA) 73 71 71, Kenneth De Silva (MAS) 72 71 72

216 - Benny Kasiadi (INA) 73 71 72, George Gandranata (INA) 71 72 73

217 - Ekalak Waisayakul (THA) 77 70 70

218 - Piya Swangarunporn (THA) 73 72 73

219 - Wittawat Sae-Ung (THA) 71 74 74, Choengchai Panpumpo (THA) 70 74 75

220 - Pawin Ingkhapradit (THA) 74 73 73, Chawinroj Krobteeranon (THA) 72 71 77

221 - Somsak Khaoprathum (THA) 79 73 69, Egon Nielsen (THA) 75 73 73, Apichart Papitak (THA) 69 70 82

222 - Blair Wilson (AUS) 75 75 72, Roby Sugara (INA) 79 77 66

Gandranata Continues Chase For Top Spot At Padivalley Gowa Classic

Gowa, November 15 - Thailand’s Apichart Papitak maintained his lead at the halfway mark of the US$100,000 Gowa Classic today.

He carded a two-under-par 70 at Padivalley Golf Club to move to five-under for the tournament, which is the penultimate event of the season on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang is in second place, two shots behind, after also carding a 70.

First round leader Apichart, starting on the 10th, got off to a poor start and was three over after seven holes.

However, the 24-year-old stormed back into contention by making a birdie on the 18th followed by birdies on two, four, five and seven.

“I am just trying to play steady golf,” said Apichart, who turned professional in 2010.

“This is turning out to be one of my best tournaments and I am very excited to be in this position.”

His best finish on the ASEAN PGA Tour came in last year’s Sabah Masters when he tied for sixth.

Apichart enjoyed an impressive amateur career which was highlighted by being part of the Thai team that triumphed in the 2009 Putra Cup.

He had the privilege of being taught to play golf at the age of 12 by the great Boonchu Ruangkit at the Royal Army Course.

Inclement weather caused a two hour and 15 minutes delay mid way thru the round.

Choo was on the green of his last hole facing an eagle putt when players were called off the course. He returned later and two putted for a birdie, for his third birdie on the trot.

The rookie is still on a high after a fine performance in last week’s Barclays Singapore Open - where he made the cut and earned a cheque for US$19,200.

Said Choo: “My game has been up and down this year. It is because of my mental game. I have been trying too hard and putting pressure on myself. I have not been letting things go naturally. Last week was a big confidence boost for me. Playing on a hard course with the big guys gave me a mental boost.”

Lying in a tie for third place four shots off the lead are Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat, Chawinroj Krobteeranon, Annop Tangkamolprasert, and Pravee Visalkit and Malaysian Kenneth De Silva and George Gandranata from Indonesia.

The Gowa Classic is the first professional tournament staged in Makassar - a port city located on Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. Gowa is located on the perimeter of Makassar.

Leading second round scores:

139 - Apichart Papitak (THA) 69 70

141 - Choo Tze Huang (SIN) 71 70

143 - Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 73 70, Kenneth De Silva (MAS) 72 71, George Gandranata (INA) 71 72, Chawinroj Krobteeranon (THA) 72 71, Annop Tangkamolprasert (THA) 73 70, Pravee Visalkit (THA) 72 71

144 - Benny Kasiadi (INA) 73 71, Choengchai Panpumpo (THA) 70 74, Andik Mauluddin (INA) 73 71

145 - Piya Swangarunporn (THA) 73 72, Wittawat Sae-Ung (THA) 71 74

147 - Varit Chomchalam (THA) 76 71, Tanatchan Puaktes (THA) 76 71, Johannes Dermawan (INA) 74 73, Ekalak Waisayakul (THA) 77 70, Pawin Ingkhapradit (THA) 74 73

Gandranata And Kow In Hot Pursuit At Padivalley Gowa Classic

Gowa, November 14 - Thailand’s Apichart Papitak, taught to play golf by the great Boonchu Ruangkit, took the first round lead in the inaugural US$100,000 Gowa Classic today.

He carded a three-under-par 69 at Padivalley Golf Club on the ASEAN PGA Tour, while his countryman Choengchai Panpumpo fired a 70.

Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang, Wittawat Sae-Ung from Thailand, and Indonesians George Gandranata and amateur Elki Kow all shot 71.

“I went out in four under but then missed four short birdie putts on the back nine so it is a bit disappointing,” said Apichart.

“This is a really good golf course and great to play but it was very windy at times so that also made scoring hard. I haven’t played well this year so it is nice to make a good start.”

He made an eagle and two birdies on the outward half.

His eagle on the par-five seventh came after he reached the green with his five wood second shot and holed a huge 50 foot putt. His only bogey of the day came on the 11th.

The 24-year-old turned professional in 2010 a year after helping Thailand win the Putra Cup in a team that included Thanyakon Khrongpha.

“When I was 12 years old I first started playing golf at the Royal Army Course where Boonchu (Ruangkit) played and he gave me my first lessons. He spent seven years coaching me,” added Apichart.

Apichart has a long way to go to match the feats of Boonchu, who has triumphed twice in the Thailand Open in 1992 and 2004.

However, the Bangkok native showed today that he is starting to find his feet in the professional game.

Choo made a solid start clearly still boosted by a fine performance in last week’s Barclays Singapore Open that saw him make the cut and earn a handsome cheque for US$19,200.

Said Choo: “It was tough out there with the wind. I made a great up and down to save par on the last and help make a good start to the week. I am feeling focused and working hard at staying patient.”

Fellow rookie Gandranata, one of Indonesia’s rising stars, bounced back after a poor two over par front nine by touring the inward stretch in three under that included four birdies in the last seven holes.

“I hung in there and never gave up. That paid off. It is very important for me to play well in my country,” said Gandranata.

He was paired with Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat, who won last year’s ASEAN PGA Tour Order of Merit title.

Wisut shot a 73, an impressive round considering he arrived late last night and did not get a practice round on what is a brand new golf course.

Lidya Ivana Jaya, Indonesia’s only female professional, carded a commendable 84.

Leading first round scores:

69 - Apichart Papitak (THA)

70 - Choengchai Panpumpo (THA)

71 - Elki Kow (am) (INA), Wittawat Sae-Ung (THA), Choo Tze Huang (SIN), George Gandranata (INA)

72 - Hamzah Rachmadi (INA), Chawinroj Krobteeranon (THA), Pravee Visalkit (THA), Kenneth De Silva (MAS)

73 - Andik Mauluddin (INA), Justin Han (SIN), Annop Tangkamolprasert (THA), Benny Kasiadi (INA), Wisut Artjanawat (THA), Piya Swangarunporn (THA)

74 - Pawin Ingkhapradit (THA), Nguyen Thai Duong (VNM), Pornlapat Wongchindawest (THA), Jordan Irawan (am) (INA), Ian Andrew (INA), Johannes Dermawan (INA), Asep Caprie Supriyatna (INA)

George Gandranata Aiming For Victory At Inaugural Gowa Classic

Gowa, November 13 - Indonesian rookie George Gandranata has one huge advantage over his rivals in this week’s inaugural Gowa Classic at Padivalley Golf Club.

Last year he graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in economics and as the great Bobby Jones once famously said: "Golf is 99% mental, and the other 1% is in your mind!"

The US$100,000 Gowa Classic, which tees off tomorrow, is the penultimate event on this year’s ASEAN PGA Tour.

Gandranata leads a strong field of players hoping to claim the top prize of US$16,675.

Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat, winner of last year’s ASEAN PGA Tour Order of Merit title, Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang and Koh Dengshan, and Malaysian Kenneth de Silva are some of the fancied runners.

Andik Mauludin and Benny Kasiadi lead the local challenge along with Gandranata.

Gandranata turned professional in January this year and has produced a number of strong performances including fourth place in last month’s Palembang Musi Championship, on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

Said the 26-year-old: “I did well at university but I always knew I was going to turn pro. I love traveling and it is a good life. I am not really keen on being stuck in an office.”

In last year’s SEA Games he won bronze in the individual section which helped his country claim silver.

“This year could have been better. As a golfer we are never satisfied but considering this is my first year I am pretty happy with it. You have to put things into perspective. We are out here playing golf and it is a blessing,” said the Indonesian.

He was born in Jakarta but moved to high school in America when he was 15 where he excelled in the amateur game.

In 2009 he triumphed in the Northern Californian Amateur and the following year was successful in the San Francisco Championship - the oldest amateur tournament in the world – and the Alameda Commuters tournament. Those victories including 14 successive Matchplay wins.

