Jakarta, June 27 - The Indonesia Open will offer a prize fund of US$750,000 when the Asian Tour event is staged at the Pantai Indah Kapuk course from November 28 to December 1, officials announced today.
Indonesia’s national championship, which is returning onto the Asian Tour’s Schedule after a lapse of three years, is poised to play a major role in determining the winner of the prestigious Asian Tour Order of Merit as the Open will be held towards the tail-end of the 2013 season.
The challenging Pantai Indah Kapuk course, designed by the world renowned Robert Trent Jones Jr, has successfully hosted Asian Tour tournaments in the past and earlier this month staged the World Junior Golf Championship.
The Persatuan Golf Indonesia (PGI), Asian Tour and IMPL signed a three-year agreement last December to hold the Indonesia Open from 2013 onwards where the main objectives are to elevate the stature of the Indonesia Open, assist in the development of junior golf and promote Indonesia golf in view of the sport making a return to the Olympics in 2016.
Officials believe the Indonesia Open will also help ensure the country becomes the focal point of world golf as the championship will be beamed live to over 180 countries and 650 million homes around the world on the Asian Tour’s television platform.
The top stars of the Asian Tour, whose membership includes players from over 30 different nationalities, will head full speed to the Indonesia Open, which will receive Official World Golf Ranking points.
The Persatuan Golf Indonesia (PGI) Chairman Arifin Panigoro said: “We are very excited that the 2013 Indonesia Open is shaping up into one of the best ever championships. We are confident our partnership with the Asian Tour and IMPL will provide the impetus to grow the Indonesia Open into one of the leading tournaments in Asia.
“I am hopeful the Indonesian players will benefit immensely by competing against the stars from the Asian Tour. It is our aim to unearth many more Indonesian winners in the near future as we want to establish champions in the mould of Kasiadi who remains as the only Indonesian to win our National Open in 1989.
“We are also delighted to announce the Pantai Indah Kapuk course will host this year’s Indonesia Open with a prize fund of US$750,000. The PGI is excited about the long-term future of our Open as we will also celebrate the 40th edition in 2014 which will be a significant milestone for the PGI.”
Asian Tour CEO Mike Kerr said: “We are confident the 2013 Indonesia Open will be a great success. Pantai Indah Kapuk course is a wonderful venue which has successfully hosted Asian Tour tournaments in the past and our players will enjoy returning to the golf course.
“This championship has a colorful history where great players have won the title. It is also our intention to work closely with the PGI to develop golf in this country in view of golf becoming an Olympic sport again in 2016.
“As a full member of the International Federation of PGA Tours, all Asian Tour tournaments receive Official World Golf Ranking points which will be used to determine the 60-man field at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and also the World Cup of Golf.
“This will boost the stature and importance of the Indonesia Open and provide the springboard for Indonesian players to play more regularly on the Asian Tour.”
Grant Slack, Senior Vice President, IMPL Golf said: “Through the close collaboration with all parties, the Indonesia Open will be one of the main highlights of the Asian Tour’s calendar in 2013.
“IMPL will work very closely with the PGI and Asian Tour to ensure the success and growth of the Indonesia Open which will receive widespread and high-quality live television coverage across the globe.
“Indonesia is a wonderful country and a growing golfing destination with so much to offer visitors and golfers of all abilities including the professionals. We believe this tournament will promote Indonesia as a wonderful destination.”
Established in 1974, the Indonesia Open’s roll of honor include prominent names such as the late American Payne Stewart, Frank Nobilo of New Zealand, Filipino legend Frankie Minoza, Australia’s Craig Parry, Chinese Taipei’s Lu Chien-soon, Myanmar’s Mya Aye and Thai duo Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant, who are both Asian Tour Order of Merit champions.
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