More Stars To Shine At Indonesian Masters 2014

Jakarta, 25 February 2014 - Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand and 2010 British Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa have confirmed their participation at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters which tees off at Royale Jakarta Golf Club from April 24-27 2014.

Oosthuizen and Kiradech are the latest in a strong line-up of big hitters that includes defending champion Bernd Wiesberger of Austria, and Asian golfing legend Thongchai Jaidee, who will battle it out at the US$750,000 Asian Tour event.

“We are very pleased to hear that Louis Oosthuizen and Kiradech Aphibarnrat have signed up to play in the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters 2014. It is indeed fantastic to have such high caliber of professional golfers from both the European Tour and Asian Tour choosing our event to be part of their schedule. I am sure the golfing fans of Indonesia will be very excited with this news and we look forward to welcoming everyone to Royale Jakarta in April,” said Wan Razly Abdullah, Strategy & Finance Director of PT Bank CIMB Niaga Tbk (CIMB Niaga).

LTR: Irfan Hamid (Asian Tour), Helena Abidin (BMW Indonesia), Wan Razly Abdullah (CIMB Niaga), Ali Mundakir (Pertamina) and George Chandra (Royale Jakarta Golf Club) with the Indonesian Master trophy center stage.

Asian Tour Chairman Kyi Hla Han said: “We are delighted that our 2013 Order of Merit winner Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Major Winner, Louis Oosthuizen have confirmed their participation for the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters.

The CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters has featured prominently on our Asian Tour Schedule since 2011 where it has attracted many leading stars including Lee Westwood and Ernie Els. The event has grown into one of the most popular and exciting events on our Schedule and this is possible only through the unwavering support of CIMB Niaga.”

“CIMB Niaga’s sponsorship goes a long way in promoting international sports tournament to be hosted in Indonesia and this event will also benefit the Indonesian golfers as it gives them the opportunity to play against the best players from the Asian Tour and also the world. We want to bring the international class sports event to Indonesia while at the same time promoting Indonesia to the world. As this event is televised to 650 million viewers household,” added Han.

Asian Tour number one, Kiradech, is one of the most exciting young players to emerge from Thailand. He won the Malaysian Open in March last year to seal his second Asian Tour victory and showcased his immense talent when he eclipsed some of the PGA Tour biggest stars at the CIMB Classic by finishing third.

Oosthuizen secured his place in the history books with a magnificent victory in the 139th Open Championship at St Andrews. His seven stroke win placed him alongside South African legends Bobby Locke, Gary Player and Ernie Els as Open Champions.

Louis nearly added another Major trophy in 2012 but lost to Bubba Watson in a play-off for the Masters Tournament, having produced a magical albatross in the final round at Augusta National - the first on the 575-yard par five second hole - with a 253-yard four iron.

The venue for the event is in top shape, according to George Chandra, COO of Royal Jakarta Golf Club, adding that the torrential rains flooding Jakarta in the last couple of weeks didn't render the course unavailable for a single day. The added drainage over the last few years made sure that the course is playable within 15-30 minutes after the rain stops, ensuring minimum delays in case the weather is unfavorable during the event.

The announcement comes as long term sponsors Pertamina, Official Automobile Partner, BMW Indonesia and national airline Garuda Indonesia continue their commitment to the event, while Oakley signs on as a new partner, signifying the growing strength of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters.

Other tournament sponsors include Telkomsel, Noble Group, OB Golf & Lifestyle Magazine, Salonpas, Linc Group, Rolex, JS Luwansa, SvinGolf and San Miguel.

The CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters has cemented its place as the nation’s most prestigious event and continues to grow since its inauguration in 2011 with long-term event partners.

The Youth Development initiatives of the tournament include three golf clinics conducted at Royale Jakarta Golf Club for 20 Juniors selected by the Indonesian Golf Association (Persatuan Golf Indonesia) and CIMB Foundation (CIMB Niaga's Junior Development Program for Golf). Each program is conducted monthly beginning in January 2014 and includes a one and a half hour clinic followed by a nine-hole playing lesson. The top five most attentive juniors from each session will win a chance to have an exclusive behind the scenes access to the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters 2014 as well as an opportunity to meet the Star Players of the US$750,000 Asian Tour event.

The CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters Amateur League qualifies one Indonesian amateur for the tournament proper. Indonesian amateurs can participate in this league by entering the newly established Indonesia PGA Champions Tour, which sees 14 tournaments conducted this year.

