Prasanna on cloud nine

Celebrating the Silver Jubilee of golf at the Ridgeways of the Royal Colombo, Prasanna Goonetilleke coaxed a 7-wood shot off the 9th to hit the green and then crawl into the cup to register his first Hole-in-One. Goonetilleke was shattered, standing speechless over the magical achievement. Gehan Wickremasinghe, Nihal Boralessa and Shanka Mederippitiya were as shattered but quickly recovered to congratulate their friend and golfing colleague for the shot in a million. The caddies danced with joy and were very quickly amply rewarded. Later on when the quartet returned to the Club House, there were pockets of applause.

Goonetilleke, glutton for celebrating, was quick to move into the Guv’nor’s Bar, the splendid 19th hole. He clapped his hands calling for attention and champagne was his request. The cork popped and hit the chandelier as a steward handled the bottle of Moet & Chandon, the pride of France,in typical fashion. There was laughter and jubilation as the four of them sipped the precious grape juice in style congratulating a pal for a shot in a million. Prasanna responded with another bottle. Cheers ! Soon after twilight he was celebrating further at a table for two under candlelight dining at the BayLeaf, the upmarket eatery in town.