Jakarta, 10 November Almost a week of the 2024 BNI Indonesian Masters has passed, but the atmosphere is still felt. Richard T. Lee (CAN) is indeed entitled to the title of champion this time. With his “wire to wire,” he was too tough for his competitors, such as Chang Wei-lun (TPE) and Phachara Khongwatmai (THA), who tried to chase points until the last hole. Indeed, Richard T. Lee has not managed to break Gaganjeet Bhullar’s record, who in the previous season managed to get 24 underpar points, or a total of 260 strokes. However, in this tournament, Lee looked very sharp and like a Birdie “machine” for 4 rounds.
The player, who just had his birthday on October 29, which coincided with the first day of the BNI Indonesian Masters, seemed to get a special gift. In addition to adding $360,000, he also shot up to second place on the Order of Merit Asian Tour Money List under John Catlin (USA) at the top of the current list.
It is incomplete when we talk about the BNI Indonesian Masters only from the match, the slogan “The biggest golf event in Indonesia” is true, like an annual event where all golf lovers in Indonesia come to just meet up or enjoy world-class golf matches. After the pandemic, golf has indeed become a sport that is starting to be liked by the younger generation many call this a “golf pandemic,” all of which were clearly visible when they flocked to the field and gave a unique “color” to this event. The typical style of young people was very much felt in the crowd of spectators, especially in the final round yesterday. The spectators who followed the champion flight, which was flanked by the champion Richard T. Lee and the world golf superstar, the holder of the major champion “The Master,” 2012 and 2014, Bubba Watson from the USA, seemed to be trying to show the best style as a young golfer.
All of this could not have happened without BNI as the main sponsor, who tried to make this tournament the tournament with the biggest prize in the history of golf events in Indonesia. Director of Wholesale & International Banking BNI Agung Prabowo said, “Since 2016, BNI has been the main sponsor of the Indonesian Masters. This is one form of BNI’s support for the development of sports in Indonesia, especially golf. In addition, BNI is also increasingly proactive in encouraging branding as well as opening up new global business potentials, including through the BNI Indonesian Masters event.”
If you asked what is the impact ? Clearly, with a total prize of $ 2,000,000, many world-class players will come to compete for this prize for example, there are 2 brothers from LIV golf, Scott Vincent and Kieran Vincent, not to mention Scott Vincent’s teammate on the Iron Head GC team, Danny Lee. And it is clear how tight the point difference is between the players the magical strokes of these world-class players spoil the audience, both those who come directly and those who watch the live broadcast provided by MOLA TV.
But the main star is a superstar in the world of golf, namely Bubba Watson. Maybe some people don’t know how big Bubba is. Inviting Bubba to the BNI Indonesian Masters is an extraordinary achievement. With his friendliness to fans and classy play, this year’s tournament is very special. It’s natural that from the first day the fans followed him from the starting hole. The captain of the Range Goat GC team at LIV Golf has a long track record and many achievements in many major tournaments.
Not only that, the synergy between the Asian Tour and OB Golf, which is holding this event for the umpteenth time, is indeed very suitable, in addition to the exciting match presentation. The Royale Jakarta Golf Club environment is transformed into a place with various attractions. Starting with a spot next to the lobby, they create various game areas for the public so that it is very suitable for golf enthusiasts to invite their families and children so that they don’t get bored with Wondrland. Moving a little bit into the club house, there are several tenants, such as Good Game and Svin Golf, which are hunted by the spectator to get special souvenirs from BNI Indonesian Masters 2024. on the right side there is Astragraphia as the Official Office Solution Partner, which opened a booth to introduce fast and high-quality digital printing methods. Exiting the clubhouse, the BNI booth stands firmly presenting their financial products called BNI Direct Station. Moving forward right next to green hole 9, Wondrcafe presents the most fitting place to watch international golfers complete their first nine. Not only that, on the left side of the clubhouse there is a food court containing food trucks with various types of food and drinks that always look busy from the first round.
With this experience, I myself am of the opinion that currently the BNI Indonesian Master is not just an international golf event but has become a sport entertainment by combining golf as the main sport and various entertainments in it. Very good for the golf environment in Indonesia with this, it will attract many new golf fans. Besides, because golf is a unique sport, entertainment makes it more interesting.
Don’t forget we have to give a thumbs up to Royale Jakarta Golfclub, the host of BNI Indonesian Master. We personally understand how good the quality of this golf course is, and players admit the various challenges they get here. With thorough preparation and strict maintenance, it is clear that until now only Royale Jakarta Golf Club deserves to be called the “Home of Indonesian Masters.”
Let’s wait for other breakthroughs that will happen in the following years; the high standards made by the organizer, namely OB golf, will be a reference for other tournaments as international golf tournament standards in Indonesia.
