Inaugural Sri Lanka Junior Match Play from April 7
The Sri Lanka Golf Union (SLGU) has finalised arrangements to conduct the inaugural Sri Lanka Junior Match Play Golf Championship which is scheduled to tee off from April 6 at the RCGC golf course.
The four day championship will see top junior golfers in action as they vie for the Rukmini Kodagoda Trophy donated by the family members in memory of one the most talented sports women produced by Sri Lanka.
From left:Nimal Priyarathne - Captain of Royal Colombo Golf Club, Priath Fernando- Vice President of Sri Lanka Golf Union, Lenard Maddumage and Mr. Gihan Perera - CEO/ Managing Director of Perera & Sons
Ruki as she was popularly known was a former champion national tennis and golf champion of Sri Lanka. She was the Amateur Golf Champion in 1979 and also won several trophies in both sports.
Rukmini also held the prestige position of President of Sri Lanka Ladies Golf Union for two years in 1990 and 1991 which was independently managed until the new Sports Law was introduced of one recognised controlling body for each sport.In tennis she won the national doubles and mixed doubles titles partnering top players during her era such as Ranjani Jayasuriya, Wendy Molligoda and Bernard Pinto on several occasions.
The Junior Match Play Championship will be conducted in three age groups of 15-17 (Overall/Gold Division), 11-14 (Silver Division) and the under ten (bronze Division) categories.
The first day of the championship will see the stroke play contest for over 18 holes and thereafter the match play which will be fought out by the top eight players. The junior players will figure in nine holes.
The championship sponsored by Perera and Sons is a national level tournament where the organisers are expecting to see new talent coming to the fore. The contest will be conducted on the new format.
Apart from the Rukmini Kodagaoda Trophy which is on offer many more prizes will be presented for the best gross score in the qualifying round, plate winner and for best gross score for non qualifiers on day two.
-MSA