The Sri Lanka Golf Union dynamically managed by Ana Punchihewa and a team of Golfers promoting the Sport at all levels has hit a purple patch in un-earthing tremendous talent throughout the years.
The Sri Lanka Junior Open which has developed over the years is the cradle to nourish talented Golfers who mature in to becoming Champion Amateurs and Pro Golfers.
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| Overall winner Kyle de Silva strikes the final shot to clinch the Sri Lanka Junior Open Golf Championship 2011 at RCGC. |
Sri Lanka Junior Golf first played in 1962 at the 9 Hole Havelock Golf Club Course home at the current BMICH Conference Hall property, was a 18 Hole 1 Round stroke play won by Druki Martenstyn nee Fernando the first born of the late Champions Pin and Pam Fernando. Subsequently the Havelock Golf Course was taken over and all the members joined The Ridgeways at the RCGC and the Junior Open became the Maple Leaf Trophy for many years and some of the early winners were Ana Punchihewa,Dirk Flamer Caldera,Priath Fernando among others.
As the years progressed in the 80's Richard Peiris Co. Ltd sponsored the Arpico Junior Open for Young Golfers including Ball-boys and caddy's children open to the Age Group 18 and Under over 3 Rounds. Prizes were awarded to different age group categories encouraging kids below 10 years to take part too. From the early days winners, Tissa Chandradasa who is now a Teaching Pro, played for Sri Lanka and as a Pro became the Top rated Amateur in Dubai and held his own in Asia.
Lalith Kumara won in 1995,1996 and went on to win the Indian Amateur in 2000 and 2004. Mithun Perera making ripples in the Indian and Asian Tour now, won consecutively 3 years in 2002,2003 and 2004. Binupa.
Wijesinghe winner in 2005 is now pursuing Higher studies combined with a Golf Scholarship in the United States. This years Junior Open Runner-up having got the Top spot as an Amateur at the RCGC won in 2009. The last years winner Dhanika De Silva is currently also in the States and didn't take part this year. This year the Junior Open growing in stature after the Ceylon Agri Industries - Prima Group took over Sponsorship 4 years ago, showed up a Gem and a real star in the shape of stockily built 16 year old Kyle De Silva domiciled in the State of California with his parents Saliya and Samantha De Silva with their roots in Sri Lanka.
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| The winners with the officials and sponsors. (Pix by Amila Prabodha) |
Kyle dominated the 3 round Open leading from the 1st round with a 3 over Par 74 and then produced a scintillating 2 under Par 69 from the Black Marker back Tees. Kyle grabbed a clear 10 stroke lead from his cousin and local star Sachin De Silva. Kyle was not pushed nor threatened as he eased himself to a 76 in the final round to win by a wide margin of 14 strokes. This is no flash in the pan for Kyle as he has proved himself at home in been the only young Amateur to qualify.
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| On left Sachin de silva (handicap 4)and right Kyle de silva (handicap 1).Sachin is 15 years and a past winner of the junior open in 2009. |
The California Inter State Tournament with over 200 entries. Kyle showed maturity and cool hands to wipe out any opposition and a highly placed Golf Union Official was quoted as saying that Kyle blasted a drive on the Par 5, 15th hole in line with the 16th Hole bunker and hit a 9 Iron to the green! The official mentioned a few top World Pro's of today and Prophesied that Kyle is the next nominee to top the World from Sri Lanka.
Kyle and Sachin are first cousins and no love was lost for the rivalry but a great promise for Sri Lankan Golf has been made,hopefully Kyle will receive the best attention at first hand and A Thousand Flowers Bloom in the years to come! Junior Open Results 2011 - Open Category Junior Champ - Kyle De Silva 219- 74,69,76 Runner-up Sachin De Silva 233 -75,78,80
Overall Results
Gold Division (Ages 15-17+)
Name 1st round 2nd round 3rd round Total
Kyle de Silva 74 69 76 219
Sachin de Silva 75 78 80 233
Chanaka Perera 83 81 77 241
Sasinathan 87 91 93 271
Silver Division (Ages 11-14+)
Zaffar Sikkander 83 83 90 256
Prashan Peiris 80 84 94 258
Ishira Fernando 91 85 87 263
Charya Kannangara 97 98 99 294
Bronze Division (Ages 10+ and under)
Vinod Weerasinghe 43 47 - 90
Arvind Hidramani 50 49 - 99
Yohan Rukmal 52 53 - 105
Ishara Umayanga 55 51 - 106
Vinuk Welikala 66 70 - 136 |
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