HSBC International Junior Golf Championship 2018 tees off

• Muhmmad Saqib of Pakistan shoots blazing 68 to win individual event

The HSBC International Junior Golf Championship started on a high note with 110 kids competing for honours in four age group categories. 

In the Gold Division 15-18+ years Boys’ category Muhmmad Saqib of Pakistan shot a blazing gross 68. The second best was Sri Lanka team Captain Vinod Weerasinghe with a gross 70 while coming in third was Sri Lanka teammate Armand Flamer Caldera with a gross 74. 

Among the girls in the same age group category, Taniya Balasuriya shot a 69 gross followed by Arshia Mahant of India with a gross 77 and in third place was Kayla Perera with a gross 79. 

In the Silver Division 12-14+ years Boys’ category Nirekh Tejwani shot a brilliant 74 to pip Haroon Aslam of Kandy - who is also reserve for team Sri Lanka - by one shot with a gross 75. In third place was young Yannik Kumara with a gross 76 and Malaysia’s Nazran Bin Shahrizam with a gross 77. In the Girls’ Silver Division Khushi Hooda of India shot a gross 80 to take the win. 

In themore junior age category 10-11+ Bronze Division,Shanal Binukshawas three strokes clear with a gross 63fromHarith Aniq Bin Nizam of Malaysia who was the runner-up on a better back nine count back from Reshan Algama. 

In the age group 9+ and below Copper Division, Kaya Daluwatte won with a gross 42, from Kvan Tejwani 43, the runner-up on a better back nine count back from Kavindrra Samarasekerain third place and Kehsav Algama also on 43.

A significant feature of the individual event played today was the fact that juniors from the HSBC Future Lions program introduced to golf last year from Kilinochchi and Anuradhapura also participated, playing at the Royal Colombo Golf Club for the first time. 

The international team event for the SLGU Trophy will be played tomorrow and will also be the qualifying round for the HSBC International Team Championship match play event scheduled in the afternoon. This is open to only the junior national representation teams from Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan. The prize-giving will be held at 5.30 p.m. at the Royal Colombo Golf Club. 

The HSBC Junior International Golf Championship is supported by several prestigious event partners. 

Cinnamon Life, as the hospitality partner,is hosting all the international teams whilst MAS Kreeda, the Apparel partner, has generously provided sportswear for the grassroots program.

IMORICH from Elephant House came forward as the indulgence partner.

In addition, Olu Water is supporting the event as the official beverage partner, with Callaway Golf, the renowned golf brand, functioning as the equipment sponsor.

HSBC International Junior Golf Championship 2018 

Individual event results 

Gold Division: Age 15-18+ (18 Holes) Boys’

Winner – Muhammed Saqib (Pak)   68

First runner-up – Vinod Weerasinghe (SL) 70

Second runner-up – Armand Flamer Caldera (SL) 

Gold Division: Age 15-18+ 

(18 Holes) Girls’

Winner – Taniya Minel Balasuriya (SL) 69

First runner-up – Arshia Mahant (Ind) 77

Second runner-up – Kayla Perera (SL) 79

Silver Division: Age 12-14+ 

(18 Holes) Boys’

Winner – Nirekh Tejwani 74

First runner-up – Haroon Aslam 75

Second runner-up – Yannik Kumara 76

Silver Division: Age 12-14+ 

(18 Holes) Girls’

Winner – Khushi Hooda (Ind) 80

First runner -up – Sherin Balasuriya 87

Second runner-up – Arika Wickramasinghe 92

Bronze division: Age 10 -11+ 

(14 Holes) Boys’& Girls’

Winner – Shanal Binuksha 63

First runner-up – Harith Aniq Bin Nizam (Mal) 66 (count back b/b/9)

Second runner-up – Reshan 

Algama 66

Copper Division: Age 09+ & under (9 Holes) Boys’& Girls’

Winner – Kaya Daluwatte 42

First runner-up – Kavindrra Samarasekera 43 (b/b/9)

Second runner-up – Kvan Tejwani 43