CADDIE'S ROLE:Coping with the hot and humid weather was a major challenge for players in Indonesia
IF THONGCHAI Jaidee is walking around the New Kuta Golf Club with a towel covering his head for most of the final round of the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesian Open (held in Bali) then you know it is hot. Jaidee, not surprisingly the eventual winner of this year’s event, grew up playing in similar conditions in Thailand.
The dilemma for golfers in hot and humid countries is that when there is no wind the course is easier, but what you gain on the swings you definitely lose on the heat index roundabouts. It was sauna time again in Bali last week.
The Indonesian Open marked the end of the European Tour’s Middle and Far East swing of the season and for many the idea of returning to the end of winter in Europe seemed like a reasonable prospect.
You would want to be geographically aware or you could have ended up on the wrong island last week with the slightly confusing name enticing you to enjoy the capital city on the island of Java.
As a serious professional who plots and plans his career from practice routines and daily gym sessions to physio and nutrition there has to be a serious question mark over the rationale behind competing in such a stressful heat.
You just have to look at a player walk to the first tee after a gentle warm-up on the range and he already has the appearance of someone who has spent the entire day toiling manually in the relentless heat.
The objective of playing a professional round of golf is ultimately to get around in as few shots as possible. In southeast Asia the objective seems to be one of survival. In order to survive you need to fill every idle moment on the course drinking. At times is seems like you do not have enough time to drink the amount you need to stop you dehydrating.
New Kuta, being a new resort course, has been designed for cart play and not walking. So there are considerable distances between greens and tees. Thankfully we were shuttled between many holes getting some much needed airflow over the face and opportunities to drink even more water.
Of course these Asian events are co-sanctioned between the Asian and European Tours, so not all players get the chance to play in these limited field events. But for those Europeans who are exempt I would seriously question the decision to put yourself through the physical challenge of the heat endurance test within the Indonesian Open; Bali is a perfect holiday island, its much better to take a break here and play golf in a more temperate climate.
Of course there is a contrary argument that given the weakness of the field for that very reason it is a good opportunity to take advantage of a slightly easier standard of play.
My man, Alexander Noren from Sweden, and Steve Webster and Simon Dyson, both English, who all tied for second place are examples that turn my argument on its head. There is no doubt that the grain on the greens (without banging on again about it) is a contributing factor in giving local players the edge with the flat stick.
We played with Jaidee in the final round. Not only did he putt very well, he also holed a chip shot that required a detailed knowledge of the grain on the green, which he paid particular attention to in his added preparation for his chip-in from behind the fifth green.
What a charming place to end a long stretch on tour. Bali is known as the Island of Gods. The idyllic island in the Indonesian Ocean is predominantly under the Hindu influence unlike the rest of the country which is largely Muslim.
It is very much a ceremonial land with different gods being celebrated throughout the year from Galungan in January and February symbolising the victory of Good (Dharma) over Evil (Adharma) to Pagerwesi (Iron Fence) in November, when they pray for strong mental and spiritual defence.
It is a very ornate island with many buildings adorned with stone and wood carvings. Temples are ever present and near the course which is known locally as Dreamland.
The course complex is owned by the deceased Dictator General Suharto’s son, Tommy. It is, of course, a haven of nouveau cut though small holdings of local people.
You do not have to stray too far from the fairways to see how real people live their traditional life amongst the latest in Callaway drivers or TaylorMade irons.
Before we went out on Sunday I consulted the local priest attending the temple positioned to spiritually look over the golf course. The temple was situated behind the practice putting green. As I entered I noticed that the priest was stoking up a big fire in front of one of his altars.
He said he was throwing a few extra logs on in order to keep the rain away. Unfamiliar with the workings of this unique form of Balinese Hinduism and looking at the big black rollers out beyond Jimbaran Bay, I decided to keep the umbrella in the bag. It didn’t rain a drop all day and we are still in the rainy season.
The tournament ended in true Balinese tradition with a Legong Dance. The beautifully adorned girls rolled their arms and crooked their necks to the drone of the hypnotic Balinese music. Jaidee took the trophy, the winner’s cheque and the local painting which was also presented to the Thai Asian specialist. The aesthetics of the Balinese paintings is a reflection of their beautiful surroundings and art is a big part of Balinese life.
Next time I return to the Island of Gods I will leave my umbrella in the locker if I see smoke billowing out of the golf course temple in deference to the Hindu gods and their powerful, if somewhat mystical influence.
