The fact that Tiger became the new number at Bay Hill - one of his favorite layouts, where he lifted the winner’s cup a record-breaking eight times now - may come to most of us as an “unnoticeable feat”. But make no mistake about it; the fact that he regained the number one position at Palmer’s beloved Invitational surely must have done more to Tiger’s confidence than body language can ever tell. Having Palmer waiting at the final hole on Monday, also must have meant more to Woods than anyone could ever tell. Tiger looked a very happy man.
Watching him on the telly, Tiger’s demeanor gave away a man that possibly may have found his way back to a more enjoyable life. The Bay Hill win, I think, said something about his happiness as a human being, but most of all, about the incredible golfer he is. It also showed anyone with a bit of knowledge about golf, where Tiger is in his swing change and hard-fought “come back” to live in the fast lane of golf.
Moreover, having found “new love” in a relationship with a lady that knows a thing or two about winning may well make Tiger a happier man, on and off the course. And indirectly, this state of mind may well place Tiger at the top of the list for many weeks, months and years to come.
To realize what caliber golfer Woods is, here are some simple facts:
October 2010 saw Lee Westwood take over the crown from the man that was officially crowned the world’s best golfer on June 12, 2005. Two hundred and eighty one (281) weeks - and thus a whopping five years and four months later - Woods supremacy had finally ended.
He wasn’t beaten by a better golfer though. Indirectly, he became a victim of the pressure that resulted from his “off the course” behavior. It truly inflicted unimaginable damage upon his marriage, his state of mind and (thus indirectly) on his career. Eventually, Tiger couldn’t withstand the pressure of having the entire world ”breathing down his neck”.
Westwood, by the way, held the crown for 22 weeks. Then it was Martin Kaymer’s turn (8 weeks), Luke Donald (56 weeks) and finally Rory Mcllroy, who held the crown for 39 weeks. In succession, they all enjoyed the spotlight of being the best golfer in the world. To put things in perspective; Woods, on and off, and until this week of the 77th Masters, enjoyed a number one ranking of 626 (accumulated) weeks.
If ever anyone will unseat Woods’ incredible record of being the “numero uno” for such an incredibly long time remains to be seen. What’s sure, however, is that no one ever will reach the top position going through the same amount of setbacks that, both socially and physically, created a battered “state of mind” the way it did with Tiger.
Furthermore, to win one PGA event in a year would mean the world to any golfer that plays any tour and that takes playing golf for a living serious. To put things in perspective again, this year alone, until the day that the Masters kicked off, and at the advanced age of 37, Tiger won three PGA events, amassing a handsome US$3.787.600 in the process and bringing his total wins worldwide to 77, equaling Sam Snead who, by the way, was 43 years old to do same.
I’m not superstitious, but it is not without significance that this week Tiger enters the 77th Masters with 77 career wins to his name. Don’t be surprised if the Masters brings his 78th win and yet another green jacket.
With 14 Majors to his name, no one else but Tiger understands what pressure “being favorite” brings to his fragile recovery from major and personal setbacks. If you were to ask Tiger what he thinks about his role as a favorite this week, he would probably say; “sure, it’s nice to be in this position, but there are still four gruesome days of golf ahead of us”. “I will take this week one day at the time”.
This Masters week, we will probably see the “new” Tiger emerge. A much more matured man from the boy-hood days in 1997, when I was glued to the telly and saw him win his first Masters as a rookie and leaving the field a whopping 12 strokes behind in unsurpassed fashion.
This week too, we may see a new Tiger, who has taken to fatherhood the same way a young kid golfer has taken to golf and who hits every golf ball with a “Tiger-like” career in mind. Driven and with a passion and a seriousness that only the true great can achieve and endure.
Many may wonder if Tiger will ever surpass Nicklaus’ record of eighteen Majors. I personally don’t doubt that he will. And having sat up for five nights to watch the Bay Hill event until the wee small hours of the Tuesday morning, I believe I know why I think he will.
Golf is a “mind game” and it all plays out between the ears. Physical injuries are there to overcome, but a “state of mind”, however, is something that no one conquers in a nick of time.
With his new found love next to him – and a lady who may well assists him in his clear duties as a father to his two kids - life is now smiling back at him, and that, my friends, in Tiger’s case, may well be the best remedy for winning golf tournaments.
I am looking forward to many sleepless hours during the early mornings from Friday the 12th till Monday the 14th of April, Jakarta time, when I will be glued again to the telly, watching Tiger taking to Augusta’s fairways and greens, as well as taking his next step to (possibly) a full recovery.
If he wins, I will be jumping for joy. If he doesn’t, then I know I will not have to wait too long for him to claim his 78th PGA win and his 15th Major. And many will follow in a further attempt of breaking Jack Nicklaus’ awesome record of 18 Majors.
