New Zealander Hendry, Chinese Liang To Rematch In Indonesia Open

Jakarta, 30 June 2011: New Zealand's Michael Hendry will return to defend his title at the Indonesia Open golf tournament next month along with China's Liang Wenchong, who finished runner up last year on his way to winning the OneAsia Order of Merit title, a press statement said here on Thursday.

The 1 million U.S. dollar-OneAsia event will tee-off at Damai Indah Golf - Pantai Indah Kapuk Course (PIK) from July 14 to 17.

It is the seventh leg of the season on OneAsia and will also feature Japanese legend Shigeki Maruyama, Irishman Paul McGinley, Europe's Ryder Cup hero, and Thai star Thaworn Wiratchant, winner of this event in 2005.

Hendry propelled his name into the spotlight with an emphatic seven shot victory in 2010 at PIK.

The man from North Harbour started the day with a one stroke lead and fired a flawless final round seven-under-par 65 to finish comfortably ahead of Liang.

Unheralded Hendry killed off the challenge of his nearest competitors with a brilliant run of seven birdies on six, eight, nine, 11, 12, 13 and 14.

He finished with a four-round aggregate of 19-under-par 269 and earned a check for 180,000 dollars.

Liang was the leader at the halfway mark by two shots last year before Hendry took control.

However, it was another fine week for Liang that saw him receive a check for 102,000 dollars.

He lifted last year's OneAsia Order of Merit crown, with earnings of 560,736 dollars, thanks to victories in the Luxehills Chengdu Open in China and the Thailand Open.

Thaworn And Prayad To Bid For Honours In Indonesia Open Presented By Enjoy Jakarta

Jakarta, June 22: Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant and Prayad Marksaeng, two of the regions’ finest players, will star in next month’s Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta.

The US$1 million OneAsia event tees-off at Damai Indah Golf - Pantai Indah Kapuk Course from July 14 to 17.

It is the seventh leg of the season on OneAsia and will also feature Japanese legend Shigeki Maruyama, and Irishman Paul McGinley, Europe’s Ryder Cup hero.

Thaworn won the Indonesia Open by five strokes in 2005 at Cengkareng Golf Club, during a season when he tasted victory four times en route to becoming Asia’s number one.

He also made an impression on the leader board in last year’s Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta finishing in a tie for fifth place.

The Thai star has an incredible haul of 14 tournament victories in the region and at the age of 44 he is still knocking on the door for more trophies.

Thaworn competed in OneAsia’s season opening Indonesia PGA Championship and finished in sole possession of fifth position.

He currently sits in 20th position on the 2011 OneAsia Order of Merit.

The smooth-swinging Prayad has lifted 10 major trophies in the region and enjoyed a magnificent year in 2008 with three victories on the Japan Tour resulting in a third place finish on the Money List.

He triumphed in the Dunlop Phoenix, the Mizuno Open and the Mitsubishi Diamond Cup in that brilliant 2008 season.

Prayad has struggled with injuries for a couple of years and embarked on a new fitness regimen at the start of the year to prepare himself for the 2011 campaign.

Bali World Cup Charity Golf Tournament 2011

We have great pleasure in inviting all sponsors, well wishers, supporters and participants to join us raise funds to a worthy cause through the "Swing for Charity" event,

Bali World Cup Charity Golf Tournament

to be held on

SATURDAY, 30th JULY 2011
12.30PM SHOTGUN START

at New Kuta Golf.

Last year more than 20 teams representing 10 countries participated enabling us to raise over 50 millions. With more time in our hands this year, the committee has raised the target to 200 millions which can be achieved with your support.
We have nominated three charities from Bukit and Southern Bali under the umbrella of Role Foundation to benefit from out effort. We know the hardship endured by the unfortunate people in the community in Bali and whatever we can do will go a long way towards elevating them of their current predicament.

A team consists of 5 players.

