Nicklaus sees bright future for golf in Brunei

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus, delighted at being a part of history at this week's inaugural Brunei Open, has urged authorities to maintain the drive to develop the game in the sultanate.

Brunei's first ever professional event will make its debut on the burgeoning Asian Tour at the spectacular Empire Hotel and Country Club, a par-71 course located on the fringe of the South China Sea and designed by 18-time Major winner Nicklaus.

The US$300,000 Championship starts on Thursday with Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant, the Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, and four other players in the current top-10, Scott Barr, Terry Pilkadaris, Marcus Both and Simon Yates, leading the chase for glory.

While the US$300,000 Brunei Open is expected to trigger greater interest in golf within Brunei, which presently has some 3,000 social golfers but yet to produce a first Tour professional player, Nicklaus said concerted efforts would ensure the growth of golf in this nation.

"We are very proud to be hosting Brunei's first professional golf tournament," said Nicklaus in a statement to the Asian Tour. "We have been very fortunate over the years to have close to 80 of our golf courses host a combined total of 500 professional tournaments worldwide, and we look at that as a positive reflection on the quality of golf courses we try to design."

Asked to offer his advice on how Brunei can accelerate the development of the game, Nicklaus, nicknamed the Golden Bear, said: "In a word, exposure. First, by staging a professional golf tournament at Empire Hotel and Country Club, you are getting people to the tournament, getting people organised for the sake of golf, and most important, you are getting people interested in the game by giving them the opportunity to see some of the best players in the world compete in their country.

"Then, it is important that golf officials follow up on that exposure. They should enjoy the initial interest and exposure, but don't let it end there. Follow up on this opportunity by creating programmes that encourage people to learn about the game and then create programmes that keep them in the game."

Asia's leading professionals have also predicted a bright future in Brunei. India's Amandeep Johl, a member of the victorious Asian team at the Visa Dynasty Cup in April, said today: "Empire is one of the best courses we've played in Asia. I see no reason why this tournament cannot become one of the premier events in Asia. We've made a good start by coming to Brunei and I'm sure this can become one of the best events in Asia and match the other big national Opens in the region."

Australian Barr, currently fourth on the Order of Merit, said the par-71 Empire course will separate the men from the boys. "The course is a very fair test of golf. The fairways are generous but Jack Nicklaus has put a premium on good iron play. The greens are superb and I think the scores will be low. The best golfer will win this week and luck won't come into it on this course. You have to hit good shots over here.

"It's very exciting for the players. The whole setting here is mind-blowing. It's a fantastic course and it's a great resort. Brunei has given the Asian Tour an opportunity to show what we can do," said Barr, who has two runner-up finishes this season.

Brunei Tourism Director Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed said the government agency would back the event for at least the next five years. "Brunei Tourism initiated the Brunei Open and we are very excited. This will be an annual event for at least the next five years and even longer. However, I would like to urge the private sector to support this event and make this bigger.

"This is history for us, the first time that we're having a professional tournament in Brunei. I'm sure the Asian Tour players will be eager to go all out to win and play their way into the history books by being the first champion of the Brunei Open."

June 21, 2005

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