Go get them Tiger!
Showing posts with label opinion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label opinion. Show all posts
Friday, April 12, 2013
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Miss Indonesia Making A Case For Indonesia Golf Tourism
Last week the Enjoy Jakarta Ladies Indonesia Open was held at the Palm Hill Golf Club along the Jagorawi toll road, just south of Jakarta.
Besides it being the most lucrative event on the Ladies Asian Golf Tour in 2012, what attracts most attention in the international media is the participation of Miss Indonesia 2012, and top 15 finalist in the 2012 Miss World pageant, Inez Putri Tjiptadi, an accomplished amateur golfer from the island of Bali.
Although one can argue that her looks overshadowed the accomplishments of the female golfers in the field, she undoubtedly brought the world's attention to ladies golf in general and the Ladies Asian Golf Tour and golf in Indonesia in particular.
From this perspective we can only hope that her performance on the golf course soon will outshine her performance on the catwalk, and that after her reign as Miss Indonesia comes to an end she will be able to reign on the golf course and become a ambassador for golf in Indonesia.
Below are some of the articles that headline Miss Indonesia in the international media:
AFP (France): Beauty queen to play golf in Ladies Indonesia Open
Reuters (USA): Bogeys not bouquets for Miss Indonesia in Jakarta
GOLF.com (USA): Beauty queen tees off in Ladies Indonesian Open
Digibet.info (UK): Beauty queen competes in Indonesia Open golf tournament
Taipei Times (Taiwan): ASIAN TOUR: Golfing Miss Indonesia swaps crown and gown for Ladies Indonesia Open
The Star online (Malaysia): Veteran Mehra charges ahead as Miss Indonesia Ines returns respectable score
Besides it being the most lucrative event on the Ladies Asian Golf Tour in 2012, what attracts most attention in the international media is the participation of Miss Indonesia 2012, and top 15 finalist in the 2012 Miss World pageant, Inez Putri Tjiptadi, an accomplished amateur golfer from the island of Bali.
Although one can argue that her looks overshadowed the accomplishments of the female golfers in the field, she undoubtedly brought the world's attention to ladies golf in general and the Ladies Asian Golf Tour and golf in Indonesia in particular.
From this perspective we can only hope that her performance on the golf course soon will outshine her performance on the catwalk, and that after her reign as Miss Indonesia comes to an end she will be able to reign on the golf course and become a ambassador for golf in Indonesia.
Below are some of the articles that headline Miss Indonesia in the international media:
AFP (France): Beauty queen to play golf in Ladies Indonesia Open
Reuters (USA): Bogeys not bouquets for Miss Indonesia in Jakarta
GOLF.com (USA): Beauty queen tees off in Ladies Indonesian Open
Digibet.info (UK): Beauty queen competes in Indonesia Open golf tournament
Taipei Times (Taiwan): ASIAN TOUR: Golfing Miss Indonesia swaps crown and gown for Ladies Indonesia Open
The Star online (Malaysia): Veteran Mehra charges ahead as Miss Indonesia Ines returns respectable score
Sunday, February 26, 2012
For The Love Of Golf
The February 2012 edition of The Jakarta Post Weekender is dedicated to golf.
The following articles can be read online:
Editor's Note
Courses of Action
Said & Done
What’s Your Handicap?
Cover
Calling the Shots
20/20
‘I’m hard headed ... but I will say sorry’
The following articles can be read online:
Editor's Note
Courses of Action
Said & Done
What’s Your Handicap?
Cover
Calling the Shots
20/20
‘I’m hard headed ... but I will say sorry’
Under Par
Indonesia still has a long way to go in joining the ranks of golfing tourism nations.
Tourism is a serious business: Not only is it one of the world’s fastest-growing and largest industries, it’s also a major employer and important source of foreign exchange income. In short, tourism is an important driver of economic progress, which is why governments around the world work so hard to attract tourists.
And then there is the important subsector of golf tourism. Global golf tourism is a US$20 billion business, thanks to the approximately 50 million golf tourists around the world.
So since Indonesia is home to about 160 golf courses, you’d expect that we’d be enjoying a sizeable slice of the golf tourism pie, wouldn’t you? And yet, we’re not.
In fact, according to the Asia Golf Tourism Report by Paul Myers from Asian Travel Media, Bangkok, released last October, Indonesia isn’t even getting the crumbs.
According to the report, Thailand is the regional leader in inbound golf tourism, followed by Malaysia and then China. Thailand’s position at the top is attributed to its decade-long efforts in diligently and consistently marketing its high-quality yet affordable golf offering. What’s more, golf tourism in Thailand has the support of major players in the country’s tourism industry, such as the Tourist Authority of Thailand, regional tourism promotion offices, Thai Airways and the private sector, including (golf) tour and travel operators and the hotel industry.
According to figures released by the Tourist Authority of Thailand in November, about 600,000 of the 19 million foreign tourists expected to visit the country this year will be coming to play golf. That makes Thailand the third most popular golf destination in the world. Spain, with one million golfers a year, is the world’s number one golf tourism magnet, with Britain a strong second.
And golf tourism is a lucrative segment of the industry: On average, golf tourists spend three times as much as other tourists. The typical foreign golfer spends an estimated US$3,300 on a golf trip to Thailand, which, according to Tourist Authority of Thailand forecasts, translates to a value of US$2 billion in 2012.
To grow tourist arrivals, next to perfect infrastructure and interesting and clean and well maintained tourist sites, a constant update and/or introduction of new tourist attractions is needed. In Asia, Singapore is the prime example for continuously updating its tourism product. By putting in place the Singapore Flyer, Resort World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands, to name just a few, the island state was able to attract more than 10 million visitors in 2011.
There is less information on Malaysia, but it is estimated to attract just over 100,000 foreign golfers a year, generating annual foreign currency income of more than US$250 million. As for China, although most golfers there come from the emerging middle and upper class, diligent global marketing is attracting increasing numbers of golfers from other countries to China’s fabulous courses, especially to the renowned Mission Hills in southern China where golfers can play 12 courses in the one region.
The report also mentions golf tourism developments by other countries in Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, where, in the past five years, more than 50 courses have been opened or started to be built, inbound golf tourism to Vietnam is estimated to attract about 10,000 foreign golfers a year. Even Laos is attracting thousands of golfers, despite having only four major golf resorts, whereas Cambodia, like Vietnam, has outsourced its golf tourism marketing to American-owned companies.
What About Indonesia?
And what did this new and important report on golf tourism in Asia have to say about Indonesia?
Absolutely nothing.
This may come as a surprise to those fortunate enough to be familiar with Indonesia’s fabulous world of golf and leisure. But it was no surprise to me.
After all, for many years – ever since I started Golf Promo Indonesia and www.indogolf.com in 1998 – I have unsuccessfully sought to convince stakeholders in the local golf and tourism industries to join forces to promote Indonesia to the world as a golf tourism destination. But bringing together our golf industry and our national and regional tourism promotion offices has turned out to “mission impossible”.
This is truly a wasted opportunity, when Indonesia’s golf tourism products equal or surpass those of our neighbors in so many ways.
Our golf courses and facilities are just as good as those in Thailand, Malaysia or China. We even have our own version of “Mission Hills” – Jakarta’s Jagorawi toll road gives easy access to 17 fabulous courses. Golf courses here were designed by the best in the business and are located in stunning natural settings. They are accessible, high quality and well maintained. They are managed in a highly professional manner and are ready to welcome even the most spoiled golf traveler. Most club houses are of five-star quality, and the amenities on offer are exemplary.
Then there are our caddies, who are in a class of their own: They’re pretty, friendly and, most importantly, they are very knowledgeable. What’s more, they are proficient in English and fun to be with.
What’s more, weekday golf in Indonesia is relatively inexpensive (with the exception of Bali), and a golf ztrip can be nicely combined with the riches of leisure, art and culture on offer here, all supported by the nation’s world-class hospitality industry and famous “friendly smile”.
Nevertheless, Indonesia is completely unknown as a world-class golf destination. The golf and tourism industries are missing out on a potentially highly lucrative opportunity, and it’s their own fault.
There is no real solidarity among the owners and managers of golf courses here, despite golf associations and regular meetings to discuss daily business. Rather, they are too busy competing with each other to join together to attract some of those 50 million golf tourists and, in doing so, add significant revenue to their business.
Despite having had a golfer at its helm, the tourism ministry appears to have no idea of how golf could contribute to tourism in Indonesia; this ignorance is reflected in regional tourism promotion offices such as the Jakarta Tourism Promotion Office (JTPO), which show no interest in working with local stakeholders to let the world know about Jakarta’s fabulous world of golf. To be fair, the JTPO did commission a “Road map for Indonesia golf” – but from a UK company, as if those in the Indonesian golf industry don’t have the knowledge to contribute.
It is unforgivable that Indonesia does not get a mention in the important report on golf tourism in Asia. That golf in Indonesia is a valuable tourism asset seems blindingly obvious – as does the suggestion that we should capitalize on this asset by promoting it to the world.
Now surely is the time for the main players in Indonesia’s golf and tourism industries to come together with the tourism ministry and the regional tourism boards of Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali to create a sustainable golf tourism strategy that will secure Indonesia’s position as one of Asia’s most attractive golf destinations. If not, Indonesia will continue to languish as merely a “world-class golf destination in waiting”.
(DGK)
Tourism is a serious business: Not only is it one of the world’s fastest-growing and largest industries, it’s also a major employer and important source of foreign exchange income. In short, tourism is an important driver of economic progress, which is why governments around the world work so hard to attract tourists.
And then there is the important subsector of golf tourism. Global golf tourism is a US$20 billion business, thanks to the approximately 50 million golf tourists around the world.
So since Indonesia is home to about 160 golf courses, you’d expect that we’d be enjoying a sizeable slice of the golf tourism pie, wouldn’t you? And yet, we’re not.
In fact, according to the Asia Golf Tourism Report by Paul Myers from Asian Travel Media, Bangkok, released last October, Indonesia isn’t even getting the crumbs.
According to the report, Thailand is the regional leader in inbound golf tourism, followed by Malaysia and then China. Thailand’s position at the top is attributed to its decade-long efforts in diligently and consistently marketing its high-quality yet affordable golf offering. What’s more, golf tourism in Thailand has the support of major players in the country’s tourism industry, such as the Tourist Authority of Thailand, regional tourism promotion offices, Thai Airways and the private sector, including (golf) tour and travel operators and the hotel industry.
According to figures released by the Tourist Authority of Thailand in November, about 600,000 of the 19 million foreign tourists expected to visit the country this year will be coming to play golf. That makes Thailand the third most popular golf destination in the world. Spain, with one million golfers a year, is the world’s number one golf tourism magnet, with Britain a strong second.
And golf tourism is a lucrative segment of the industry: On average, golf tourists spend three times as much as other tourists. The typical foreign golfer spends an estimated US$3,300 on a golf trip to Thailand, which, according to Tourist Authority of Thailand forecasts, translates to a value of US$2 billion in 2012.
To grow tourist arrivals, next to perfect infrastructure and interesting and clean and well maintained tourist sites, a constant update and/or introduction of new tourist attractions is needed. In Asia, Singapore is the prime example for continuously updating its tourism product. By putting in place the Singapore Flyer, Resort World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands, to name just a few, the island state was able to attract more than 10 million visitors in 2011.
There is less information on Malaysia, but it is estimated to attract just over 100,000 foreign golfers a year, generating annual foreign currency income of more than US$250 million. As for China, although most golfers there come from the emerging middle and upper class, diligent global marketing is attracting increasing numbers of golfers from other countries to China’s fabulous courses, especially to the renowned Mission Hills in southern China where golfers can play 12 courses in the one region.
The report also mentions golf tourism developments by other countries in Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, where, in the past five years, more than 50 courses have been opened or started to be built, inbound golf tourism to Vietnam is estimated to attract about 10,000 foreign golfers a year. Even Laos is attracting thousands of golfers, despite having only four major golf resorts, whereas Cambodia, like Vietnam, has outsourced its golf tourism marketing to American-owned companies.
What About Indonesia?
And what did this new and important report on golf tourism in Asia have to say about Indonesia?
Absolutely nothing.
This may come as a surprise to those fortunate enough to be familiar with Indonesia’s fabulous world of golf and leisure. But it was no surprise to me.
After all, for many years – ever since I started Golf Promo Indonesia and www.indogolf.com in 1998 – I have unsuccessfully sought to convince stakeholders in the local golf and tourism industries to join forces to promote Indonesia to the world as a golf tourism destination. But bringing together our golf industry and our national and regional tourism promotion offices has turned out to “mission impossible”.
This is truly a wasted opportunity, when Indonesia’s golf tourism products equal or surpass those of our neighbors in so many ways.
Our golf courses and facilities are just as good as those in Thailand, Malaysia or China. We even have our own version of “Mission Hills” – Jakarta’s Jagorawi toll road gives easy access to 17 fabulous courses. Golf courses here were designed by the best in the business and are located in stunning natural settings. They are accessible, high quality and well maintained. They are managed in a highly professional manner and are ready to welcome even the most spoiled golf traveler. Most club houses are of five-star quality, and the amenities on offer are exemplary.
Then there are our caddies, who are in a class of their own: They’re pretty, friendly and, most importantly, they are very knowledgeable. What’s more, they are proficient in English and fun to be with.
What’s more, weekday golf in Indonesia is relatively inexpensive (with the exception of Bali), and a golf ztrip can be nicely combined with the riches of leisure, art and culture on offer here, all supported by the nation’s world-class hospitality industry and famous “friendly smile”.
Nevertheless, Indonesia is completely unknown as a world-class golf destination. The golf and tourism industries are missing out on a potentially highly lucrative opportunity, and it’s their own fault.