30 amateurs have the opportunity to play together with Indonesian golf professionals in three-day tournaments conducted across Jakarta and other selected cities in Indonesia. The highest ranked amateur following their participation in the series between January and April 2014 (five events total) wins the opportunity to play against the best of the Asian Tour and PGA Indonesia in the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters 2014.

More information about the youth development program and amateur league is available on www.indonesianmasters.co.id

The CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters also focuses on giving back to the community through its charity initiatives together with Habitat for Humanity Indonesia. To date, the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters has managed to build 31 homes for families in need and together with National Energy Company, Pertamina, built a clean water solution for over 10,000 people in the Cilamaya area.

The CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters will have widespread exposure via a strong local media platform and the Asian Tour’s global television platform, which reaches out to over 200 countries and 650 million households on the Live, Highlights, Asian Tour Golf Show and Golfing World.

Denny Wijaya Wins Indonesian Golf Challenge In Play Off Against Andik Mauludin

Bogor, February 20th - Denny A. Wijaya won the Indonesian Golf Challenge in a Play Off against Andik Mauludin. Both had total scores of 215 (-1) and on the first play off hole Denny A. Wijaya sunk his putt from the fringe to make birdie while Andik missed his chance early on to make birdie.

“On the first and second day, I played safe to survive the cut but today I tried to push my game. When I made bogey on 17th and 18th hole, the first thing I remembered was to call my family and let them know the possibility of a playoff,” said Denny.

Denny dedicated his win to his wife and 2 children, especially his wife who just celebrated her birthday on February 18th. For him, this win is sentimental and will be a memorable one.

Andik had to accept his loss when Denny sunk his putt from six meters. “I targeted to win the game this week. This is golf, everything can happen on the course. When I birdied the 15th, Denny scored bogey on the 17th that made us tied to two-under-par. I made bogey on the 17th and so did Denny on the 18th. Sinking the four meter putt 18th boosted my confidence,” said Andik smiling.

“I finished second at the previous tournament and lost in a playoff in this tournament. Next tournament, I have to win” added Andik.

(L-R) Jo Seik (Male Lowest Amateur), Denny A Wijaya (Champion), Gianti Mahardika (Female Lowest Amateur) pose with their trophy in the Indonesian Golf Challenge at Palm Hill Golf Club on February 20th, 2014.

In the amateur section, Jo Seik came in as the Male Lowest Amateur with a total of 217 (one-over-par), while Gianti Mahardika won the Female Lowest Amateur with a total of 229 thirteen-over-par.

The Indonesian Golf Challenge proved to be an event that not only pushed the professional golf players to do their best but also to gave an opportunity for amateur golfers to compete in a professional golf tournament and earn more experience.

Thank you to Palm Hill Golf Club who fully supported the event with their wonderful course and great services.

The Indonesian Golf Challenge was the second in a series of fourteen events, which are being conducted this year in Indonesia to establish a platform for Indonesian golf professionals and amateurs to play together in a three-day tournament and improve their level of golf on a regular basis.

All fourteen events lead into a Grand Finale in December which offers a prize purse of Rp. 500,000,000 to the top thirty Indonesian Professionals playing in a 4-day tournament called “The Race to the Indonesian Championship” at Jakarta Golf Club. This tournament does not involve a cut and all thirty professionals will win a percentage of the prize money with the top three positions earning a country exemption card on the Asian Development Tour.

Junaidi And Andik Share Lead At Indonesian Golf Challenge

Bogor, 19 February - Junaidi Ibrahim and Andik Mauludin are both leading Indonesian Golf Challenge at Palm Hills Golf Club after the second round with a total score of three under par.

Both will be paired with Jo Seik who is the best performing male amateur who finished today with a fantastic score of 69. The leading group will tee of from tee box 1 at 8:20am for the final round.

The cut today was at +11 with two female amateurs in close battle for the best female amateur position. Gianti Mahardika at +7 has a one stroke advantage over Rivani Adelia Sihotang.

Spectators are welcome to come watch the exciting Indonesia Golf Challenge final round at Palm Hills Golf Club located in Sentul.

This is the second in a series of fourteen events being conducted in Indonesia where eighty Indonesian golf professionals and thirty male and twenty female amateurs are playing together in each tournament, which offers a Rp. 200,000,000 prize purse for the top Indonesian golf professionals.

