Rory Hie Up Against Big Foes At Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia PGA Championship

Jakarta, February 28 - Enjoy Jakarta will title sponsor next month’s Indonesia PGA Championship, a compelling US$1million tournament that will boast star players Jeev Milkha Singh from India, Englishman Simon Dyson, Sweden’s Daniel Chopra and Shingo Katayama from Japan.

The tournament will be played at Emeralda Golf Club from March 28 to 31, and will be joint sanctioned by OneAsia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation.


Left-to-right: David Parkin (OneAsia), Wahyu A. Harun (Emeralda), Syafe'i Asnap (Indonesia PGA), Sukesti Martono (Deputy Governor of Jakarta), Andy Yamanaka (JGTO) and Patrick Joyce (WSG) brief the audience during a press conference at The Sultan hotel, Jakarta.

Rising Korean star Kim Kyung-tae will also compete, along with defending champion Andre Stolz from Australia and Indonesian hotshot Rory Hie, who was runner-up to Stolz.

The tournament was last played in 2011 and this year it is the second leg of the season on the OneAsia and JGTO schedules. The opening event on both tours is the Thailand Open from March 14 to 17.

Enjoy Jakarta, the Jakarta City Government’s Tourism and Culture Office, are an enthusiastic and generous supporter of golf in Indonesia and are delighted to be title sponsoring the Indonesia PGA Championship for the first time.

“These are exciting times for golf in our region and so we at Enjoy Jakarta are thrilled to be associated with a new event that has a quality line up of players,” said Bapak Arie Budhiman, Head of the Jakarta City Government Tourism and Culture Office.

“Our golf sponsorship programme and the regional television coverage that comes with it allows us to achieve our objective of promoting Jakarta as a tourism hub for golfers and holiday makers alike. We have no doubt that the exposure will be even greater this year as the tournament is part of both OneAsia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation.”

Singh’s participation will be eagerly anticipated as it is the first time he will be competing on OneAsia.

India’s pioneering golfer has claimed 20 titles around the world including four on the European Tour. His most recent was in last year’s Scottish Open. He has also triumphed six times on the Asian Tour - finishing top of the money list in 2006 and 2008.

In addition, the globetrotting star has tasted victory six times on the JGTO.

Dyson also boasts a brilliant resume with six titles in Europe and four on the Asian Tour. He will be one of the hot favorites at the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia PGA Championship as he claimed the Indonesia Open at Emeralda in 2006.

Along with Chopra’s two US PGA Tours titles and Katayama’s 26 JGTO wins, Indonesia’s golf fans are in for a treat of world class golf.

“The Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia PGA Championship helps raise the curtain on our 2013 season in spectacular fashion and we are extremely grateful to Enjoy Jakarta for their support,” said Sang Y Chun, OneAsia’s Chairman & Commissioner.

“This is OneAsia’s fifth season and we have been thrilled with the incredible pace at which we are growing thanks to events like the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia PGA Championship and outstanding venues like Emeralda,” added Chun.

Emeralda Golf and Country Club has been a regular venue for the country’s premier professional events. It hosted the country’s national Open last year and in 2006.

The Club hosted the Asian Matchplay Championship in 1996 and the 1995 Alfred Dunhill Masters.

“Emeralda Golf and Country Club is no stranger to staging top class professional tournaments. We are particularly pleased to be hosting the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia PGA Championship for the first time which allows us to do so much to help develop professional golf in our country,” said Wahyu Afandi Harun, President Director of PT Karabha Digdaya Representative, from Emeralda Golf and Country Club.

Located in greater Jakarta the club boasts two courses, one designed by Arnold Palmer and the other by Jack Nicklaus.

Stolz’s victory in the inaugural Indonesia PGA Championship in 2011 was a memorable one as he had come out of retirement just two years earlier. He was one of his country’s finest players before a wrist problem had a profound effect on his career.

His success in Indonesia, coupled with victory in the Thailand Open, saw him win the OneAsia Order of Merit in 2011.

Hie, Indonesia’s top golfer, led after the third round but to the disappointment of the home fans finished one behind Stolz.

Perhaps more than any other player, Hie is looking forward to the tournament’s return given he plays much of his golf at Emeralda.

“I think it’s fun to play at home because there will be a lot of support and it helps me focus when people pay attention to what I do,” said Hie.

“I have played well in the last couple of years in Indonesia almost winning twice and I hope to contend again at the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia PGA Championship this year. I'll be preparing really hard for this event and hope to do well again.”

The event is promoted by World Sport Group (WSG) who will draw on their vast experience in sponsorship, media and event management to ensure an outstanding event is staged. WSG also are the Official Media and Marketing Partner for OneAsia and the Official Commercial Partner for the ASEAN PGA Tour.

4th Revo Coca-Cola Golf Carnival At Ria Bintan

The weekend of 20 and 21 April 2013, Ria Bintan Golf Club will have its 4th REVO Coca-Cola Golf Carnival.

The tournament will be played on the Ocean Course using the System 36 Modified - Stroke Play format.

Golfilicious Night

Experience Ria Bintan by night as you take on fun-filled challenges to tickle your golfing bone, win great prizes, have your fill of sumptuous food and well-loved Coca-Cola, accompanied by models strutting in fashionable clad Revo Golf apparels.

Hole-In-One

Rp 50,000,000.00 & many attractive prizes to be won.

