I grew up in the small village of Galiukir, the son and grandson
of coffee and cocoa farmers. My village is picturesquely set
under the Batukaru mountains in Pupuan in the Tabanan regency
in Bali, the perfect place to plant coffee, cloves, cocoa,
coconuts and many other exotic tropical plants.
How and when did you first become interested in golf?
My first real exposure to the game was back in 1985 but I
didn’t start to get serious until 1987, out of my own
initiative. Perhaps it sounds strange but from the start I
was mysteriously attracted to golf. However, I didn’t
become a keen and avid player until I put in long periods
of practice at the driving range in Sanur. This period was
a stepping stone for me, it opened up my eyes to the game
and most of all to the philosophy and technical theories behind
the play. Golf is not just about swinging golf clubs and putting
the ball in a hole. There is also a lot of self discipline,
emotional control, honesty and technical skill behind it,
not to mention the physical complexity of the game.
Golf also played a significant role in my professional career,
because during the game you have the chance to meet your superiors
and supervisors. There are no bosses or ranks in this game,
all are treated equally. Golf is a great way to consult and
conduct business because on the courses is where you enjoy
and learn to trust other people.
What do you like best about the game?
The game has taught me a lot about self control, discipline
and honesty. From golf, someone's true character and values
will reveal themselves. To succeed in the business world,
true leaders need those qualities and one of the many
ways to judge a man is how he approaches his golf game, his
emotional control and attitude will be inevitably reflected
throughout the game.
Has golfing changed your life or life habits in any way?
Definitely. I have had the privilege of meeting a lot of different
people on golf courses, encounters with all types of characters
who I have personally enjoyed. By filtering the bad and befriending
the good, I learned that every person is unique and meeting
each individual was truly a blessing. I learnt to be a better
person by being around other players.
What's the best game you ever played?
My greatest moment was being the best gross winner in the
Finna Golf Tournament in Surabaya on the 11th Anniversary
of the golf course, the 26th and 27th June 2004. This was
an open tournament for amateurs, members and guests. A trophy
was awarded but most of all, it was the acknowledgement that
was really satisfying. I played 82, with a handicap of 18,
around 8 under par. It was surely a good game that day, and
to play like that at my age was equally satisfying.
What's the most difficult game you've ever played?
Every time you play golf it’s really a competition against
yourself. I approach every game with the same attitude that
I will play the best I can, looking at each hole as a new
challenge. This makes me feel refreshed every time I take
a shot, relieves the pressure and makes me play better.
Have you played golf in other regions of Indonesia?
I have tried numerous golf courses in Surabaya, Jakarta, Medan,
Batam and many other places. I truly believe we have world
class golf courses in Indonesia that can be the venue of world
class tournaments. We just lack the publicity and sponsorship.
How is playing golf in Indonesia different from other places?
Playing golf in Indonesia presents its own challenges. Firstly,
there’s the climate and humidity so close to the equator.
The temperature makes the body sweat more and potentially
can even damage your body due to dehydration. In Australia,
you might play in 40 degree weather but your body can still
be in top condition. In Bali, however, with the high humidity
your body needs a lot of water and you will lose your focus
easily because of loss of iron from perspiration. This means
you need a good strategy to play in Indonesia and Bali.
Secondly is the difficulty of some of the courses in this
archipelago. In Bali, for example, the Bali Nirwana is really
challenging because of the hard blowing ocean wind. Mother
Nature adds to the difficulties. The rainy period has a direct
effect on the thickness of the green grass. Some patches are
very slippery while others are wet and slow. Its all part
of the game.
What makes a great golfer?
Just look at Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh and
Ernie Els. They all started young but discipline and hard
work were the keys to their success. The maxim “practice
makes perfect” is never truer than in the game of golf.
Focus, concentration and control are equally important, as
well as loving and enjoying the game. A great golfer is not
made in days and months, but in years of practice and sacrifices.
It's like sharpening a blunt knife. When it’s sharp,
you need to maintain its sharpness.
What tips can you give a beginner golfer?
Get professional advice from a golf professional. Golf is
fundamentally a very complex sport and people tend to ignore
the basics such as grip, posture, ball position, etc., all
pointers that you can only get from golf clinics or by
consulting professionals. A strong building has a solid foundation,
but to build a higher tower you need an equally strong
base.
Mr Gede Pudja is associated with his son Mr Bagus Perbawa
of Prema Tours and Travel Bali, http://www.batukaru.info and
his golf column http://www.batukaru.info/golf.
For anyone interested in being considered for Siapa, please
contact : pakbill2003@yahoo.com
Copyright@2005 Al Hickey
You can read all past articles of Siapa at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz
