Abhijit Chadha of India birdied the final hole of the Faldo Course to win the fifth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China. Liu Yi-Chen of Chinese Taipei was crowned Faldo Series Asia girls’ champion to add to the Faldo Series Europe title she won last year.
19 year-old Chadha shot a final round 74 to finish on level par, one ahead of compatriot Ashbeer Saini from Punjab and 18 year-old Liu, who becomes the first female winner of the Faldo Series Europe and Asia ‘double’.
“This is my first international victory so I feel brilliant,” commented Chadha, who becomes the second champion from India after two-time winner Rashid Khan. “My knees were trembling on the 18th but I didn’t three-putt all week so that was the secret behind this amazing victory.”
The champion from Chandigarh continued: “I would like to thank Nick Faldo and all the sponsors for giving us this opportunity and I can’t wait to spend time with Sir Nick at the Europe Grand Final later in the year.”
“Congratulations to Abhijit on a wonderful win against a record field at a Faldo Series Asia Grand Final,” said Sir Nick Faldo. “Abhijit joins an impressive list of Faldo Series champions and I look forward to spending time with him and the other age-group winners during the 15th Faldo Series Europe Grand Final at the Lough Erne Resort in Northern Ireland on September 12-14.”
The six-time Major winner added: “I thank everyone involved in giving these players this experience. Our friends at Mission Hills, The R&A, ISPS and UFL, and all our other partners, bring valuable support and vision. It is their commitment that makes the Faldo Series possible and allows us to provide experience and opportunity to young people through golf.”
17 year-old Saini, who led by one going into a dramatic final hole that saw him produce a bogey against Chadha’s birdie, was still able to celebrate a place in the Faldo Series Europe Grand Final as winner of the Boys’ Under-16 category. England’s Jack Colegate, 17, booked a return trip to Lough Erne by winning the Boys’ Under-18 category, the same title he won in the 2010 Europe Grand Final to earn his place at Mission Hills. Defending champion Masamichi Ito, 15, from Japan could only manage a 74 in the final round to finish four behind Chadha in fifth place.
In the girls’ category, Liu from Taoyuan will return to Lough Erne in Northern Ireland in September to try and make it three Faldo Series girls’ titles in a row. She will be joined by 16 year-old Wang Chi, also from Chinese Taipei, who won the Girls’ Under-16 category.
Best score for the Indonesian participants was 226 (77-71-78) by Fahmi Reza who finished 6th in the Boys' Under-21 category, with highest position going to Agnes Retno Soedjasmin who finished 4th in the Girls' Under-21 category with a score of 236 (77-79-80).
The other Indonesian players finished lower in the field with Ian Andrew at 9th in the Boys' Under-18 category with a score of 243 (83-79-81), Kevin Roesli at 22nd in the Boys' Under-16 category with a score of 255 (85-89-81), and Nadya Rosiana at 9th in the Girls' Under-16 category with a score of 243 (86-78-79).
79 golfers from 17 different countries took part in the 2011 Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills. The largest ever line-up included representatives from 14 Asian countries, including 21 golfers from mainland China, plus others from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and England.
Over 35 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in more than 25 countries worldwide with more than 5,000 golfers per year participating. Former winners include Rory McIlroy, Nick Dougherty, Marc Warren, John Parry, Melissa Reid, Florentyna Parker and Yani Tseng, all winners on Tour.
The Faldo Series Asia Grand Final was supported by major partners ISPS, Mission Hills and The R&A, together with official golf wear partner UFL and official equipment supplier TaylorMade. It was endorsed by the Asian Tour, the Asia Pacific Golf Federation (APGC) and the Guangdong Golf Association.
Leading final scores: Boys’ Under-21: 216 – Abhijit Chadha (IND) 73-69-74; 219 – Huang Tao (TPE) 76-71-72; 223 – Kenneth De Silva (MAL) 76-74-73. Boys’ Under-18: 222 – Jack Colegate (ENG) 70-77-75; 223 – Liu Lok Tin (HKG) 76-73-74; 225 – Jin Daxing (CHN) 69-75-81. Boys’ Under-16: 217 – Ashbeer Saini (IND) 72-71-74; 220 – Masamichi Ito (JPN) 73-73-74; 222 – Terrence Ng (HKG) 80-68-74. Girls’ Under-21: 217 – Liu Yi-Chen (TPE) 76-73-68; 226 – Saraporn Chamchoi (THA) 79-73-74; 232 – Mai Arai (JPN) 80-75-77. Girls’ Under-16: 224 – Wang Chi (TPE) 76-74-74; 230 – Kitty Tam (HKG) 77-74-79, Wu Sha (CHN) 73-76-81.