Tournament Fees
Members : Rp 500,000 net/person
Guests : Rp 1,000,000 net/person
Grand Gala Dinner Only
Rp 200,000 net/person

Tournament Fee includes: Green Fee, Cart Fee, Insurance, Refreshment, Dinner, Hole-In-One, Trophy, Lucky Draw prizes and charity contribution

For more information and registration:
New Kuta Golf & Golf Link Resorts Indonesia
Jalan Raya Uluwatu, Kawasan Pecatu Indah Resort
Pecatu, Jimbaran, Kuta Selatan, Badung 80361, Bali, Indonesia
Tel : +62 361 8481 333
Fax: +62 361 8481 400

Maruyama And McGinley To Star In Indonesia Open Presented By Enjoy Jakarta

Jakarta, June 15: The Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta will once again draw a high calibre field of winners next month including Japanese legend Shigeki Maruyama and Irishman Paul McGinley, Europe’s Ryder Cup hero.

The US$1 million tournament tees-off at Damai Indah Golf - Pantai Indah Kapuk Course from July 14 to 17 and is the seventh stop on OneAsia in 2011.

Maruyama, one of the most popular figures in world golf, will be making his debut appearance in the Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta.

The Japanese star, nicknamed the “Smiling’ Assassin”, has won three times on the US PGA Tour and has amassed 10 more titles globally, including the 2002 World Cup with Toshi Izawa in Mexico.

He has also featured for the International team in the Presidents Cup and starred in the 1998 tournament with a 5-0 record.

Maruyama made golf history when he triumphed at the Greater Milwaukee Open in 2001 becoming the first Japanese player to win a US PGA Tour event on the mainland (Isao Aoki captured the 1983 Hawaiian Open).

His other wins in the United States came at the 2002 Verizon Byron Nelson Classic and the following year’s Chrysler Classic of Greensboro.

McGinley, the golfer whose name is synonymous with Ryder Cup glory, will be a popular addition to the tournament.

He is most famous for holing the winning putt for the European team in the 2002 Ryder Cup. It was the start of a remarkable stretch for the Dubliner as he was part of the winning team in 2004 and 2006.

Last season he was one of the non-playing vice captains and played an important role in marshalling Europe to another victory.

McGinley has triumphed four times on The European Tour with his best season coming in 2005 when he claimed the Volvo Masters and finished third on the Order of Merit.

The Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta will also mark McGinley’s maiden appearance on OneAsia, which boasts 13 events in 2011. Maruyama competed in last year’s Luxehills Chengdu Open.

The tournament became part of OneAsia for the first time last year, when victory went to New Zealand’s Michael Hendry.

Rory Hie Eyeing 2012 European Tour

The Jakarta Post, 16 June 2011 - Throughout the first half of the year, Rory Hie has been flying high in a series of prestigious golf tournaments, at home and abroad. The 22-year-old Indonesian golf star is now eyeing a homeground title and being among the world’s top 30 golfers to qualify for next year’s European Tour.

“This year my professional career has been improving well, especially in Indonesia. I hope to maintain that good momentum and even better, win at the next homeground championships,” said Rory, who ranked sixth in world amateur golf in 2008, the year he began a pro career.

Rory, who is also Indonesia’s brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz, was speaking at the Mercedes Trophy Indonesian Final media conference on Monday.

Rory expects to take part in OneAsia Tour’s US$1 million worth Indonesian Open from July 14-17 in Jakarta. Prior to that championship, Rory will depart to an earlier OneAsia’s championship at the High 1 Country Club in South Korea from July 7 to 10.

Rory finished runner-up at the first series of the OneAsia Tour, the Indonesia PGA Championship in March, where Australian Andre Stolz was crowned champion. Previously in April at the Asian Tour Indonesia Masters, which was won by world top golfer Lee Westwood, Rory finished ninth, best among the other Indonesian golfers who took part in the event.

