Golf tourism in Indonesia: Indonesia boasts 165 golf courses

A.R. Sofyan, SE, AK., President Director of GolfLink Resorts talks about golf tourism in Indonesia.

Why did the company decide to go to these parts of the country? What are the plans for a third golf course?

It was by accident that we have two golf courses. In Bali, we have New Kuta Golf and Palm Hill Golf. We plan to have another one in Belitung Island called Black Hawk [Ditu?]. We plan to construct this golf course this year, and it is currently in the planning stages.
The growth of golf courses in Indonesia is very slow. In Indonesia, we have only 165 golf courses consisting of 9 holes, 18 holes, 36 holes and 45 holes. If we compare that to our population of 260 million, we are lower than Malaysia. Compared to Thailand, Thailand has approximately 1,000 golf courses. Compared to Japan, Japan has 2,500 golf courses. Compared to the USA, America has 15,000 and its population is around the same.

Growth of golf courses is very slow. Within five years, there are only two golf courses coming. Within 10 years, seven golf courses. Within 15 years, only 11 golf courses. 

GolfLink Resorts wants to be one who plays in the golf industry, to push Indonesia to make sure that golf becomes an agent of development in Indonesia. In a developed country like Japan or South Korea, the golf industry has become a huge contributor to the country in terms of employment and national income. But in Indonesia, the political wheel is very slow.

What is the role golf can play in making those numbers much better? Do you think golf tourism is becoming more attractive?

We have to introduce to the world that Indonesia has good golf courses. Indonesia currently has 165 golf courses, as well as many other things that would bring tourists to Indonesia. 

The role of government is very important in helping the golf sector become a selling point of tourism. In addition to the natural beauty of Bali, [Bajumpart?] and Lombok, we also have golf courses. The first thing is making sure people outside of Indonesia know that we have 165 beautiful and challenging golf courses. Most of the golf courses in Indonesia have international championship standards. The most important thing now for Indonesia is mass publication to introduce that we have golf courses in Indonesia.