For final scores and results from the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final visit www.nickfaldo.com. You can also follow the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Fatmawati Kecil Rumored To Become A Football Ground
To make way for a newly proposed "metro" terminal, the Lebak Bulus football stadium is looking for a new home. The proposed and preferred spot is most likely going to be the land that is now occupied by Fatmawati Kecil, the 9-holes golf course that, since the 70-ties, has been the breeding ground for local and foreign golfers alike who wanted to hone their golfing skills.
Nine out of ten golfers that picked up the game while based in Jakarta will think back of their "Fatmawati Kecil" experience and surely have fond memories of the days when they were trying to make the big step from this 9-holes layout to the "real stuff" that courses in Indonesia are made of.
As it truly is a "hackers" heaven - where no one really cares about how bad or how slow you play - it is here where over the past three to four decades many golfers made the transition from driving range to fairways and greens.
Personally, I fondly think back to one particular day in the early 90-ties, when Chris Lupgens, one of our mad golfing buddies, expedited a ball in the direction of his caddie who, impatiently, had made his way onto the fairway. Once hit, like a sack of potatoes the man dropped to "mother earth" and when he came back to live, we lifted him over the fence of the adjacent Fatmawati hospital for a scan and to see if all of his brain was still intact.
Joyful about the good news that he suffered no severe injury, we jumped the fence back on to the course and continued play. Timidly the wounded caddie rejoined our group wearing a helmet for the remainder of the round.
If all goes the way it's planned, aspiring first-time golfers will have to look for a new place that welcomes warmly "golfers of a lesser God".
Nine out of ten golfers that picked up the game while based in Jakarta will think back of their "Fatmawati Kecil" experience and surely have fond memories of the days when they were trying to make the big step from this 9-holes layout to the "real stuff" that courses in Indonesia are made of.
As it truly is a "hackers" heaven - where no one really cares about how bad or how slow you play - it is here where over the past three to four decades many golfers made the transition from driving range to fairways and greens.
Personally, I fondly think back to one particular day in the early 90-ties, when Chris Lupgens, one of our mad golfing buddies, expedited a ball in the direction of his caddie who, impatiently, had made his way onto the fairway. Once hit, like a sack of potatoes the man dropped to "mother earth" and when he came back to live, we lifted him over the fence of the adjacent Fatmawati hospital for a scan and to see if all of his brain was still intact.
Joyful about the good news that he suffered no severe injury, we jumped the fence back on to the course and continued play. Timidly the wounded caddie rejoined our group wearing a helmet for the remainder of the round.
If all goes the way it's planned, aspiring first-time golfers will have to look for a new place that welcomes warmly "golfers of a lesser God".
Chadha Takes Charge At Faldo Series Asia Grand Final
India’s Abhijit Chadha will take a one shot lead into the final day of the fifth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final after firing a second round 69 on the Faldo Course at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China.
Chadha from Chandigarh is at two under par 142 and will be playing alongside compatriot Ashbeer Saini in the third and final round. The 17 year-old from Punjab is one shot behind after adding a second round 71 to his first round 72. Both players are hoping to become the second Faldo Series Asia champion from India after two-time winner Rashid Khan who won in 2008 and 2009 and turned professional in 2010.
19 year-old Chadha got off to the best possible start with three birdies and an eagle in his first seven holes on his way to a three under par 69. Meanwhile overnight leader Jin Daxing, 18, of China struggled to a 75 after his opening 69 but is only two shots off the lead on level par.
Defending champion Masamichi Ito of Japan lies in fourth place on two over par after a second 73. Four shots off the lead, the 15 year-old still has a chance to become the first ever player to win three consecutive Faldo Series titles having followed his win at Mission Hills last year with victory in the Faldo Series Europe Grand Final at the Lough Erne Resort in Northern Ireland in September.
