CIMB Niaga Signs On As Indonesia Masters Title Sponsor

Jakarta, 29th March 2012 – CIMB Niaga has delivered a wonderful boost for golf in Asia by signing on as Title Sponsor of the Indonesian Masters presented by PNTS, Indonesia’s most prestigious international golf tournament sanctioned by the Asian Tour.

The tournament will be held from April 19 to 22, 2012 at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.

The CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters presented by PNTS, now in its second edition, will see English star Lee Westwood returning to defend his title together with Major champions Ian Woosnam of Wales and New Zealand’s Michael Campbell. Also joining them are three-time Asian Tour number one Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand and local hero Rory Hie. The top-class international field of 156 players will compete for a total prize fund of US$750,000.


Lee Westwood on the Royale Jakarta Golf Course. More videos here..

“We are excited to be sponsoring the most prestigious international golf tournament in Indonesia. CIMB Niaga is making this major investment because golf has huge appeal among our key customer segments across the region. The title sponsorship of such a major event will help grow the CIMB brand further as golf is a very important part of our marketing programme,” said Arwin Rasyid, President Director, PT Bank CIMB Niaga TBK.

“Following the success of our international golf initiatives in Malaysia, I was asked many times if CIMB Niaga would eventually venture into golf sponsorship and therefore have been on the look out for an event that would add value to our brand and complement our existing initiatives. The opportunity to become Title Sponsor of this great tournament came along and and we took it.” Arwin continued.

“While this is CIMB Niaga’s first foray into sponsoring professional golf, it sits very well with the already existing international golf initiatives of CIMB Group. The international flavour of this tournament is a true complement to our current initiatives and is a sign of things to come. We will leverage the success that we have gained from our Malaysian initiative and ensure that the CIMB Niaga Indonesia Masters presented by PNTS continues to grow from strength to strength,” he finished.

Left to right: Mr. M. Syafei Asnap (PGA Indonesia), Arwin Rasyid (PT Bank CIMB Niaga TBK) and Mr. Irfan Hamid (Asian Tour) show the Winner's Cup

Meanwhile, Irfan Hamid, Senior Manager, Tour Development, Asian Tour extended his appreciation to CIMB Niaga for its title sponsorship, saying it will further raise the growing stature of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters presented by PNTS.

“On behalf of our talented players, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to CIMB Niaga for its commitment to professional golf at the highest level in Asia. The Asian Tour continues to grow through the emergence of wonderful tournaments such as the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters presented by PNTS and it is fantastic to see major corporations in Asia supporting the vision and mission of the Asian Tour.

“With a great line-up of international stars such as Lee Westwood, Ian Woosnam, Michael Campbell and Thongchai Jaidee competing against the best players from the Asian Tour, the second edition of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters certainly promises to be feast of world class golf to spectators and television viewers from around the world. Through our global television platform, Indonesia will be showcased to the world,” said Hamid.

The signing of CIMB Niaga as title sponsor comes as Indonesian World Class Energy Company, Pertamina and Salonpas by Hisamitsu also committed as partners to the event.

The partnership with Pertamina’s is a unique one. Together with the other sponsors of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters presented by PNTS, Pertamina will be initiating a clean water project to serve over 10,000 people in selected areas with a permanent clean water solution. The event’s charity partner Habitat for Humanity Indonesia will implement the initiative.

Sponsors and partners of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters will enjoy widespread exposure via a strong local media platform and the Asian Tour’s global television platform, which reaches out to over 200 countries and 650million households on the Live, Highlights, Asian Tour Golf Show and Golfing World. Indonesia’s premier news channel, Metro TV, will also be broadcasting the event locally for 10 hours live and will be airing additional shows and features related to the event and the positive impact it has on the economy of Indonesia.

Other partners include the event’s Presenting Sponsor Pelayaran Nasional Tanjungriau Service (PNTS), Garuda Indonesia (Official Airline), BMW (Official Car), Coca-Cola (Official Drinks Partner), Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta (Official Hotel), Thiess Indonesia (Main Partner), Navigat Energy (Main Partner), Linc Group (Main Partner), Hush Puppies Golf (Official Apparel), San Miguel (Official Beer), Blackberry (Official Handset), Srixon (Official Ball), Ricoh (Official Office Equipment) and Casillero del Diablo (Official Wine).

Try The Indonesian Masters Course For 2 Weeks Only

For all you golfers wanting to compare your skills with the world's top pros, you have now the opportunity to play the course in the same set up that will be used for the Indonesian Masters at Royale Jakarta Golf Club from 19-22 April 2012.
Take this opportunity from 1 until 15 April at these special golf rates:

MONDAY TO THURSDAY	Morning & Afternoon (18 holes)	With Founder	IDR 719.000
		Without Founder	IDR 899.000
FRDAY	Morning & Afternoon (18 holes)	With Founder	IDR 819.000
		Without Founder	IDR 919.000
SATURDAY & PUBLIC HOLIDAY (AM)	Morning (18 holes)	With Founder	IDR 1.849.000
		Without Founder	IDR 1.999.000
SATURDAY & PUBLIC HOLIDAY (AM) Sunday (AM & PM)	Afternoon (18 holes) Morning & Afternoon (18 holes)	With Founder	IDR 1.649.000
		Without Founder	IDR 1.799.000

For reservation or more information please contact the following numbers:
Phone (021) 999 55 888 / (021) 80 888 999 ext 112/113/114
Fax (021) 8087 8877

Reservations are open daily from 6.00 am until 6.30 pm.
Prices can be changed at any time without prior notice.

Courageous Maiden Pro Victory For Cullen In Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open

JAKARTA, March 25 – Australian Nick Cullen triumphed in the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open on Sunday following a brave performance that signaled the emergence of an exciting star of the future.

Left-hander Cullen shot a final round two-over-par 74 to triumph by a stroke from David Smail of New Zealand.

Smail, the leader after the first two rounds, closed with a 69 at Emeralda Golf Club.

New Zealand’s Michael Long, Japan’s Yoshikazu Haku, and American David Oh finished tied for third. They ended two shots off the pace with Long carding a 65 -- the lowest round of the week -- Haku shooting 68 and Oh a 71.

Sunday's victory was 27-year-old Cullen’s first as a professional and making his success even more distinguished is the fact that the event is jointly sanctioned by OneAsia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation, and is the season opener for both.

“This means the world to me," he said afterwards.

"I have been practicing hard and playing well but I didn’t know what to expect when I came here. It is only my second time playing in Asia and it’s very different compared with playing at home particularly with a different climate and food.

Cullen finished with a four-round aggregate of nine-under-par 279 and earned a cheque for U.S. $172,000.

He was cruising to victory with a four stroke lead with five holes left, but he let the chasing pack back into the tournament when he triple-bogeyed the par-four 14th. He found trouble off the tee and had to chip back onto the fairway, but then overshot the green with his approach.

Over the closing holes he found himself tied for the lead on eight under with Smail, Oh and Haku.

However, on the par-five 17th he holed a career putt for birdie from 20 feet. It was a downhill right-to-left breaker, but the man from Adelaide picked his line perfectly to take the lead by one shot.

A playoff beckoned on the par- four 18th hole after Cullen's approach shot missed the green to the right, leaving him a difficult up and down. Showing maturity beyond his years, he chipped to five feet and valiantly holed the putt.

“I haven’t holed many putts all week so the last two putts where very timely,” said Cullen.

Cullen started the day with a four shot lead and was three ahead at the turn. A birdie on 10 appeared to wrap the title up for him before the set back on 14.

Cullen’s compact fast action swing and gutsy attitude eventually prevailed and has propelled him from obscurity to fame.

It is proving to be an outstanding year for the Australian as in January he qualified to play in this summer’s Open Championship.

Smail, a five-time winner on the Japan Tour, said he hadn’t realized how close it was until the 18th.

“Coming down the last I hadn’t really checked the scoreboard, but then I saw that Nick had come back to eight under," he said.

“At that stage I was quite surprised and couldn’t believe I had a chance.”

Still, Smail was pleased with his week and start of the year, although he would like a return to winning ways.

“I’d like to have a win,” he said. “I haven’t had a win for seven years now. To finally stumble home would be nice.”

For Oh, Sunday proved a long struggle that started with a bogey on the first and ended with one on the 18th.

“I was battling all day … but then Nick made a triple and all of a sudden I’m like ‘woah, man’ and was able to make big putts coming in -- on 15, 16 and 17,” he said.

"But but unfortunately that was it."

