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The finest seniors at Royal Colombo
Dammika Fernando and Sohli Captain are two of the finest Seniors adorning the Royal Colombo Golf Club. Pin Fernando’s brother Dammika Fernando counts 54 years of membership during which he played excellent golf and got his name on many Winner’s panels in solo efforts and also combining with the his brother Pin, the legend.

A much liked personality he still hits a great ball and leisurely walks the course in “Slowboat to China” style just before twilight. He then shoots two half shots of Red Label and gears himself for sessions of Bridge or Culverts. In his youth he was one of the finest jivers in the country & the Silver Fawn took large doses of his excellent flair and skills every Saturday night. He is now at peace with the whole universe in his retirement with his dearly beloved gorgeous Sonia. He never ever joined the administration claiming that holding office can be harassingly problematic or sometimes traumatic. How very true!

Sohli Captain
Coming behind Dammika Fernando is Sohli Captain who joined the Royal Colombo in 1954. Now here is a man of brilliant playing talent combined with exceptionally skilful handling of Golf administration with firmness, style and finesse.

He was Vive-Captain in 1974, Captain in 1975 and eventually President in 1977. Praise is still sung about his stunning aptitude of holding groups together through right and honest thinking and decision making.

As a golfer he was outstanding consistently during the years when Pin Fernando was supreme. In 1975 he broke the Ridgeway Course record with 67. Soon after the course was lengthened and in the year 1967 he beat Maithrie Samarasinghe to win the Club Title. In 1977 he proved this victory was no ‘flash in the pan’ by beating the maestro Pin Fernando in match play to retake the Club Title.

Finally
I just cannot leave these premises without making reference to a very special Senior person. Johaan Leembruggen started his golf at the Havelocks and when the Club folded to be adorned by the BMICH Leembruggen found new pastures at the Royal Colombo.A delightful pleasant personality tremendously enthusiastic about the game and at a well preserved 88 he still hits the Course 4 times a week.

A wag was heard to say “He surely must live in a fridge to look so well preserved” Johaan live alone with books. He enjoys quiet spells on his “Hansie Putuwa” and on most evenings after sunset he relaxes sipping 2 shots of measured Scotch over chosen arrangements by Mozaart, Handel and Tchaikovsky. Great life.

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