Mithun pride for Sri Lanka Golf

By Bernie Wijesekera

Sri Lanka golf led by 20-year-old Mithun Perera swept the boards winning all the main events at the 119th Sri Lanka Golf open which ended at the RCGC, yesterday.

Mithun son of the legendary K.H. Nandasena Perera emerged as the youngest Lankan to win the open Amateur title. He dethroned the defending champion Mohamed S. Rahuman (Bangladesh) by 4 strokes – 274, 278.

Mithun Perera

Sri Lanka ‘A’ team- won the Palakamedi trophy for national teams. Defeated Bangladesh 275-278 Gross score (2 rounds). Mithum Perera 137 Chandradasa 138. B’desh S. Khan 139. M.S. Rahuman 139.

In the Pakistan Sri Lanka dual contest (Aggregate Best three score). Played for the Zia Ul-Haq trophy (gross) Lankans won 209-220.

The ladies amateur Championship unlike in the past hadn’t foreign participation. But it did not mar the enthusiasm among the local participants.

Sri Lanka No. one Jacqueline Dias defending champion has been riding a crest of a wave of success in the local circuit. The return of Anouk Chitty (nee Chanmugam) to the green after a long break to competitive golf was welcome. In spite of her absence of the scene (about five years) Anouk stretched the seasoned Dias to the hilt.

Both golfers produced golf of a high standard. In the morning after 18 holes Anouk, calm-and cool did not let up and came to her own after being one down. She was battling to stay in front with her long drives. However Jacqueline unveiled her skills to be in contention in a grueling contest played for over three hours. At the 36th, it was level. At the 37th Dias too land one up to win the Amateur open 2006 championship.