Latief and Bintang Primed for AAC Title Tilt

Jakarta, Indonesia: Randy Bintang and Rayhan Latief will spearhead a six-man Indonesian contingent at the 17th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC).

Kenneth Sutianto, William Wijaya, Jayawardana Dornan and Asa Najib Bhakti will complete the Indonesian line-up at Te Arai Links’ South Course in New Zealand from October 29 to November 1.

Launched in 2009 by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), The R&A and the Masters Tournament to further develop amateur golf in the region, the         AAC offers its champion an invitation to the Masters Tournament and an exemption into The Open.

To date, the best finish by an Indonesian player in the AAC was George Gandranata, who was tied 17th in 2011 in Singapore. Latief, a sophomore at the University of North Texas, matched that achievement in Dubai last year in his fourth AAC start.

“This tournament is very important to me,” said 19-year-old Latief. “It’s an annual tournament that I prioritise every year because of how special the opportunity is. If you win, you get the chance to play in two Major championships. That’s why it means so much.”

Latief believes an Indonesian AAC victory would do wonders for the game in his native country.

He said: “It would mean a lot to Indonesian golf. I think it could help make the golf industry in Indonesia even bigger and encourage more people to get into golf.

“I also think it could create a new Indonesian role model or a new Indonesian star who can inspire the next generation to play golf. Whether it’s me or another Indonesian player, winning the AAC would be a huge moment for Indonesian golf and it could have a really positive impact on the future of the sport in Indonesia.”

In Japan in 2024, Bintang emerged as the first-round leader. He finished tied 19th – a result he’s looking to improve upon next month in what will be his fifth successive appearance in the region’s premier amateur championship.

Bintang, 22, said: “I’m very excited for New Zealand, especially at Te Arai Links where it will be challenging playing at a links course. My goal is to win the tournament. It’s a matter of time because young and talented golfers in Indonesia are progressing very fast. If it’s not me, I hope someone else from Indonesia can win and make our country proud.”

Winner of nine World Amateur Golf Ranking-counting event, including five junior titles this year, Sutianto also has high hopes on what will be his fourth AAC outing.

The 18-year-old, who was joint 53rd last year, said: “It’s top of my list every year. All the best players in Asia-Pacific will be in this tournament and my goal will be top-20 this year.

“Hopefully I can get my A-game at Te Arai Links. Nothing is impossible for those who work hard and smart. If an Indonesian wins the AAC, it will be very good news for the golf industry in Indonesia.”

Wijaya, who missed the half-way cut in his sole AAC appearance to date in 2024, is anxious to shine at Te Arai Links after being part of a select group who participated in the AAC Academy at the venue.

The 17-year-old high school student said: “Being part of the group who attended the AAC Academy was such a privilege and honour.

“The experience I had, playing the golf course and having multiple sessions with different coaches, definitely improved my knowledge of the game. Being able to have a sneak peek of the golf course is such an advantage, not to mention the advice given by the coaches to help me navigate the course.”