Golf: New Army Club House in Diyatalawa launched

The 2nd successive Highlanders Cup, since the revitalisation of the Army Diyatalawa Training Cantonment (DTC) Golf Course last year, was the grand occasion to celebrate the opening of the newly constructed Club House, magnificently depicting Scottish architecture reminiscent of the country of the Royal & Ancient (R&A), Headquarters of the World’s governing body of Golf. 

The DTC, steeped rich in history, established under the British Empire in 1900, did boast of a ‘9 Hole Golf Course’ constructed around the same time, as part of the abounding sports facilities at the DTC Base Camp. 

The Polo grounds, Horse Riding, Rugby Football and Golf were all accommodated within the vast confines of the Army DTC. 

The new Club House was ceremonially opened by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Commander, prior to the commencement of the Highlanders Cup 2018, which too, was officially Teed-off by Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake, whose clear influence to promote Golf within the Army, was evident by the leadership and encouragement given to the Chairman of Army Golf, Brig. Nanda Hathurusinghe, to complete the Club House project. 

The Highlanders Cup itself attracted 65 entries from the RCGC, NEGC, Victoria Golf & Country Resort (VGCR) and the Tri-Services. 

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Chief Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Kapila Jayampathi also played with credit, scoring 30 points in the event. 

Suren Premathilaka of VGCR scored 33 points to win the Highlanders Cup from Sathish Balasubramaniam, also of VGCR, on a count-back, whose 33 points was sufficient to give him victory in the 'A' Division for players up to 18 Handicap. 

Wg. Cmdr. Gamini Rubasinghe clinched the 'B' Division prize with 35 points, relegating Suren Premathilaka to Runner-up. 

The Highlanders Cup open to Ladies and Gentlemen with the Handicap eligibility of a maximum 18, was closely contested with the winning score of 33 off only 14 holes, being an indicator of very good Golf played in the 2nd consecutive Highlanders Cup 2018. 

Dr Praveena Dunuwille won the Ladies prize with 27 points, edging out Niloo Jayathilaka to Runner-up, who compensated by winning the Ladies Gross Stableford prize. 

K. Prabagaran, a leading Professional on the PGTI (Professional Golf Tour of India) of the NEGC, also graced the occasion as an invitee, though not eligible for prizes in the Highlanders Cup for Amateurs. 

Maj.Gen. Rukmal Dias and Maj.Gen. Jagath Gunawardena of the SLA, AVM Sudarshana Pathirana, AVM Kotakadeniya and AVM Sumangala Dias of the SLAF, Cmdr. Mangala Mummullage, Cmdr. D.M.W. Dissanayake, Capt. Rohan Diassanayake and Lt. Cmdr. Harsha Udawatte of the Sri Lanka Navy, were among other participants including Presidents, Captains, Past Presidents of Golf Clubs and Retired Officers of the TriService, enriching the 2nd Highlanders Cup 2018. 

Principal Sponsor Brantel, Co-Sponsors Dialog Enterprises, Orange Electric, Rockland Distilleries and Ceylon Brewery, facilitated an extremely successful Highlanders Cup 2018. 

Highlanders Cup 2018 Results 

Ladies and Gentlemen up to Maximum 18 Handicap (Net Stableford) 
Winner: Suren Premathilaka 33 points (Count back) 

'A' Division: Handicap Category up to 18 (Net Stableford) 
Winner: Sathis Balasubramanium 33 Points 
Runner Up: Rohan De Silva 28 points (Count back) 

'B' Division: Handicap Category 19 – 28 (Net Stableford) 
Winner: Wg.Cmdr. Gamini Rubasinghe 35 points 
Runner up: Suren Premathilaka 34 points 

Ladies Category Net Stableford 
Winner: Dr. Praveena Dunuwila 27 points 
Runner Up: Niloo Jayathilaka 25 points 

Ladies Category Gross Stableford 
Winner: Niloo Jayathilaka 18 points 

Longest Drive Men: Olga Ashley Herath 
Nearest to the Pin Men: Anura Balasooriya