Two Time Major Winner John Daly To Play 2014 Indonesia PGA Championship

JAKARTA, Feb 19 - Two-time Major winner John Daly will be one of the star attractions at next month’s Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia PGA Championship, which has also been boosted by the participation of the Indonesia Port Corporation as a presenting sponsor for the first time.

Adding to the spectacle is the fact that the U.S. $1 million tournament — to be played from March 27 to 30 at Damai Indah Golf, Bumi Serpong Damai — will again be jointly sanctioned by OneAsia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation, and is the opening tournament of the 2014 season for both.

A stellar field is expected for the now officially titled "Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia PGA Championship, presented by Indonesia Port Corporation", with defending champion Choi Ho-sung from Korea leading the charge.

Australian Andre Stolz beat Indonesian number one Rory Hie by a shot to win the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2011.

American Daly, nicknamed “Wild Thing”, is sure to be a huge draw on his debut and likely to thrill the crowds with his trademark big hitting.

The 47-year-old’s two greatest accomplishments are his “zero to hero” victory in the 1991 PGA Championship, and his playoff victory over Italian Costantino Rocca in the 1995 Open Championship.

According to official performance statistics kept since 1980, Daly in 1997 became the first U.S. PGA Tour player to average more than 300 yards (270 metres) per drive over a full season — a feat he repeated every year between 1999 and 2008. It was only matched by a second player in 2003.

Enjoy Jakarta, the capital territory’s tourism portal, is an enthusiastic and generous supporter of golf in Indonesia and delighted to be continuing backing the country’s richest tournament.

“With comprehensive regional television coverage, a world class field and an outstanding venue, Enjoy Jakarta’s partnership with the Indonesia PGA Championship reaps huge reward,” said Joko Widodo, the Governor of Jakarta.

“Through this tournament we are able to showcase to the region the wonderful appeal that our nation’s capital boasts and its tremendous value as a golfing destination.”

The event marks the first time the Indonesia Port Corporation, the state body responsible for the governance, regulation, maintenance of maritime berths and harbours across the country, has sponsored a golf tournament.

“This tournament provides us with a great opportunity to promote our services throughout Asia,” said R.J. Lino, CEO of the IPC.

“One of our key corporate values is integrity, and this is certainly evident by our decision to sponsor the Indonesia PGA Championship -- an outstanding sporting event that our country can be proud of.”

Damai Indah Golf, the brainchild of Indonesian real estate developer and business baron Ciputra, consists of two international championship courses in completely different and challenging surroundings. Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) is located in the West Java satellite city of the same name, while and Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) rests along the Java Sea in North Jakarta.

Bumi Serpong Damai, affectionately known by locals as “BSD”, is situated alongside the impressive Cisadane River with the up-market housing estates of Serpong providing an impressive backdrop.

Tournament will be promoted by World Sport Group (WSG) for a third time, drawing on their vast experience in sponsorship, media and event management to ensure an outstanding event is staged.

WSG also promote the Emirates Australian Open, the Thailand Open and the Singapore Open.

Nirwana Bali Golf Club Welcomes New Director Of Golf

Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort has recently appointed Steven Morgan as their new Director of Golf. Steven oversees all golf operations at the award-winning Greg Norman designed Nirwana Bali Golf Club at the rejuvenated 103-hectare Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort and brings with him over 10 years of international golf hospitality experience at some of the world’s top golf resorts.

Steven began his career in 2003 as a Golf Retail Assistant at this year’s host venue of the Ryder Cup, the Gleneagles Hotel in central Scotland. Having enjoyed a successful junior golf career he decided to turn Professional in 2004 and carried out his apprenticeship at the world renowned Turnberry Resort, home to the iconic Ailsa Course, an Open Championship venue four times most recently in 2009. In 2007, Steven graduated from the PGA Diploma program, becoming a fully qualified Golf Professional and was recognized as one of the top 10 coaches in his year. After a successful career in Scotland, Steven gained international experience in South Africa where he took on the role of Senior Teaching Professional at Pearl Valley Golf & Country Estate implementing all golf academy coaching programs. Following his time in South Africa, 2009 saw Steven join the opening team at what would later be ranked the number one golf course in the Middle East, Yas Links Abu Dhabi. During his four year tenure at Yas Links, Steven was promoted from Head Golf Professional to Director of Golf where he oversaw all aspects of the golf operation.

