Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Golf is a sport that has many benefits. Clearly, golf as a networking tool is very popular among entrepreneurs and government circles. There's no better way to talk about business than spending 4-5 hours together on the golf course.
This opportunity was seized, among others, by senior golfers in ASEAN countries. They formed Senior Golfers' Associations in their respective countries, then these associations collaborated to become the Confederations of ASEAN Senior Golfers' Associations (CASGA) in 1983.
CASGA has not only succeeded in uniting thousands of senior golfers in ASEAN with a number of joint activities, but has also become a tool for promoting golf tourism among ASEAN countries.
In its annual series, in 2024, CASGA will hold a golf tournament and Indonesia has been selected to host it. The tournament will be attended by 128 golfers from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.
Even though the senior golfers who participate are over 55 years old, they are entrepreneurs, retired state officials or private officials who are still influential in their respective countries. Many of them will come to Indonesia with their spouses.
In order to promote golf destinations other than Bali and Jakarta, the Indonesian Senior Golfers Association (PERPESI) as the organizer of the tournament finally chose two international standard golf courses in Bandung, namely Jatinangor National Golf & Resort and Parahyangan Golf Club.
After landing at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, all golfers and their spouses will be taken to Halim High Speed Train Station. The group will enjoy a trip to Bandung with Whoosh. The return trip to Jakarta will also use the same mode of transportation (Whoosh). Thus, the tournament will have a very positive impact on West Java Tourism.
PERPESI, which was chosen as the host, has 24 branches throughout Indonesia that have the experience and capacity to organize this event. The choice of location in Bandung was very appropriate for PT. Star Energy Geothermal which has two PLTPs in West Java and PT Blue Bird Tbk. became the main sponsor of THE BLUEBIRD STAR ENERGY CASGA GOLF TOURNAMENT.
Several well-known companies in Indonesia have also expressed full support for PERPESI. The success of this tournament will guarantee the certainty that Indonesia and PERPESI will host the even bigger CASGA golf tournament which will be attended by 256 golfers in 2025.
“This event is for the Southeast Asian golfers' association, including Indonesia of course, with a total of 128 players participating. If it were opened wider, there might be more than 128 players. Apart from golf matches, there will also be a meeting of the CASGA organization (Confederation of ASEAN Senior Golfers' Associations) , an association of golf associations of 10 countries (ASEAN),” said Committee Chair Herry Winarno.
PERPESI President Masrizal Syarief said, this activity is a series of CASGA Intermediate General Meetings which are held every year. The golf match will be used for networking or networking of the ASEAN community or building communication not only related to golf but also other fields outside of golf.
“Because most of the participants are ASEAN businessmen, former officials (ministers), king's aides, and former military officials with the rank of colonel-general. This activity is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism (Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy). This week we will be accepted by the Ministry of Tourism,” said Masrizal.
Chairman of the PERPESI Advisory Board Peter F. Gontha said there was support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia for the success of the event.
“The minister (Retno Marsudi) told us that this event is very good at providing connectivity between ASEAN countries. This is only moral support, without financial support. But it is more important to get moral support from the government. This activity is also to introduce Indonesian tourism. That Indonesia not just Jakarta or Bali,” said Peter.
PERPESI Secretary General Hery Kusnanto added that every year CASGA holds an Annual General Meeting (AGM) which is attended by 256 participants. On the sidelines of these activities, an Intermediate General Meeting was held in the form of a senior golf tournament.
“For the Intermediate General Meeting, golf is more about fun. There are no state champions or team champions. Only then will there be a champion at the AGM. This meeting is actually used by entrepreneurs to communicate and collaborate on their businesses in each country,” he said Harry.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
(miq/miq)