2016 Indonesia Open Set to Start on Thursday
Jakarta. After last year's absence, the 2016 Indonesia Open golf tournament is set to kick off on Thursday (17/11) with the support of state-owned Bank Rakyat Indonesia and Tokyo-based payment service company JCB.
"We have supported the Indonesia Open three times but the tournament wasn't held in 2015 due to bad weather," BRI director Sis Apik Wijayanto told reporters in South Jakarta on Tuesday (15/11).
The Indonesia Open is sanctioned by the Asian Tour, a regional body for professional golf, and recognized by the International Federation of PGA Tours.
The four-day tournament, which will take place at Pondok Indah Golf Course in South Jakarta, will see both local and some of Asia's best golfers competing for $300,000 in prize money.
"We believe golf can also promote the tourism industry in Indonesia and we expect golfers who have played here to spread the word about Indonesia to their counterparts abroad," Sis said.
Indonesian golfer Danny Masrin explained that the sport has become more popular in the country after several recent local tournaments. He finished in 15th place in the 2014 Indonesia Open.
"Golf has been developing steadily in Indonesia, and as a local, to win this tournament is the best way to promote the sport," Danny said. "The BRI-JCB Indonesia Open is a good addition for local golfers to compete against international athletes."
The Indonesia Open is considered one of Asia's most prestigious tournaments, with top golfers such as Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant, Thongchai Jaidee and Ireland's Padraig Harrington having won the top spot previously.
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