The Asian PGA is hopeful two of Indonesia’s flagship events will make a return to its schedule after receiving a call from the country’s golfing authorities to help reform its domestic circuit.
Ramlan Haron, Executive Director of the Asian PGA, said that the PGA of Indonesia (PGAI) recently requested the Asian PGA draw up a new structure aimed at strengthening its local Tour.
The upshot of this plan could see the Indonesian PGA Championship and Indonesian Open, last staged in 1997, making a welcome return onto the Asian PGA Tour in the near future.
‘The PGAI currently have five events offering between US$10,000 to US$15,000 per tournament and they attract many players from the region. However, it wants to improve further and part of the plans include securing more events,
establishing a professionally-run administration and having more sponsors to assist in the development of its local circuit,’ said Haron.
The Asian PGA proposal has been sent to the PGAI and one of the main elements is the establishment of the Tour’s rules and regulations and formation of a Tour Policy Committee, which Haron said, would be the sole decision-making body.
Haron added that the country’s economic outlook has improved significantly and there were numerous opportunities to tap into corporate Indonesia.
Between 1996 and 1997, Indonesia hosted five tournaments on the Asian PGA Tour before the region was hit by the economic meltdown.
‘We are optimistic that the Indonesian PGA Championship and Indonesian Open can make a return. Corporate Indonesia is there for us to tap into their financial resources and we are planning to go there soon to establish new
opportunities.
‘It is very important for the Asian PGA to help develop our member countries; if it is asked of us to do so. It is imperative for the Indonesian Tour to be healthy so that it can produce quality players who can move on to the Asian PGA Tour,’ he said.
Under the proposal, the new-look Indonesian Tour would offer a minimum 10 events with prize money at US$25,000 each. The scheduling of events would be designed to fit in with other regional events and also the Asian PGA Tour.
Suggestions on how to market the circuit were also made by the Asian PGA.
Haron cited the Indian Tour as one of the best in the region. ‘The Indian Tour is a fine example where it hosts an average 20 tournaments a year. This has resulted in some very good players like Jyoti Randhawa and Arjun Atwal emerging from the sub continent and achieving success on the Asian PGA Tour and also on the world stage.’
There are an estimated 100 professionals in Indonesia, both in the teaching and playing categories. Haron said that there were also many aspiring young amateurs who are keen to take their game abroad but simply do not have the opportunity.
Under the Asian PGA proposal, the plan is to kick-start the new-look Indonesian circuit next April.
For more information contact:
Chuah Choo Chiang
Media Officer
Asian PGA Tour Limited
(A member of the World Sport Group)
417 Block A, Kelana Business Centre
97 Jalan SS7/2 Kelana Jaya
47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Malaysia
Tel: (603) 7492 0099
Fax: (603) 7492 0098