Golf winners relinquish prize money to local Bali charity

DENPASAR (indo.com): A two-day golfing event at Le Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort Bali included a golfing clinic and a pro-am "Texas Scramble" that saw Indonesia's top amateur golfers compete in an 18-hole shoot-out with the top international golfers. World champion golfer Nick Faldo won the tournament, which was held on February 8 - 9, 2003.

Faldo outperformed Australia's best, Robert Allenby, by 3 strokes. Allenby turned in a 3 under par 69; South African Ernie Els carded a 2 under par 70, and was followed by 22 year-old Justin Rose who made par at 72.

On the final day of the tournament, Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri presented the winners with combined prizes totaling US$100,000, thanking the players for traveling to Bali and demonstrating that Bali remains a premier international tourism destination. The winners graciously relinquished their prize money, insisting it be turned over to local Bali charities.

On his first visit to Bali, Allenby said that he had heard so much about the island over the years, adding that Bali is still a safe and beautiful a safe place to visit.

Els, also on his first Bali visit and traveling with his family, said that his friends in South Africa were planning to visit Bali soon. He added that he was happy to support an island clearly deserves more visitors.