Only last month, Rory shot the lowest final round of the day of 67 (5-under) to finish in tie-fourth place of OneAsia’s China PGA Championship in Zhengzhou, Henan, China. The one-week tournament was at the St. Andrews Golf Club golf course, reportedly having extreme conditions that saw few under par scores in. At a following OneAsia $1 million Nanshan China Masters in Shandong, China, Rory carded tie-seventh at finishing spot.

“I wish to qualify for next year’s European Tour. So, from around September to December this year, I will take part in qualifiers in Germany and France,” Rory said on his long-term target.

The European Tour this year will be in three stages, where only the top 30 golfers of the qualifying rounds will be proceed to next year’s tour.

President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Indonesia Rudi Borgenheimer expressed his pride toward the achievements of the Indonesian golfer who has since 2009 been the company’s brand ambassador.

“We hope to further support the development of young Indonesian golfers, especially in the U14 age group, covering the expenses of trips and equipment for Ancora [Golf Institute]’s U14 golfers,” Rudi said.

Mercedes-Benz Indonesia Gears Up For National Final

Jakarta Post, 14-June-2011 - Mercedes-Benz Indonesia assured on Monday that the challenging Rancamaya Golf and Country Club course in Ciawi, Bogor, West Java, will serve as an ideal selection ground for the country’s best seven amateur golfers to compete at the Asian Final of the 19th Mercedes Trophy in Australia in August.

The National Final will be held on Thursday with as many as 63 golfers qualifying through last month’s qualifiers, which saw 750 Mercedes-Benz owners-cum-golf enthusiasts in Surabaya, Jakarta and Medan.

“We’d rather have a difficult course to have a good selection of only the best players that can participate at the higher levels,” President and CEO of the Mercedes-Benz Indonesia Rudi Borgenheimer told a media conference on Monday.

According to the golf club’s official website, www.rancamaya.com, the course is a challenge to golfers, where each and every hole is distinctly memorable.

It offers 18 separate challenges that require a variety of shots to score effectively. Multiple tees, strategically placed hazards and pin settings of various rigors will vary the challenges each day.

The seven best golfers consist of the winners and runner-ups of the men’s Division A (handicap 0-12), Division B (handicap 13-20), Division C (handicap 21-24) and the winner of the Women Division (handicap 0-36).

They will be qualified to swing among other finalists from Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines at the August 24-26 Asian Final in Sanctuary Cove Resort, Gold Coast, Queensland.

One of the best players of the team seven will represent Indonesia, which holds Mercedes Benz’s Asian market share by 60 percent, at the Mercedes Trophy world final right in the birth place of the automotive brand in Stuttgart, Germany, from Sept. 28 to Oct. 3.

As Indonesia’s participation in the event began in 1992, the country has sent seven world finalists, including Erick Ridwan last year, Johanes Diman (2009), Yuslia Hadi (2008), Ahmad Sahroni (2007), Kamaruddin Usman (2005), Karim Susanto (2004), Salim Sridjaja (2003).

“Golf is one of our important marketing tools. Mercedes-Benz also supports excellent golfers in Indonesia and in the future will support the younger ones,” said Rudi, adding that the company had supported as many as 80 golf events nationwide every year, including the seven pro tournaments of the Indonesian PGA, the Indonesian Open and the Indonesian Masters.

Indonesia Wins 2 Titles At World Junior Golf Championship

Jakarta, June 10 2011 - The 2011 Enjoy Jakarta World Junior Golf Championships (EJWJGC) finished with the success of Jordan Surya Irawan, who became the overall champion in the individual Boys Division. Jordan, who is now 15 years old, was able to meet Indonesian golf public expectations by winning the same title won by another Indonesian golfer last year, Jovi Ocvandio Pangabean.

In the midst of domination by Thai golfers, Indonesia succeeded in winning two prestigious titles. The other title is Team Champion for the Girl Division, represented by Ika Woro Palupi (Class A) and Putri Aisha Amani (Class B). The Chinese team won the overall champion Boy Division with Jian Guan Chuan Lin and Tian Liang.

