Rory Roland is confident of advancing in the 2008 European Tour

Loosely translated from an article by Mulia Ginting Munthe

JAKARTA: Winner of Asean Tour Rory Roland Hidayat is optimistic of advancing to the qualifying stage to be the first Indonesian to play in the European Tour.

Rory, 20, on October 25 won an Asean Tour tournament by shooting 10 under par, 278 (72-65-70-70), which was held in Karawaci Golf Club, Tangerang. Last August at the President Invitational in Kapuk, he did not make the cut.

“I’m optimistic that I’ll be able to advance from the first qualifying stage beginning on November 5, 2008 by placing in the top 20 …” said Rory who had resided in California for 10 years.

While living in California, the former student of the University of Southern California often represented his university in many collegiate tournaments. Before returning to Indonesia in August 2008, he had four amateur and collegiate tournament victories under his belt.

The Indonesian Professional Golf Organization (PGPI) has recognized Rory as a professional golfer. Beginning last August Rory has decided to live in Indonesia and intend to bring his mother and two sisters who currently still reside in California.

Golfer Rory Hie begins his career in the professional circuit

Loosely translated from an article by Ria Nurdiani

JAKARTA (Bisnis.com): Young Indonesian golfer Rory Hidayat Hie returns to the Indonesian homeland after 10 years of living in the United States.

The golfer born on September 1, 1988 has only been in Indonesia for a month. Recently Rory successfully won the Asean Golf Tournament that was held in Imperial Golf Course, Karawaci, on October 26. As is known, every amateur golfer must pass the playing ability test (PAT) to attain professional status and participate in the qualifying school (QS).

Last October 12, Rory completed the PAT and became a member of the Indonesian Professional Golf Association by recording a 12-under, the lowest score in the history of the qualification process in Indonesia.

The golfer who was once the 6th-ranked amateur in the world debuted as a professional in the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational last August in the Damai Indah Golf and Country Club, part of the Asian Tour series.

He will leave for Spain next month to participate in the European Tour Qualifying School. Rory relinquished his full-ride scholarship to the University of Southern California to pursue his dream of being a world class professional golfer. “I hope I can be an inspiration to other young golfers in Indonesia,” said Rory in the press conference held at the Moonlight House of Rhythm today.

Mr. Gita Wirjawan, head of Ancora Group who sponsors Rory Hie, is optimistic that Indonesian golfers can aptly compete in the international golf arena. “Rory can be an ambassador,” he said.

Rory Hie Victorious in Karawaci

Loosely translated from an article by Toto Prawoto

Jakarta – The newcomer in the local pro golf circuit, Rory Hie, emerged as the winner of the Mercedes-Benz International Championship 2008 that ended Saturday (10/25) in Karawaci Golf Club, Tangerang Banten. The professional golfer who begun his amateur career in the United States shot a 278 (72-65-707-70), or 10 under …

Rory himself in a brief statement noted that he was very happy and honored that the PGPI is now willing to recognize his name. “But I really did not expect to win, since I faced stiff competition from Andik Mauluddin,” said Rory, who had to leave immediately the following day for Spain to participate in the European Tour Qualifying School, representing Indonesia.

Rory’s success was able to answer many doubts. He “controversially” participated in the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational, held in Pantai Indah Kapuk Golf Course last August, and did not make the cut. However with much more preparation for the 2008 International Championship, part of the ASEAN Tour series, he finally was able to conquer those qualms and came out a winner.

The Indonesian Professional Golf Association, represented by Ketua Marian PGPI, Nursalam Tabusalla, conducted a Playing Ability Test on October 12, 2008 in which Rory participated and successfully passed, before the International Championship.

Rory’s accomplishment also brings great pride to to Bintang Jultarso from the International Sports Tour, as the event organizer of the championship. “Last year the winner was Danny Chia from Malasia. This year’s is our own local golfer from the host country, which made us even more satisfied and proud,” said Bintang.

Rory Winning in the Mercedes Tour

Loosely translated from Media Indonesia:

JAKARTA – Golfer Rory Hidayat Hie recorded history by being the first professional Indonesian golfer to win the International Tournament since the Kasiadi era in the last 1989 Indonesia Open. Yesterday, the golfer who studied in the University of Southern California, United States, succeeded in well-representing Indonesia by becoming the winner of the Mercedes-Benz Tour tournament, part of a series of seven Asean Tour tournaments, in Imperial Golf Club, Karawaci, Tangerang, Banten. Rory’s success in this tournament resulted from his brilliant performance in the final round, carding a 70 (2-under) with 4 birdies and 2 bogeys. Rory shot a total of 278, or 10-under par.

… “I didn’t expect to be able to win this fast,” said Rory, who is entitled to a prize of Rp 81,366,300.

