The Indonesian Open returns to the Asian Tour roster
The Indonesian Open is set to feature on the Asian Tour from next year and onwards, after remaining absent for three years.
The announcement was made by the tournament organizers. However, the Asian Tour has not confirmed any details about the event dates, sponsors, prize purse or the venue.
For the last three editions, the Indonesian Open piled its trade on the OneAsia tour. The tournament organizers have now decided to return to the Asian Tour, which provides more opportunities to the players to excel in their careers.
Earlier this year, the Indonesian Masters raised the curtains for the 2012 OneAsia tour, where the Australian Nick Cullen came out of the field as the victor.
While making the announcement, Indonesian Golf Association (PGI) president Arifin Panigoro said that the sanctioning of the event with Asia’s biggest tour will allow the event officials to attract an elite field next year.
Moreover, it will also provide more exposure to the local players, who will compete against a stronger field on the Asian Tour.
“This agreement marks a new dawn for our national championship,” Panigoro said. “We are convinced the staging of the Indonesian Open in 2013 and beyond will be hugely successful so that the entire golfing fraternity in Indonesia will be proud of our flagship
tournament”.
In 2009, the OneAsia tour came into existence, and since then, the Asian Tour is in battle to secure its events.
Asian Tour chief executive Kyi Hla Han expressed his pleasure in adding one of the longest-running golf events in Indonesia – the inaugural edition of the Indonesian Open was staged in 1974.
So far, the Asian Tour has confirmed nine tournaments for the upcoming season and the Indonesian Open is the second Indonesian event among them – the tour officials already confirmed to stage the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters.
“We are excited to have this opportunity to work closely with the PGI and we believe the Indonesian Open is right up there amongst the best of national Opens in Asia,” Han said.
He added, “Our players enjoy visiting Indonesia as the golf courses, facilities and hospitality are first class and we look forward to returning for the 2013 Indonesian Open”.
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