Mithun Perera the ‘Chip off the Old Block’ of K.Nandasena Perera the 1990 Beijing Games Silver Medalist who established Sri Lanka on the Golfing Map, has created history by being the First 'Rookie' on the Indian Tour to Win a Tournament in their Debut Year on the Circuit! Mithun Won the Harryana Open in October and was Ranked in 5th position in the penultimate Round of the 18 Round 2011 Indian Tour Year.
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| Mithun Perera with his trophy. |
Tough playing conditions proved a dampener when Mithun and Anura Rohana, the seasoned Sri Lankan Pro, failed to qualify in the Bombay Open the Final Round of the Tour which caused Mithun to slip down 3 places and he finish 8th. Ranked for the year ahead of the 10 Foreign (International) Golfers granted Qualification after a grueling 'Q' School - Qualifying process. Mithun earned the only International Golfer Rank in the Top 10 among the best Ranked local Indian Golfers. Anura Rohana finished 17th earning substantial Credit. Among the other International Golfers who qualified for the 2011 Indian Tour were three Australians, one American and players from Bangladesh and Nepal which enriched the foreign challenge.
In addition to Mithun being the only 'Rookie' to Win a Tournament, his performance will long be remembered as Mithun was 18 Under Par for the four Rounds winning by 1 Stroke (at 17 Under) from the Indian Tour Leader Ashok Kumar. This brilliant Victory earned Mithun an Invite to Play in the Barclay Singapore Open which had some of the Top Golfers from the European and USPGA Tour. The highlight was when Mithun made the cut in the rain shortened 'Asian Major' where after a Play-off Spaniard Castano won the Million Dollar Winners purse. Mithun finished in 66th place with a poor third Round but not without making an impression playing along side Phil Mickelson a Ryder Cup and Top 5 Golfer in the World having won several Major Titles on the US PGA Tour.
Mithun Perera prepares to participate in the final stage of the Asian Tour Q School scheduled for January 14, 2012 in Thailand in an attempt to qualify for the Asian Tour. Anura Rohana having played on the Tour previously earned the Country spot for the Tour starting January 2012. The Sri Lankans have gradually stepped up their game and are a force to be reckoned with.
Meanwhile a great partnership took place in the picturesque surroundings of The Victoria Golf & Country Club in Digana on Friday. The Country Club. 'haven' set in the hills and valleys of luxurious nature spanning a 6500 plus meter Golf Course, was home to a 'Country Club’ wedding sprawled across the swimming pool and Tennis Courts lavishly decorated and sumptuous catering delivered from the best in Colombo to celebrate probably two most talented families together covering victorious World Cup history and double international sports between the Ana Punchihewa and Lalith Ramanayke families. Shehan, himself a single figure Golfer who played for Sri Lanka, entered into wedlock with Anushka, Ana's precious daughter whose genes carry Sri Lankan stardom anyway! Sri Lanka Golf can only look brighter with the future promising greater prospects of talent and star material to enrich the Sri Lankan talent blood-line. |
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