KEDIRI, Indonesia — British PGA Professional Damian McHugh has been named the General Manager of the Surya Dhoho Golf Club in Kediri, East Java. McHugh takes over the leadership of the property as it finalized construction milestones for public play.

Executive Management and Strategy

McHugh enters the role with more than 25 years of international golf industry experience spanning operations, marketing, and club development across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Prior to this appointment, he served as the General Manager of Vattanac Golf Resort in Cambodia, a facility recognized by the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF).

In his new role at Surya Dhoho, McHugh will oversee the operations and commercial positioning of the golf development as part of the region's expanding tourism infrastructure.

Destination Infrastructure

The Dhoho Surya Golf Course is a major project within the larger Surya Dhoho destination development. The project is backed by Susilo Wonowidjojo, the president of cigarette manufacturer Gudang Garam.

The club is positioned near the new Dhoho Kediri International Airport, which provides direct transit access to the East Java region to attract both local and international business tourism.

Course Construction and Design Specifications

The championship golf course layout was designed by the U.S.-based firm Curley-Wagner Golf Design and built by Flagstick.

• Terrain: Situated in the foothills of the Gunung Liman mountains, the layout incorporates natural elevation changes, ridgelines, and valleys.
• Signature Features: The design integrates a former mining landscape, which serves as the visual backdrop for the par-three 16th hole and the drivable par-four 17th hole.
• Agronomy and Drainage: To manage annual regional rainfall exceeding 4.2 meters, the course was built with over 60,000 meters of sub-drainage. The fairways are grassed with Zeon Zoysia, while the greens feature Primo Zoysia to establish a firm and fast playing surface.

The front nine holes initially opened for play in late 2025. Following the completion of the remaining holes, a permanent club house remains under construction with a projected completion date scheduled for 2027.