Bali Open launched on Asian Development Tour
0 
The inaugural Bali Open will be staged on the burgeoning Asian Development Tour from November 3-6, 2010 with the aim of discovering new Indonesian golf stars.
Organisers announced today that the country's newest professional golf tournament will be staged at the impressive New Kuta Golf Club on the world-renowned holiday isle.
The Indonesian PGA (PGPI) will also sanction the US$60,000 tournament which will be the fifth and final leg of the newly launched Asian Development Tour, which comes under the auspices of the Asian Tour.
As it is the season-ending event, the Bali Open will be crucial for players fighting to finish in the top-three of the Order of Merit which will earn them playing rights on the elite Asian Tour in 2011.
Global Sports Indonesia's CEO Mr Koko Soegih Arto said: "With the way professional golf has grown in Indonesia and across Asia, we are delighted to announce the launch of the Bali Open.
"The inception of our new tournament will focus on several key objectives which include the development of local golfers as well as providing another wonderful platform to promote Bali as a world-class tourist destination.
"Ultimately, we hope to grow the Bali Open and I believe the Indonesian players will take full advantage of this new opportunity to compete against Asia's rising stars on the Asian Development Tour. We are confident our players will shine in the Bali Open.”
The Asian Development Tour is designed along the structure of the Nationwide Tour in the United States and European Challenge Tour.
Malaysia's S. Sivachandran currently leads the rankings following his victory at the Negeri Sembilan Masters Invitational in Malaysia while the highest ranked Indonesian player is Rory Hie at seventh position.
The Bali Open will be one of two Indonesian tournaments to feature on the Asian Development Tour this year.
Indonesian PGA (PGPI) President Mr. Abung Sobri lauded the announcement of the Bali Open, saying the local stars will relish at the opportunity of competing on the Asian Development Tour.
"We welcome the addition of a new and exciting tournament and our players will look forward to the Bali Open. With the incentive for the top players to earn cards on the established Asian Tour, this could fast-track the careers of our players should they play well in the Bali Open."
Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said: "On behalf of our players, I would like to extend our fullest appreciation to Global Sports Indonesia for leading this initiative to establish the Bali Open.
"There is a big pool of young talents in Indonesia with the likes of Rory Hie, Sarmilih KZ, Andik Mauluddin and Benny Kasiadi showing great potential. With the inclusion of the Bali Open on the Asian Development Tour Schedule, it will give these players a chance to compete and possibly challenge for one of the three Asian Tour cards which will be awarded at the end of the season.”
The New Kuta Golf Club successfully hosted the Indonesian Open on the Asian Tour in 2009. Its Club Director Mr Suprapto Pegeng said: "We are looking forward to welcoming Asia's rising stars for the Bali Open. Our championship course received strong reviews after the Indonesian Open last year and I'm sure it will offer a great test to the players competing in the Bali Open. We also recently received the Best Golf Course in Indonesia 2010-2011 Award by the ITTA Tourism Board which was voted by the public.”
The Bali Open will feature a field of 140 players, which includes 60 Indonesians.