Entry Fee (per golfer)

$339 (twin-share)
$399 (single room)

Entry fee includes:

• Return ferry ticket
• Dinner reception & night carnival on 20th April
• 1 Night stay at the Ria Golf Lodge or Nirwana Resort Hotel including breakfast
• 1 Round of tournament golf on 21st April
• Prize presentation luncheon
• Goodie bag

Registration

Contact Ria Bintan's Jakarta Sales Office at:
Tel. +62 21 571 1137 or email jso@riabintan.co.id
or download the entry form at www.riabintan.com

Early Exit For Rory Hie At Zaykabar Myanmar Open

Rangon, Myanmar, February 22 - Thai rising star Kiradech Aphibarnrat did not play his best golf but it was enough for a second round five-under-par 67 to take the early lead at the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Alpine on Friday.

Kiradech, who was the co-overnight leader, struggled with his putting but scrambled to a 13-under-par 131 total at the US$300,000 event which is the curtain raiser for the 10th Asian Tour season celebrations.

Thai-based Korean Baek Seuk-hyun (68) was a further four shots back courtesy of two late birdies which was matched by Darren Beck (69) of Australia. They share second place on 135 at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club.

Frenchman Lionel Webber, who is playing in his first event as a professional, registered a 69 to trail Kiradech by five shots heading into the final two days. There was heartbreak for title holder Kieran Pratt of Australia when he was disqualified for arriving late at the tee box.

Kiradech, who lost-in a playoff to Pratt last year, put himself in position of winning his second Asian Tour with six birdies against one bogey but he is not thinking of a victory yet.

“I’ve had a lot of experience in the last few years of being in contention and winning. Right now, I’m not thinking about winning yet because it isn’t the last day yet. I have two more rounds and I want to do my best and give myself a chance,” said the 23-year-old.

Having shot a 64 in the opening round, the burly Thai hopes to rediscover his putting touch during the weekend rounds. “Whatever happens, I want to do my best. I feel my putting stroke isn’t as smooth as it was yesterday but I won’t do much change, just tweak a bit of my back swing.”

Baek, 22, took advantage of the ideal scoring conditions and birdied three out of the four par fives to charge into contention for a first Asian Tour win.

“I found all the fairways on the par fives and took advantage of that. I made easy birdies especially on the 14th hole when I missed a five feet eagle chance. You need good tee shots and putting here because the greens are very tricky,” said Baek.

Australia’s Beck, who has won once on the Asian Tour, is preparing for a tough weekend as he expects Kiradech to go even lower.

“I’m in a good position but the guys are playing well out there and Kiradech (Aphibarnrat) likes this course. I played steady and had a couple of bogeys which didn’t faze me. I had two birdies on the last which was nice to get to nine-under,” said the towering Beck.

For Indonesian Rory Hie it's an early exit as he was not able to improve enough to make the cut. His second round score of 2-under 70 took him to a 2-round total of 143, 2 shots over the cut at 3-under 141. So this week he's not able to repeat the miracle come back like he did last week at the Singha Esan Open.

Scores after round 2 of the ZAYKABAR MYANMAR OPEN (Par 72):

131 - Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 64 67

133 - Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA) 67 66, Thanyakon KHRONGPHA (THA) 66 67

134 - HUNG Chien-yao (TPE) 67 67, Marcus BOTH (AUS) 68 66, Joonas GRANBERG (FIN) 65 69

135 - BAEK Seuk-hyun (KOR) 67 68, Darren BECK (AUS) 66 69, Arnond VONGVANIJ (THA) 68 67

Selected

143 - Rory HIE (INA) 73 70

Another Slow Start For Rory Hie At Zaykabar Myanmar Open

Yangon, Myanmar, February 21 - Kiradech Aphibarnrat fueled his hopes of erasing last year’s play-off defeat at the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Alpine when he tied for the opening round lead with Chapchai Nirat on eight-under-par 64 on Thursday.

The Thais produced a classy performance at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club as they lead by one-shot over countryman Prom Meesawat, who is searching for a long-awaited second Asian Tour victory and Joonas Granberg of Finland.

Thanyakon Khrongpha cemented the Thai presence by sharing fifth place with Australia’s Darren Beck and Koreans’ Hwang In-choon and Young Nam and at the US$300,000 event which is the curtain raiser for the 10th Asian Tour season.

Reigning Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, who had the honour to hit the first drive to commemorate the occasion, settled for 71 together with title holder Kieran Pratt of Australia.

The big-hitting Kiradech was six-under through eight holes but his confidence took a dent when he missed a 10-foot birdie putt on the 10th hole. He gradually recovered and took advantage of the par fives where he birdied 14 and 18.

“I missed a big putt on the 10th hole. I had a 10 feet uphill straight putt but I pulled it. After that I lost some confidence with the putter. I was lucky get to get two birdies in the next par fives,” said the 23-year-old, who is hunting for a second Asian Tour victory.

Last year’s play-off defeat was agonising for Kiradech but the man nicknamed ‘Asia’s John Daly’ for his rip-it and grip-it style of play, believes he has grown into a better player.

“I always try to get better and better. I lost in a play-off last year and I even lost in the pro-am on countback this week (to Pratt)! But my game is better than last year. This year I’m hitting it better,” smiled Kiradech.

The tenacious Chapchai was even-par after five holes but recovered with eight birdies in his last 13 holes to share the lead. He holds the world 72-hole scoring record with a stunning 32-under-par 256 winning total in India in 2009 but has yet to win since then.

“My putting was very good. Last year I struggled with my putter. Usually when you start the first tournament, you feel a bit uneasy but it was different today. Putting is very important for me. If I can putt well, I will feel confident,” said Chapchai, who welcomed his new born son ‘Jedi’ to his family last year.