Heading the challenge for the Faldo Series Asia girls’ title is China’s Wu Sha and Liu Yi-Chen of Chinese Taipei, both at five over par 149. Overnight girls’ leader Wu, 13, from Guangdong carded a second round 76 which allowed reigning Faldo Series Europe girls’ champion Liu, 18, to catch her up with a 73.
79 golfers from 17 different countries are at Mission Hills for the fifth edition of the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final. The largest ever line-up includes representatives from 14 Asian countries, including 21 golfers from mainland China, plus others from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and England.
Six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo launched the Faldo Series in 1996 to provide opportunities through golf and to help develop tomorrow’s champions. Over 35 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in more than 25 countries worldwide with more than 5,000 golfers per year participating. Former winners include Rory McIlroy, Nick Dougherty, Marc Warren, John Parry, Melissa Reid, Florentyna Parker and Yani Tseng, all winners on Tour.
The field for this R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event is divided into five age-groups and the player with the lowest gross score after three rounds of stroke-play, regardless of age or gender, will be crowned champion. The five age-group winners will be exempt for the 15th Faldo Series Europe Grand Final at Lough Erne in Northern Ireland on September 12-14 and the leading boy and girl 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, together with official golf wear partner UFL and official equipment supplier TaylorMade. It is endorsed by the Asian Tour, the Asia Pacific Golf Federation (APGC) and the Guangdong Golf Association.
Leading round two scores: Boys’ Under-21: 142 – Abhijit Chadha (IND) 73-69; 147 – Huang Tao (TPE) 76-71; 148 – Fahmi Reza (INA) 77-71. Boys’ Under-18: 144 – Jin Daxing (CHN) 69-75; 147 – Jack Colegate (ENG) 70-77; 149 – Liu Lok Tin (HKG) 76-73; and 162 (8th) - Ian Andrew (INA) 83-79. Boys’ Under-16: 143 – Ashbeer Saini (IND) 72-71; 146 – Masamichi Ito (JPN) 73-73; 148 – Terrence Ng (HKG) 80-68, Jian Chuanlin (CHN) 70-78; and 164 (23rd) - Kevin Roesli (INA) 85-89. Girls’ Under-21: 149 – Liu Yi-Chen (TPE) 76-73; 152 – Saraporn Chamchoi (THA) 79-73; Mai Arai (JPN) 80-75; and 156 (5th) - Agnes Retno Sudjasmin 77-79. Girls’ Under-16: 149 – Wu Sha (CHN) 73-76; 150 – Wang Chi (TPE) 76-74; 151 – Kitty Tam (HKG) 77-74; and 164 (7th) - Nadya Rosiana 86-78.
For tee times, live scores and results during the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final visit www.nickfaldo.com or follow the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries.
Chadha from Chandigarh is at two under par 142 and will be playing alongside compatriot Ashbeer Saini in the third and final round. The 17 year-old from Punjab is one shot behind after adding a second round 71 to his first round 72. Both players are hoping to become the second Faldo Series Asia champion from India after two-time winner Rashid Khan who won in 2008 and 2009 and turned professional in 2010.
19 year-old Chadha got off to the best possible start with three birdies and an eagle in his first seven holes on his way to a three under par 69. Meanwhile overnight leader Jin Daxing, 18, of China struggled to a 75 after his opening 69 but is only two shots off the lead on level par.
Defending champion Masamichi Ito of Japan lies in fourth place on two over par after a second 73. Four shots off the lead, the 15 year-old still has a chance to become the first ever player to win three consecutive Faldo Series titles having followed his win at Mission Hills last year with victory in the Faldo Series Europe Grand Final at the Lough Erne Resort in Northern Ireland in September.
Heading the challenge for the Faldo Series Asia girls’ title is China’s Wu Sha and Liu Yi-Chen of Chinese Taipei, both at five over par 149. Overnight girls’ leader Wu, 13, from Guangdong carded a second round 76 which allowed reigning Faldo Series Europe girls’ champion Liu, 18, to catch her up with a 73.
79 golfers from 17 different countries are at Mission Hills for the fifth edition of the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final. The largest ever line-up includes representatives from 14 Asian countries, including 21 golfers from mainland China, plus others from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and England.
