Golf: Taniya Minel secures lead in Ladies Open Stoke Play Championship

Taniya Minel Balasuriya (15) paired off with Guinness Book World Record Holder and past winner of the dual Ladies Championships Thuhashini Selvaratnam and Dr. Pravina Dunuwilla, played an excellent round of Golf, unruffled by the company to return the Card of the Day, one over par, 73, in the 1st Round of the Sri Lanka Open Ladies Stroke Play Championship 2017.

Anouk Chitty was in second place 5 strokes behind the leader Taniya, whilst the Pakistan pair of Yassmin Ghazal and Ijaz Rimsha were in 3rd and 4th place a further 3 and 4 strokes behind respectively. 

Thuhashini, playing in Colombo since 2000, was getting accustomed to the newly laid greens at the RCGC, where the Greens were completely re-laid and the magnificent greens and present conditions would have been very unfamiliar to Thuhashini. 

Thuhashini playing off a +2 Handicap is the lowest Handicapped player in the event and her experience is sure to count as the championship reaches its climax. 

Nonetheless, interesting Golf awaits as the 2nd Round of the Ladies Stroke play Tees off early morning, which is also the 1st Qualifying round of the Sri Lanka Ladies Open Amateur Golf Championship 2017, played concurrently. 

The Amateur Championship will be decided in the Match-play format, with the Top 8 players from the 2 Qualifying Rounds meeting on March 9, 10 and 11 at the RCGC.

The opening round of the Championship Teed-off at the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC), thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Ladies Open Stroke Play Championship by the ‘Abhayaratne Family’ in memory of the Late Malin Abhayaratne, Past President of the Sri Lanka Golf Union.

Yvonne Abhayaratne, a 5 time past winner of the Stroke Play Championship will give away the Trophy at the conclusion of the 54 hole – 3 round stroke play event.

Leader Board After Round 1

73: Taniya Minel Balasuriya

78: Anouk Chitty

81: Yassmin Ghazala

82: Ijaz Rimsha

83: Thuhashini Selvaratnam

91: Suwen Selvaratnam

93: Dr. Pravina Dunuwilla