Granberg, who is among three Finnish players this week, shot his best round since winning his first Asian Tour title in 2011 and will take pride in his return to form after a dismal 2012 season.

“This is a very low score already and I just wanted to play and relax. There was nothing special in my round. I hit it very good off the tees and found about 13 fairways. It was solid golf. I struggled last year. I had some personal problems and was dealing with that. I’m feeling better now,” said Granberg, who carded five birdies and one eagle.

Playing on minimal Asian Tour events in the last three years, Nam rediscovered his love for golf at the right time and was tied for the lead before dropping shots in his last two holes.

“Golf wasn’t really on my mind in the last three years or so. I’m here to enjoy the game now. I’m not getting any younger. There’s pressure out there but less pressure. Playing with a free mind has made golf a little bit easier for me,” said the 39-year-old.

Rory Hie from Indonesia had once again a slow start to the week. His round of one-over-par 73 puts him in a share of 103rd place, but if he can repeat a feat like he did last week at the Singha Esan Open there is still plenty of opportunity to make the cut.

Scores after round 1 of the ZAYKABAR MYANMAR OPEN (Par 72):

64 - Chapchai NIRAT (THA), Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA)

65 - Joonas GRANBERG (FIN), Prom MEESAWAT (THA)

66 - Thanyakon KHRONGPHA (THA), HWANG In-choon (KOR), Young NAM (KOR), Darren BECK (AUS)

67 - Mardan MAMAT (SIN), CHOO Tze Huang (SIN), Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA), Antonio LASCUNA (PHI), HUNG Chien-yao (TPE), CHAN Shih-chang (TPE), Sam BRAZEL (AUS), Carlos PIGEM (ESP), HU Mu (CHN), Rikard KARLBERG (SWE), BAEK Seuk-hyun (KOR), Gunn CHAROENKUL (THA), Lionel WEBER (FRA)

Selected:

73 - Rory HIE (INA)

Walikota Pasuruan Cup VIII

Sunday 24 March 2013 the Walikota Pausuran Cup VIII Golf Tournament will be held on Finna Golf & Country Club Resort, with as theme "Heritage of The Ancient City".

2x Shotgun

Tee Off Time 1: 06.00 WIB
Tee Off TIme 2: 12.00 WIB

Prizes

Hole In One · Harley Davidson Sportster · Toyota Altis · Toyota Camry · Toyota Fortuner
Grand Prize 2 unit Motorcycle
Lucky Draw · BlackBerry · iPad · Golf Apparel

Registration Fee

Member: Rp 1,000,000.-
Senior/Ladies/Junior: Rp 1,200,000.-
Guest: Rp 1,500,000.-

RSVP: (0343) 634 888

Prayad Wins, Rory Hie Breaks Top 25 At Singha Esan Open

Khon Kaen, Thailand, February 17 - Veteran Thai Prayad Marksaeng drew on his long years of experience as a professional to seal victory in the US$100,000 Singha Esan Open at the fifth playoff hole on Sunday.

The 47 year old saw off challenges from countrymen Thanyakon Khrongpha, a two-time winner on the ASEAN PGA Tour, and Sattaya Supupramai and Thailand-based Korean Baek Seuk-hyun after the quartet finished regulation play tied on 14-under 274 at Singha Park Golf Club.

Prayad, co-overnight leader with Antonio Lascuna of the Philippines, endured a difficult day but his even-par 72 proved good enough to get him into sudden death after Sattaya blew his chances of outright victory by bogeying the final two holes. Lascuna slumped to a 74 and finished joint sixth.

Prayad birdied the fifth hole of the playoff - the par-five 578-yard 18th - to edge Thanyakon after Sattaya and Baek were eliminated at the first and third playoff holes respectively.

“I am exhausted but happy,” said Prayad, who has won six events on the Asian Tour and three in Japan.

“My chipping was bad all day and I suffered a bit of bad luck - I hit it into the water at the sixth when a swarm of insects distracted me.

“Even though Sattaya was two ahead going into the closing stretch, I never lost hope.”

Prayad, who beat fellow veteran Boonchu Raungkit in a playoff to win the 2007 Singha Esan Open, added that he should have won at the first hole of sudden death.

“I missed a four-foot putt at the first playoff hole,” said Prayad, after picking up the winner’s cheque for US$14,570. “It was a straight putt but the face opened at impact.

“At the end of the day I think my experience told.”

Thanyakon, who closed the gap on Prayad with a closing round of 69 including a birdie at the 18th, said that he had learned a lot from playing with the seasoned campaigner.

“I am not that disappointed - I gained a lot of experience playing with Prayad which will help me in the future,” he said.

There was gripping drama at the 18th hole in regulation with Sattaya, Prayad and Baek all missing opportunities to win outright.

Sattaya, who dropped a shot at the 17th after hitting his tee shot through the green to see his advantage reduced to a single shot, found a watery grave with his approach to the 18th and bogeyed for a round of 69.

“There was mud on the ball (on the last hole),” said the 29 year old. “I aimed left but it was not enough. I am disappointed although I don’t want to think too many negative thoughts as there is a lot of golf to play this year.”

His bogey left Prayad needing a birdie to win in 72 holes but he hit his approach putt off the green and his return effort from 20 feet shaved the hole.

Earlier, Baek, who had three birdies on the trot from the 15th, missed a five-foot birdie putt at the last that would have taken him to 15 under. He closed with a 67.

The expected shoot-out between golden oldies Prayad and Lascuna failed to materialise with the Filipino making a nightmare start with bogeys at the opening two holes.

Prayad opened up a three-stroke advantage over Lascuna after just two holes when he birdied the second and his rival dropped shots at the first and second.

He extended his lead with a birdie at the fifth hole but gave the stroke back with a bogey at the next.

At the turn, Prayad was two strokes ahead of Sattaya who had back-to-back birdies at the sixth and seventh holes to go out in 34.

Sattaya, a journeyman pro who won back his Asian Tour card at qualifying school last month, birdied the 11th to draw level with his countryman and found himself in a share of the lead when Prayad dropped a stroke at the 233-yard par-three 13th.

Back-to-back birdies at the 14th and 15th saw Sattaya, playing in the group ahead of Prayad, take a two-shot lead over his more experienced countryman to set up a dramatic final few holes.

A final round of 71 meant that Indonesia's top player Rory Hie finished in the top 25, a remarkable turnaround after being in 97th place after the first round. His total of 284 put him in a 4-way tie for 23rd, earning him THB 31,725 (about USD 1,050).

The next event on the ASEAN PGA Tour will be the Singha Pattaya Open at Burapha Golf Club from April 18-21. It will be co-sanctioned by the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Leading scores after the final round of the Singha Esan Open on Sunday (Thai unless stated)

274 - Prayad Marksaeng 66-70-66-72 (won at fifth play-off hole), Baek Seuk-hyun (KOR) 68-73-66-67, Sattaya Supupramai 69-66-70-69, Thanyakon Khrongpha 71-65-69-69

275 - Wisut Artjanawat 72-69-68-66

276 - Thammanoon Sriroj 66-72-71-67, Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 66-66-70-74

277 - Charles Hong (PHI) 70-70-69-68, Mars Pucay (PHI) 65-70-71-71

278 -Pawin Ingkhapradit 68-70-71-69, Kittiroj Chantharothai 65-72-71-70, Panuphol Pittayarat 66-72-69-71, Pipatpong Naewsuk 71-69-66-72

Selected

284 - Rory Hie (INA) 75-68-70-71

Rory Hie Moving Further Ahead At Singha Esan Open

Khon Kaen, Thailand, February 16 - Golden oldies Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand and Filipino Antonio Lascuna set up a final-day shootout in the US$100,000 Singha Esan Open after contrasting rounds on Saturday.

Prayad, a six-time winner on the Asian Tour who celebrated his 47th birthday last month, rode a hot putter to a 66 to join 42-year-old Lascuna, who had a day to forget on the greens en route to a 70, in the lead on 14-under-par 202.

The duo are three strokes ahead of Sattaya Supupramai (70) and Thanyakon Khrongpha (69) in the season-opening event on the ASEAN PGA Tour at Singha Park Golf Club.

Prayad closed the gap on Lascuna, who held a three-shot overnight advantage over the field, thanks to six birdies including one at the last which saw him grab a share of the lead.

“The key to this course is on the greens. I am using a new ball this week - it gives me more distance - and it has taken a few days to get used to putting with it,” said Prayad, who won the Singha Esan Open in 2007.

“My putting was better today - I had a good feeling.”

The local hope believes that putting will be crucial to the outcome of what looks like a matchplay showdown between the two experienced campaigners.

“I think whoever putts better tomorrow will win. Antonio is a good putter, I know that. But I have played the course many times and can benefit from that knowledge,” he said.

“Although I am 47 I practiced very hard for this season and am still hungry for more victories. It would be good to win the Singha Esan Open again.”

Lascuna, bidding for back-to-back wins on the ASEAN PGA Tour after his triumph in the 2012/13 season-ending Sabah Masters last month, suffered from a lack of feeling on the greens in a round where he mixed four birdies with two bogeys.

“After the fifth hole I knew that I had no feeling with the putter and set myself the target of shooting two or three under,” said Lascuna, who says he is playing the best golf of his career after giving up alcohol. “I am happy with that (two under 70).

“I had a couple of silly bogeys at the eighth and 12th holes after a mishit and then a wrong yardage.”

Lascuna added that he was relishing the shootout with Prayad.

“He is a good player and very consistent,” he said. “It will be good playing with him in the final round.”

Thailand’s Pipatpong Naewsuk, finding his feet again in professional golf after completing two years Army service, caught the eye in the third round by soaring up the leaderboard to joint fifth place with a bogey-free 66.

“I got used to the speed of the greens over the first few days and putted really well today,” said the 22-year-old Pipatpong, who won individual and team gold medals at the South-East Asian Games in 2007. “This is one of my best rounds as a professional.”

Indonesian Rory Hie had another solid round, adding 70 to his prior two rounds for a total of 213. Three birdies and a single bogey saw him climb 13 places to a share of 33rd, still 5 shots back from a top ten position and eleven shots back from the lead.

Fourteen-year-old Kanphanitnan Muangkhumsakul, who turned professional last month, won the ladies division by three strokes with a three-round total of seven-under 209 (71-71-67). She picked up a cheque for 32,000 baht (approximately US$1,070).

