JAKARTA (11/6) — A total of 113 participants from 20 countries and 5 continents have gathered at Damai Indah Golf, PIK Course, Jakarta to compete in the Mandiri Ciputra Golfpreneur Junior World Championship 2024. The championship, which is entering its 27th year this year, promises action for future golf stars in the 54-hole stroke play competition, which will start tomorrow (12/6).
This tournament was first held in 1993, thanks to the initiative of the late DR. (HC) Ir. Ciputra. The tournament, which was originally held at the national level, then developed into a Southeast Asian, Asia Pacific scale, and finally increased to a world level since 2007.
The opening today was carried out jointly by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ciputra Golfpreneur Foundation (CGF) Budiarsa Sastrawinata and the President Director of Bank Mandiri Darmawan Junaidi, witnessed by the General Chairman of the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI) Japto S. Soerjosoemarno.
In his speech, Budiarsa expressed his joy in welcoming the best golfers from five continents.
“This championship wants to provide a place for junior golfers around the world to grow, a place to experience the culture of hospitality from the Indonesian people, and a place to build friendships among participants, as well as becoming a larger golf community to strive to reach the highest level in the world,” said Budiarsa.
On the same occasion, Bank Mandiri also expressed enthusiasm for opening the most prestigious and most consistent junior championship in Indonesia. Bank Mandiri President Director Darmawan Junaidi said that this competition is the most-awaited event for young golf talents to show their golf skills.
“Our commitment to support this sport reflects our vision in advancing young talents and helping them reach the international stage,” said Darmawan.
He added that this event also has the potential to be a target for young golfers, especially the millennial generation, to feel the sensation of golf competition and a place to achieve achievements. “Not only as the main sponsor, Bank Mandiri also prepares support from the banking side to create convenience in making transactions during the competition,” he explained.
Potential World Stars Ready to Compete
In this year’s event, the winner of the 2021 and 2023 Junior Solheim Cup from Belgium, Savannah de Bock, will appear as the participant with the highest world ranking. When confirming her participation, de Bock was ranked 66th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
In addition to being one of the key players in the team championship against the junior team from America, de Bock also won the 2022 European Ladies Amateur Championship when she was only 16 years old.
Meanwhile, Elaine Widjaja and Rayhan Abdul Latief also returned to appear in this event and intend to present the best achievements for Indonesia before both of them leave for the United States to continue their respective education.
Like the previous year, the participants are divided into three age groups: Class A (15-18 years), Class B (12-14 years), and Class C (10-11 years). Only participants from Class C will compete, accompanied by a caddie.
In addition to the individual competition for the prestigious Best Gross Overall for men and women, the event also features men’s and women’s team categories. Each team will consist of one player from Class A and one player from Class B. The team with the lowest total score over the three rounds will be the winner.