There is no real solidarity among the owners and managers of golf courses here, despite golf associations and regular meetings to discuss daily business. Rather, they are too busy competing with each other to join together to attract some of those 50 million golf tourists and, in doing so, add significant revenue to their business.
Despite having had a golfer at its helm, the tourism ministry appears to have no idea of how golf could contribute to tourism in Indonesia; this ignorance is reflected in regional tourism promotion offices such as the Jakarta Tourism Promotion Office (JTPO), which show no interest in working with local stakeholders to let the world know about Jakarta’s fabulous world of golf. To be fair, the JTPO did commission a “Road map for Indonesia golf” – but from a UK company, as if those in the Indonesian golf industry don’t have the knowledge to contribute.
It is unforgivable that Indonesia does not get a mention in the important report on golf tourism in Asia. That golf in Indonesia is a valuable tourism asset seems blindingly obvious – as does the suggestion that we should capitalize on this asset by promoting it to the world.
Now surely is the time for the main players in Indonesia’s golf and tourism industries to come together with the tourism ministry and the regional tourism boards of Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali to create a sustainable golf tourism strategy that will secure Indonesia’s position as one of Asia’s most attractive golf destinations. If not, Indonesia will continue to languish as merely a “world-class golf destination in waiting”.
(DGK)
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Open Letter To Minister Mari Pangestu
The Jakarta Post, 3 December 2011 - My name is Dennis G. Kloeth and I am the founder of Golf Promo Indonesia. For the past 12 years, through our website indogolf.com, Golf Promo Indonesia has been actively and globally promoting Indonesia’s fabulous world of golf and leisure, which also includes Indonesia’s hospitality and spa industry as well as its rich and diverse world of art and culture. Our website attracts more than 55,000 visitors a month.
Globally, golf tourism is a US$30 billion industry (2011 figures). In Asia, Thailand attracts roughly 200,000 foreign golfers each year, while Indonesia attracts no more than 5,000.
In Asia, Thailand is the undisputed leader, and earns more than $500 million in revenues from inbound golf tourism. Knowing all that, for the past 12 years we have attempted to create synergy and cooperation between us and the Ministry of Tourism, but these attempts have been unsuccessful so far.
Lately and ever since your appointment as Indonesia’s new minister for tourism, much has been said about boosting tourism in Indonesia and making it one of the main contributors to Indonesia’s economy.
In an article printed in The Jakarta Post on Nov. 22, 2011, on boosting tourism, it was stated that to support tourism development a total of $13.74 billion was needed. Given what we know about Thailand’s inbound golf industry, one important sector that could boost tourism (and hard currency income) could definitely be inbound golf travel to Indonesia.
Moreover, with perfect infrastructure in place, not much money has to be spent on the development of such and improving ways of getting foreign golfers to our fabulous courses.
For the past three weeks, daily and relentlessly, I have tried to contact your office in order to request an audience to discuss with you sustainable and affordable plans to promote Indonesia as one of the world’s best golf destinations.
Getting past your electronic telephone operator, however, has turned out to be utterly impossible and in the end, and after three weeks, I have had to give up. Therefore, allow me to (respectfully) approach you through this open letter.
With hard work, together we can do a lot in the coming three years. What we ask from you is to give us a chance to present to you our elaborate plans with respect to the promotion of Indonesia as the world’s next golf destination. We have clear ideas as to how to creatively and affordably promote Indonesia Golf and transparently run and manage a reasonable budget as well as preventing it from being misused.
Finally, we clearly see experts and professionals from your ministry working closely with experts from the golf and travel industry as well as from the creative publicity industry. In doing so, we surely aim at finally creating a long overdue synergy between government and private enterprise.
I am looking forward to hearing from you or from your staff in the not too distant future.
Dennis G. Kloeth
South Tangerang, Banten
Globally, golf tourism is a US$30 billion industry (2011 figures). In Asia, Thailand attracts roughly 200,000 foreign golfers each year, while Indonesia attracts no more than 5,000.
In Asia, Thailand is the undisputed leader, and earns more than $500 million in revenues from inbound golf tourism. Knowing all that, for the past 12 years we have attempted to create synergy and cooperation between us and the Ministry of Tourism, but these attempts have been unsuccessful so far.
Lately and ever since your appointment as Indonesia’s new minister for tourism, much has been said about boosting tourism in Indonesia and making it one of the main contributors to Indonesia’s economy.
In an article printed in The Jakarta Post on Nov. 22, 2011, on boosting tourism, it was stated that to support tourism development a total of $13.74 billion was needed. Given what we know about Thailand’s inbound golf industry, one important sector that could boost tourism (and hard currency income) could definitely be inbound golf travel to Indonesia.
Moreover, with perfect infrastructure in place, not much money has to be spent on the development of such and improving ways of getting foreign golfers to our fabulous courses.
For the past three weeks, daily and relentlessly, I have tried to contact your office in order to request an audience to discuss with you sustainable and affordable plans to promote Indonesia as one of the world’s best golf destinations.
Getting past your electronic telephone operator, however, has turned out to be utterly impossible and in the end, and after three weeks, I have had to give up. Therefore, allow me to (respectfully) approach you through this open letter.
With hard work, together we can do a lot in the coming three years. What we ask from you is to give us a chance to present to you our elaborate plans with respect to the promotion of Indonesia as the world’s next golf destination. We have clear ideas as to how to creatively and affordably promote Indonesia Golf and transparently run and manage a reasonable budget as well as preventing it from being misused.
Finally, we clearly see experts and professionals from your ministry working closely with experts from the golf and travel industry as well as from the creative publicity industry. In doing so, we surely aim at finally creating a long overdue synergy between government and private enterprise.
I am looking forward to hearing from you or from your staff in the not too distant future.
Dennis G. Kloeth
South Tangerang, Banten
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Indonesia: A World Class Golf Destination In Waiting
The Jakarta Post, 9 April 2011 - Indonesia truly is a world class golf destination in waiting. In the past 20 years, I have seen golf in Indonesia grown from a mere 60 courses to more than 130 today.
In the early 1990s, a wide variety of courses were planned and built and it seemed that, as far as building golf courses was concerned, in Indonesia the sky was the limit.
Today, in and around Jakarta alone some 38 golf courses can be played and the majority of those courses are of absolute world class quality. Further to that, Surabaya and Bali are legitimate golf destinations and there too we can find courses of world class quality.
Memberships in those early days were pretty expensive, ranging from US$50,000 to over $100,000 for the more prestigious and exclusive golf and country clubs. Here too, the sky seemed to be the limit and many golfers often bought and/or owned more than one membership.
Due to a lack of sustainable growth in membership takers, over the years most golf courses rapidly had to surrender their “strictly membership” policy and gradually non-members were allowed to buy so called weekday “green fees” enabling golf course owners to cash in on their initial investment.
Today, memberships are “out of fashion”. “Member’s Guests” are now even allowed to play the strictly membership courses during weekends hence golfers, today, clearly are opting for paying of a “walk-in” green fee rather than buying a membership.
This change of heart surely played in the hands of the domestic (golf) travel industry. One after the other, travel business owners that were golfers themselves saw a hole in the market and branched out and added “golf travel” to their range of services. They started to cater to a clientele that predominantly came from Indonesia’s neighboring countries such as Singapore and Malaysia. The majority of these golfers were business men who frequently came over to Indonesia for business reasons.
Soon, it appeared that the Malaysians and Singaporeans in particular, found their own way to the courses as they often were assisted in booking of tee-off times by their local business contacts and/or “golf buddies”. Moreover, their local contacts and buddies were also able to get them cheap deals at local hotels while transportation was provided by their Indonesian golf kakis causing inbound golf travel business from the immediate region to grow.
Early on, in 1998, I saw a market for “inbound” golf travel. But, to convince foreign golfers to come and play golf in Indonesia, obviously I first needed to promote Indonesia as a valid golf destination. In 1999 I got a team together and we started www.indogolf.com, a website that aims at giving foreign golfers comprehensive information on Indonesia golf.
Indonesia is home to a wide variety of fabulous courses and facilities that are run by very capable and professional people. Over the past decade they have created a golf product of which we can be truly proud. The majority of our golf facilities are equally good, if not better than in some of our neighboring countries, including Thailand and China. Our caddies are in a class of their own. They’re pretty, friendly, but most of all very knowledgeable and fun to be with. They are proficient in English.
The Jagorawi Toll road gives easy access to 17 fabulous courses. In actual fact, it is our own “Mission Hills” (China) that holds the world record with 12 courses in one and the same area.
Weekday golf in Indonesia is rather inexpensive while golf in this country perfectly can be combined with Indonesia’s incredible world of art and culture. The perfect blend, I would say and truly unbeatable.
Promoting Indonesia golf, therefore, is a no-brainer. However, when we compare Indonesia Golf Tourism promotion with golf tourism promotion in countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and China, then we have to come to a sad conclusion; Indonesia is lagging way behind.
Thailand, annually, attracts more than 200,000 foreign golfers, raking in a staggering $500 million in the process. If you know that the global golf travel business is worth an estimated $15 billion, then you realize the significance of Thailand’s inbound golf travel business as a true money spinner for the country.
In golf, China is a relative newcomer. Yet, annually it already attracts close to 100,000 foreign golfers who spend an average of 7 days in the country and about $200 to $250 a day. To put things in perspective; Indonesia, attracts not even 10,000 golfers annually and the sole reason for this is simply poor promotion and more than often, the total lack of it.
In the field of promotion, in the past decade Thailand and China have done extremely well.
Lately, even emerging golf destinations such as Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are coming up strong with professional and sustainable global promotion campaigns.
They all have employed professional marketing companies to promote their golf product to the world, unlike in Indonesia.
Again, promoting Indonesia Golf is a no-brainer and now is the time that Indonesia’s golf industry comes together with the Ministry of Tourism and the local tourism boards of Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali to create a sustainable golf tourism strategy that will secure Indonesia’s position as one of Asia’s most attractive golf destinations.
Inbound golf tourism could act as a spring board in the revival of our ailing (general) tourism industry, something that is direly needed. If we fail to that, then Indonesia simply will forever remain “a world class golf destination in waiting.”
In the early 1990s, a wide variety of courses were planned and built and it seemed that, as far as building golf courses was concerned, in Indonesia the sky was the limit.
Today, in and around Jakarta alone some 38 golf courses can be played and the majority of those courses are of absolute world class quality. Further to that, Surabaya and Bali are legitimate golf destinations and there too we can find courses of world class quality.
Memberships in those early days were pretty expensive, ranging from US$50,000 to over $100,000 for the more prestigious and exclusive golf and country clubs. Here too, the sky seemed to be the limit and many golfers often bought and/or owned more than one membership.
Due to a lack of sustainable growth in membership takers, over the years most golf courses rapidly had to surrender their “strictly membership” policy and gradually non-members were allowed to buy so called weekday “green fees” enabling golf course owners to cash in on their initial investment.
Today, memberships are “out of fashion”. “Member’s Guests” are now even allowed to play the strictly membership courses during weekends hence golfers, today, clearly are opting for paying of a “walk-in” green fee rather than buying a membership.
This change of heart surely played in the hands of the domestic (golf) travel industry. One after the other, travel business owners that were golfers themselves saw a hole in the market and branched out and added “golf travel” to their range of services. They started to cater to a clientele that predominantly came from Indonesia’s neighboring countries such as Singapore and Malaysia. The majority of these golfers were business men who frequently came over to Indonesia for business reasons.
Soon, it appeared that the Malaysians and Singaporeans in particular, found their own way to the courses as they often were assisted in booking of tee-off times by their local business contacts and/or “golf buddies”. Moreover, their local contacts and buddies were also able to get them cheap deals at local hotels while transportation was provided by their Indonesian golf kakis causing inbound golf travel business from the immediate region to grow.
Early on, in 1998, I saw a market for “inbound” golf travel. But, to convince foreign golfers to come and play golf in Indonesia, obviously I first needed to promote Indonesia as a valid golf destination. In 1999 I got a team together and we started www.indogolf.com, a website that aims at giving foreign golfers comprehensive information on Indonesia golf.
Indonesia is home to a wide variety of fabulous courses and facilities that are run by very capable and professional people. Over the past decade they have created a golf product of which we can be truly proud. The majority of our golf facilities are equally good, if not better than in some of our neighboring countries, including Thailand and China. Our caddies are in a class of their own. They’re pretty, friendly, but most of all very knowledgeable and fun to be with. They are proficient in English.
The Jagorawi Toll road gives easy access to 17 fabulous courses. In actual fact, it is our own “Mission Hills” (China) that holds the world record with 12 courses in one and the same area.
Weekday golf in Indonesia is rather inexpensive while golf in this country perfectly can be combined with Indonesia’s incredible world of art and culture. The perfect blend, I would say and truly unbeatable.
Promoting Indonesia golf, therefore, is a no-brainer. However, when we compare Indonesia Golf Tourism promotion with golf tourism promotion in countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and China, then we have to come to a sad conclusion; Indonesia is lagging way behind.
Thailand, annually, attracts more than 200,000 foreign golfers, raking in a staggering $500 million in the process. If you know that the global golf travel business is worth an estimated $15 billion, then you realize the significance of Thailand’s inbound golf travel business as a true money spinner for the country.
In golf, China is a relative newcomer. Yet, annually it already attracts close to 100,000 foreign golfers who spend an average of 7 days in the country and about $200 to $250 a day. To put things in perspective; Indonesia, attracts not even 10,000 golfers annually and the sole reason for this is simply poor promotion and more than often, the total lack of it.
In the field of promotion, in the past decade Thailand and China have done extremely well.
Lately, even emerging golf destinations such as Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are coming up strong with professional and sustainable global promotion campaigns.
