Jakarta, Indonesia – For the first time in Indonesia, the Senayan Golf Club (SGC) will host the prestigious International Long Drive Championship, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s golfing landscape. This event, aimed at elevating Indonesia’s status in global sports tourism and sportainment, comes as part of broader efforts to promote the sport throughout the country.
Long Drive competitions, a staple in the United States, Europe, and Asia, are now expanding to Indonesia with the goal of developing homegrown talent capable of competing at the international level. As the Indonesia Long Drive Championship kicks off, the search for exceptional athletes will extend beyond the professional golf circuit, with nationwide qualifiers set to be held in three major cities: Jakarta (August 25), Bali (September 7), and Surabaya (September 14).
The top male and female competitors from each city will advance to the national finals in Jakarta on October 5, 2024, where they will compete at Senayan Golf Club’s iconic Hole 5. The winners will secure the Indonesia Long Drive Championship title and earn a place in the Asia Long Drive Championship 2024 at Phuket Airpark, Thailand from November 14-16, 2024.
Yakup Hasibuan, CEO of Senayan Golf and Founder of the Indonesia Long Drive Championship, expressed confidence in Indonesia’s potential to produce world-class Long Drive athletes. “We believe that Indonesia has the talent to excel on the international stage, and this championship will provide a platform for our athletes to showcase their skills,” Hasibuan stated.
In a collaborative effort to enhance the visibility of golf in Indonesia, SGC has enlisted prominent golf personalities, such as Alit Jiwandana (known for “Play Golf Yuk”) and Leonardus Tanuwijaya (also known as IndoGolfHack), as brand ambassadors. Their involvement is expected to attract a wider audience, extending the reach of the championship to both seasoned golf enthusiasts and newcomers to the sport.
In conjunction with the championship, the Senayan Golf Club will host a series of cultural and lifestyle events, starting on October 4, including a fashion and culinary festival. This initiative aims to blend the world of golf with Indonesia’s burgeoning fashion industry, which has become a significant contributor to the country’s export market. Petty Hasibuan, a leading advocate for the synergy between golf and fashion, emphasized the importance of cross-industry collaboration. “We believe this partnership will not only elevate golf’s presence but also enhance Indonesia’s fashion industry on a national and global scale,” she said.
The International Long Drive Championship promises to be a landmark event for Indonesia, fostering new opportunities for athletes and industries alike, while cementing the nation’s place on the global golfing stage.