Indonesia’s number one golfer Rory Hie ended as the leading local player.

He finished second in this event last year and was delighted with another great tournament which saw him shoot a final round 68 and a tie for ninth place on five under with China’s Liang Wenchong, who carded a 69.

“I am really happy with the way I played today,” said Hie

“I struggled with my ball striking early on, but my short game was really good. I kept getting up and down and chipped one in for par.”

He nearly pulled out of the tournament with a foot problem earlier in the week

"I was wearing a shoe that was too big which caused problems with my left foot," he said. "I wasn’t able to put any weight on it especially on the follow through."

“Thankfully the physiotherapist here is really proficient … it healed the next day."

The Indonesian star made five birdies and one bogey.

“Overall it was a really good week," he said. "I am excited about things I am working on. My short game is great and I just need to fine tune my swing. I expect myself to play well this year."

Defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant from Thailand shot a 71 and finished two under in a tie for 17th.

The next event on OneAsia is the Volvo China Open at Binhai Lake Golf Club in Tianjin. The tournament will be played from April 19 to 22 as is joint sanctioned with The European Tour.

Leading final round scores

Par 72

279 - Nick Cullen (AUS) 72 66 67 74

280 - David Smail (NZL) 68 69 74 69

281 - Michael Long (NZL) 75 73 68 65, Yoshikazu Haku (JPN) 70 69 74 68, David Oh (USA) 72 67 71 71

282 - Satoshi Tomiyama (JPN) 71 70 74 67, Hu Mu (CHN) 73 68 71 70, Stephen Leaney (AUS) 72 70 67 73

283 - Rory Hie (INA) 73 70 72 68, Liang Wenchong (CHN) 69 73 72 69, Park Eun-shin (KOR) 74 69 69 71

284 - Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 74 68 74 68, Kim Meen-Whee (KOR) 70 70 74 70.

285 - Naoto Nakanishi (JPN) 72 71 73 69, Jay Choi (USA) 71 72 71 71, Ashley Hall (AUS) 70 74 67 74

286 - Andik Mauludin (INA) 71 74 72 69, Masaya Tomida (JPN) 72 70 76 68, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 75 71 69 71, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 73 71 70 72, Hiroyuki Fujita (JPN) 70 71 72 73

287 - Scott Laycock (AUS) 76 71 71 69, Mark Brown (NZ) 76 72 71 68, Matthew Griffin (AUS) 73 74 69 71, Mamo Osanai (JPN) 71 72 69 75

Selected:

296 - Ian Andrew (INA) 73 73 74 76, George Gandranata (INA) 73 72 75 76

Confident Cullen Seizes Lead In Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open

JAKARTA, March 24 – Australian left-hander Nick Cullen peppered the pins and pulled ahead after the third round of the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open at Emeralda Golf Club on Saturday.

The unheralded golfer from Adelaide fired an impressive five-under-par 67 to lead on 11 under.

Cullen opened a four stroke lead over compatriot Stephen Leaney, in the season-opening event, which is jointly sanctioned by OneAsia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation.

Multiple-tour winner Leaney, bidding for a comeback in the game after illness, also shot a 67, while American David Oh carded a 71 and is a stroke further behind.

David Smail from New Zealand, the leader after the first and second rounds, slipped back with 74 and is five under. Two double bogeys on his card proved costly.

Cullen, the 27-year-old who turned professional in 2009, made six birdies and dropped just one shot, playing with a confidence and demeanor that suggests he is a seasoned competitor at this level.

But the Australian said there was no secret to his fine form.

“I am not even thinking about it I am just playing golf,” he said.

“I have been practicing hard and I have put in a lot of hours the last few weeks. As long as I put in the work before I come away for a tournament, I know I am ready.”

Earlier this year Cullen qualified for the Open Championship after making it through international qualifying on home soil and that form seems to be continuing as the year progresses.

“I hit it pretty solid but not as solid as yesterday, but I only missed a couple of fairways," said Cullen.

Cullen said he was giving himself chances to hole putts, but could do better.

"I think I am giving myself too many downhill putts. It is hard to hole downhill putts as you cannot be aggressive."

The relative newcomer to the game is being chased by one of his country’s most successful golfers.

Leaney has won seven times on the PGA Tour of Australasia and has been victorious on four occasions on the European Tour. In 2003 he hit the headlines after finishing second in the U.S. Open

Unfortunately in 2008 he was diagnosed with vertigo and he has struggled to recapture his best form since then.

The 43-year-old had three bogeys, but eight birdies -- including two over the last four holes -- giving him a great chance for an emotional comeback victory.

Oh was delighted to find himself in the top three having aimed just to make the cut ahead of the tournament.

“I’m a little bit nervous as I haven’t been in this position for a long time,” said the California native, making his first start of a season in which he aims to play as much golf as possible on OneAsia and the Japan tour.

Asked what his strategy would be for the final round, Oh said: “I just want to be as steady as I can. Obviously Nick has a good lead and I wouldn’t wish a bad round on anyone, but anything can happen on this course.”

Smail, a five-time winner on the Japan tour, started the day with a one stroke lead from Cullen.

However, he got off to the worst possible start with a double bogey seven on the par five first. He steadied the ship with birdies later on, but then suffered another double on the par-three 16th.

Indonesia’s top golfer Rory Hie continues to lead the local challenge after carding a 72 to lie one under for the tournament.

Hie, who finished second in this event last year, was in position to finish the day closer to the leader but disappointingly double bogeyed the final hole.

Defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant from Thailand is on the same score after returning a 69.

Leading third round scores (par 72):

205 - Nick Cullen (AUS) 72 66 67

209 - Stephen Leaney (AUS) 72 70 67

210 - David Oh (US) 72 67 71

211 - Ashley Hall (AUS) 70 74 67, David Smail (NZ) 68 69 74

212 - Park Eun-shin (KOR) 74 69 69, Mamo Osanai (JPN) 71 72 69, Hu Mu (CHN) 73 68 71

213 - Anthony Summers (AUS) 75 71 67, Hiroyuki Fujita (JPN) 70 71 72, Yoshikazu Haku (JPN) 70 69 74

214 - Ryu Hyun-woo (KOR) 75 71 68, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 73 71 70, Jay Choi (US) 71 72 71, Kazuhiro Yamashita (JPN) 70 73 71, Daniel Fox (AUS) 73 70 71, Liang Wenchong (CHN) 69 73 72, Kim Meen-whee (KOR) 70 70 74

Selected:

215 – Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 75 71 69, Scott Strange (AUS) 73 73 69, Prom Meesawat (THA) 74 71 70, Rory Hie (INA) 73 70 72

217 - Andik Mauludin (INA) 71 74 72

220 - Ian Andrew (INA) 73 73 74, George Gandranata (INA) 73 72 75

Composed Smail Maintains Lead In Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open

JAKARTA, March 23 – New Zealand’s David Smail produced another polished performance on Friday to take the halfway lead in the US$1 million Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open.

Smail fired a three-under-par 69, but the bulk of the field struggled to get to grips with Emeralda Golf Club’s demanding course -- where fast greens, narrow fairways and thick rough combined to make the cut plus five.

Smail leads with a seven-under-par 137 by one stroke from Australian left-hander Nick Cullen, who carded a 66 and the lowest round of the week.

A stroke further behind is American David Oh (67), Australia’s Jamie Arnold (68), and Yoshikazu Hazu from Japan (69).

The tournament is jointly sanctioned by OneAsia and the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO), and is the opening event of the season for both circuits.

Smail, a five-time winner on the JGTO, held the first round lead with 68 and again looked comfortable on the course on Friday.

“The score was good but I didn’t play as well as yesterday," said the 41 year old.

"I did not strike it as good although I hit a lot of good shots and had a few bad ones as well," he added. "Maybe there was a lack of concentration at times. I wasn’t quite as focused as yesterday."

The lanky Kiwi’s last tournament was in December last year, but he made five birdies and two bogeys to put himself on the threshold of a first victory since winning two titles in Japan in 2005.

"It would be nice to win again as it has been a while," he said.

"I have been knocking on the door quite a bit with a few seconds and thirds a few years ago. It would be nice to get one that is for sure,” added the six-time World Cup player.

Unheralded Cullen recorded an unblemished bogey-free round with two birdies on the front side and four on the inward half.

“I struck it pretty well today. I hit 14 fairways and 15 greens and I just kept it in play,” said the 27-year-old.

The Australian had three months out of the game last year with a back injury but says he has worked hard to get his game back into shape.

“I am normally a very straight hitter and that is very important around here," said Cullen.

