Sri Lanka Golf on the rise with youngsters in the fore
View(s):
Taniya Balasuriya (L), SLGU assistant national coach Pradeep Kumara (C) and Chanaka Perera (R) during ongoing practises at Victoriya G&CR at Digana
The Sri Lanka Golf Union (SLGU) has made elaborate plans to complete an exhaustive schedule in the forthcoming months to improve the standard of golf in Sri Lanka. COVID-19 did set the proposed programmes behind. The SLGU together with the Ministry of Sport, National Olympic Committee and the Health Authorities have made plans to fast forward the delayed tournaments in the coming months.
Rising stars and youngsters M.U. Chanaka Perera and Taniya Balasuriya have been selected to represent Sri Lanka at the forthcoming events to be held in the middle-east.
Sri Lanka Golf Union will send two players to participate at the forthcoming Asia Pacific Golf Tournaments for men and women which takes place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. The tournament for men will be held in Dubai from November 7 to 14 whilst the women’s tourney will be in Abu Dhabi from November 15 to 21.
M.U. Chanaka Perera will tee off in the men’s category whilst Taniya Balasuriya will take part in the women’s. Both golfers have been invited by virtue of their World Amateur Handicap Ranking. Young Vinod Weerasinghe, a rising star too was invited to participate in the men’s category but due to unforeseen circumstances will not make it to Dubai.
SLGU has finalised different squads to be put through a strenuous training schedule in the coming months. The national, development and junior squads will undergo on-course training in addition to physical fitness training under supervision.
“Plans are in place to get both men and women golfers in peak condition by mid-next year to make a strong showing at the Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou, China. The Asian Games 2022 where golf will be a sport is to be held in November. SLGU will enter four male and four female golfers to participate in the individual and team events”, said Michael Perera Magala, the President of SLGU.
“Plans are underway to hold Sri Lanka’s ranking tournaments in November and December and conclude the prestigious 132 Sri Lanka Amateur Championship and Sri Lanka Open in January 2022. We are in the process of moving to a unified and worldwide accepted World Handicapping System for all golfers with the support of all golf clubs in Sri Lanka. This will be a beneficial move to all golfers in Sri Lanka,” said Ranil Peiris, the Vice President of SLGU.
The lack of golf courses has been a setback for young golfers to take up the game though Sri Lankans have been gifted with high hand-eye coordination. Led by The Royal Colombo Golf Club and ably supported by Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, Victoria Golf Club- Digana, Eagles Golf Club- Trincomalee, and Shangri-La Golf Club- Hambantota, have all been supportive in their willing service to the Golf Union by extending their facilities to improve Golf in Sri Lanka. Women’s golf is in an upward trend with many young players taking to the game ably supported by Ms. Anouk Chitty. We intend making a strong showing at the forthcoming Asian Games,” he added.
Junior golf is an area that has been the focal point and Niloo Jayetileke has her sights set on drawing many new talented players to the game.
“Royal and Ancient in Scotland have a support programme which has been beneficial in this area. Five tournaments are being held for Juniors each year and plans are underway to tie up with an Indian Golfing Group to extend this programme to reach a greater height,” said Jayetileke.
Initial plans are made, and the Ministry of Sport has been approached to build a golf range for the SLGU which is a much-felt need.