He also played in the 2005 US Amateur, won by Italian Edoardo Molinari, and the 2009 US Amateur, where New Zealand’s Danny Lee triumphed.

Said Gandranata: “Next year my plan is to get full status on either OneAsia or the Asian Tour and within three or four years the European Tour or even the PGA Tour. We should dream big. Might as well right? What I have learned this year is to have fun. We do this week in and week out and you just have to enjoy it.”

The Gowa Classic is the first professional tournament staged in Makassar - a port city located on Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. Gowa is located on the perimeter of Makassar.

The staging of the event has been made possible by the construction of Padivalley, which is a brand new golf club that the tournament will play an important role in launching.

“At Padivalley we believe we have built a golf course that will quickly become known as one of the finest in Indonesia,” said Felix Tandiawan, Director, Padivalley Golf Club.

Padivalley boasts a highly-rated 18-hole championship course designed by JMP Group. The club also has an impressive clubhouse with the Gowa highlands and their beautiful foothills providing a lush backdrop.

Inaugural Gowa Classic Launched On ASEAN PGA Tour

Makassar, November 1 - The ASEAN PGA Tour will once again chart new territory for professional golf in the region when it heads to the Gowa Classic in Makassar this month.

The US$100,000 tournament will be played at Padivalley Golf Club from November 14 to 17 and is the penultimate event of the season on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

The ASEAN PGA Tour has established a reputation for staging tournaments in cities and countries that are new to golf and Makassar is another fine example.

The Gowa Classic will be the first professional tournament staged in Makassar - a port city located on Sulawesi Island, Indonesia.

The staging of the event has been made possible by the construction of Padivalley, which is a brand new golf club that the tournament will play an important role in launching.

“At Padivalley we believe we have built a golf course that will quickly become known as one of the finest in Indonesia,” said Felix Tandiawan, Director, Padivalley Golf Club.

“We have already received excellent reviews about the course and clubhouse and so we are looking forward to unveiling our club to players on the ASEAN PGA Tour. The tournament provides us with an excellent opportunity to promote Padivalley in the early stages of its launch.”

Padivalley boasts a highly-rated 18-hole championship course designed by JMP Group. The club also has an impressive clubhouse with the Gowa highlands and their beautiful foothills providing a lush backdrop.

The starting field is currently being finalized but feature many leading players from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

“The debut of the Gowa Classic is another example of how golf is booming in all parts of Indonesia. The tournament is a truly welcome addition to the schedule for our local circuit and the ASEAN PGA Tour as it provides invaluable playing opportunities for members,” said Syafei Asnap, Chairman, Indonesia PGA.

For the Gowa Classic, like all ASEAN PGA events, a one-hour highlights show will be produced by World Sport Group and broadcast on ESPN.

“This year we staged a professional golf tournament in Laos for the first time and another first sees us heading to the wonderful city of Makassar. All the players and officials are truly looking forward to the Gowa Classic, a new tournament that has the potential to last for many years,” said AC Wong, Executive Chairman, ASEAN PGA.

Last Sunday Malaysian Nicholas Fung won his second title on the ASEAN PGA Tour when he claimed the Palembang Musi Championship.

He fired a final round four-under-par 68 to beat Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul by two at Palembang Golf Club and move to the top of the money list.

The result meant Fung, Gunn and Filipino Jay Bayron qualified for the US$6 million Barclays Singapore Open next week as they are the leading three players from the money list.

George Gandranata Just Misses Podium As Fung Wins Palembang Musi Championship

Palembang, October 27 - Malaysian Nicholas Fung ended a frustrating run of second place finishes by winning the US$150,000 Palembang Musi Championship today.

He fired a final round four-under-par 68 to beat Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul by two at Palembang Golf Club.

Gunn came in with a 70 in the ASEAN PGA Tour’s richest event of the season.

The result was retribution for Fung as he was beaten by his Thai opponent in a sudden-death play-off in the previous ASEAN PGA Tour event, the Singha Esan Open in August.

Antonio Lascuna from the Philippines claimed third place after shooting a 66. He finished two shots behind Gunn.

George Gandranata ended as the leading Indonesian in fourth after returning 69.

The result meant Fung, Gunn and Filipino Jay Bayron qualify for the US$6 million Barclays Singapore Open in two weeks as they are the leading three players from the money list.

