Catalina Monthly Medal Oct. 2024

Friday, 25 October 2024 01:47 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Past Commander, Air Chief Marshal Kapila Jayampathy and Dilini Hennayake

Air Chief Marshal Kapila Jayampathy and Wing Commander (Retd.) Lakmal Gunawardana

By Shamseer Jaleel

The second edition of the Catalina Monthly Medal unfolded last weekend at the picturesque Catalina Koggala Air Force Golf Course, attracting golf enthusiasts eager to show their skills.

The event, known for its competitive spirit and camaraderie among players, saw exemplary performances across various categories with a very good number of participations teeing off.

Dilini Hennayake emerged as the Net and Gross winner in the Ladies’ category, demonstrating her exceptional skill and consistency on the course. Her performance set a high standard for the competition and earned her accolades from fellow participants and spectators alike.

On the Gents side, Wing Commander Lakmal Gunawardana (Rtd.) took home the title of Net and Gross winner, proving once again that experience and dedication yield commendable results.

The competition featured several intensely contested divisions, resulting in exciting finishes. In the Ladies segment, Frank de Mel claimed the title of Gross and Nett Runner Up, showing her impressive performance amidst fierce competition.

On the Gents side, the accolade for Nett Runner Up went to Shirley Corea, who displayed a remarkable round of golf that kept her in contention. Additionally, Gayashan Wijesinghe was awarded the Gross Runner Up title, contributing to an outstanding day for all participating players.

Highlighting the thrilling aspects of the event, the Longest Drive competition saw fierce competition. In the Ladies’ division, Shiyanthi Pieris drove the ball with impressive strength and precision, earning her a well-deserved win in this category. Meanwhile, in the Gents division, Wing Commander Kumara Guruge showed his power, capturing the Longest Drive title. Former Isipathana and national hockey player, Mervin Preena won the Closest to PIN in the Men’s segment.

The Catalina Monthly Medal continues to be a highlight of the golfing calendar at Koggala, fostering a spirit of unity and friendly rivalry among participants. As players left the course, the atmosphere buzzed with conversation about the next month’s medal, filled with hope and ambition for new challenges ahead with the numbers increasing considerably attracting the best set of golfers in the country.

The commitment and passion displayed by all participants reinforce the thriving golfing culture in Sri Lanka, setting the stage for many more memorable tournaments to come. With such an exciting lineup of winners and performances, the Catalina Monthly Medal has undoubtedly etched its mark in the hearts of golf aficionados.

This event was organised under the guidance of Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal, Udeni Rajapakse with one of the former Air Marshal, Kapila Jayampathy gracing the occasion as Chief Guest.