Six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo launched the Faldo Series in 1996 to provide opportunities through golf and to help develop tomorrow’s champions. Over 35 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in more than 25 countries worldwide with more than 5,000 golfers per year participating. Former winners include Rory McIlroy, Nick Dougherty, Marc Warren, John Parry, Melissa Reid, Florentyna Parker and Yani Tseng, all winners on Tour.
The field for this R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event is divided into five age-groups and the player with the lowest gross score after three rounds of stroke-play, regardless of age or gender, will be crowned champion. The five age-group winners will be exempt for the 15th Faldo Series Europe Grand Final at Lough Erne in Northern Ireland on September 12-14 and the leading boy and girl 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, together with official golf wear partner UFL and official equipment supplier TaylorMade. It is endorsed by the Asian Tour, the Asia Pacific Golf Federation (APGC) and the Guangdong Golf Association.
Leading round two scores: Boys’ Under-21: 142 – Abhijit Chadha (IND) 73-69; 147 – Huang Tao (TPE) 76-71; 148 – Fahmi Reza (INA) 77-71. Boys’ Under-18: 144 – Jin Daxing (CHN) 69-75; 147 – Jack Colegate (ENG) 70-77; 149 – Liu Lok Tin (HKG) 76-73; and 162 (8th) - Ian Andrew (INA) 83-79. Boys’ Under-16: 143 – Ashbeer Saini (IND) 72-71; 146 – Masamichi Ito (JPN) 73-73; 148 – Terrence Ng (HKG) 80-68, Jian Chuanlin (CHN) 70-78; and 164 (23rd) - Kevin Roesli (INA) 85-89. Girls’ Under-21: 149 – Liu Yi-Chen (TPE) 76-73; 152 – Saraporn Chamchoi (THA) 79-73; Mai Arai (JPN) 80-75; and 156 (5th) - Agnes Retno Sudjasmin 77-79. Girls’ Under-16: 149 – Wu Sha (CHN) 73-76; 150 – Wang Chi (TPE) 76-74; 151 – Kitty Tam (HKG) 77-74; and 164 (7th) - Nadya Rosiana 86-78.
For tee times, live scores and results during the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final visit www.nickfaldo.com or follow the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
China Dominates Day One Of Faldo Series Asia Grand Final
Jin Daxing of China leads the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final after day one. A three-under-par 69 at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen puts the 18 year-old from Hainan at the top of a leaderboard which features three Chinese players in the top five.
Jin birdied the opening hole of the Faldo Course on his way to a first-round 69, one better than compatriot Jian Chuanlin, 16, from Guangdong and 17 year-old Jack Colegate of England. India’s Ashbeer Saini, 17, is two shots further back with a level-par 72.
China’s Wu Sha lies in a tie for fifth place on 73 and is the leading girl after a two-under-par back nine. The 13 year-old local from Guangdong finished on 73, three ahead of the reigning Faldo Series Europe girls’ champion Liu Yi-Chen, 18, and 16 year-old Wang Chi, both from Chinese Taipei.
The group of players on 73 also includes defending champion Masamichi Ito of Japan. The 15 year-old is bidding to become the first ever player to win three consecutive Faldo Series titles having followed his win at Mission Hills last year with victory in the Faldo Series Europe Grand Final at the Lough Erne Resort in Northern Ireland in September.
79 golfers from 17 different countries are at Mission Hills for the fifth edition of the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final. The largest ever line-up includes representatives from 14 Asian countries, including 21 golfers from mainland China, plus others from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and England.
Six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo launched the Faldo Series in 1996 to provide opportunities through golf and to help develop tomorrow’s champions. Over 35 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in more than 25 countries worldwide with more than 5,000 players per year participating. Former winners include Rory McIlroy, Nick Dougherty, Marc Warren, John Parry, Melissa Reid, Florentyna Parker and Yani Tseng, all winners on Tour.
The field for this R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event is divided into five age-groups and the player with the lowest gross score after three rounds of stroke-play, regardless of age or gender, will be crowned champion. The five age-group winners will be invited to the 15th Faldo Series Europe Grand Final at Lough Erne in Northern Ireland on September 12-14 and the leading boy and girl 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, together with official golf wear partner UFL and official equipment supplier TaylorMade. It is endorsed by the Asian Tour, the Asia Pacific Golf Federation (APGC) and the Guangdong Golf Association.
