The European Tour will break new ground in 2005 when it stages an event in Indonesia for the first time. The Standard Chartered Indonesia Open will take place at the Cengkareng Golf Club, Jakarta, from March 24-27.
The tournament, which will offer prize money of US$1 million, will be promoted and staged by Parallel Media Group in association with the Indonesian Golf Association, the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Jakarta Tourism and a strong family of sponsors.
George O’’Grady, the incoming Executive Director Designate of The European Tour, said: “We welcome the efforts of Parallel Media Group, the Indonesian Golf Association and the Standard Chartered Bank in bringing this tournament to fruition. We look forward eagerly to visiting another new country in Indonesia, and the Standard Chartered Indonesia Open next March will be a wonderful addition to The 2005 European Tour International Schedule.”
Stewart Hall, Chief Executive of the Standard Chartered Bank in Indonesia, said: “We are delighted to be partnering the Jakarta Tourism office in this initiative to raise Jakarta’’s profile around the region and the world. We have been operating in Indonesia for over 140 years through thick and thin and believe firmly in the potential and future of this country.”
Sumadi Rusli, Managing Director of Cengkareng Golf Club, said: “We are very proud to host the Standard Chartered Indonesia Open, and as one of Asia’’s foremost and most popular clubs, it is our pleasure to welcome everyone to the venue.”
Dr Haryanto Dhanutirto, President of the Indonesian Golf Association, said: “It is a perfect opportunity for Indonesian professional golfers to pit their skills against international talent and we eagerly anticipate the arrival of our fellow professionals from abroad and are certain that the experience of playing in Indonesia will be remarkable. Thanks must go to the tournament sponsors, promoter and the sanctioning and governing bodies for making the event possible.”
The international field which will assemble at Cengkareng Golf Club next March will face a challenging layout which, for the tournament, will be 6855 yards long with a par of 70. The greens are large and undulating, offering a wide variety of pin positions.