Meanwhile Thailand won 5 titles, (Class A, C and D Boy Division and Class B and C Girl Division). China added one more title in Class B Boy. Singapore and Malaysia won the title in Class A and Class D Girl Division respectively.

The EJWJGC event was officially closed by Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo. Fauzi was proud of the achievements of the Indonesian golfers. "I am proud to have an Indonesian champion. I hope we have a champion for the future. I also appreciate the girls team for their efforts to become team champion. Again, I hope this tournament becomes more qualified and recognized worldwide," said Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo , on PIK Course, Friday afternoon, which was witnessed by the Vice Chairman of the Committee Damai Indah Golf Club, Mari Elka Pangestu, who is also Trade Minister.

Jordan won the title through a thrilling battle. Left behind by three strokes in the first nine holes, Jordan was lagging until hole 14. "That was my turning point. Their games (the competitors') were not their best after (hole) 14. I am trying to maintain the pace of my game, that is why I can win by 1 stroke."

Jordan won with a total score of 295 (75, 73, 73, 74), ahead of Smithi Teeratkhul (296) and Danthai Boon (299). "To be honest I was surprised to reach this far. My target is to play my best. Also, Jovi is also ambitious in defending the title he won last year," he said. In Class B Boy Division, as predicted earlier, there were not much changes. The young golfer from China, Guan Tian Lang, finally won the 13-14 year age class. Although he closed his game today with a score of 4 over (76), Lang is still solid in his position with a total score of 286 (67, 70, 73, 76).

Meanwhile, Andrew Wirawan (Indonesia) who today played 75, collected a total of 301 (77, 74, 75, 75) and was able to maintain second place.

The third position was taken by Sebastian Lorenza (Philippines), displacing Aditya Nur Setyantiko (Indonesia). Lorenza took the position after collecting a total score of 308 (78, 75, 76, 75).

Meanwhile, in Class A Girl Division, Kok Jo Ee (Singapore), after 2 rounds in second position, was able to overtake the top position by scoring 72 finishing with a total score of 222 (73, 77, 72). Although her score is same as Sarah Ababa's (Philippines), Jok Ee won the title by count-back system for the last 18 holes of the last day, where Sarah scored a 73. The third position was taken by Lara Weinstein (South Africa), with a total score of 227.

In Class B Girl Division, representative of Thailand Benyapa Niphatsophon won the 13-14 year-old class. Collecting a total score of 214 (70, 74, 70), Niphatsophon led by three strokes from Putri Aysha Amani (Indonesia), and 6 strokes from Lou Daniella Uy (Philippines).

A day earlier, Thailand had won three titles in Class C (by Poowit Anupanseubai) and D Boy Division (Paratagorn Suoyasee), and C Girl Division (Kasaree Rojanapiensatit). The only title won by another country was Class D Girl Division, that was won Malaysia (Ng Yu Xuan Winnie).

157 Golfers Participate in 2011 Enjoy Jakarta World Junior Golf Championship

As much as 157 junior golfers from 19 countries will compete in 2011 Enjoy Jakarta World Junior Golf Championship at Damai Indah Golf, Pantai Indah Kapuk Course, North Jakarta, from June 7-10, 2011. This tournament is competing for the Jakarta Governor Cup.

There will be two categories of team and individual. Team category consists of male and female, while individual category divided into four male and female age groups. Group A is for golfer ages 15-17 years old, group B 13-14 years, group C 11-12 years, and 10 years old or less included in group D.

“This championship is one of a series of activities celebrating Jakarta’s 484th anniversary. The City Government created this event as a way to promote tourism to Jakarta to foreign countries,” stated Sukesti Martono, Deputy Governor for Tourism and Culture Department, during the tournament opening, Monday (6/6) afternoon.