Leading round one scores: Boys’ Under-21: 73 – Abhijit Chadha (IND); 76 – Kenneth De Silva (MAL), Jerome Ng (SIN), Huang Tao (TPE); 77 - Fahmi Reza (INA). Boys’ Under-18: 69 – Jin Daxing (CHN); 70 – Jack Colegate (ENG); 74 – Mikumu Horikawa (JAP); and 83 (10th) - Ian Andrew (INA). Boys’ Under-16: 70 – Jian Chuanlin (CHN); 72 – Ashbeer Saini (IND); 73 – Masamichi Ito (JPN); and 85 (21th) - Kevin Roesli (INA). Girls’ Under-21: 76 – Liu Yi-Chen (TPE); 77 – Agnes Retno Sudjasmin (INA); 79 – Saraporn Chamchoi (THA). Girls’ Under-16: 73 – Wu Sha (CHN); 76 – Wang Chi (TPE); 77 – Kitty Tam (HKG), Zhang Weiwei (CHN); and 86 (15th) - Nadya Rosiana (INA).
For tee times, live scores and results during the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final visit www.nickfaldo.com or follow the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries.
Jin birdied the opening hole of the Faldo Course on his way to a first-round 69, one better than compatriot Jian Chuanlin, 16, from Guangdong and 17 year-old Jack Colegate of England. India’s Ashbeer Saini, 17, is two shots further back with a level-par 72.
China’s Wu Sha lies in a tie for fifth place on 73 and is the leading girl after a two-under-par back nine. The 13 year-old local from Guangdong finished on 73, three ahead of the reigning Faldo Series Europe girls’ champion Liu Yi-Chen, 18, and 16 year-old Wang Chi, both from Chinese Taipei.
The group of players on 73 also includes defending champion Masamichi Ito of Japan. The 15 year-old is bidding to become the first ever player to win three consecutive Faldo Series titles having followed his win at Mission Hills last year with victory in the Faldo Series Europe Grand Final at the Lough Erne Resort in Northern Ireland in September.
79 golfers from 17 different countries are at Mission Hills for the fifth edition of the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final. The largest ever line-up includes representatives from 14 Asian countries, including 21 golfers from mainland China, plus others from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and England.
Six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo launched the Faldo Series in 1996 to provide opportunities through golf and to help develop tomorrow’s champions. Over 35 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in more than 25 countries worldwide with more than 5,000 players per year participating. Former winners include Rory McIlroy, Nick Dougherty, Marc Warren, John Parry, Melissa Reid, Florentyna Parker and Yani Tseng, all winners on Tour.
The field for this R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event is divided into five age-groups and the player with the lowest gross score after three rounds of stroke-play, regardless of age or gender, will be crowned champion. The five age-group winners will be invited to the 15th Faldo Series Europe Grand Final at Lough Erne in Northern Ireland on September 12-14 and the leading boy and girl 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, together with official golf wear partner UFL and official equipment supplier TaylorMade. It is endorsed by the Asian Tour, the Asia Pacific Golf Federation (APGC) and the Guangdong Golf Association.
Leading round one scores: Boys’ Under-21: 73 – Abhijit Chadha (IND); 76 – Kenneth De Silva (MAL), Jerome Ng (SIN), Huang Tao (TPE); 77 - Fahmi Reza (INA). Boys’ Under-18: 69 – Jin Daxing (CHN); 70 – Jack Colegate (ENG); 74 – Mikumu Horikawa (JAP); and 83 (10th) - Ian Andrew (INA). Boys’ Under-16: 70 – Jian Chuanlin (CHN); 72 – Ashbeer Saini (IND); 73 – Masamichi Ito (JPN); and 85 (21th) - Kevin Roesli (INA). Girls’ Under-21: 76 – Liu Yi-Chen (TPE); 77 – Agnes Retno Sudjasmin (INA); 79 – Saraporn Chamchoi (THA). Girls’ Under-16: 73 – Wu Sha (CHN); 76 – Wang Chi (TPE); 77 – Kitty Tam (HKG), Zhang Weiwei (CHN); and 86 (15th) - Nadya Rosiana (INA).
For tee times, live scores and results during the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final visit www.nickfaldo.com or follow the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Westwood To Play In Indonesia As He Looks To Reclaim Top Slot
Lee Westwood has confirmed he will play in the Indonesian Masters in April.