Boasting an excellent track record of managing successful golf courses, Steven brings with international golf expertise with him to Nirwana Bali Golf Club and looks to takes the golf club to the next level. Steven Morgan, Director of Golf commented: "It is an absolute honor to take up this position here at Nirwana Bali Golf Club. The golf course is arguably one of the best in Asia with a great mix of dramatic ocean view holes coupled with a number of inspiring trips through the local rice paddies. The golf club itself is of the highest standards and with the magnificent Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort only a matter of minutes from the 1st tee this resort offers visitors to Bali the complete package.".

2014 ASEAN PGA Tour Schedule Will Feature 2 Indonesian Tournaments

February 5 - This season’s ASEAN PGA Tour will boast at least 11 tournaments offering nearly US$1 million in overall prize money thanks to one of its strongest schedules.

Commencing with the Singha Esan Open in March, one of four tournaments jointly sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour, the 2104 ASEAN PGA Tour will traverse the region with an emphasis on providing playing opportunities for up and coming players.

The Singha Pattaya Open, the Singha Hua Hin Open, and the Singha Chiang Mai Open, all part of the All Thailand Golf Tour, return to the schedule.

In addition three events will be jointly sanctioned with the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour in Melaka, Penang, and Negeri Sembilan.

The Laos Open, which was inaugurated in 2012, returns to the schedule as does the Palembang Musi Championship and Gowa Classic in Indonesia.

The season will come to a close in January of 2015 with the Sabah Masters, an event which over the past two years has cemented its place as the season-ending Tour Championship.

Indeed, the success of the Sabah Masters recently led its main sponsor the Sabah Tourism Board to announce its support for the event for another three years starting in 2015.

“This year marks the eighth season of the ASEAN PGA Tour and its success is because it continues to be enthusiastically embraced by players, sponsors and tours,” said AC Wong, Executive Chairman, ASEAN PGA.

It has been a prolific rise for the ASEAN PGA Tour which boasted five events when it was launched in 2007.

“The Tour is continually looking to expand in to new markets and is hopeful of announcing additional events in 2014, ” added Wong.

The 2013/2014 came to a close last month when Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat won the Sabah Masters at Sutera Harbour Golf and Country Club.

The tournament also saw his compatriot Kwanchai Tannin claim the Order of Merit title.

He topped the Merit list, and secured a OneAsia card, with earnings of US$35,630 – an ASEAN PGA Tour record.

World Sport Group are the Official Commercial Partner for the ASEAN PGA Tour and will continue to produce a one-hour highlight show for each event on FOX Sports.

2014 ASEAN PGA Tour Schedule

Singha Esan Open
March 27 to 30
Singha Park Golf Club, Khon Kaen, Thailand
US$ 100,000
Defending champion: Prayad Marksaeng (THA)


Singha Pattaya Open
Burapha Golf Club, Thailand
May 8 to 11
US$100,000
Defending champion: Kwanchai Tannin (THA)


PGM-ASEAN PGA A’Famosa Masters
A’Famosa Golf Resort, Melaka, Malaysia
May 28 to 31
US$60,000
Defending champion: Mardan Mamat (SIN)


Singha Hua Hin Open
Royal Hua Hin Golf Club, Thailand
July 17 to 20
US$65,000
Defending champion: Phachara Khongwatmai (amateur) (THA)


PGM-ASEAN PGA Penang Classic
Penang Golf Club, Malaysia
August 6 to 9
US$60,000
Defending champion: Shaaban Hussin (MAS)


Singha Chiang Mai Open
Mae Jo Golf Club and Resort, Thailand
August 21 to 24
US$65,000
Defending champion: Thammanoon Sriroj (THA)


PGM-ASEAN PGA Staffield Championship
Staffield Country Resort, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
October 15 to 18
US$60,000
Defending champion: Kwanchai Tannin (THA)


Sabah Masters
Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club, Malaysia
January (Specific Dates TBA)
US$75,000
Defending champion: Wisut Artjanawat (THA)


Palembang Musi Championship
Palembang Golf Club, Indonesia
Date TBA
US$150,000
Defending champion: Nicholas Fung (MAS)


Gowa Classic
Padivalley Golf Club, Indonesia
Date TBA
US$100,000
Defending champion: Annop Tangkamolprasert (THA)


Laos Open
Venue TBA
Date TBA
US$100,000
Defending champion: Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA)