Junior Nationals from December 15
Officials of SLGU and sponsor Prima Sunrise Bread at the event launch
Golf will be back at business after a lapse of one year due to the pandemic with the Junior Golf Open Championship returning to the grass on December 15, at the Royal Colombo Golf Course.
The event will once again be held in four age group categories comprising — 15-18 years (Gold Division), 12-14 years (Silver Division), 10-11 years (Bronze Division) and 9 years and under (Copper Division).
A quartet of young golfing talent likes of Haroon Aslam, Nirekh Tejwani, Yannik Kumara, Reshan Algama from the boys’ division and sisters Taniya and Sherin Balasuriya, Devinka Kanagisvaran, Kaya Daluwatta and Kayla Perera will be battling it out for honours in the girls’ segment.
Tania is also a winner of 2019 Junior Girls’ Tournament and was a member of the South Asian Games-winning team as a junior golfer, which bagged a gold medal.
In the more junior categories K. Danushan, Shanal Binuksha, Keshav Algama, Thejas Kanth, Kavahn Tejwani, as the emerging talent and this event should provide them a golden opportunity to showcase their skills and it is hoped the youngsters play to their fullest potential.
The organisers said they are working to attract foreign entries with the country opening up and will provide stiff competition to the local lads and lasses. Negotiations are still underway with Dubai and India and a score of foreign competitors are expected.
They also said these tournaments would be a platform to train and target in sending a representation for the 2026 Junior Olympics. The 13th edition will be an acid test for juniors, also required to make it through the grueling Regional Junior Opens, as well as a number of club level tournaments throughout the year. The winners of the Sri Lanka Junior Open will be crowned the National Junior champion in both boys’ and girls’ categories.
Along with these, the regional tournaments also have been slated to be worked off from March 17 to 19 at Nuwara Eliya Golf Club and the second meet in August, though dates yet to be announced in Victoria Golf and Country Club, Kandy. The event is sponsored by Prima Sunrises Bread.