Golf: Promising Taniya rewarded with Softlogic boost

One of Sri Lanka’s most promising young Golfers, Taniya Balasuriya will be sponsored by the Softlogic Group towards fulfilling her dream of ruling the amateur circuit. 

Taniya (14) of Sri Jayewardenepura Balika Vidyalaya is the latest beneficiary of Softlogic’s commitment to foster young local Golfing talent, with a 1-year Golf scholarship commencing January 2017 a commitment which saw Softlogic take the country’s first Asian Tour professional Golfer Mithun Perera under its wing in 2016. 

The scholarship is to be administered through the Sri Lanka Golf Union (SLGU) and her coach Jehan de Saram. 

Taniya who took to Golf at age 10, currently holds a Club handicap of 6. 

In her relatively short association with the sport, she has notched up several noteworthy wins, including the Ladies Sri Lanka Stroke Play Championship in 2015, the Regional and Sri Lanka Junior Open Division championship and is ranked No.1 in the Silver Division (Age Group 12-14+ years) in the National Junior Rankings 2015. 

Among her recent achievements were securing a berth in the semifinals of the Sri Lanka Amateur Championship in 2016, where she finally succumbed to Thailand’s top seed. 

To date, Taniya has been supported by the Royal Colombo Golf Club and the SLGU, whilst Sri Lanka’s only qualified PGA professional coach Jehan de Saram has been providing her with the necessary knowledge and basic skills, which has given her the confidence to move to the next level. 

“The SLGU is privileged that a blue chip company like Softlogic Holdings PLC has come forward to sponsor its high potential junior Golfer Taniya, and hopes that others too will follow suit, as we get into a more formal Ggolf development programme in schools,” said SLGU President Priath Fernando, accepting the cheque for her scholarship fund.