The US$1 million Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open is the inaugural event of OneAsia’s season and this year is jointly sanctioned with the Japan Golf Tour Organisation for the first time as part of an historic three-year relationship.
Defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant from Thailand, reigning OneAsia Order of Merit winner Andre Stolz from Australia, Japanese star Shingo Katayama and Indonesia number one Rory Hie -- who finished joint runner-up last year -- have all confirmed their participation.
Enjoy Jakarta, a government tourism portal that promotes the Indonesian capital’s vast attractions, have been the presenting sponsor for the past two years, but with the continued growth and success of the tournament they have stepped up their involvement.
“These are exciting times for golf in our region and so we at Enjoy Jakarta are thrilled to be continuing our relationship with Indonesia’s national Open,” said His Excellency Dr. Ing H. Fauzi Bowo, Governor of Jakarta.
“We first became involved with the tournament in 2005 and we feel it is a natural progression to elevate to title sponsor. We have witnessed some memorable finishes to the Indonesia Open over the past few seasons and through this we have been able to achieve outstanding coverage.
“We have no doubt that the exposure will be even greater this year as the tournament becomes part of OneAsia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation,” added Dr. Fauzi.
The Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open is one of 14 tournaments on the OneAsia circuit this year, boasting an overall purse of US$16 million.
Apart from Indonesia, the suite of elite tournaments includes four other prestigious national Opens -- Australia, China, Korea and Thailand.
The Indonesia Open was first played in 1974 when the legendary Ben Arda of the Philippines won the title. Arda, the first Filipino to play in the U.S. Masters, was followed into the winner’s circle by several greats of the game including American Payne Stewart (1981) and Frank Nobilo from New Zealand (1994 and 1997).
“We are delighted that everything is now in place for this year’s Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open,” said Arifin Panigoro, President of the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI). “We have a great sponsor and an outstanding venue -- plus a bright future now that we are part of OneAsia and the Japan Golf Tour.
The prestige of the Indonesia Open has been further boosted by Emeralda Golf Club agreeing to host it. The beautiful course in the south of greater Jakarta last hosted the tournament 2006, when victory went to Englishman Simon Dyson.
The club boasts two courses, one designed by Arnold Palmer and the other by Jack Nicklaus. It also hosted the Asian Matchplay Championship in 1996 and Alfred Dunhill Masters in 1995.
“Emeralda Golf lub is no stranger to staging top class professional tournaments,” said Wahyu Afandi Harun, President Director of PT Karabha Digdaya and a representative of Emeralda.
“We are particularly pleased to be hosting the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open for the second time which allows us to do so much to help develop professional golf in our country.”
The strong field competing this year reflects the strength in depth of OneAsia, which was founded in 2009 by the China Golf Association, the PGA of Australia, the Korea Golf Association and the Korea Golf Tour.
“The Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open starts our 2012 season and we are extremely grateful to Enjoy Jakarta for their support,” said Sang Y. Chun, OneAsia’s Chairman & Commissioner.
“This is OneAsia’s fourth season and we are thrilled to be able to boast our strongest-ever schedule. This is made possible thanks to the support of Enjoy Jakarta and the PGI,” he added.
All OneAsia tournaments have the benefit of being broadcast on a truly global television platform that includes ESPN Star Sports across Asia, Korea’s SBS television, ONE World Sports in the US, and SuperSport in Africa.
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