Rtd Air Chief Abeywickrema new RCGC President
Sri Lanka Golf Union AGM held on 3rd July 2018, at the Royal Colombo Golf Club, elected a new Council for 2018/ 2019. Air Chief Marshal (Rtd) Harsha Abeywickrema, former Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force received a vote of confidence, as the term of President Priath Fernando concluded as per the SLGU Constitution in accordance with the Ministry of Sports regulations.
Sri Lanka Golf new President ACM Harsha, an accomplished single figure Golfer and leader, is accredited with constructing unique Golf Courses within the Air Force, after the cessation of the 30 year war. The architect of Eagles Golf Links Trincomalee, an outstanding 18 hole Golf Course considered one of the most challenging and long Golf Courses in Sri Lanka.
The new President of Sri Lanka Golf, Retired Air Chief Marshal is considered a visionary and much is expected ofthe new team comprising former captain of the RCGC Sanjiv Wairawanathan as Vice President, Nishan Navaratne as the honorary Secretary and G K Sudath Kumar as the honorary treasurer.
Usha De Silva a Past Lady Captain of the RCGC was elected as Assistant Honorary Secretary whilst Squadron Leader Naveen Gunaratne, Secretary Sri Lanka Air Force Golf, appointed Assistant Honorary Treasurer.
Also at the Sri Lanka Golf Union, HSBC International Junior Golf Championship 2018, Press Conference was held on Wednesday 4th July 2018, with the brand new President Abeywickrema presiding one day after being elected. Flanked by Mr. Mark Prothero, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives, the Title Sponsor of the International Junior Championship scheduled for August 1 and 2..
The HSBC Junior International Golf Championship, played for the second consecutive year, an initiative credited to Council member and Chairperson of Junior Golf in Sri Lanka, Niloo Jayatilaka, Dirk Flamer Caldera and the former President Priath Fernando, expects participation from four countries with India and Pakistan already confirming their entries. Thailand and Malaysia is also expected to participate.
The format for the HSBC Junior International Championship is a stroke-play format with the individual event categorized in to four different Age groups played on 1st August.Day 2. Second August will be the feature HSBC International Team Championship comprising a 4 member National Team of 2 Boys and 2 Girls, with all four scores counting, the lowest aggregate scores of the National Teams qualifying for the Final. The top 2 Teams will meet in the Final in the afternoon, to be conducted on the Match-Play format four singles matches, on the lines of the Asia Pacific Golf Team Championship and the Ryder Cup, for the HSBC International Junior Golf Championship Trophy. Sri Lanka won the inaugural event beating Pakistan in the final last year and will hope to defend the title successfully.