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Australia – a fascinating destination
I have just returned after a fascinating sojourn in Australia, my pet destination where I enthusiastically followed cricket, watched the Australian Tennis Open, enjoyed the golf scene particularly on the Gold Coast, absorbed the crowning glory of the gorgeous scenes on the sea front and sun-kissed beaches of Manly, Bondi, the Gold Coast and Surfers where the collection and display of featherless bird life all in their topless splendour was absolutely soothing to the nerves and easy on the eyes, I relished the wide variety of food in the classy eateries and of course the sparkling, jazzy night spots. Four months of summer in that part of the world is really something one can relish as I did, enormously!

During my absence the Golf Season in Colombo has been quite lively and fun filled and upon my return, I was able to pick up some events and achievements that called my attention.

Merry Joseph
Rajan Joseph is a merry golfer who gets absolute fun from all his encounters. Excellent company in any 4-ball game, he is quick to hit and run and yet quite accurate through the fairways.

Talks a lot in between shots but does not fail in concentration. On the 9th tee he had just finished a massive laugh when he pulled out his 7 wood to address the green on the short par 3.

He swiped a magical hook which moved from the right of the bunker on the right of the green and assisted by a slow moving breeze his titlist No.4 dropped on the superbly manicured grass and coughed up sprightly towards the pin and got swallowed up amidst jubilation from Joseph, Jit Wanigasekere, Gerard Amarasinghe and 3 caddies, who exploded with what was described as a violent war dance. Grinning widely with joy, Rajan was quick to celebrate and this he did lavishly at the pleasurable 19th hole as he walked into the threshold of the Sri Lanka Hole-in-One Golfing Society. Reliable reports have it that he had an ‘alfresco’ dinner that same night at his residence, when Jit Wanigasekera proposed a lively, fun-filled toast seconded sprightly by Gerard Amerasinghe over much of the pride of France and Scotland.

Raju Excels
Raju Chandiram, now popularly known as ‘Young Free and Easy’, has had a few extra hours per week to strengthen his game, polish a few rough edges and stalk the course comfortably. In the Life Members’ Annual Contest of match play, Chandiram moved over superbly winning 4 matches to reach the final.
Joseph Kenny was his opponent and after what was described as a Titanic dingdong struggle, Chandiram pulled out the magical shot that won him the trophy and much applause from Kenny. Chandiram, a glutton for ‘hospitality’ and well spent evenings, signed incessantly at the 19th. Freedom has its rewards.

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