“This is fantastic,” said Fung, who finished 18 under for the tournament.

“Gunn has been playing so well so it gives me a lot of confidence. Now I get to play in the Barclays Singapore Open. It is my dream to play with Phil Mickelson.”

Fung was two shots behind playing partner Gunn at the turn but he stormed ahead with a birdie on 11 and an eagle on the par-five 14th.

While the Malaysian was charging Gunn bogeyed the 13th to see the title slip away.

Said Gunn: “It was raining for a few holes on the back nine and that really put me off. I am not used to it. It was my first time playing in rain in a tournament. I am not too disappointed as I get to play in the Singapore Open.”

Fung claimed a cheque for US$24,050, to move to the top of the Merit list, while Gunn earned US$16,465.

Fung, aged 22, also won the PGM Negeri Sembilan Classic on the Malaysian local circuit last week and will thus head to Singapore brimming with confidence.

He won the Mercedes-Benz Masters Vietnam in 2010, which was his rookie year, and following that he finished runner-up on four occasions including in last year’s Palembang Musi Championship.

Indonesia’s Andik Mauluddin, Mardan Mamat from Singapore, and Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan and Varut Chomchalam tied for fifth.

Defending champion Wisut Artjanawat from Thailand returned a 71 to finished tied for ninth.

Indonesia's top golfer Rory Hie kept improving his score and managed to finish just outside the top ten after carding a 67.

The next event on the ASEAN PGA Tour is the US$100,000 Gowa Padivalley Classic in Makassar, Indonesia.

The tournament is the penultimate event of the season and will be played at Padivalley Golf Club.

Leading final round scores (Par 72):

270 - Nicholas Fung (MAS) 68 68 66 68

272 - Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 65 70 67 70

274 - Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 69 69 70 66

277 - George Gandranata (INA) 67 74 67 69

279 - Andik Mauluddin (INA) 69 70 74 68, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 72 70 69 68, Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA) 71 72 66 70, Varut Chomchalam (THA) 72 69 67 71

281 - Andi Yatmo (INA) 70 71 72 68, Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 71 67 72 71

282 - Rory Hie (INA) 75 71 69 67, Clyde Mondilla (PHI) 73 70 70 69, S. Murthy (MAS) 73 70 69 70, S Siva Chandran (MAS) 68 75 69 70, Jay Bayron (PHI) 72 71 67 72, Annop Tangkamolprasert (THA) 67 70 72 73

283 - Piya Swangarunporn (THA) 68 69 69 77

World Class Golf Comes To Makassar

The city of Makassar is located on the southern end of the island of Sulawesi. It is the 10^th largest city in the Indonesian archipelago and home to 1.3 million people. For many decades the only golf in Makassar has been provided by a bare bones military course. That is until a partnership of four local businessmen was formed to bring “world class golf” to the city. Their company, Galesong Group, selected an ideal parcel of land for the creation of Padivalley - a mixed use, master planned golf community located less than 30 minutes drive from the heart of Makassar. In addition to the championship golf course, Padivalley includes housing estates, sports club, resort hotel and day villas.

Padivalley - Hole #14

Padivalley Golf Club is a 7,150 yard, 18-hole layout that flows across mountain shoulders and broad valleys. According to the golf course architect, Bob Moore of JMP Golf Design Group, “The golf course design is an esthetically beautiful layout featuring seven man-made lakes, rocky stream channels, cape & bay bunkers and massive stone walls set against the backdrop of mountain ranges. It is also a golf course that presents tremendous challenge from the championship tees. In its first year of existence it has already been selected to host an ASEAN PGA Tour Event, the 2012 Gowa Padivalley Classic.”

Padivalley - View from the Clubhouse

The Padivalley clubhouse is dramatically perched on a promontory rising 40 meters above the surrounding valley and from which ten of the 18 holes can be seen. The starting holes plunge down from this mountain ridge providing long-range views of more than 30 kilometers. The golf course is environmentally sensitive to the land form and incorporates a unique mix of five par 3s and five par 5s into the par 72 layout. Tees, fairways and roughs are turfed with Salam paspallum, greens are turfed with Sea Isle Supreme paspallum and thousands of ornamental grasses and trees provide framing to the golf course.

Padivalley - Hole #8