The Worksop golf, who was knocked off the top of the World Rankings by the German Martin Kaymer, following the Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson, will play in the $750,000 tournament at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club from April 21 to 24.
The 37-year-old Ryder Cup star remains in America this week to play in the Honda Classic, as he attempts to regain his place at the top of the rankings.
In his role as an ambassador of the game, Westwood is aware of his responsibility when he accepted the Asian Tour's invitation to play in Jakarta.
"I am hoping I can help lift the profile of the game in Indonesia," he said. "It should be a pretty strong field and, with our guys doing so well in the World Rankings, it will add a lot of media interest to the event.
"They want to promote golf in the country and that's what we will be looking to help them with."
Four years ago, Westwood visited the country when he played in the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational, where he finished third.
"I'm excited about going back," he said. "I want to see how things have progressed since 2007.
"I keep hearing good things and I know the game has improved in the country.
"I've been coming to play in Asia for many years so I'm looking forward to getting back over there.
"Overall everything is better. We now have Asian players taking on and beating the best of the world.
"These players can win in any given week and with the people in Asia watching, they will want to do well in this competition.
"If you look at the World Rankings, they are making progress all the time and I would think, in time, they will have a golfer good enough to be the world No. 1. If it's not from this generation then, hopefully, some of these young kids watching these players will one day be good enough.
"That's what I will be trying to do, spread the word to these youngsters and get them involved in the game of golf."
Westwood played a lot of his early professional career representing the Malaysian Tourist Board and actually won the B&H Malaysian Open in 1997.
So, he knows what it takes to win in that intense heat.
He said: "I would love to win the tournament,
"That's my ambition every time I tee up, no matter where I'm playing in the world.
"But it's getting harder all the time. The Asian Tour and the Indonesian players are getting better and it will not be easy.
"It's never easy to go to play and win in different places so I have to be in top form.
"There will be a lot of pressure on me but I try not to put too many expectations on myself, and just try to play my best."
The Worksop golf, who was knocked off the top of the World Rankings by the German Martin Kaymer, following the Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson, will play in the $750,000 tournament at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club from April 21 to 24.
The 37-year-old Ryder Cup star remains in America this week to play in the Honda Classic, as he attempts to regain his place at the top of the rankings.
In his role as an ambassador of the game, Westwood is aware of his responsibility when he accepted the Asian Tour's invitation to play in Jakarta.
"I am hoping I can help lift the profile of the game in Indonesia," he said. "It should be a pretty strong field and, with our guys doing so well in the World Rankings, it will add a lot of media interest to the event.
"They want to promote golf in the country and that's what we will be looking to help them with."
Four years ago, Westwood visited the country when he played in the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational, where he finished third.
"I'm excited about going back," he said. "I want to see how things have progressed since 2007.
"I keep hearing good things and I know the game has improved in the country.
"I've been coming to play in Asia for many years so I'm looking forward to getting back over there.
"Overall everything is better. We now have Asian players taking on and beating the best of the world.
"These players can win in any given week and with the people in Asia watching, they will want to do well in this competition.
"If you look at the World Rankings, they are making progress all the time and I would think, in time, they will have a golfer good enough to be the world No. 1. If it's not from this generation then, hopefully, some of these young kids watching these players will one day be good enough.
"That's what I will be trying to do, spread the word to these youngsters and get them involved in the game of golf."
Westwood played a lot of his early professional career representing the Malaysian Tourist Board and actually won the B&H Malaysian Open in 1997.
So, he knows what it takes to win in that intense heat.
He said: "I would love to win the tournament,
"That's my ambition every time I tee up, no matter where I'm playing in the world.
"But it's getting harder all the time. The Asian Tour and the Indonesian players are getting better and it will not be easy.
"It's never easy to go to play and win in different places so I have to be in top form.
"There will be a lot of pressure on me but I try not to put too many expectations on myself, and just try to play my best."
Record Asian Field Arrives In China For Faldo final
79 golfers from 17 different countries have arrived at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China for the fifth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final which gets underway on the Faldo Course tomorrow (March 2-4).
