Golf, the ultimate winner
It was top class golf displayed during the season in Nuwara Eliya with the 132-year-old, Nuwara Eliya Golf Club (NEGC) hosting the inaugural Foursomes — Captain’s Cup, President’s Prize, Aitken Cup — at their picturesque golf course.
Former Isipathana, national hockey player Mervin Preena accounted for the Captain’s Cup while former Kingswoodian and rugby promoter, Nayana Dehigama walked away with the President’s Prize. Former D.S. Senanayake College, veteran golfer Manjula Chandrasoma was in sparkling form on the last two days accounting for the Aitken Cup with the best net scores in total at the President’s Prize and Captain’s Cup.
The NEGC Foursomes Men’s event which was organised for the very first time saw more than 40 contesting for honors. Romesh Abeyratne and Radesh Daluwatte won the event when they teamed up accumulating 35 Stableford points. Michael Sathasivam and A.W. Reza came second with 33 Stableford points. Closest to the PIN on the first day at Foursomes was won by Ravi (Jr.) Wijegunratne while Sathies Balasubramaniam won the longest drive which was counted in the first hole.
The main event, Captain’s Cup, was worked off with more than 90 golfers teeing off for honours on the second day. Sadly this event which had lot of fire-power among the players and evenly contested with some top class golf with powerful hits with some top class accuracy in the narrow fairway, was interrupted by heavy rain. It was Mervin Preena who won the event while another top class golfer and veteran banker, Shafraz Zuhar was runner-up with Somanath Fernando was placed second runner-up.
President’s Prize on the final day saw nearly 60 of them competing which was won by, Nayana Dehigama with Manjula Chandrosoma being the runner-up. The first runner-up was A.W. Reza. This game had a narrow escape without being interrupted by evening rain. Third days nearest to the PIN was won by Dulitha Perera while Romesh Carvello won the Longest Drive event.
The Aitken Cup saw ever green golfer, Manjula Chandrasoma, who scored the highest points for the last two days winning the event. Ravindra (Jr.) Wijegooneratne was first runner-up while Aslam Mohideen was placed second runner-up.
The Ladies event was worked off on the second day with more than 10 golfers teeing off. Kaya Daluwatte lead the way though no awards were given for this segment. All three days saw some top class golf with the Junior golfers in sparkling form.
Haroon Aslam, Reshan Algama, Kaya Daluwatte, Musa Sheriff and P. Visagan all showing what is to come in the next few years with sparkling form and Champaign golf which entertained the players plus a few who witnessed this annual event.