Commanders Cup 2022: Capt. Jayalath and Niloo win in China Bay

By Shamseer Jaleel reporting from China Bay

Top-class golfers Capt. (Retd.) Jayalath Perera and Niloo Jayathilake stamped their class in the men’s and women’s events at the ninth edition of the Commanders Cup organised by the Sri Lankan Air Force, which took place at the beautifully laid and maintained Eagles Golf Link course in Trincomalee last weekend.

Niloo showed her class and experience with some long-range drives and pinpoint accuracy. She also accounted for a double when she won the longest drive for the women’s segment.

Over 90 golfers teed off in the colourful annual event, which was very well organised by the Sri Lanka Air Force headed by Air Marshal Sudharshana Pathirana. There were some youngsters too in action at this event, with Imran Nazeer from Nuwara Eliya Golf Club (NEGC) showing a lot of promise. Along with the main event (Commanders Cup), there were a few more special events, including the special Eagles Challenge Trophy for the Best Golfer from the Tri Forces and awards for the Longest Drives, Closest to the PIN, and the Minimum Putt in four selected holes. Very strict COVID health guidelines were followed by the organisers.

 Commanders Cup winners

• Men’s (Winner): Capt. (Retd.) Jayalath Perera 
• Runner-Up: Dihan Dedigama
• Women’s (Winner): Niloo Jayathilake
• Runner-up: Sumudu Desinghe
• Eagle Challenge Trophy: Commander K.M.M.P. Karunathilake
• Longest Drive (Women’s): Niloo Jayathilake
• Longest Drive (Men’s): Prabath Gamage
• Closest to the pin: Group Capt. (Retd.) Sarath Wijesinghe 
• Minimum putts winner: Tharusha Pilapitiya

Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana in action