The largest ever line-up at a Faldo Series Asia Grand Final includes representatives from 14 Asian countries, including 21 golfers from mainland China, plus others from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and England. Indonesia will be represented by Nadya Rosiana (Bandung, Girls U16), Kevin Roesli (Jakarta, Boys U16), Ian Andrew (Denpasar, Boys U18), Fahmi Reza (Jakarta, Boys U21), and Agnes Sudjasmin (Jakarta, Girls U21).
With live scores available at www.nickfaldo.com throughout the 54-hole R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event, defending champion Masamichi Ito of Japan will be one of the players to follow. The 15 year-old is bidding to become the first ever player to win three consecutive Faldo Series titles and only the second since India’s Rashid Khan to win the Asian title twice.
Ito followed his win at Mission Hills last year with victory in the Europe Grand Final at the Lough Erne Resort in Northern Ireland in September, another Faldo Design course, becoming the first Asian winner of the European title and superseding European Tour star Nick Dougherty as the youngest.
Six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo launched the Faldo Series in 1996 to provide opportunities through golf and to help develop tomorrow’s champions. Over 35 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in more than 25 countries worldwide with more than 5,000 golfers per year participating. Former winners include Rory McIlroy, Nick Dougherty, Marc Warren, John Parry, Melissa Reid, Florentyna Parker and Yani Tseng, all winners on Tour.
The field at Mission Hills will be divided into five age-groups (Boys’ Under-21, Boys’ Under-18, Boys’ Under-16, Girls’ Under-21 and Girls’ Under-16) and the player with the lowest gross score after three rounds of stroke-play, regardless of age or gender, will be crowned champion. The five age-group winners will be exempt for the 15th Faldo Series Europe Grand Final at Lough Erne on September 12-14 and the leading boy and girl 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, together with official golf wear partner UFL and official equipment supplier TaylorMade. It is endorsed by the Asian Tour, the Asia Pacific Golf Federation (APGC) and the Guangdong Golf Association.
For tee times, live scores and results during the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final visit www.nickfaldo.com or follow the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries.
The largest ever line-up at a Faldo Series Asia Grand Final includes representatives from 14 Asian countries, including 21 golfers from mainland China, plus others from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and England. Indonesia will be represented by Nadya Rosiana (Bandung, Girls U16), Kevin Roesli (Jakarta, Boys U16), Ian Andrew (Denpasar, Boys U18), Fahmi Reza (Jakarta, Boys U21), and Agnes Sudjasmin (Jakarta, Girls U21).
With live scores available at www.nickfaldo.com throughout the 54-hole R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event, defending champion Masamichi Ito of Japan will be one of the players to follow. The 15 year-old is bidding to become the first ever player to win three consecutive Faldo Series titles and only the second since India’s Rashid Khan to win the Asian title twice.
Ito followed his win at Mission Hills last year with victory in the Europe Grand Final at the Lough Erne Resort in Northern Ireland in September, another Faldo Design course, becoming the first Asian winner of the European title and superseding European Tour star Nick Dougherty as the youngest.
Six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo launched the Faldo Series in 1996 to provide opportunities through golf and to help develop tomorrow’s champions. Over 35 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in more than 25 countries worldwide with more than 5,000 golfers per year participating. Former winners include Rory McIlroy, Nick Dougherty, Marc Warren, John Parry, Melissa Reid, Florentyna Parker and Yani Tseng, all winners on Tour.
The field at Mission Hills will be divided into five age-groups (Boys’ Under-21, Boys’ Under-18, Boys’ Under-16, Girls’ Under-21 and Girls’ Under-16) and the player with the lowest gross score after three rounds of stroke-play, regardless of age or gender, will be crowned champion. The five age-group winners will be exempt for the 15th Faldo Series Europe Grand Final at Lough Erne on September 12-14 and the leading boy and girl 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, together with official golf wear partner UFL and official equipment supplier TaylorMade. It is endorsed by the Asian Tour, the Asia Pacific Golf Federation (APGC) and the Guangdong Golf Association.
For tee times, live scores and results during the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final visit www.nickfaldo.com or follow the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries.
Playing Under Harsh Conditions - Kids & Golf
This past weekend forty two junior golfers took their A game to Balibeach Golf Course to compete in the PGI Bali Junior Golf Tournament Series 2
Dark clouds awaited the Junior Players on Sunday morning as they arrived at 6am at Balibeach Golf Course Sanur. It looked like the rain may disappear by the time the juniors were ready to tee off at 7am, but not long after the shotgun start the heavens opened up and 42 junior players whose ages ranged from 17 – 8 years old took their umbrellas out and soldiered on under difficult conditions.
