Prabhagaran with the 2009 Victoria Cup

The Sri Lanka Men’s Open Golf Championship conducted by the Sri Lanka Golf Union (SLGU) will be held at the Royal Colombo Golf Club from January 18 to 22.

This championship was first played in 1970 and is open to professional and amateur golfers. Leading amateur golfers played alongside caddies and this became a regular event in the golfing calendar of the Union.

The then leading amateur golfers in the likes of Pin Fernando, Dr. Lance Fernando and Chrisso Abeyewardene were not only great players they also actively promoted the game at a professional level. The stars of today are Anura Rohana, Lalith Kumar, Mithun Perera and K Prabhagaran

This championship was played on and off until 1995 and resumed in 2002 at the Victoria Golf and Country Club thereafter the tournament was held on and off due to lack of sponsorship. However the Sri Lanka Golf Union since 2008 has held this prestigious tournament with big prize money being thrown in to attract the professional golfers. This year too there are several sponsors who have come forward to make the tournament a great success with special sponsorship package by Ceylon Cold Stores – Elephant Brand soft drinks.

In this four day competition over 75 golfers will vie for top honours and we are to see Sri Lanka top professionals and amateurs compete exhibiting a high standard of golf. Last year’s winner was Anura Rohana.