Golf: Armand and Kumar emerge Pin and Pam Fernando Trophy winners

UTE Engineering 2018, Pin and Pam Fernando Trophy Finals were worked off on Friday at the Royal Colombo Golf Club, continuing the traditional Match-Play feature in the RCGC annual calendar, played since 1979. 

The Pin Fernando Trophy played in the memory of the legendary Match-play champion Pin Fernando who won 19 RCGC Championships and 9 National Amateur Championships, twice winner of the All India Amateur Championship among many other achievements. 

As per the format the qualifying round facilitates the top 16 to proceed to the Match-play stage on an automatic seeding based on the qualifying round scores. 

Mahendra Jayasekera with a net 65 was seeded # 1, whilst Rohan De Silva with a net 66 (count back) was seeded #2. 

2017 Runner-up Tyronne Weerackody seeded #3, with a net 66, whilst Armand Flamer Caldera was seeded #4, being the youngest qualifier for the Pin Fernando Trophy. 

In the Match-play segment Armand Flamer Caldera played excellent Golf through all the matches and reached the Final defeating Suren Waas 6 & 5, Rohan J Perera 7 & 6, and Manjula Chandrasoma 4 & 2. 

In the second half of the draw, Gehan Siribaddana, seeded # 7, played consistent and aggressive Golf to beat Afflli Raheem, Rohan De Silva and Riahn Peiris all in the identical margin of 3 & 2. 

In the Quarter Final clash earlier Riahn Peiris overcame Tyronne Weerackody, only to be over powered by Gehan in the Semi’s. 

The Final of the Pin Fernando Trophy saw a fascinating exhibition of brilliant Golf by the youngest qualifier in the Tournament Armand Flamer Caldera who reeled off six birdies on the 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th to take a commanding 4 up lead at the turn. 

Armand continued his birdie spree with two more on the 11th& 12th to go 6 up Dormie playing the 13th Hole. 

There was little Gehan could do to prevent Armand from winning the Pin Fernando Trophy 2018, who dropped only two bogeys in the final round winning 6 & 5. 

The Pam Fernando Trophy 2018, was also very keenly contested with Niloo Jayatilaka top seeded with a net 69, Usha De Silva secured 2nd seeding, whilst the eventual winner Kumari Herath seeded 3rd and Anouk Chitty Seeded 4th. 

In the Match-play stage 5th seeded Dr. Praveena Dunuwila beat Anouk Chitty and Anusha Senadira to reach the Final whilst Kumari Herath defeated Eliane Sterchi and Usha De Silva to meet Praveena in the Final. 

Kumari was well composed in the Final and played an excellent steady game receiving six strokes, to score 5 pars and defeat Praveena Dunuwila a shade comfortably 4 & 3, to be a worthy winner of the Pam Fernando Trophy 2018. 

The interesting Finals was followed by a solemn prize giving ceremony in the presence of Priath Fernando, Former Chairman of United Tractor & Equipment the proud sponsors, UTE Engineering CEO Riyadh Ismail, RCGC Captain Avancka Herath, RCGC Vice Captain W.A.K. Fernando, Ladies Captain Manori Jayakody, UTE Engineering Manager Events Anushya, who also distributed the Prizes. 

Nalin Jayathilaka, GM RCGC, did the honours of conducting the Prize Giving, recalling the history of the Pin Fernando Trophy inaugurated in 1979, in memory of Pin Fernando and the Pam Fernando Trophy remembering Pam who holds the Guinness world record for the oldest to win a National Championship. 

Results
 
Pin Fernando Trophy 2018 
Winner: Armand Flamer Caldera 6 & 5 
Runner-up: Gehan Siribaddana 

Pam Fernando Trophy 2018 
Winner: Kumari Herath 4 & 3 
Runner-up: Dr. Praveena Dunuwila 

Men Division A: 
Winner: Armand Flamer Caldera net 67 
Runner-up: Gehan Siribaddana net 68 

Men Division B:
Winner: Mahendra Jayasekera Net 65 
Runner-up: Rohan De Silva net 66 (b/b9)
 
Men Division C:
Winner: Rohan J. Perera Net 67 
Runner-up: Mevan Gunathilaka Net 70 

Seniors Best Nett:
Winner: A.S. Abdeen Net 69 
Runner-up: Ranjith Thabrew Net71 

Masters Best Nett:
Winner: Erajh Gunaratne Net 69 
Runner-up: Asaka Ishiyama Net 70 

Ladies 0-24 Best Nett:
Winner: Niloo Jayathilaka Net 69 
Runner-up: Usha De Silva Net 69 

Ladies Best Gross: 
Winner: Anouk Chitty 77 
Runner-up: Niloo Jayathilaka 79 

Youngest Qualifier: Armand Flamer Caldera 

Oldest Qualifier: Dayananda Ukwatte