Royal retain G.C. Wickremasinghe Challenge Shield in grand style
The Royal skipper receiving the Bradby Golf Shield from Trinity Principal Abrew Fowler-Watt and G.C. Wickremasinghe
The old boys of Royal College won Best Gross team award at the Bradby Golf 2019 against Trinity College thus retained the coveted G.C. Wickremasinghe Challenge Trophy for 2019.
Trinity won the Victoria Cup for the Best Nett score in the tournament having won this since the inception. The event was held at the picturesque Victoria Golf and Country Resort in Rajawella, Digana on May 31, a day before the 75th Bradby Shield first leg rugby encounter.
The old boys of Royal outfit led by evergreen golfer Gamini Jayaweera, secured 11 point lead over the Trinitians on the overall top five Best Gross scores, which resulted in winning the coveted G.C. Wickremasinghe Trophy awarded in honour of the former Royal College rugby legend, who was a member of the famous team of 1951.
Former national tennis sensation, Arjun Fernando showed his class once again by gaining the highest points for the Old Royalists with 26 while Old Trinitian and 2020 Trinity skipper, Tharanga Gunasekera accounted for 21 points which was the highest for the upcountry lads.
Trinity College Principal, Andrew Fowler-Watt graced the occasion as the chief guest and G.C. Wickramasinghe, as both a player and guest of honour, shared their views as to how Bradby Golf is a great platform to continue traditions, foster camaraderie and friendships united by the passion for golf and that it needs to continue year after year.
With over 30 participants, there was great camaraderie and fellowship during the 4th Bradby Golf event and in 2020, the event will celebrate its fifth anniversary and is fast becoming the biggest lifestyle event coinciding with the Bradby Shield and becoming one of the fastest growing competitions featuring old boys among the golfing fraternity in Sri Lanka. It is expected to grow rapidly over the years given the number of golfers from each school. The official host club was the picturesque Victoria Golf and Country Resorts in Digana, the official travel partner for the event was Findmyfare.
The captains for Bradby Golf 2020 are Tharanga Gunasekera, who will lead Old Trinitians and Samitha Perera, who will lead the Old Royalists.
Special Awards
Longest Drive on 11th winner: Nimal Piyaratne (RCC)
Closest to the Pin on 9th winner: Arjun Fernando (RCC)
Best Nett (Individual winner): Prasad Dissanayake — 39 points (TCK)
Best Gross (Individual winner): Arjun Fernando — 26 points (RCC)
Best Nett Team Award: Trinity College (Victoria Bowl)
Best Gross Team Award: Royal College (awarded the G.C. Wickramesinghe Trophy)
Top Five Best Gross Scores
Old Royalists: Arjun Fernando (26 points), Samitha Perera (24 points), Kapila Dandeniya (22 points), Gamini Jayaweera (18 points) and Gihan Wickramasinghe (15 points)
Old Trinitians: Tharanga Gunasekera (21 points), Fazley Azar (19 points), Prasad Dissanayake, Asela Wevita and Rohan Thotabaduge (18 points each)
Both Trinity and Royal golfers who participated at the 4th event at Rajawella