Leading scores after the third round of the Singha Esan Open on Saturday (Thai unless stated)

202 - Prayad Marksaeng 66-70-66, Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 66-66-70

205 - Sattaya Supupramai 69-66-70, Thanyakon Khrongpha 71-65-69

206 - Pipatpong Naewsuk 71-69-66, Mars Pucay (PHI) 65-70-71

207 - Baek Seuk-hyun (KOR) 68-73-66, Panuphol Pittayarat 66-72-69, Carl Santos-Ocampo (PHI) 65-71-71

208 - Kittiroj Chantharothai 65-72-71, Sam Cyr (US) 68-68-72

Selected

213 - Rory Hie (INA) 75-68-70

Reversal Of Fortune For Rory Hie At Singha Esan Open

Khon Kaen, Thailand, February 15 - Antonio Lascuna of the Philippines set himself up for back-to-back wins on the ASEAN PGA Tour on Friday when he took a three-stroke halfway lead following a second successive 66 at the Singha Esan Open.

Lascuna ended a long wait for his first Tour win with victory at the 2012/13 season-ending Sabah Masters last month and has continued his rich vein of form at the testing Singha Park Golf Club.

He leads countryman Mars Pucay, the joint overnight leader who added a 70 to his opening 65, and the Thai duo of Sattaya Supupramai and amateur Chirat Jirasuwan in with matching 66s.

Overnight co-leaders Clyde Mondilla and Carl Santos-Ocampo of the Philippines both shot 71 to lie four shots off the pace with Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng, a six-time winner on the Asian Tour and Singha Esan Open champion in 2007 who carded a 70, countryman Thanyakon Khrongpha, 65, and American Sam Cyr, 68.

"I am playing some of the best golf of my career at the moment," said the popular 42-year-old Lascuna, who had a string of top 10 finishes - including two runner up placings - before breaking through at the Sabah Masters with a playoff victory over fellow veteran Mardan Mamat of Singapore.

"Winning in Sabah gave me a great feeling as I had never won before on the ASEAN PGA Tour - always second place.

"I will try my best over the next two days to win another trophy."

Lascuna finished 12th on the Asian Tour moneylist last season and credits his good form over the past two years to a healthier lifestyle.

"I stopped drinking (alcohol) two years ago and my body is feeling better," he said. "Nowadays my focus is on practice, some gym work and running. It is working - I won three times on the domestic tour in the Philippines last year and topped the Order of Merit."

He played near flawless golf in the second round, hitting 16 greens in regulation, missing just one fairway and requiring only 25 putts en route to his 66.

The highlight of his round was an eagle two at the par-four second hole (his 11th) where he holed a wedge from 85 yards.

"It span back into the hole - that was great," said Lascuna, who also carded five birdies and one bogey for a total of 12-under 132. "Everything is going right with my game."

Countryman Pucay rued some poor approach play as he mixed five birdies with three bogeys.

"I missed five greens which put my putting under pressure - that was the difference from the first day," he said. "But I am still in striking distance with two rounds to play."

Chirat, a 21-year-old university student, shot seven birdies in 15 holes before blighting his card with a bogey.

"That's one of my best rounds in a professional tournament," he said of his 66. "My putting was very good which pleased me.

"I had a plan not to hit the ball past the flag and it worked."

Indonesia's number one player Rory Hie made a much needed comeback writing a 68 on his card for a two day total of 143. Six birdies and 2 bogeys was enough for him to continue play during the weekend.

Meanwhile Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, who won the title in 2010, ballooned to a six-over 78 after his opening 71 and missed the cut which came at even par.

Former Thai tennis star Paradorn Srichaphan, looking to forge a new career in golf, finished on 18-over 162 after his second successive 81.

Leading scores after the second round of the Singha Esan Open on Friday (Thai unless stated):

132 - Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 66-66

135 - Chirat Jirasuwan (amateur) 69-66, Mars Pucay (PHI) 65-70, Sattaya Supupramai 69-66

136 - Carl Santos-Ocampo (PHI) 65-71, Clyde Mondilla (PHI) 65-71, Thanyakon Khrongpha 71-65, Sam Cyr (US) 68-68. Prayad Marksaeng 66-70

137 - Sutijet Kooratanapisan 67-70, Atthaphon Sriboonkaew 70-67, Kittiroj Chantharothai 65-72

Selected

143 - Choo Tze Huang (SIN) 72-71, Rory Hie (INA) 75-68

149 - Thaworn Wiratchant 71-78

Poor Start For Rory Hie At Singha Esan Open

Khon Kaen, Thailand, February 14 - Two-time ASEAN PGA Tour champion Mars Pucay of the Philippines sizzled to a seven-under-par 65 to lead the season-opening Singha Esan Open with three rookies, including two of his countrymen, after a low-scoring first round on Thursday.

Pucay, twice a winner during the Tour’s inaugural season in 2007, was joined at the top of a crowded leaderboard by teenage compatriot Clyde Mondilla, a former Philippine Amateur Open champion, American-educated Carl Santos-Ocampo and the unheralded Kittiroj Chantharothai of Thailand.

Kittiroj, out in the morning session, birdied the final hole to head celebrated Thais Prayad Marksaeng and Thammanoon Sriroj by a shot. In the afternoon, the duo were joined by Filipino Antonio Lascuna, who won the 2012/2013 season-ending Sabah Masters last month, and Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat, in with matching 66s.

Asian number one Thaworn Wiratchant, a previous winner of the Singha Esan Open who has received an invitation to play the Masters in April, carded a 71 to lie six strokes off the pace at the tough 7,390-yard Singha Park Golf Club.

Pucay, who finished outside of the top-60 on the Asian Tour last season, was delighted at rekindling his love affair with the game on St Valentine’s Day.

“It is a great score for me,” said the 42-year old after his bogey-free 65. “It has been a long time since I shot that low, especially on a long course like this - I am very happy.