They all have employed professional marketing companies to promote their golf product to the world, unlike in Indonesia.
Again, promoting Indonesia Golf is a no-brainer and now is the time that Indonesia’s golf industry comes together with the Ministry of Tourism and the local tourism boards of Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali to create a sustainable golf tourism strategy that will secure Indonesia’s position as one of Asia’s most attractive golf destinations.
Inbound golf tourism could act as a spring board in the revival of our ailing (general) tourism industry, something that is direly needed. If we fail to that, then Indonesia simply will forever remain “a world class golf destination in waiting.”
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Winning Products, Truth Or Fables
Today I received my monthly Adidas Golf newsletter and this is what they wrote:
Pure Victory: Jim Furyk and adidas Golf adiPURE footwear victorious at The Tour Championship
Furyk clinches first FedEx Cup title with third win of the season at East Lake Golf Club.
adidas Golf Tour Staff professional Jim Furyk battled wind, rain and a top-ranked field to win the final stage in the FedEx Cup playoffs, The Tour Championship, by one stroke. Leading at 8-under going into the 18th, Furyk made par in a steady rain to seal the victory and earned enough points to capture his first FedEx Cup trophy as well.
It's pretty funny how equipment-, ball- and now shoe companies claim that victories on the PGA tour are achieved by using their respective product. Opportunism pur sang, I would say. All these companies still do not understand that unless your name is (or rather was) Tiger, skill and talent and "form of the week" as well as fading away of contenders on Sunday afternoon are the only factors that will make a golfer win a tournament.
Do golf product companies truly believe that golfers are stupid?
By claiming the above victory, does Adidas truly believe that golfers will now rush to the shop to buy the same shoes Furyk wore and then go try and win the next monthly medal or club tournament? I don't think so!
Take my case and take the stuff Tiger uses. The man endorses Nike product. I have tried using Nike clubs on many occasions but, and perhaps because I severely lack talent, I have never been able to hit a descent shot with Nike clubs, be it irons, fairway woods or driver.
Meanwhile back at the ranch! Winning 11,35 million US dollars in a tournament that allowed him to kill two birds with one stone (Tour Championship and the FedEx trophy) boils down to the fabulous player Furyk is. Winning three times on the tour this year and 16 times overall is not a small feat and this truly has nothing to do with what he wears to cover his feet.
Now it's waiting for a (golf) product company that will take advertising to "the next level" by advertising the underwear a certain PGA winner wore during his or her final day and on route to a Tour win. For all the stupid male golfers out there, I certainly hope it's not going to be a bra. That will be the day!
By the way, the last time I pocketed a little over 11,35 million was when I sold my 25-year old Wrangler Jeep. Unfortunately this amount came in rupiahs.
Pure Victory: Jim Furyk and adidas Golf adiPURE footwear victorious at The Tour Championship
Furyk clinches first FedEx Cup title with third win of the season at East Lake Golf Club.
adidas Golf Tour Staff professional Jim Furyk battled wind, rain and a top-ranked field to win the final stage in the FedEx Cup playoffs, The Tour Championship, by one stroke. Leading at 8-under going into the 18th, Furyk made par in a steady rain to seal the victory and earned enough points to capture his first FedEx Cup trophy as well.
It's pretty funny how equipment-, ball- and now shoe companies claim that victories on the PGA tour are achieved by using their respective product. Opportunism pur sang, I would say. All these companies still do not understand that unless your name is (or rather was) Tiger, skill and talent and "form of the week" as well as fading away of contenders on Sunday afternoon are the only factors that will make a golfer win a tournament.
Do golf product companies truly believe that golfers are stupid?
By claiming the above victory, does Adidas truly believe that golfers will now rush to the shop to buy the same shoes Furyk wore and then go try and win the next monthly medal or club tournament? I don't think so!
Take my case and take the stuff Tiger uses. The man endorses Nike product. I have tried using Nike clubs on many occasions but, and perhaps because I severely lack talent, I have never been able to hit a descent shot with Nike clubs, be it irons, fairway woods or driver.
Meanwhile back at the ranch! Winning 11,35 million US dollars in a tournament that allowed him to kill two birds with one stone (Tour Championship and the FedEx trophy) boils down to the fabulous player Furyk is. Winning three times on the tour this year and 16 times overall is not a small feat and this truly has nothing to do with what he wears to cover his feet.
Now it's waiting for a (golf) product company that will take advertising to "the next level" by advertising the underwear a certain PGA winner wore during his or her final day and on route to a Tour win. For all the stupid male golfers out there, I certainly hope it's not going to be a bra. That will be the day!
By the way, the last time I pocketed a little over 11,35 million was when I sold my 25-year old Wrangler Jeep. Unfortunately this amount came in rupiahs.
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