Head of Jakarta Sports and Youth Department Ratiyono said this tournament is an opportunity for Indonesian junior golfers to compete at a higher level of competition. Besides, it is also to improve their skills and increase their competing hours.

“We are optimistic our junior golfers will show a good performance this year. I urge them to give their best and show the world that Indonesia is able to do an outstanding achievement,” he expressed.

Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Golf Association HMP Simatupang explained the tournament is participated by 157 athletes from 19 countries, namely Australia, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Papua New Guinea, England, United States, and Indonesia as the host.

47 of Indonesia's best golfers will take part. “With the most athletes participating in this tournament, hopefully Indonesia can reach a better achievement than previous year,” he said.

Faldo Series announces new venue in Chinese Taipei

The Faldo Series has announced National Golf Country Club in Miaoli as the new venue for its Chinese Taipei Championship on July 26-27. 18 year-old Liu Yi-Chen, the first player in Faldo Series history to hold the girls’ title in Europe and Asia, will headline the field.

“The Faldo Series has offered me great opportunities to play all over the world, make new friends and learn from a golfing legend, Sir Nick Faldo,” said Liu who earlier this year added the Asian title to the European title she won at Lough Erne Resort in Ireland last September. “I’m excited to start another season and have the chance to defend my titles in Europe and Asia.”

With Chinese Taipei’s Tseng Yani, the current ladies world number one, also a former Faldo Series winner, a traditionally strong field of Taiwanese golfers aged 12 to 21 will compete over 36 holes at National Golf Country Club in the western county of Miaoli.

Divided into five age-groups, three for boys and two for girls, the winner of each division will qualify for the sixth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, a World Amateur Golf Ranking event to be hosted by six-time Major winner Nick Faldo at Mission Hills Golf Club in China in March 2012.

Established in 1996, 35 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 25 countries worldwide with over 5,000 golfers participating each year. In addition to Tseng, former winners include Rory McIlroy, Nick Dougherty, Marc Warren, John Parry, Melissa Reid and Florentyna Parker, also winners on Tour.

The Faldo Series Asia is supported by major partners ISPS, Mission Hills and The R&A, official golf wear partner UFL and official suppliers TaylorMade and Tricor. It is endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Federation (APGC).

The 2011/2012 Faldo Series Asia schedule features a record 18 tournaments in 14 different countries including five in mainland China plus others in The Philippines, Vietnam, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Brunei, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Pakistan, Indonesia and Thailand.

For details on entry into the Faldo Series Chinese Taipei Championship at National Golf Country Club on July 26-27, email garoc.tw@msa.hinet.net or visit www.garoc.org.

For information on the Faldo Series visit www.nickfaldo.com or follow the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries.

Bionic Kim Shows Genius To Triumph In Nanshan China Masters, Rory Hie Falls Back

Longkou City, Shandong, China, June 5: Korean Kim Bi-o, one of the most exciting young golfers in the game, prevailed in a sudden-death play-off today to win the US$1 million Nanshan China Masters on OneAsia.

The 20-year-old clinically holed an eight foot birdie putt to close out New Zealand’s Michael Long on the third extra hole at Nanshan International Golf Club's Danling Cuiyuan Course.

Australians Craig Hancock and Scott Laycock were also in the playoff with the former going out on the second extra hole and the latter on the first.

Kim is making a name for himself competing as the youngest player on the US PGA Tour this season and he showed his class this week by becoming the youngest winner on OneAsia.

He started the day six behind third round leaders Long and Laycock but stormed through with a six-under-par 66 to finish on 10-under-par 278.

Long and Laycock both fired 72 while Hancock shot 71.

“I was very nervous at the start of the playoff. My heart was beating so fast but I told myself to calm down and relax and enjoy it. If you get too pumped up then you get too nervous and make mistakes,” said Bi-o.

He nailed eight birdies and made two bogeys in his final round and finished with birdies on 16 and 18 to set the mark for the rest of the field.

The par-four 18th was used for the playoff and on their first visit there he nearly bowed out when his tee shot found a fairway bunker. He hit his second 20 yards short of the green and made a brilliant up and down by holing a 12 foot par putt.

On the second extra hole he missed a 20 foot birdie putt to win but made no mistake the next time.

“It has been a rough year because I have missed a lot of cuts in the States. I have not been happy about it but I know that it is going to be difficult because it is golf at the very highest level. I have just got to be patient and the win this week is a massive confidence booster. I am just a rookie and have a lot to learn but I know I love winning golf tournaments,” added Bi-o.

Emboldened by his performances on OneAsia last year when he finished 12th on the Order of Merit, he tested himself at the US PGA Tour’s final Q-school. He won his card after tying for 11th place to become the youngest player to ever make it through all three stages of Qualifying School at age 20.

In 2011 he has won US$224,536 in 14 events on the US PGA Tour and on his return to OneAsia last month he placed 12th at the SK Telecom Open on home soil.

Long, who led after the second round, looked to have blown his chance when he dropped a shot on the 16th but he holed a brilliant 30 foot birdie putt from off the back of the green on the 72nd hole to make the play-off. He was a picture of consistency in the playoff but succumbed to the genius of young Kim.

It would have been a fairytale victory as eight months ago he cut back his playing schedule and started work as the marketing manager for a signage company in Perth. He was tired of the travelling after 20 years as a professional.

“I kind of felt it might be my week after making that birdie putt on the last and I played well in the playoff. In the end it was just not to be but I am still thrilled with the week,” said Long.

China’s Zhang Xinjun and Andre Stolz from Australia, winner of the Indonesian PGA Championship earlier this year, finished one shot shy of the playoff after they both shot 70. It was a remarkable performance by Zhang to finish as the leading player from the mainland. The 23-year-old was first introduced to golf when he was a security guard at a golf club in China where he went on to become a caddie.

His compatriot Li Haotong also completed a brilliant week by closing with a 74. The 15-year-old amateur ended in a tie for 25th place on three under and became the youngest player to make the cut on OneAsia.

Indonesian golfing prospect Rory Hie finished 22nd after rounds of 71 and 73 dropped him back from his tied 6th place after 2 rounds.

The next event on OneAsia is the US$1 million High 1 Open at High 1 Country Club in Korea from July 7 to 10.

Leading final round scores:

Par 72

278 - Kim Bi-o (KOR) 74 67 71 66, Michael Long (NZL) 70 67 69 72, Craig Hancock (AUS) 74 67 66 71, Scott Laycock (AUS) 71 67 68 72

(Kim wins sudden-death play-off on third extra hole)

279 – Zhang Xinjun (CHN) 74 70 65 70, Andre Stolz (AUS) 70 68 71 70

280 – Jamie Arnold (AUS) 69 72 71 68, Anthony Summers (AUS) 71 69 69 71, Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) 71 69 69 71, Mitchell Brown (AUS) 71 70 68 71

281 – Aaron Townsend (AUS) 73 70 70 68, Kim Meen-whee (KOR) 74 69 69 69, James MaClean (AUS) 72 72 67 70, Wu Ashun (CHN) 68 75 66 72

282 – Michael Hendry (NZL) 73 69 70 70

283 – Leigh Deagan (CHN) 70 74 71 68, Daniel Beckman (AUS) 73 72 68 70, Ted Oh (KOR) 70 74 67 72, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 71 68 71 73, Leigh McKechnie (AUS) 67 74 69 73, Kim Dae-hyun (KOR) 69 71 69 74

Selected:

284 – Rory Hie (INA) 71 69 71 73

285 – Liang Wenchong (AUS) 74 72 66 73, Li Haotong (a) (CHN) 70 71 70 74

289 – Kurt Barnes (AUS) 74 73 71 71, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 73 72 73 71

290 – Nicholas Fung (MAS) 73 73 71 73

291 – Jay Bayron (PHI) 74 72 73 72