Golf: Taniya Minel clinches HSBC International Junior Championship

The HSBC International Junior Team Championship 2018 was played at the RCGC between India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, in the stroke-play format in the morning, with each international team comprising 2 Boys and 2 Girls each. 

The Sri Lankan Team Captained by Vinod Weerasinghe (75), Armand Flamer Caldera (74), Kayla Perera (76) and Taniya Minel Balasuriya (70) returning the best Sri Lankan Score were the top team qualifier with a Gross Total of 295, 10 strokes clear of Pakistan. 

Pakistan on 305, were also 10 strokes clear of the Indian Team to qualify to meet Sri Lanka in the match-play Final, for the 2nd year in succession. 

As expected the Match-play format, created much interest with Taniya Minel and Kayla Perera winning the two singles matches beating ParkhaIjaz and RimshaIjaz, the two Pakistani sisters, respectively. 

However, the Pakistan Boys JunaidIrfan and Muhammed Saqib beat Armand Flamer Caldera and Vinod Weerasinghe respectively to ‘Tie’ the Final with 2 wins each. 

The rules provided for a sudden-death play-off between Sri Lanka and Pakistan but first, the Toss of a Coin decided on whether it would be a Play-off between two Girls or two Boys.

The Chairman of the Rules Committee, Immediate Past President of the SLGU Mr. Priath Fernando summoned the two Managers and the Coin was tossed with Heads turning up for a Girls showdown. 

Taniya Minel Balasuriya was nominated for Sri Lanka, whilst RimshaIjaz represented Pakistan. 

The tensed sudden-death play-off was followed by an enthralled crowd rarely seen witnessing a Golf Final, comprising the 100+ junior participants, parents, senior golfers, members, invitees and the proud sponsors representing five of the largest corporate brands in the world. 

Minel, showing great character and golf maturity, after halving the 1st sudden death hole in pars, held her nerve and applied pressure on Rimsha, weighed down by the pride of Pakistan succumbed to Minel’s brilliant pitch to under 5 feet on the second sudden death hole #8 and RimshaIjaz, sportingly Congratulated Taniya Minel, recording a significant consecutive victory for Team Sri Lanka becoming the HSBC International Junior Golf Champions 2018. 

“Today is one of the proudest days for me in my life, to be able to win an International Match for Sri Lanka” said a delighted Taniya MinelBalasuriya after her high pressure battle. 

Witnessing the ‘Play-off’ between Sri Lanka & Pakistan a former ladies champion said "I havn’t seen such good golf played by juniors in Sri Lanka at this tender age in such a long time,"  referring to the excellence of Taniya Minel shooting a 3 under par in the individual event on day one, defeating ParkhaIjaz 5 & 4 in the Final and defeating RimshaIjaz to win the HSBC International Junior Golf Championship. 

Another senior citizen, commented on the vast talent displayed with 12 year old Yannik Kumara shooting 76 on day one playing off the same Tees of the Gold Division players where Sri Lanka Team Captain Vinod scored 70 and Armand Flamer Caldera the other Junior Team member shooting 74. 

Nirehk Tejwani the other 12 year old also shot a 74, proving that the Sri Lankan junior kids who are not even teenagers are knocking at the door of National Junior selection.