From mercedezbenz-tour:

HIE HOLDS FOUR STROKE LEAD

October 24: Indonesia’s impressive young golfer Rory Hie took a firm grip of the US$50,000 International Championship today on the Mercedes-Benz Tour after opening up a four-stroke lead following the third round.

The 20 year old carded a two-under-par 70 at Imperial Klub Golf, near Jakarta, while his campatriot Mauludin Andik and Jay Bayron from the Philippines lie in joint second place

Andik, the country’s number one amateur who started the day in a tie for the lead with Hie, returned a 74 while Bayron shot a 73.

Filipino Marvin Dumandan, who lost this tournament last year despite having a seven stroke lead going into the final day, is a stroke further back after firing a 70.

Hie’s leap up the leaderboard was expected by many this week as he turned professional in August following a brilliant amateur career in the United States.

He played for the University of Southern California and at one point was ranked sixth best amateur in the world. The talented golfer attended college for two years and then opted to leave prematurely as he felt he was ready for the professional game.

The decision appears to be justified as he closes in on a victory that would mark the first time that an Indonesian has won on the Mercedes-Benz Tour.

He had a poor start when he bogeyed the first two holes following three putts but then retaliated with birdies on three and four.

“I am pleased with the way I came back after those two three putts. I just tried to stay positive and not duck out,” said Hie, who moved to Los Angeles with his family when he was 10.

He also birdied the sixth and seventh to establish his authority on the tournament. He dropped a shot on the 11th and then holed a monster 50-foot putt on number 15 for a birdie.

“I feel very comfortable in the lead and very relaxed but obviously there is a lot still to do,” added Hie, who has a three round aggregate of eight-under-par 208.

Rory won his first professional tournament at the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Golf Tour – International Championship by 3 strokes, in a tournament held at Imperial Golf Club, Karawaci in his home country, Indonesia.

With scores of 72-66-70-70, Rory was able to capitalize on being the overnight second and third round leader (shooting a course record in the 2nd round) to eventually win the championship. His final round consisted of 4 birdies and 2 bogeys.

From mercedes-benztour.com:

MAIDEN WIN FOR HIE IN INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
October 25: Indonesia’s Rory Hie completed an impressive victory in the US$50,000 International Championship on the Mercedes-Benz Tour today to quickly announce his arrival among the professional ranks.

Hie, who turned professional in August following a brilliant college career in the United States, fired a final round two-under-par 70 to finish three strokes clear of another rising star from Indonesia, Mauludin Andik.

Andik, the country’s top amateur who is on the brink of turning professional, carded a 69 at Imperial Klub Golf, near Jakarta.

Filipino Jay Bayron finished four strokes behind the winner in outright third place after closing with a 70.

“It feels great to win. I am glad I did especially as I had a four shot lead at the start of the day,” said Hie, who finished with a four-round-aggregate of 10-under-par 278.

The victory marked the first time an Indonesian has won on the Mercedes-Benz Tour and earned him a place in the season ending Mercedes-Benz Masters Thailand – which is the Tour Championship.

“This will certainly help my confidence especially as I am heading to the European Tour Qualifying School next month,” added Hie, who earned a cheque for US$8,126.

The 20 year old played for the University of Southern California and at one point was ranked sixth best amateur in the world. The talented golfer attended college for two years and then opted to leave prematurely as he felt he was ready for the professional game.

Andik, aged 26, got off to an inspired start and drew level with playing partner Hie after making birdies on the first four holes.

However, Hie restored order with birdies on the seventh and eighth and later 13 and 14.

From mercedes-benztour.com:

RORY ROARS INTO LEAD

October 23: Rookie professional Rory Hie from Indonesia lived up to his billing as one of Asia’s most exciting young golfing prospects when he fired a course-record six-under-par 66 to take a share of the lead in the International Championship today.

The 20 year old nailed six birdies for a two-round total of six-under-par 138 to help make it a special day for Indonesia as also on top of the leader board is his compatriot Mauludin Andik.

Andik, the country’s top amateur, shot a 68 at Imperial Klub Golf, just outside Jakarta.

Jay Bayron from the Philippines, the joint first round leader with countryman Michael Bibat, returned a 70 to lie one off the pace.

Hie turned professional in August after starring for the University of Southern California golf college team for two years. He was ranked as the sixth best amateur in the game at one point following four college victories.

He opted to turn professional early and made his professional debut in the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational in August on the Asian Tour. He surprisingly missed the cut on that occasion but is making amends this week.

“That’s my best round since turning professional. It feels real good,” said Hie, whose parents moved from Indonesia to Los Angeles when he was 10.

He started his round on the back nine and made birdies on 11, 14 and 15. On the front side he stamped his mark on the tournament by making short putts for birdie on seven, eight and nine.

“I felt it was the right time to leave college as I reckoned I was ready for the professional game. It was a move that I would of had to have made later anyway,” added Hie, who heads to the European Tour Qualifying School in November.