Teeing off in Bogor,Indonesia.

One day I woke up in the heavy sticky temperatures of humidity, in the city of Bogor, Indonesia. I was honoured to participate a golf tournament at Lido Lakes Resort, in the honour of my father's legacy within the oil industry. My father was consider internationally well known and highly respected man who worked for many companies including Reed to SmithBits and then with Schlumberger. Derek James King is a name that will most likely never to be forgotten within the next 15 years or more. Once a year, the golf tournament is held in Indonesia. My dad loved golf and he was damn good at it, after all, he had been playing golf since he was five years old, he even won a huge tournament that was promoted by sponsors and the sports media, The 5th Annual Bali Classic Golf Tournament (The Bali Bash).

Bogor is about hour south from Jakarta (according to google maps but in reality its about 3 - 5 hour drive due to the Indonesian roads and traffic conditions). Bogor is considered third largest city in Indonesia and was once capital of the Sunda Kingdom. There are many extraordinary attractions around Bogor, such as The Bogor Botanical Gardens, Little Venice Puncak - is an artificial lake that is designed to resemble the architecture and natural structures of Venice,Italy. Families with children, there is also The Jungle Waterpark. However if you love to play golf, there are a wide range of courses to choose such as Lido Lakes, Palm Hill, Bogor Golf, Club Golf Bogor Raya and one of my dad's favourite, Rainbow Hills.

It was a year after my dad's death when the first tournament had teed off in 2012. A work colleague of my father - M.Scheide was the one who arranged the idea of this on going event and gather all my dad's friends, work buddies, clients and companies to get together for a 2 day event. I had no expectations and no idea how to play golf, personally I had no intention of playing, just do my part and give a five minute speech to about 140 people who come from different parts of Asia, Canada, US, Australia and New Zealand.

As soon as I stepped off the plane, I was a VIP guest, like a celebrity on the red carpet in Cannes or Los Angeles and I was treated so well. What ever I wanted or however I wanted it, you name it, I got it - no hesitations. It was awesome. I had never thought in my lifetime, that I would actually be a real king.

Having this luxuries moment, it really hit me, how important my dad must have been on these people and how much impact he had on a lot of people, for a regional sales manger, you really have to be a people person, you have to be true to your commitments and connect well. I witnessed tear drops from my audience after my speech. People liked him and he treated everyone with respect. When Dad was in town or happened to be close where ever I was in the world, he told us stories about his life and work, I used to think he spiced them up to be better than they actually were, to make it sound better, but they were true to the point. He certainly gave his family as much as he could, that was without a doubt.

I truly suck at golf still to this day, I have no idea what I am doing or my game plan, I just rely on my caddies to tell me where to aim. After 6 Bintang beers everything seems to be quite accurate. Since my 1st tournament, my passion for golf has grown to a different level, someone once said, "the sport comes within time and age". I believe that may be my case, as I am getting older, can't really maintain the extreme sports to my pro level nowadays. I've played golf in Australia, US and Indonesia (Indonesia is still the best by far).

However, when I'm on the course, in some strange way, I feel close to my dad when I am on the course and I enjoy just being out with a few friends, surrounded by nature and good looking caddies.

I regret that I had never played with my dad, but we did however enjoy a family games of putt putt golf in Sydney.

Over the years, the tournaments still tee off in Indonesia, but unfortunately, not every year since 2015. We also acknowledge to other members who have passed away over the years and to honour their loyalties for what they have contributed to these companies and friendship. Last year, due to the tough economic downfall of oil fields, we had to postpone the event for another time.

My family and I are very grateful for what my dad's employers and friends have done for us over the years especially M.Scheide, a true family friend we have for life and an inspiring person, who is capable of anything like my father was.

I certainly can't wait to go back to Bogor and Tee off in behalf of my father's honour again...

Rest In Peace - Derek James King.

#Jakarta #Indonesia #Sport