2nd Sri Lanka Junior Match Play Golf Championships

Friday, 27 March 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

To be held from 6 to 9 April for the Rukmini Kodagoda Trophy

Inaugurated in 2014 this annual tournament is scheduled to be held at the Royal Colombo Golf Club from 6 to 9 April and once again sponsored by Perera & Sons Bakers Ltd the family company of the late Rukmini Kodagoda. Ruki as she was popularly known established herself as one of Sri Lanka’s talented sports women having won national titles and represented Sri Lanka in both tennis and golf. The Sri Lanka Golf Union has been able to introduce the match play format to the juniors with this committed sponsorship of P&S as they are now popularly known. The inaugural tournament was won by Prashan Peiris of St. Thomas College. The winner of the overall championship would carry away the Rukmini Kodagoda Challenge trophy. This year the Sri Lanka Golf Union has added a new dimension by announcing a National Ranking System for Junior Golf starting with those playing in the qualifying round being eligible to gain points for National Ranking. Hence this event for the Rukmani Kodagoda Trophy sponsored by P&S becomes more prestigious this year and will do so in the years to come. The SLGU has now focussed much more on developing junior golfers in Sri Lanka which has resulted in introducing a new Copper Division whilst upgrading the Bronze Division. The tournament will be played over four days and will comprise of four age groups as follows:

15-17 years (Overall/Gold Division)
12-14 years (Silver Division)
10 -11years (Bronze Division)
9 years and under (Copper Division)

The manner of play would be based on a qualifying stroke play round whereby the best eight qualify to play match play knock out. There would be many prizes on offer such as best gross score on qualifying round and plate winner for non-qualifiers on day two best gross score. We are likely to see new talent blossom among the juniors who show aptitude for match play format. The junior match play championship is a fitting tribute to Ruki, who won the Sri Lanka Amateur Championship in 1979 and several other club tournaments. She also held the prestigious position of Chairman Sri Lanka Ladies Golf Union in 1990 and 1991 and Captain of the Ladies Section of the Royal Colombo Golf club. Last year’s divisional winners were: Gold Division – Prashan Peiris, Silver Division – Hiruna Sigera and Bronze Division – Manisha Hirushan. This year we are likely to see stiff competition from Armand Flamer Caldera, D. Dhanranjan, S. Flamin, Tien Kapilasena, Taniya Balasuriya, Sathsara Dilshan in their respective age group categories.