Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday, 19 July 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Anuradhapura Academy emerged winners of the 2nd Inter-Academy Novices Golf Tournament, conducted by Sri Lanka Golf (SLG) at the Eagles Heritage Golf Club in Anuradhapura recently. The inaugural title was won by Kilinochchi Academy in 2018, but this year, a committed team from the Anuradhapura Golf Academy secured the title, reaping the benefit of many hours of practice. Golf tournaments such as these are popularising the sport in parts of Sri Lanka that hitherto had no access to the game, and from which much young talent is seen emerging. The SLAF has opened up their golf course and facilities to junior golf development, supporting Sri Lanka Golf in its endeavours. Out of this framework, it is quite encouraging to see the host of talented kids emerging as potential future national players. The junior golf development programs now being conducted around the country have been largely made possible with the HSBC Future Lions program, which initially handpicked junior prospects by conducting a golf drive in their local school playgrounds. These kids are now experiencing and have access to a sport which has been alien to most parts of Sri Lanka. HSBC is very committed to see the continuation of the program and development of the skill set of the juniors, given the limited resources with equipment and golf facilitates. Sri Lanka Golf is further complementing these initiatives by HSBC by moving to the next phase of testing the competitive skills of these juniors, by conducting such competitive tournaments throughout the country.
SLG President Rtd. Air Chief Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema, commenting on these initiatives, said that Sri Lanka Golf stands committed to develop junior golf in the country. “Being a skill sport and with the exciting young talent being discovered through these programs, there is much potential for Sri Lanka to gain international honours in the sport,” he said.
Junior Golf Chairperson Niloo Jayatilake stated that the Junior Golf grass root program had attracted over 300 children in its inaugural year. “From that initiative we currently have kids in different corners of the island being trained under local professionals. There are at present 30 kids in the Anuradhapura golf Academy and 20 kids in Kilinochchi being trained in the North Central part of Sri Lanka. In addition we have 30 kids in Diyathalawa and 15 kids in Hambantota under training as well. I am confident that years from now Sri Lanka will reap the benefits of these grassroots golf development programs.
"We are hugely encouraged with its outcome and our congratulations to the junior golfers from Anuradhapura on their victory at the second tournament. My grateful thanks to HSBC for coming forward to support junior golf development in Sri Lanka. Without their unstinting support none of this would have been possible."
Results
Team - Aggregate of best five scores gross:
Age group 12 – 14 yrs. – 18 holes
Age group 15 – 18 yrs. – 18 holes
Age group 13 yrs. & below (Novices) – 9 holes