"I was in the rough three or four times yesterday and you just can’t hit it when you get in there, but I kept it in play today."

That said, Cullen felt he left a few putts on the tricky greens.

"The longest putt I holed was a 10 footer,” he said.

Earlier this year Cullen quailed for the Open Championship after making it through international qualifying on home soil.

“I can’t wait. I am trying not to think about it too much," he said.

"I have 10 events before that so I don’t want to base everything around that. It is going to be an amazing experience and I am really looking forward to it.”

Japanese star Hiroyuki Fujita, an 11 time winner on the JGTO, came in with a 71 and is four off the lead.

China’s Liang Wenchong, the 2010 OneAsia Order of Merit winner and three-time winner on the circuit, shot a 73 and is five back.

Indonesia’s top golfer Rory Hie, who finished second in this event last year, carded a 70 and is one under for the tournament.

“I got lucky," said the home town favorite. "I had a problem with my left foot yesterday and I was afraid I would not be able to continue to play as it felt kind of strained.”

Defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant from Thailand returned a 71 and is two over.

Japan’s Shingo Katayama, the five-time winner of the JGTO Money List title, retired at the start of the day with a back injury.

Leading second round scores:

Par 72

137 - David Smail (NZL) 68 69

138 - Nick Cullen (AUS) 72 66

139 - David Oh (USA) 72 67, Jamie Arnold (AUS) 71 68, Yoshikazu Haku (JPN) 70 69

140 – Kim Meen-whee (KOR) 70 70

141 – Hu Mu (CHN) 73 68, Hiroyuki Fujita (JPN) 70 71, Satoshi Tomiyama (JPN) 71 70, Scott Arnold (AUS) 72 69

142 - Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 74 68, Stephen Leaney (AUS) 72 70, Liang Wenchong (CHN) 69 73, Masaya Tomida (JPN) 72 70

143 - Daniel Fox (AUS) 73 70, Rory Hie (INA) 73 70, Mamo Osanai (JPN) 71 72, Park Eun-shin (KOR) 74 69, Ryan Haller (AUS) 73 70, Kazuhiro Yamashita (JPN) 70 73, Jay Choi (US) 71 72, Naoto Nakanishi (JPN) 72 71

Selected:

145 – Prom Meesawat (THA) 74 71, Andik Mauludin (INA) 71 74

146 – Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 75 71, Scott Strange (AUS) 73 73

Smail Sets Pace At Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open

JAKARTA, March 22 – New Zealand’s David Smail showed no signs of rustiness following a three month break to take the clubhouse lead after the first round of the U.S. $1 million Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open.

He fired a four-under-par 68 at Emeralda Golf Club, where the course is proving to be a stern test for the high-caliber field.

China’s Liang Wenchong, second in this event in 2010, and Australian Rohan Blizard carded 69s.

The tournament is jointly sanctioned by OneAsia and the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) and is the opening event of the season for both circuits.

Six players were unable to complete their rounds as play was suspended at 6.15pm due to bad light.

Smail, a five-time winner on the JGTO, has not played in a tournament since last December’s Australian Masters, but the rest appears to have paid dividends.

“I haven’t played for a couple of months so I am delighted to have started so well particularly on what is a very tough golf course," said the towering Smail, who stands six feet five inches tall (1.96 m).

"You have to drive it well and I hit most of the fairways.”

The narrow fairways, thick rough and windy conditions turned Emeralda into a difficult layout, but Smail got the better of it making five birdies and dropping just one shot.

He started his round on the back nine with birdies on 10 and 11, and later repeated that feat with birdies on one and two.

His most recent victory in Japan came in 2005 and after a strong start today he is hopeful of an improved year.

“The last couple of years have not been that solid in Japan but I am hoping for a better season,” he said.

The round also marked a triumphant return for Smail as he last played at Emeralda in the 1995 Alfred Dunhill Masters, where victory went to his compatriot Michael Campbell.

Liang, meanwhile, made a birdie on his final hole for an encouraging finish.

“I am excited to be playing this week as I really want to win on the Japan Tour. I have been paying more attention to physical training in the winter and I am hoping that will pay off as the season progresses,” said Liang.

His second place finish in Indonesia two years ago, combined with victories in the Thailand Open and Luxehills Chengdu Open, helped him claim the OneAsia Order of Merit title.

Last year he was unable to repeat that kind of form, but he feels he feels his game is slowly returning.

He added: “I am not thirsty for results. I am just staying patient and enjoying playing each week.”

Japanese star Hiroyuki Fujita, an 11-time winner on the JGTO, finished two under along with compatriots Yoshikazu Haku and Kazuhiro Yamashita, Australian Ashley Hall and Koreans Kim Meen-whee, Lee Dong-min and Kim Seung-hyuk.

Indonesia’s Andik Mauludin ended the day as the leading local player with a 71.

Andik, who has won twice at Emeralda on the domestic circuit, made the turn in two-under-par 34 and moved into a share of the lead after birdies on 10 and 14. However, the wheels came off when he double bogeyed the 15th and then dropped a shot on 16.

“Honestly, I got too excited attacking the pins and forgot that the greens are quite hard today," he said. "The green speed and the thick rough also created some problems.”

His countryman Rory Hie, who finished second in this event last year, fired a 73 while defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant from Thailand shot 75.

New Zealand’s Michael Hendry, the winner in 2010, fell victim to a little-known golf rule and was disqualified.

The Kiwi golfer’s club caddie pulled the flagstick from the hole after he played a chip shot on the ninth green and the ball unerringly found the cup.

If Hendry’s ball had missed the cup no penalty would have resulted, but the ball could have struck the stick had the flag not been pulled.

Ordinarily the infraction would result in a two-shot penalty, but Hendry -- who won the title in 2010 and was joint second last year -- did not realize the error and signed for a three over par 75.

He was disqualified under rule 6.6, which deals with signing an incorrect scorecard.

Completed first round scores:

Par 72

68 – David Smail (NZ)

69 – Liang Wenchong (CHN), Rohan Blizard (AUS)

70 – Ashley Hall (AUS), Kim Meen-whee (KOR), Lee Dong-min (KOR), Kazuhiro Yamashita (JPN), Hiroyuki Fujita (JPN), Yoshikazu Haku (JPN), Kim Seung-hyuk (KOR)

71 – Andik Mauludin (INA), Jay Choi (USA), Mamo Osanai (JPN), Chawalit Plaphol (THA), Jamie Arnold (AUS), Park Jae-bum (KOR), Satoshi Tomiyama (JPN)

72 – Lee Seong-ho (KOR), Stephen Leaney (AUS), Huang Wenyi (CHN), Naoto Nakanishi (JPN), Scott Arnold (AUS), Masaya Tomida (JPN), David Oh (US), Masanori Kobayashi (JPN), Choi Ho-sung (KOR), Nick Cullen (AUS)

Selected:

73 – Rory Hie (INA)

74 – Prom Meesawat (THA), Prayad Marksaeng (THA)

75 – Kim Dae-hyun (KOR), Thaworn Wiratchant (THA), Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA)

76 – Shingo Katayama (JPN)

Thaworn Faces Tough Challenge In OneAsia Season Opener

JAKARTA, March 21 – Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant will have to get past a strong Japanese challenge as he begins his defense of the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open title at Emeralda Golf Club on Thursday -- the opening event of OneAsia’s season.

The Thai ace with the unorthodox swing has long been one of Asia’s brightest stars, but he faces stiff competition this week from a field strengthened by the inclusion of Japan’s top players as part of an historic three-year tie-up between OneAsia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation.

The tournament is one of five national opens on the OneAsia schedule, which in its fourth season features 14 events and a total purse of over U.S. $16 million, making it the most lucrative regional tour in the Asia Pacific.

The involvement of the Japan tour means OneAsia -- founded by the China Golf Association, the Korea Golf Tour, the Korea Golf Association and the PGA of Australia -- has moved a step closer towards its goal of providing a viable regional alternative to the U.S. PGA and European tours.

The U.S. $1 million Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open is the richest event on the country’s sporting calendar and the archipelago of over 17,000 islands, home to the world’s fourth biggest population, boasts some of the most beautiful golf courses in Asia.

Thaworn will have little time to enjoy the scenery if he is to retain his title, with a stiff breeze and punishing rough providing a real test for the professionals at Emeralda, south of the capital, Jakarta.

“It is very difficult,” said Thaworn, who said on the eve of the tournament that he would be happy with a top 20 finish. “The conditions are very tough. You have to play very well to win here.”

Thaworn won last year by a shot from joint runners-up Choi Jin-ho, local favourite Rory Hie and Michael Hendry of New Zealand, the 2010 winner, and he hopes memories of that victory will spark life into his game – especially as he had recently conquered issues with his driver.

“All up here,” he said, tapping his head. “But it is much better now.”

Shingo Katayama, who with 26 titles and career earnings of $20 million leads a formidable Japanese challenge, also pinpointed the rough as being key to success this week.

“Very hard. You must stay on the fairway or you are in trouble,” he said.

Local favourite Hie, meanwhile, was thinking positive thoughts on the eve of his national tournament after a bogey on the final hole last year cost him the chance of becoming only the second Indonesian to triumph.

“I have learnt from that and I am looking ahead now,” he said. “I am focused on what needs to be done and I think I have grown as a player.”

The OneAsia season opener has brought out most of the stars who have shone since the circuit was established in 2009, including maiden Order of Merit winner Scott Strange of Australia and China’s Liang Wenchong, who triumphed the following year.

Kiwi Hendry, meanwhile, who won by seven strokes from Liang in 2010 and was joint runner-up last year, will also be a factor in a tournament he appears to relish.

"I've had great results in Asia and I've set pretty big goals,” he said earlier this week.

Bali Handara Temporarily Closed Because Of Landslide

As a result of extremely heavy rains for several days last week, the island of Bali was hit by a number of landslides that caused a lot of damage at various locations.

One of the areas hit by a landslide was the Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club, where the Bali Handara Hotel was badly damaged and part of the 18th fairway disappeared under a thick layer of mud, stones and fallen trees. Fortunately there was no one killed or injured by the landslide at Handara, but it will take some time to clean up and have the course back ready for play. Therefore the Bali Handara course will be temporarily closed until April 1, when play is expected to be possible again.

After reopening the par 5 18th hole will be temporarily played as a par 3, until this hole can be fully restored to normal playing conditions.

The 18th fairway is covered in a layer of mud, stones and trees

The Bali Handara hotel was severely damaged by the landslide

Hometown Hero Hie Eyes Victory In Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open

JAKARTA, March 20 - Inspirational young golfer Rory Hie competes in this week’s Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open aiming to learn from the experience of last year’s narrow defeat while also literally keeping his feet on the ground.

The US$1 million tournament tees off on Thursday at Emeralda Golf Club and Hie is bidding to become only the second Indonesian to win his country's national Open after Kasiadi’s success in 1989.

An stellar field has assembled including defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant from Thailand, and Japanese star Shingo Katayama, who has triumphed 26 times in Japan.

Also competing are 2010 OneAsia Order of Merit champion Liang Wenchong of China and Australian Scott Strange, who topped the inaugural Merit list in 2009.

The event is the opening tournament of the season on OneAsia and is being jointly sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organization for the first time.

Last year Hie appeared on course for victory but eventually ended one stroke behind Thaworn after dropping shots on 15 and 18.

He finished joint second, which matched his impressive runner-up finish earlier in the year in the Indonesia PGA Championship, also on OneAsia.

“I do not look back on last year’s final round in the Indonesia Open in a negative way," said Hie. "It is adding towards my positive feeling for this week. I know that I have done it before and I feel like if I play well I will be up there again.”

While a total of 30 Indonesians are competing this week, the weight of expectations are on on the shoulders of young Hie.

“For the Indonesia PGA championship I was not too disappointed as I actually fought back to get to second place," he said, "but with the Indonesia Open I felt like I gave it away."

"Hopefully with my new swing and mental approach I can handle it better this year."

The 23 year old has been working hard on his game in all areas and has also been practicing regularly at Emeralda, on the southern outskirts of greater Jakarta. He has played three rounds at the highly rated venue every week for the past month.

“I am very positive this week and trying not to put too much pressure on myself," he said. "It is the season opener so we will see how it goes."

Keeping his feet on the ground will be part of that approach.

"I have tightened up my swing and I have grown a lot more as a person. I am also not just trying to hit the ball hard every time.”

Hie played in the Pro Am on Tuesday and was delighted with his game.

“I played very well today and hit the ball very well," he said. "I also scrambled pretty well which is something that is pretty new to me."

The ultra-talented golfer burst through in 2008 by winning The International Championship in Indonesia on the ASEAN PGA Tour just months after turning professional.

A former University of Southern California All-American, he was once ranked the sixth-best amateur in the world.

Past Champion Hendry Looking To Soar At Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open

JAKARTA, March 19 - Former winner Michael Hendry of New Zealand begins his quest to establish himself in the world's top-50 at this week's Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open, the season-opener on OneAsia.

Hendry, who won the title in 2010, believes he can hold his own in golf's Majors and the US$1 million Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open provides him with the ideal platform to improve his world ranking.

A top class field will assemble at the challenging Emeralda Golf Club from March 22 to 25 for the tournament, which is being jointly sanctioned by the Japan Tour for the first time.

Japanese legend Shingo Katayama, who has won 26 titles and banked U.S. $20.7 million during a fabulous career, 2010 OneAsia Order of Merit champion Liang Wenchong of China, last year's Asian Tour number one Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines and defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand feature in the eye-catching line up.

Hendry won by seven strokes from Liang in 2010 and went on to finish third on the OneAsia Order of Merit with winnings of $247,092.

"I've had great results in Asia and I've set pretty big goals. I feel I am good enough to mix it with the best. I would like to play in the Majors and get my world ranking as high as I possibly can," said Hendry, who is currently ranked outside the top 500.

"My goal is to be recognised as someone who can win any tournament and I need to get into the top 50 to make things happen.”

Hendry's compatriot and World Cup partner, Gareth Paddison will be looking to rekindle his love affair with Indonesian golf at the country's national Open.

He was third in the Indonesia PGA Championship and 10th in the Indonesia Open last year on his way to a ninth place finish on the moneylist with earnings of $104,314.

Paddison gave himself a confidence-boost ahead of the new season with victory at the Adroit Insurance Group Victorian PGA Championship on the PGA Tour of Australasia last month.

Mark Brown, winner of the European Tour sanctioned Johnnie Walker Classic in 2008, is another notable Kiwi in the field.

Australian Scott Strange will be looking to recreate the form that won him the 2009 Volvo China Open en route to topping the first OneAsia Order of Merit.

There will be a minimum of 14 events on OneAsia this season boasting overall prize money of $16 million.

Cahyo Adhitomo Finishes 3rd At Faldo Series Final, Wins U21

Mission Hills, 16 March 2012 - Masamichi Ito of Japan claimed the third Faldo Series title of his career with victory in the sixth Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills Golf Club in China. The 16-year-old fired a final round 67 on the Faldo Course to win by three, adding to the Asia and Europe titles he won in 2010.

“I am so happy to win again,” said an emotional Ito on receiving his trophy from the six-time Major Champion. “My two Faldo Series wins in 2010 created so much opportunity for me so to win a third time is unbelievable. I am just so happy.”

“Masamichi beat our largest ever field and fully deserves his third Faldo Series title,” commented Faldo. “All the players will benefit from the experience this week. I hope they enjoyed themselves, I certainly did!”

“I am grateful to our partners, including Mission Hills, The R&A, ISPS and UFL,” added the former world number one. “It is this kind of support which allows us to provide opportunity for the finalists this week and to more than 7,000 young golfers annually in 27 countries worldwide.”

Kanagawa-born Ito opened with three birdies and an eagle to stun overnight leader Kohei Kinoshita. He went on to reach ten under par and finish three ahead of his compatriot while 20-year-old Mai Aria ensured a double for Japan by claiming the Faldo Series Asia girls’ title.

Guan Tian Lang from Guangzhou claimed the inaugural Mission Hills Trophy as the highest-placed finisher from mainland China. The 13-year-old will now join Ito and Aria at the Europe Grand Final in Northern Ireland later this year.

Also celebrating victory in their age-group and a place in the 2012 Europe Grand Final at Lough Erne Resort in September were Cahyo Adhitomo from Indonesia (Boys’ Under-21), Singapore’s Joshua Ho (Boys’ Under-18) and Nur Durriyah Damian of Malaysia (Girls’ Under-16).

80 golfers from 17 countries were at Mission Hills in Shenzhen for the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final. The World Amateur Golf Ranking event is supported by major partners ISPS, Mission Hills and The R&A, official golf wear partner UFL and official suppliers TaylorMade, Tricor and TrackMan. It is endorsed by the Asian Tour, the Asia Pacific Golf Federation and the Guangdong Golf Association.

