Golfers in general and at the Royal Colombo in particular will remember Dileepa Ethapane. He was a good golfer and a regular at the R.C.G.C. A trifle erractic off the tee he was quite impressive with his long irons. He fitted well in Sunday 4 ball encouners and had a passion for the 19th. He was quite successful in business but was quite concerned about the two kids Pradeepa and Vinoka. "They are getting nowhere," he said while packing bags to migrate. I know him well and recall that he had a yearning for Australia where he felt his kids would have great opportunities to pursue their plan. He settled for the Sunshine State of Queensland and on two of my visits Down Under I stopped by in Brisbane and it gladdened my heart to see how successful and comfortable the Ethapane's were.

For the first 6 months, the four of them did odd jobs to help ends meet and then quickly by chance Ethapane struck success when he met an Australian with whom he combined to start a Financial Management Company. He immediately placed Vinoka in High School and let Pradeepa choose his career as a golfer. At 18 Pradeepa was a scratch golfer, mad crazy about becoming a Pro.Pappa Dileepa gave him all the encouragement and I personally saw what the lad had achieved.

Job opportunities for Pradeepa were being negotiated so Dileepa packed his bags again and moved to Malaysia/Singapore. Pradeepa quickly found a firm footing and is now a teaching professional at the Peter Senior/Gary Edmon Golf Academy at the Orchard Country Club & Resort in Singapore. He is on the pro Circuit too playing commendable gold finishing with the 1st ten. He is participating in tournaments in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand sponsored by Cross Creek Golf Equipment and Red Bull. Job opportunities were tough and less attractive.

Ethapane was in a quandary when luck fell in his lap again. He answered an advertisement in the newspaper originating from the Emirates. Dileepa applied from Malaysia, was called for an interview and got the assignment as a top Executive for Fullerton Financial Holdings Ltd... A frontline US based combine. Dileepa is now in Dubai with Melinda. Pradeepa is in Singapore and Vinoka is in Brisbane. Golf in Dubai is expensive. "I can afford the money but cannot afford the time until I get accustomed to the market and the American pace.”Till then I will battle because I know what I want and I have Mrs. Stability Melinda behind me"