“Everything just clicked today - I only missed one green. I needed a low score like that to boost my confidence.”

Mondilla, his country’s amateur champion in 2010, was quick out of the blocks with an eagle at his second hole of the day - the par-five 11th - where he chipped in from just off the green.

“I am really happy with my score - it is my best round as a professional,” said Mondilla, 19, who joined the play-for-pay ranks last February. “I drove the ball straight - I just missed one fairway - and my putting was good.”

Santos-Ocampo, who played college golf for the University of Notre Dame in the United States, kick started his flawless round with four birdies in a row from the 13th (his fourth hole of the day).

“I holed a couple of long putts today but overall it was my ball striking that made the round,” he said. “I hit 14 greens (in regulation) and fired a lot of my approach shots close.”

Earlier, Kittiroj birdied the final hole to edge clear of veterans Prayad, a six-time winner on the Asian Tour and Singha Esan Open champion in 2007, and Thammanoon, who has five international titles to his name.

“I hit the ball very well today - I was relaxed and had a very good feeling,” said Kittiroj, who showed glimpses of his promise at Asian Tour qualifying school in January before fading in the final stage.

“It is the first time I have led an event in Thailand at any point - I finished 48th here last year (after a third round 79) and I did not really do much different today. Everything just clicked, I played well.”

Indonesian hopeful Rory Hie has a tall mountain to climb after a disappointing first round. Despite 4 birdies he finished at 3-over 75, what puts him in a share for 97th. He therefore will need a strong round tomorrow to avoid going home early.

Former Thai tennis star Paradorn Srichaphan, looking to forge a new career in golf, shot a nine over 81 after a disastrous back nine 44. He had a quadruple bogey eight at the first hole (his 10th of the day) and finished with a triple bogey seven.

Leading scores after the first round of the Singha Esan Open on Thursday (Thai unless stated):

65 - Kittiroj Chantharothai, Clyde Mondilla (PHI), Mars Pucay (PHI), Carl Santos-Ocampo (PHI)

66 - Prayad Marksaeng, Thammanoon Sriroj, Antonio Lascuna (PHI), Panuphol Pittayarat

67 - Sutijet Kooratanapisan

68 - Sam Cyr (US), Itthipat Buranatanyarat (amateur), Pawin Ingkhapradit, Punuwat Muenlek, Baek Seuk-hyun (KOR), Chawalit Plaphol

Selected

71- Thaworn Wiratchant

72 – Choo Tze Huang (SIN)

75 - Rory Hie (INA)

Dynasty Living Tournament At Cengkareng Golf Club

In conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations, Cengkareng Golf Club will hold their 1st Monthly Medal tournament of 2013, with the theme "DYNASTY LIVING".

The tournament will be held on Sunday, 17th of February 2013 with shotgun start at 12.30PM.

Entrance fees:
Member : Rp.580.000
Guest : Rp.1,480.000
(Include : golf fee, goodie bags, lunch, dinner, free flow drinks)

Live Music Performance · Chinese Culinary · HIO prizes by Honda Sunter · Exciting Lucky Draws and Grand prizes...

Call Now And Be Part Of The Dynasty..
RSVP: Ressy Firdaus (021) 5591 1111

Cengkareng Golf Club
Soewarna Business Park Block G Lot 1-2
Soekarno - Hatta International Airport Jakarta

Rory Hie Looking For Another Podium At Singha Esan Open

Khon Kaen, Thailand, February 13 - Some of the most outstanding prospects in the region will pit their skills against Asian number one Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand at the Singha Esan Open, the season-opening event on the ASEAN PGA Tour, this week.

Indonesia’s Rory Hie, third last year, Annop Tangkamolprasert of Thailand, winner of the Gowa Classic at Padivalley Golf Club in Indonesia last November, and fast-rising Singaporean Choo Tze Huang are amongst the young guns looking to shoot down former champion Thaworn, the Masters-bound 46-year-old who lifted four international titles in a quite extraordinary 2012.

Filipino Antonio Lascuna, victorious in the season-ending Sabah Masters last month, decorated Thai Prayad Marksaeng, like Thaworn a past winner of the Singha Esan Open, and countryman Wisut Artjanawat, the 2011 ASEAN PGA Tour number one, are also in the strong field at Singha Park Golf Club from February 14-17.

Former Thai tennis star Paradorn Srichaphan will bring a touch of celebrity to the US$100,000 tournament as he attempts to gain traction on the fairways.

"After retiring from tennis, I think I can be competitive in another sport and I have chosen golf," said the 33-year-old former world number nine before his tournament debut last month.

Paradorn, who is from Khon Kaen, has accepted an invitation to compete as an amateur in the Singha Esan Open which is joint sanctioned by the ASEAN PGA Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Gunn Charoenkul won the title last year by beating highly rated Malaysian Nicholas Fung in a playoff and victory opened new doors for the talented 21-year-old Thai.

He grabbed the opportunities with both hands and has playing privileges on both OneAsia and the Asian Tour this year.

“Winning the Singha Esan Open was a big thing for me,” said Gunn, who is pursuing a university education in tandem with playing tournament golf. “I got into events I would not have got into otherwise.”

He gained his OneAsia card by finishing second on the ASEAN PGA Tour Order of Merit and winnings of US$60,600 for joint 24th spot in the US$6 million Barclays Singapore Open - a tournament he qualified for due to his ASEAN ranking - saw him climb comfortably into the top-60 on the Asian Tour.

