Shangri- La, Hambantota says thank you to golfing fraternity in grand style
Great food and fellowship: Guests right and below
It’s elephant season at Shangri-La, Hambantota. The pachyderms are carved out of coconut husks on tables, made of rusted iron in the lobby, gambolling as framed charcoal sketches on walls, papier-mâché ones on teapoys, and those sculpted out of fondant icing in every single room. For the animal is the jaunty logo and mascot of the Shangri-La’s anniversary golf tournament, held this year for the second time.
For the first-timer, the resort springs this sudden surprise- unfurling like a palmy oasis in dry open country marked by shimmering salt pans. It lies in the centre of a hammock-strewn coconut estate, open to the grassy verdure, the sea and the Indian Ocean breezes.
Arms thrown wide open in welcome, all the hotel’s spaces abound with tropical nature- one huge Bawa-esque garden fanning out with leaf and flower.
Into this meandering landscape is carved the golf course. An 18-hole links course, it is the only one of its kind in the country, offering great views as well as a challenging terrain for both the seasoned and the casual player. Designed by the great Rodney Wright, the 70-par course comprises three landscaped zones: the coconut plantation, the ‘Dune Area’ with views of the Indian Ocean, and the ‘Sapphire Mine’- so called for its abundance of water features. The course is USGA (United States Golf Association) Course Rated and Slope Rated.
Held on June 29, the tournament was a celebration of the resort’s birthday- something growing into an annual event when Shangri-La Hambantota says ‘thank you’ to the members who so much appreciate their unique course, all year-round.
Half of Colombo, it seemed, had driven to the deep south to be part of the game. The weekend began with a grand night’s BBQ at the Upper Lagoon pool lawn where the golfing fraternity mingled over cocktails and delectable seafood.
Over 50 players took part in the tournament the next day, not counting the guests they brought in. The resort ensured that the non-golfers too had an exciting time.
At a glittering gala dinner held at Gimanhala Lounge overlooking a dark velvet sea and flickering fires, the best putters of what was an energetic but rewarding morning were toasted. Nimal Wettimuny emerged as overall gross winner (in ladies and gents). Afflli Raheem and Sunil Udalagama were named the gents gross and nett winners respectively; whilst Niloo Jayathilake and Ahalya Rajan were named the ladies gross and nett winners. Among the guest participants, Somanath Fernando received the award for overall gross winner.
Prizes for winners included airline tickets from SriLankan Airlines and Cinnamon Air, and weekend stays at other Shangri-La hotels and resorts. Other partners for the golf tournament, Siddhalepa and Spa Ceylon, extended indulgence packages to players.
With the promise of the expressway making its way into the deep heart of the South, Shangri-La looks forward to even greener times with a greater clientele in the coming years.