This series introduced for the first time the 3 hole challenge which was open to boys and girls across a range of age groups who have been having lessons at various courses and driving ranges such as: Balibeach Golf Course Sanur, Ancora Golf Institute at Bali Golf and Country Club Nusa Dua and New Kuta Golf Pecatu, for children who had never played 9 holes of golf. There were 12 juniors who teed off in this open division showing tremendous effort while facing a few challenges with the wet weather that would have sent the average Sunday golfer running for cover.
Heavy rain soon interrupted play with Tournament Director Eddy Panca suspending play for about 1 hour. The 42 juniors taking cover at the club house were soaking wet but their spirits were not dampened! They waited it out until Panca announced play would resume at 9.30am.
Balibeach Golf Course presents a great golfing challenge and is more about being accurate with your shots and on a day punctuated with heavy rain and winds, we still had some great scores returned.
The juniors from all Divisions displayed great stamina as play continued in water soaked fairways and heavy bunkers.
Trophies were sponsored by Raffles Golf Club based out of New Kuta Golf Course and were presented to all winners by Chairman Mark Watson at a presentation lunch which also included a fun quiz with lots of fun giveaways.
Bali Junior Golf Community wishes to thank PGI Bali, Balibeach Golf Course and in particular General Manager Made Suartana and his team. A big thank you for moral support from Raja Balasingham General Manager, Golf Pro / Coach Sean Williams from New Kuta Golf Pecatu. Coach Rob Turvey from Ancora Golf Institute at Bali Golf and Country Club Nusa Dua.
We would also like to thank those assisting with the event, as well as all of the players and coaches who competed in good competition and spirit.
The tournament committee are now planning Series 3 which will be held at Bali Handara Golf Course in early April.
Click here to see the winners and their scores.
Bali Junior Golf Community
www.balijuniorgolf.com
info@balijuniorgolf.com
Dark clouds awaited the Junior Players on Sunday morning as they arrived at 6am at Balibeach Golf Course Sanur. It looked like the rain may disappear by the time the juniors were ready to tee off at 7am, but not long after the shotgun start the heavens opened up and 42 junior players whose ages ranged from 17 – 8 years old took their umbrellas out and soldiered on under difficult conditions.
This series introduced for the first time the 3 hole challenge which was open to boys and girls across a range of age groups who have been having lessons at various courses and driving ranges such as: Balibeach Golf Course Sanur, Ancora Golf Institute at Bali Golf and Country Club Nusa Dua and New Kuta Golf Pecatu, for children who had never played 9 holes of golf. There were 12 juniors who teed off in this open division showing tremendous effort while facing a few challenges with the wet weather that would have sent the average Sunday golfer running for cover.
Heavy rain soon interrupted play with Tournament Director Eddy Panca suspending play for about 1 hour. The 42 juniors taking cover at the club house were soaking wet but their spirits were not dampened! They waited it out until Panca announced play would resume at 9.30am.
Balibeach Golf Course presents a great golfing challenge and is more about being accurate with your shots and on a day punctuated with heavy rain and winds, we still had some great scores returned.
The juniors from all Divisions displayed great stamina as play continued in water soaked fairways and heavy bunkers.
Trophies were sponsored by Raffles Golf Club based out of New Kuta Golf Course and were presented to all winners by Chairman Mark Watson at a presentation lunch which also included a fun quiz with lots of fun giveaways.
Bali Junior Golf Community wishes to thank PGI Bali, Balibeach Golf Course and in particular General Manager Made Suartana and his team. A big thank you for moral support from Raja Balasingham General Manager, Golf Pro / Coach Sean Williams from New Kuta Golf Pecatu. Coach Rob Turvey from Ancora Golf Institute at Bali Golf and Country Club Nusa Dua.
We would also like to thank those assisting with the event, as well as all of the players and coaches who competed in good competition and spirit.
The tournament committee are now planning Series 3 which will be held at Bali Handara Golf Course in early April.
Click here to see the winners and their scores.
Bali Junior Golf Community
www.balijuniorgolf.com
info@balijuniorgolf.com
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