Gunn has reluctantly pulled out of his title defence due to exam commitments at Bangkok University where he is studying for a business degree.

The ASEAN PGA Tour will stage a record 12 tournaments worth more than US$1 million in 2013 with the added incentive of OneAsia cards going to the top five finishers on the Order of Merit.

Five Indonesian Juniors Qualify For Faldo Series Asia Grand Final

Tangerang Selatan, 8 February 2013 - After a two days qualification tournament in the Faldo Series Asia 2012/2013 at Damai Indah Golf, BSD course, five Indonesian junior golfers were selected to represent Indonesia in the Grand Final to be held at Mission Hills Golf Club, Shenzhen, China on March 13 to 15.

Overall winner Jordan Surya Irawan on the podium

The five junior golfers consists of 3 boys and 2 girls. They are Fahmi Reza (Men's U-21), Jordan Surya Irawan (Men's U-18), Kevin C. Akbar (Men's U-16), Ika Woro Palupi (Ladies U-21), and Victoria Chandra (Ladies U-16). The five will compete with junior golfers representatives from 15 other countries in the Faldo Series Asia Final.

Faldo Series Indonesia Championship Organizing Committee member Rudy Hartono expects the golfers representing Indonesia will be able to win in this tournament. He added that never before an Indonesian junior golfer succeeded in winning a world-class tournament.

"Actually, there was last year's Bobby, who was selected to go to the final. But as the final was coinciding with the National Sports Week, he preferred to strengthen the squad Jakarta PON team instead," said the Indonesian badminton legend.

Rudy explained that actually Indonesian golfers have a chance to penetrate the world rankings, especially for women golfers. That's because currently the women world golf rankings are dominated by Asian golfers, that Indonesian women golfers the opportunity to get through the world rankings and even a world champion is wide open.

"For men it is also possible, but the chances are not as big as for women, but we hope world-class golfers to emerge from Indonesia in the near future," said Rudy.

LEADING FINAL SCORES

Boys U-21:
142 – Fahmi Reza 69-73
145 – Christopher Johan 73-72

Boys U-18:
136 – Jordan Surya Irawan 66-70
157 – Putu Andrew Mulyadi 81-76

Boys U-16:
145 – Kevin C. Akbar 74-71
148 – Peter Gunawan 76-72

Girls U-21: 145 – Ika Woro Palupi 71-74
151 – Gianti Mahardika 76-75

Girls U-16:
152 – Victoria Chandra 74-78
153 – Ida Ayu Indira Melati P 77-76

Rory Hie Finishes Outside Of Top Ten In PGM CCM Rahman Putra Masters

Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia, February 2 - James Byrne of Scotland sensationally won his first Asian Development Tour title at the PGM CCM Rahman Putra Masters with a sizzling five-under-par 67 on Saturday.

The 2011 Walker Cup star took advantage of a hot start where he was five-under through seven holes to finish the day two shots ahead of playing partner Quincy Quek of Singapore, who posted a 70 at the RM200,000 (approximately US$65,000) Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.

Lam Chih Bing of Singapore and co-overnight leader Malcolm Kokocinski of Sweden settled for tied third following a 68 and 72 respectively at the event which is the first ADT tournament to receive Official World Golf Ranking points this season.

Rory Hie from Indonesia dropped out of the top ten after another even par round to finish in a tie for twelfth with Malaysian Nicholas Fung. Meanwhile George Gandranata had an off day and slid down the leaderboard to a share of 50th place with six bogeys in his final round.

Following a successful Asian Tour Qualifying School campaign last week, Byrne took advantage of his fine form as he overcame a two-shot deficit with a hot putter and acute iron play to win his second professional title.

“I’m feeling good. I’ve been playing well in the last couple of weeks. I carried on the confidence from the Asian Tour Qualifying School even though I had a bad last day. I tried to take the positives from it and was able to take some confidence into this week,” said Byrne, who totalled 11-under-par 277 and won US$11,375.

“I remember last year Mardan (Mamat) won the first ADT event and he won pretty soon after that on the Asian Tour. I’m not putting any pressure to win again but every time you win, it is a good feeling because you can take confidence from that,” smiled the 24-year-old.

After his hot start, Byrne dropped two shots on the eighth hole but he steadied ship with a 20-foot birdie putt on nine before adding three further birdies against two bogeys.

“I knew I could contend at this level and if I played well I would be up there. I got off to a really good start. I was five-under after seven holes. From that point I was already in a good position and knew I could play it a little bit safer coming in. I did double bogey the eighth hole but I came back with three other birdies. I didn’t let the double bogey get to me and I stayed positive,” said Byrne.

The 25-year-old Quek rued the missed opportunity of winning his second ADT title but was delighted with his runner-up finish in his first tournament of the year.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better start to the year after coming off cold from not playing for a month. James (Byrne) played great. He was pretty much in the lead after nine holes. He was burning the course,” said Quek.

“I was feeling a bit down until the 14th hole because nothing was happening. I was hitting it good and giving myself realistic chances but not making the birdies. Then I hit it close to 14 and had a birdie there. Saved par on 16th and birdied again on 17 from close range. It is nice to finish off that way after a day that was kind of mundane,” he added.

Nachimuthu, the 2011 PGM Tour number one, finished as the best placed Malaysian. He was two-under at the turn but returned two shots on his homeward nine as his putter turned cold.

“My putting was horrible but my hitting was okay. Overall my putter let me down I feel that I’ve been doing okay. I could have done slightly better but overall I’m still happy,” said Nachimuthu.

Leading fourth round scores (Par 72):

277 - James BYRNE (SCO) 71-71-68-67

279 - Quincy QUEK (SIN) 71-68-70-70

280 - LAM Chih Bing (SIN) 69-70-73-68, Malcolm KOKOCINSKI (SWE) 71-68-69-72

281 - Grant JACKSON (ENG) 69-72-73-67, R. Nachimuthu (MAS) 67-70-72-72, Zaw MOE (MYN) 72-69-67-73

282 - Edward REYES (PHI) 69-74-69-70, Mitsuhiko HASHIZUME (JPN) 69-67-72-74

283 - S. Murthy (MAS) 68-74-72-69, Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 67-74-71-71

284 - Nicholas FUNG (MAS) 73-70-70-71, Rory HIE (INA) 71-69-72-72

Selected:

295 - George GANDRANATA (INA) 71-74-72-78

Junior Golf Community of Surabaya Tournament

Sunday 24 February 2013 Series 2 of the JPM 3 Tournament Series of the Junior Golf Community of Surabaya (JGCS) will be held at at Bukit Darmo Golf in Surabaya, East Java.

The tournament is open to all juniors under the age of 18 years old.

Age Divisions For Boys & Girls

A: 15-17 years

Boys black tee / Girls white tee

B: 13-14 years

Boys blue tee / Girls white tee

C: 11-12 years

Boys white tee / Girls red tee

D: 9-10 years

Boys and Girls red tee

Beginner Divsions:

(Forward tee and may ride golf cart)

9-10 years

8 years & under

Tournament details

Tee Off

12.00 noon. Format is 18 holes individual stroke play.

Entry Fee

Rp. 410.000/18 Holes (inclusive caddy fee and dinner, exclude caddy tips)

Awards

Award certificates will be presented to top 3 in each age division (boys and girls combined)

Registration

Registration by email to igcs27@yahoo.com or sms to 0812 303 4630.

Payment

Transfer to Winarto Wijono JGCS, BNI KCP Tg Perak account no. 871 234 5870 or Winarto Wijono, BCA account. no. 256 998 7789.

Deadline

Closing date for registration and payment is Thursday 21 February 2013.


For further information contact Indarso Tjandra at 0878 545 88899 or Winarto Wijono at 0812 303 4630 and visit www.facebook.com/JGCSurabaya.

Rory HIe Still Placed For Top Ten Finish At PGM CCM Rahman Putra Masters

Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia, February 1 - Malcolm Kokocinski of Sweden signaled his arrival to Asia by shooting a three-under-par 69 to share the third round lead with Zaw Moe of Myanmar and Japanese Mitsuhiko Hashizume at the PGM CCM Rahman Putra Masters on Friday.

The Swedish newcomer produced a flawless round to tie with veteran Moe and co-overnight leader Hashizume, who both shot a 67 and 72 respectively in the RM200,000 (approximately US$65,000) Asian Development Tour event.

The trio, leading on eight-under-par 208, were a shot ahead of Singapore’s highly rated Quincy Quek (70) and local hope R. Nachimuthu (72), the 2011 PGM Tour number one, in the first ADT event to be afforded with Official World Golf Ranking points this season.

After missing the grade at the Asian Tour Qualifying School last week, Kokocinski is determined to make amends as he aims for his first professional win after joining the play-for-pay ranks four months ago.

“This is my first time playing in Asia and I’m really enjoying it. I’ve been putting pretty good and that was my main focus. I kept calm and didn’t make any bogeys. It was a good round,” said the Swede.

The 21-year-old might be a newcomer in Asia but he swiftly acclimatized with the humidity and was rewarded with three birdies on holes five, 10 and 11 at the Rahman Putra Golf Club.

“I think Asia is a nice place to play in. The people are nice the weather is really good because it is freezing back home now! The ADT has world ranking points and that’s an extra benefit for players who do well,” said Kokocinski.

Myanmar’s Moe got off to a flying start, shooting four-under at the turn and added two more birdies against one bogey in his homeward nine to charge up the leaderboard.

The 45-year-old, who is playing on a sponsor’s invitation, made a slight change in his swing during the Asian Tour’s off season and the tinkering paid dividends.

“I hit it quite close and made some putts. I made some changes to my swing with my coach and it looks good on videos but I’m not that comfortable on the course yet. Hopefully I can keep the momentum going and stay at the top,” said Moe.

Joint overnight leader Iain Steel of Malaysia slipped back to tied sixth place after posting a 74.

Indonesian hopefuls Rory Hie and George Gandranata both had an even par round of 72. Rory is now in tie for ninth just four shots from the lead, while George gained a few spots and is now a further 5 shots back in a share of 31th place.

Leading third round scores (Par 72):

208 - Zaw MOE (MYN) 72-69-67, Malcolm KOKOCINSKI (SWE) 71-68-69, Mitsuhiko HASHIZUME (JPN) 69-67-72

209 - Quincy QUEK (SIN) 71-68-70, R. Nachimuthu (MAS) 67-70-72

210 - James BYRNE (SCO) 71-71-68, Iain STEEL (MAS) 68-68-74

211 - Nick REDFERN (ENG) 68-74-69

212 - Edward REYES (PHI) 69-74-69, Masaru TAKAHASHI (JPN) 73-68-71, Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 67-74-71, Rory HIE (INA) 71-69-72, Carl SANTOS-OCAMPO (PHI) 74-66-72, LAM Chih Bing (SIN) 69-70-73

Selected:

217 - George GANDRANATA (INA) 71-74-72