Established in 1996, 37 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 27 countries worldwide with more than 7,000 golfers taking part each year. Past winners include current world number ones Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng.

Leading final scores: Boys’ Under-21: 209 – Cahyo Adhitomo (INA) 71-71-67; 215 – Gavin Samuels (ENG) 73-73-69; 217 – Mikumu Horikawa (JPN) 74-74-69. Boys’ Under-18: 215 – Joshua Ho (SIN) 71-78-66; 220 – Gavin Moynihan (IRE) 73-72-75; 221 – Wang Wei Lun (TPE) 75-73-73. Boys’ Under-16: 206 – Masamichi Ito (JPN) 68-71-67; 208 – Kohei Kinoshita (JPN) 70-66-72; 209 – Guan Tian Lang (CHN) 71-71-67. Girls’ Under-21: 224 – Mai Arai (JPN) 75-79-70; 231 – Tiffany Chan (HKG) 83-78-70; 235 – Charlotte Thomas (ENG) 85-78-72, Mookharin Ladgratok (THA) 82-78-75. Girls’ Under-16: 225 – Nur Durriyah Damian (MAL) 75-74-76; 226 – Ji Rong (CHN) 80-77-69; 230 – Kitty Tam (HKG) 77-79-74.

For scores and results from the sixth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, visit www.nickfaldo.com. You can also follow the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/faldoseries.

Asia Largest Golf Academy To Open In Indonesia

Golf is a game that's unfamiliar to most of the people of Indonesia. Moreover, the international achievements of Indonesia in the sport of golf have so far been minimal. But now the world of golf Indonesia will get a breath of fresh air because of a renowned golf academy from the United States is to open branches in Indonesia.

Junior Players Golf Academy (JPGA), an academy that already has operated for 15 years in the U.S., has chosen Indonesia to open its first branch in Asia. This new JPGA will open in June this at the Sentul Highlands Golf Club, Bogor.

According to JPGA General Manager James Quilley, Indonesia was chosen because of its strategic location as it can be easily reached by most of the countries in Asia, like Malaysia, China and the Philippines. Besides that, the natural beauty of Indonesia also has its own added value.
James hoped that the academy, that will have Asia's largest and most comprehensive facilities, will receive the interest of the public in Asia, particularly Indonesia, thereby making Indonesia the country golf academy center in Asia.

"60 percent of golfers come from Asia, and this is a potential for Indonesia," James told reporters at Sentul Highlands, Bogor (Wednesday, 14/3). Attending the meeting with reporters were JPGA President Keith T Bach and chief instructor Chris Treamblay.

The Academy will be officially opened in June. The students at the golf academy will be trained directly by instructors of JPGA who have been trained in the U.S.. Each coach will train a maximum of 6 students, so they can focus on developing the talents of the students.

Until now, the U.S. JPGA has graduated a number of great golfers playing on university teams. James acknowledged that most JGPA graduates are not well known like a Tiger Woods, but he mentioned that many JPGA graduates have won competitions in their respective countries.

In the early stages JPGA will only use coaches from the United States. However, this does not preclude that local coaches who meet JPGA coaching quality standards may be empowered to train in JPGA as well.

Cahyo Adhitomo Maintains Boys' U21 Lead In Faldo Series Final

Mission Hills, 15 March 2012 - Kohei Kinoshita of Japan will take a three shot lead into the final round of the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final. The 17-year-old fired a brilliant 66 on the Faldo Course at Mission Hills Golf Club in China before attending a clinic for competitors with the six-time Major Champion.

Kinoshita produced seven birdies and an eagle in his six-under-par round, which was five shots better than any of his challengers. 2010 winner Masamichi Ito was one of four players to shoot the next best score of 71 and trails his compatriot by three going into the final round.

Guan Tian Lang from China and Indonesia’s Cahyo Adhitomo also carded rounds of 71 to lie in third place on two under par, six shots back from the leader. 13-year-old Guan from Guangzhou also leads the charge for the inaugural Mission Hills Trophy, awarded to the top-finisher from mainland China.

In the girls’ division, Malaysia’s Nur Durriyah Damian, 17, leads by five shots going into the final round after adding a 74 to her first round 75. Mai Arai of Japan and Chinese Taipei’s Cheng Ssu Chia are her nearest challengers.

80 golfers from 17 countries have joined Sir Nick Faldo at Mission Hills in Shenzhen for the sixth Asia Grand Final. The tournament’s largest-ever field is competing over three rounds for the title of Faldo Series Asia Champion, awarded to the player with the lowest gross score, regardless of age or gender.

With competitors aged 13 to 21 divided into five age-categories – three for boys and two for girls – the category winners will each receive a trophy and an exemption into the 16th Europe Grand Final at Lough Erne Resort in Northern Ireland in September 2012. The Mission Hills Trophy winner will also receive an invitation to play in the 2012 Europe Grand Final if he or she is not already exempt.

The leading boy and girl overall at the World Amateur Golf Ranking event will be invited to play in a professional Tour event.

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

Established in 1996, 37 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 27 countries worldwide with more than 7,000 golfers taking part each year. Past winners include current world number ones Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng.

Leading round two scores: Boys’ Under-21: 142 – Cahyo Adhitomo (INA) 71-71; 146 – Angad Cheema (IND) 75-71, Gavin Samuels (ENG) 73-73. Boys’ Under-18: 145 – Sittipong Wiangchanok (THA) 73-72, Gavin Moynihan (IRE) 73-72; 148 – Wang Wei Lun (TPE) 75-73, Elki Kow (INA) 71-77. Boys’ Under-16: 136 – Kohei Kinoshita (JPN) 70-66; 139 – Masamichi Ito (JPN) 68-71; 142 – Guan Tian Lang (CHN) 71-71. Girls’ Under-21: 154 – Mai Arai (JPN) 75-79; 157 – Aretha Pan (MAL) 75-82, Vanaskrit Sillaparungson (THA) 81-76. Girls’ Under-16: 149 – Nur Durriyah Damian (MAL) 75-74; 154 – Cheng Ssu Chia (TPE) 77-77; 156 – Kitty Tam (HKG) 77-79, Wu Sha (CHN) 82-74.

For tee times, live scores and results during the sixth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, visit www.nickfaldo.com. You can also follow the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/faldoseries.

Cahyo Adhitomo Leads Boys U21 After First Day Of Faldo Series Final

Mission Hills, 14 March 2012 - Masamichi Ito of Japan charged to the top of the leaderboard on day one of the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final with an opening four-under-par 68 on the Faldo Course at Mission Hills Golf Club in China.

16-year-old Ito, who in 2010 became the first player to win Faldo Series titles in Asia and Europe, fired seven birdies in his round of 68 and leads by two from compatriot Kohei Kinoshita. Four players lie one shot further back on one under par including Cahyo Adhitomo from Indonesia, who leads the Boys' Under 21 categorie.

Three players share the lead for the girls’ title on three over par. Nur Durriyah Damian and Aretha Pan, both from Malaysia, and Japan’s Mai Arai carded rounds of 75.

80 golfers from 17 countries have joined Sir Nick Faldo at Mission Hills in Shenzhen for the sixth Asia Grand Final. The tournament’s largest-ever field is competing over three rounds for the title of Faldo Series Asia Champion, awarded to the player with the lowest gross score, regardless of age or gender.

With competitors aged 13 to 21 divided into five age-categories – three for boys and two for girls – the category winners will each receive a trophy and an exemption into the 16th Europe Grand Final at Lough Erne Resort in Northern Ireland in September 2012. The leading boy and girl overall at the World Amateur Golf Ranking event will also be invited to play in a professional Tour event.

The winner of the inaugural Mission Hills Trophy, awarded to the highest-placed golfer from mainland China, will also receive an invitation to play in the 2012 Europe Grand Final if he or she is not already exempt.

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

Established in 1996 by the six-time Major Champion, 37 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 27 countries worldwide with more than 7,000 golfers taking part each year. Past winners include current world number ones Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng.

Leading round one scores: Boys’ Under-21: 71 – Cahyo Adhitomo (INA); 73 – Gavin Samuels (ENG); 74 – Mikumu Horikawa (JPN). Boys’ Under-18: 71 – Joshua Ho (SIN), Elki Kow (INA); 73 – Sittipong Wiangchanok (THA), Gavin Moynihan (IRE). Boys’ Under-16: 68 – Masamichi Ito (JPN); 70 – Kohei Kinoshita (JPN); 71 – Guan Tian Lang (CHN). Girls’ Under-21: 75 – Aretha Pan (MAL), Mai Arai (JPN); 81 – Wang Chi (TPE), Chen Cui Xia (CHN), Vanaskrit Sillaparungson (THA). Girls’ Under-16: 75 – Nur Durriyah Damian (MAL); 77 – Cheng Ssu Chia (TPE), Kitty Tam (HKG), Yu Okamura (JPN), Wad Phaewchimplee (THA).

For tee times, live scores and results during the sixth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, visit www.nickfaldo.com. You can also follow the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/faldoseries.

Thai Stars Hit Form Ahead Of Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open

JAKARTA, March 14 - Defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant and the in-form duo of Prayad Marksaeng and Prom Meesawat will spearhead the Thai challenge at next week's U.S. $1 million Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open, the curtain raiser for OneAsia's much-anticipated 2012 season.

Countrymen Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Chapchai Nirat and Chawalit Plaphol, all recent winners on the Asian Tour, will also compete in the tournament, which is being jointly sanctioned by the Japan Tour for the first time.

Japanese legend Shingo Katayama, who has won 26 titles and banked $20.7 million during a fabulous career, 2010 OneAsia Order of Merit champion Liang Wenchong of China and last year's Asian Tour number one Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines headline the field at the challenging Emeralda Golf Club from March 22 to 25.

Veteran Thaworn won last year by a shot from joint runners-up Choi Jin-ho, local favourite Rory Hie and Michael Hendry of New Zealand, the 2010 winner, and he hopes memories of that famous victory will spark life into his game.

"I have not been playing well this season -- there has been no consistency about my game," said the 45-year-old Thaworn, one of the most decorated players in the region with a dozen Asian Tour titles to his name.

"I continue to work hard on my game and I hope to play well at the Indonesia Open as I am defending champion. It is a very difficult course - long with narrow fairways - but if I hit my tee shots well, I have a chance.”

Thaworn said that his victory last year was a satisfying one as he joined a select group of players who have won on OneAsia and the Asian Tour. He was victorious at the Indonesia Open in 2005, the year he was crowned Asia's number one.

"I am quite proud to have won on OneAsia as well as Asian Tour," he said."The Indonesia Open is a big tournament and I want to play as many big events as possible.”

Prayad, a three-time winner on the Japan Tour, gave the thumbs up to the joint sanction of the Indonesia Open.

"It is a good development - very positive for Asian golf," said Prayad.

"Because it is joint sanctioned with the Japan Tour there will be more Asian players in the field and the Japanese players, who do not normally play much outside of their own country, get an opportunity to compete overseas.”

The 46-year-old veteran continues to upstage Asia's young guns and comes into the Indonesia Open in confident mood after grabbing a spot at The Open Championship this summer with a sparkling second round 64 in International Final Qualifying at Amata Spring Country Club in Bangkok.

Also, he won the Singha Masters, the blue riband event on the All Thailand Golf Tour, by seven shots from Chapchai last Sunday.

"I am bang in form at the moment and most of it is down to equipment. I am using a new driver (RAZR Fit) and a new set of irons. And they have a good feel," he said. "Right now, I am putting very well. "

Also, I am feeling fit and healthy as I am working out regularly with a fitness coach. I played well at Amata Spring and during the Singha Masters and hopefully I can carry that form into the Indonesia Open.”

Prom, nicknamed The Big Dolphin, is also making a bit of a splash again after a few barren years. He was sixth in the European Tour co-sanctioned Avantha Masters in India last month and lost a playoff at the SAIL-SBI Open the following week.

"I have had a good start to the season with a top-10 finish and a playoff loss," said Prom, whose sole success so far came at the 2006 SK Telecom Open.

"It was a great way to begin the year although I was disappointed not to have won in India. I will just keep working hard. I finished good at the end of last year and kept it going at start of 2012. "

I am just doing the same as last year. I am getting more confident with my putting but I am not hitting my driver so good. But my mind is still positive. I know I can drive the ball well.”

There will be a minimum of 14 events on OneAsia this season boasting overall prize money of $16 million.

Kim Aiming For The Stars At Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open

HONG KONG, March 12 - Kim Meen-whee, tipped as the next big thing from the assembly line of Korean talent, wants a fast start at next week's season-opening Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open on OneAsia to set the tone for "a huge year".

Watching good friends John Huh and Bae Sang-moon excel in their rookie seasons on the U.S. PGA Tour has instilled an "anything they can do I can do" attitude in the muscular 20-year-old with the sweet swing.

Huh, ranked 15th on OneAsia last year, won the Mayakoba Golf Classic in just his fifth start on the PGA Tour after gaining his card at Q-School, while two-time OneAsia winner Bae announced himself on the international stage by reaching the last eight in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

Kim sees the US$1 million Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open at Emeralda Golf Club from March 22 to 25 as the perfect opportunity to show that he has what it takes to match Huh and Bae.

"They are both very good friends of mine and I am happy for them," said Kim. "Not only happy for them, I want to play with them. It is my goal to go to the PGA Tour.

"Their performances have given me confidence. I say to myself 'I can do it too'."

Kim gave notice of his potential by claiming eighth place on the OneAsia Order of Merit in his debut season and banking U.S. $106,830. He had three top-10 finishes, including third place at the Kolon Korea Open, and has targeted a victory in 2012.

"It is a huge year for me - I am going to play all OneAsia and Korean Tour events. My goal is to try and win," said Kim, who did his winter training in California. "I want to make a quick start and push for a win at the Indonesia Open.”

Kim, the golf gold medalist at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, has a lot to live up to as the previous five winners of the Asiad went on to triumph on a major tour.

"I did not realise that (until recently)," said Kim, referring to the successes of Shigeki Maruyama, Kaname Yokoo, Tomohiro Kondo, Shiv Kapur and Kim Kyung-tae. "But the Asian Games was just amateur. This is pro -- a big, big difference. It's good to know that they all went on to win titles as professionals.”

Other Korean players eager to make an impression at the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open are 2009 Asian amateur champion Han Chang-won, who finished a rung above Kim in last year's Order of Merit, and the big-hitting Kim Dae-hyun, who won the 2010 GS Caltex Maekyung Open.

Han, who earned $135,078 last year, played some of his best golf to finish fifth in the 2011 Indonesia Open and will be looking for more of the same.

After an outstanding 2010 when he finished second on the OneAsia Order of Merit with winnings of $272,154, Kim Dae-hyun lost his way a bit last year and dropped to 27th.

"I did not play well last year but I have been practicing hard and am optimistic about this season," he said. "The win on the PGA Tour by John Huh and Bae's performances in the matchplay have certainly inspired me.

I am aiming for top spot on the Order of Merit this year.”

Defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant from Thailand, Japanese legend Shingo Katayama, China's Liang Wen-chong, OneAsia's leading player in 2010, and 2011 Asian Tour number one Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines have confirmed their participation in the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open which will be joint sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organisation for the first time.

Rotary Club Jakarta Sentral Charity Golf Tournament

Join the fun day and contribute to people in need...

There will be a lot of awards, lucky draws and attractive hole-in-one prizes.

Day/Date	: Thursday, 12th April 2012
Place	: Cengkareng Golf Club
Format	: 4 Man Team Texas Scramble
Player Entry	: Rp. 1,500,000 (individual entry) : Rp. 5,000,000 (team entry of 4 players)
Registration	: 11.00 AM
Shotgun	: 12.30 PM

Please register to Golf Events Indonesia
Tel (62-21) 5793 6315-16 Fax (62-21) 5793 6316
Awi - 0818 886 759 awi@golfeventsindonesia.com
Nina - 0857 1928 6899 eventscoordinator@golfeventsindonesia.com

Please transfer payment to:
Yayasan Perkumpulan Rotary Se Indonesia
QQ RC Jakarta Sentral Operating Account
CIMB Niaga Sudirman Branch
Acc No. 085.01.00418.00.3 (IDR)

Asia's Best Head To Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open

JAKARTA, March 7 - China’s number one golfer Liang Wenchong, Japanese star Hiroyuki Fujita and Filipino ace Juvic Pagunsan are the latest big name players to confirm their participation in this month’s Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open.

The prestigious national championship is the opening event of OneAsia's 2012 season, and for the first time is jointly sanctioned with the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) as part of an historic three-year deal that guarantees increased world ranking points for the field.

The US$1 million tournament, played at Emeralda Golf Club from March 22 -25, has already attracted a stellar cast that includes defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant from Thailand and 2010 champion Michael Hendry from New Zealand.

But it is the formal participation of the Japanese tour players in a OneAsia event for the first time that is drawing the golf world's attention.

Japan's Shingo Katayama, with 26 JGTO titles on his mantle, leads a formidable challenge that includes Fujita, with 11 -- not least last year's Golf Nippon Series JT Cup.

Other JGTO players with an impressive haul are Katsumasa Miyamoto with eight, Hirofumi Miyase who has seven, and five-time winner Kenichi Kuboya. Michio Matsumura, Masanori Kobayashi, Mamo Osanai, Daisuke Maruyama, Azuma Yano, Masaya Tomida are also all winners in Japan.

China's Liang, meanwhile, who finished second in the Indonesia Open in 2010 en-route to claiming that year's OneAsia Order Of Merit title, makes a popular return to a tournament that helped cement his reputation on the international stage.

One talking point of the event is the participation of Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Pagunsan, who earned his spot through his membership of the Japanese tour. He will be hoping to follow up the finest season of his career with a flying start on his debut on OneAsia, with the tantalising prospect of a unique Asian Order of Merit double.

Also gaining entry into the event through their membership of the JGTO are a host of Thailand’s top golfers including Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Prom Meesawat, Chawalit Plaphol, Chapchai Nirat and Chinnarat Phadungsil.

Indonesia’s Rory Hie, joint second in 2011, will once again be the people’s champion as he attempts to become only the second Indonesian to win his national Open, after Kasiadi who achieved that feat in 1989.

Korean stars Kim Dae-hyun, Han Chang-won, Kim Meen-whee and Choi Jin-ho, who finished joint second last year, will also be bidding for honours this year.

Other notable names competing include Australian Kim Felton, Matthew Griffin, Terry Pikaldaris, and Jamie and Scott Arnold. New Zealand’s Mark Brown and Gareth Paddison have also entered.

The Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open is one of 14 tournaments on OneAsia this year boasting an overall purse of US$16 million.

“The quality of players competing this year is extremely high and this is in a big way due to the many great Japanese players who have entered. Everyone associated with the event is looking forward to a brilliant week of golf,” said Arifin Panigoro – President of the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI).

The Tournament is one of five national Opens on OneAsia’s schedule along with those of Australia, China, Korea and Thailand.

“The Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open boasts an incredible line up of players from the whole Asia Pacific region which is exactly our intention for all events on OneAsia now and in the future,” said Sang Y Chun, OneAsia’s Chairman & Commissioner.

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, the leading Asia-Pacific focused sports network in the US, and across Africa on SuperSport.

The event is jointly promoted by World Sport Group and Global One. Both will draw on their vast experience in sponsorship, media and event management to ensure this year’s tournament is one of the finest ever.

The support from corporate Indonesia has delighted organisers with a wealth of quality brands backing the event including Johnnie Walker, Amida Kyocera, CDPK Motorola, Bali Hai Beer, Pin High, Titleist, SanQua, Rudy Project, and GolfMax.

The event’s media partners are Golf Magz, Jakarta Shimbun and Brava 103.8 FM.

Nine Tournaments For New ADT Season

The third season of the Asian Development Tour (ADT) tees off at the PGM-CCM-Impian Masters on Thursday.

Since its successful launch in 2010, the ADT has grown from five tournaments on the schedule to eight events last season while nine stops are already confirmed for 2012. Officials are anticipating approximately 12 tournaments by the end of the season.

The ADT will welcome a new tournament in Indonesia, namely the Taman Dayu Championship in Surabaya later this year but it is in Malaysia that the total number of events have grown significantly.

Working in tandem with the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour, led by its chairman Tun Ahmad Sarji, a total of six PGM events will feature on this season’s ADT Schedule, which will inevitably provide a huge boost for Malaysian players who are chasing for playing rights on the elite Asian Tour.

The top three players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will gain Asian Tour cards for 2013. In the inaugural season, Malaysia’s S. Siva Chandhran finished top of the rankings while Akhmal Tarmizee was third.

Kyi Hla Han, Executive Chairman of the Asian Tour, said: “We are looking forward to another good season on the ADT. Our schedule will provide playing opportunities for players who are seeking access onto our elite Asian Tour while also giving them every chance to improve their careers through a consistent playing schedule.

“There are numerous young players from the region who are capable of achieving success and we believe the ADT platform will continue to unearth rising stars of the game.”

The PGM-CCM-Impian Masters will be held at the Impian Golf and Country Club in Kajang, which is on the outskirts of the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.

Asia’s young guns including the likes of Singaporean Koh Deng Shan, Indonesia’s Rory Hie, Filipino Michael Bibat and Malaysia’s Akhmal Tarmizee and Mohd Ilya Jamil are in the field this week with the aim of achieving success.

However, a top line-up of players led by defending champion Jonathan Moore of the United States has converged for the RM180,000 (approximately US$60,000) ADT event.

Moore secured his first victory on the ADT last year in grand style, winning by three shots from Artemio Murakami of the Philippines with a stunning 22-under-par 266 aggregate. It subsequently paved the way for him to win the ADT Merit title, which secured him his Asian Tour playing rights.

“I’m looking forward to defend my title. It is a nice event and I have good memories. Winning the ADT Order of Merit last year has given me the chance to play on the Asian Tour and that’s been a great thing for my career,” said the former US Walker Cup team member.

Asia Pacific Golf Summit 2012 Website Launched

Singapore, 7 March 2012 - The web site for the 2012 Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS) is now operational.

It boasts a brand new look and is a very user friendly facility designed to assist international delegates to find out everything they need to know about the Summit.

The event in Brunei will be the sixth in the annual series and promises to be a major knowledge event on golf.

The Summit will continue to provide a universal platform for candid debate and discussion on the challenges facing the golf industry in the Asia Pacific. It will also set the tone and create pathways to bring about positive change to help guide the industry to grow in a rapidly changing business, leisure and recreational environment.

“Unlike previous years, APGS 2012 will focus on specific areas where golf is being most challenged with a view to finding innovative ways of meeting these challenges effectively and growing the game throughout the region,” said Mike Sebastian, chief executive officer of the Asia Pacific Golf Group, the owner and producer of APGS 2012.

“APGS has been a trail blazer for golf in this region and we expect this year’s Summit to continue in this fine tradition,” declared Bob Moore, ASGCA, Principal, JMP Golf Design Group, Costello Hollinger Moore.

“In the coming weeks, we will be announcing the names of key speakers and presenters at APGS 2012 and we also expect to announce the full programme by end May,” revealed Sebastian.

Caramia Sitompul Scores Career Best 74 At Hurricane International

Miami Lakes, Florida - The University of Michigan women's golf team posted a final-round 323 today (Tuesday, March 6) to tally a 943 team total and close seventh at the 2012 Hurricane Invitational held at the Deering Bay Yacht and Country Club.

Using a 75 from sophomore Alyssa Shimel (Pemberville, Ohio/Eastwood HS) and a season-best 78 from junior Caramia Sitompul (Jakarta, Indonesia/Bradenton Prep [Fla.]), the Wolverines opened yesterday's (Monday, March 5) 36-hole day with a 314 first-round tally.

After setting her season best in the opening round, Sitompul lowered the mark even more in the second round, posting a near career best of 74, while freshman Lauren Grogan (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Watterson HS) tallied a 76 and senior Meagan Bauer (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc HS) had a 77 to give U-M a 306, placing the Wolverines sixth at 620.

In today's final round, sophomore Yugene Lee (Athens, Ga./Oconee County HS) carded the team's best round with a 77 as U-M closed with a 323 team total and dropped one position to place seventh at 943, the Wolverines' fifth top-10 finish of the season.

Leading the Wolverines for the third time this season, Shimel tied for 22nd at 234 (75-79-80), while in her first start of the season Sitompul tied for 34th with a season-best 238 (78-74-86). Lee's 239 (80-82-77) rounded out U-M's top three finishers as she tied for 38th to keep her streak of top-40 finishes alive.

Other Michigan finishes included Bauer tying for 43rd at 240 (81-77-82) and Grogan tying for 45th at 242 (82-76-84). Freshman Devon Compton (Rochester Hills, Mich./Stoney Creek HS) traveled as U-M's individual and finished 82nd at 267 (95-86-86).

Michigan has just two regular-season tournaments remaining as the Wolverines will head west to Mesa, Ariz., Friday through Sunday (March 16-18) for Notre Dame's Clover Cup. The three-day, 54-hole event will be played at the Long Bow Golf Club.

BJGC Seve Ballesteros Foundation Challenge

”I'm here because golf is my sport and I like to compete, ... Just by being here I'm already beginning to win.”
Seve Ballesteros

Bali Junior Golf Community together with Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club is joining an initiative in Spain to raise funds for The Seve Ballesteros Foundation in support of Cancer Research.

The weekend of April 7th & 8th 2012 a 2-day Challenge charity tournament supporting The Seve Ballesteros Foundation will be held at Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club.

The event in Bali is part of a initiative in Spain which will see thousands of golfers at golf clubs raise money for Seve's Foundation, which funds research into brain cancer.

Golfers at Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club will tee off in their bid not only to raise money for charity, but also to try to promote junior golf in Bali as well as the mentor program for juniors which will see a team event for day 1 where 2 adults will be paired with 2 juniors.
We want to also educate our juniors from an early age about giving back through golf.

A strong field of adult and junior golfers is expected on the day, at the popular local course who always throws itself wholeheartedly behind the juniors and golf.

Bali Handara Kosaido County Club general manager Mark Isley said: "We are very honored to hold this event and support Bali Junior Golf Community as well as the Seve Ballesteros Foundation, which helps fund Cancer Research UK's world class research into brain cancer". Our members are an exceptional group of people and tremendously generous, so we look forward to a great day.".

About Seve Ballesteros
A forrmer World No.1 and winner of over 80 tournaments including five major championships, Seve Ballesteros was, for a decade, arguably the greatest golfer in the world.

Seve will always be remembered for the strength and determination he showed not only on the golf course but also in the last years of his life, as he bravely fought brain cancer.

The Seve Ballesteros Foundation Challenge 2011
On April 9, 2011 over 140 golf courses in Spain and 12,000 players participated in the "First Edition Seve Ballesteros Foundation Challenge."
The world of golf has more than responded to a project conceived and led by Seve Ballesteros for the sole purpose of raising funds to promote research on brain tumors,

Approximately 4,000 people a year in Spain and 100,000 in the world are diagnosed with brian tumors for which, at present, no cure is available.

What is The Seve Ballesteros Foundation?
In October of 2008, Seve Ballesteros collapsed at Madrid Airport. He was later diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent life saving brain surgery at La Paz hospital in Madrid. "This is the toughest match of my life," he said.
The courage and determination he had shown for 30 years on the golf course now helped him in his greatest challenge. "You must always fight, never give up." spirit, together with the skill and expertise of the surgeons at La Paz Hospital in Madrid gave him what he now calls "My second chance". After four operations Seve left hospital on 9 December 2008.
Seve Ballesteros believes he can make a difference in the fight against brain cancer. Now Seve has decided to support Cancer Research UK. The ambition is to raise significant funds for research into brain cancer. "I want to help; I want to do something to fight this disease."
Cancer Research UK is the world's largest charity dedicated to cancer research. Their doctors and scientists have contributed to 19 of the top 20 drugs used to treat cancer patients worldwide.

PGI Mens & Ladies Golf Championships Series I

The PGI Tournament Series begins soon.........
For those interested (especially handicap 12 and under):

PB. Persatuan Golf Indonesia (PB.PGI) 2012 will begin their activities with the PGI SERIES I tournament for Men and Ladies golfers to be held on:

Date: 27-29 March 2012
Venue: Damai Indah Golf - BSD COURSE.
Format: Stroke Play (Gross / Scratch)
Tees: Blue (Men) and Red (Ladies)

Schedule:
Monday, March 26: Official Practice (Practice Round).
Tuesday, March 27: Round 1.
Wednesday, March 28: Round 2 (cut-off).
Thursday, March 29: Round 3 (Final).

Entry Fee: Rp. 500.000.-/person, including: Green Fee, Breakfast & lunch during the tournament March 27 to 29 and free green fees for participants that join the practice round (Monday, March 26).
Not included: Rp.80.000.-/day Caddy fee (payable at registration before play on BSD).

Those interested in participating in this championship can register to the Secretariat of PB.PGI.:
Gd MEDCO.I 1st Floor, Jl. Ampera Raya 18-20, Cilandak, South Jakarta
Phone: (021) 7884.1214, fax: (021) 7884.1215. Contact Person: Cahyo (Hp.085880260110).

Payment of Entry Fee to be paid no later than March 15, 2012 through bank transfer to one of below accounts in name of Dian Mariyun (member of the organizing committee of PGI Series I):
Bank BNI account number: 024.113.7485
Bank BCA account number: 607.009.2903

Westwood Hails Charity Initiatives Of Indonesian Masters Presented By PNTS 2012

Jakarta, February 29th: - The defending champion of the Indonesian Masters presented by PNTS 2012, Lee Westwood, has hailed the charity initiatives of the event to alleviate poverty in Indonesia.

After the inaugural edition last year, Habitat for Humanity Indonesia built 11 homes from funds raised during the tournament and more than 20 homes are being targeted to be built for 2012.

“It is great to see the partners of the Indonesian Masters so committed to giving back to the community. What they have achieved from 2011 and their plans for 2012 are encouraging. I am very much looking forward to returning to Royale Jakarta Golf Club from April 19–22 and hope my presence will not only assist in putting Indonesia on the map as a wonderful golf destination but also increase efforts to assist those in need,” said Westwood.

Westwood will be joined by golfing legends Ian Woosnam, Michael Campbell and Thongchai Jaidee at the Indonesian Masters presented by PNTS 2012. The commitment of these high profile golfing stars together with the strong support of sponsors and partners is paving the way for another big success for the US$750,000 Asian Tour event.

“We are very grateful for being chosen once again to channel the Indonesian Masters’ charity funds. Their efforts from 2011 proved highly successful and we can already see these efforts increasing for 2012 and onwards.

“Habitat for Humanity Indonesia is on a strategic path to give everyone a decent place to live and it is through the initiatives of events such as this that truly help us reach our goals and targets,” said James Tumbuan, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Indonesia.


Habitat for Humanity's work touches the lives of many people in need

Tumbuan added: “The Indonesian Masters is a fantastically run and managed event. We can see it is destined for great success and will soon become one of the region’s best golf tournaments. To be a part of the event is a great honour for us and we are proud to be associated with Indonesia’s most prestigious golf tournament.”

The announcement of the charity initiatives comes at the same time as the confirmation of Austria’s Bernd Weisberger, who has been invited to play in Indonesia’s most premier golf tournament.

Rumors that local hero Rory Hie would be playing the Volvo China Open being held the same week were denied by Indonesia PGA executive Nursallam Tabusalla, with the confirmation that he will be playing at the Indonesian Masters. This will be warmly welcomed by his local fans, as well as efforts to include upcoming talents like George Gandranata in the playing field.

Left to right: Mr. Darrel Lin (IMPL), Mr. Irfan Hamid (Asian Tour), Mr. James Tumbuan (Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, Mr. Nursallam Tabusalla (PGPI), and Mr. George Chandra (Royale Jakarta Golf Club) show Habitat's accountability report.

Sponsors and partners of the Indonesian Masters will enjoy a strong local media platform and the Asian Tour’s global television platform, which reaches out to over 200 countries and 650 million households. Indonesia’s premier news channel, Metro TV, will also be broadcasting the event locally for 10 hours live and will be airing additional shows and features related to the event and the positive impact it has on the economy of Indonesia.

To strengthen the message that the event continues to be an attractive investment for companies ready to support golf in Indonesia, the Indonesian Masters presented by PNTS 2012 sees new partners signing on including Blackberry (Official Phone), Srixon (Official Ball), Ricoh (Official Office Equipment) and Casillero del Diablo (Official Wine).

Other partners include the event’s Presenting Sponsor Pelayaran Nasional Tanjungriau Service (PNTS), Garuda Indonesia (Official Airline), BMW (Official Car), Coca-Cola (Official Drinks Partner), Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta (Official Hotel), Thiess Indonesia (Main Partner), Navigat Energy (Main Partner), Linc Group (Main Partner), Hush Puppies Golf (Official Apparel) and San Miguel (Official Beer).

Organizers have also started initiatives to develop the game at the grassroots level with the launch of the Indonesian Masters Amateur League. Participants are required to complete a minimum of three rounds at Royale Jakarta Golf Club on any Tuesday or Wednesday between now and March 31 and they will be ranked with their average score in an Order of Merit featured on the Indonesian Masters website, www.indonesianmasters.com . The winner of this Order of Merit will win a spot to play in the tournament proper.

A Junior development program is also being conducted on a monthly basis organized by the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI), giving opportunities to the youths of the nation to participate in the Indonesian Masters activities.