Kaya and Jevahn book their berth at World Junior Golf Championship in Scotland

Kaya Daluwatte

Jevahn Sathasivam

By Shamseer Jaleel

Two outstanding Junior Golfers, Kaya Daluwatte and Jevahn Sathasivam both qualified to represent Sri Lanka at the Under-16, R and A World Junior Golf Championship 2024 which will take place from 13 to 19 July 2024 in Scotland.

Kaya qualified for this Scotland tour by winning the Sri Lanka Junior Open Golf Championship and winning at the Sri Lanka Junior Match Play Championship earlier last year. She is also the top WAGR (World Amateur Golf Ranking) 1212th ranked player for Sri Lanka Ladies/Girls at present.

Kaya experienced though not tested much locally by any girls represented in Scotland, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam in the past and this R and A World junior Tournament will be her second represented country last year as well speaks volume of her form in tandem.

The youngster is also a three times winner of the Royal Colombo Golf Club) Ladies Club Championship (2021 to 2023), three-times winner of the Sri Lanka Junior Open Golf Championship (2021 to 2023) plus two-times winner of the Sri Lanka Junior Match Play Championship for the years 2022, and 2023.

Jevahn Sathasivam stormed into it four years ago with no prior golfing experience. In a short span, Jevahn has emerged as one of Sri Lanka’s most promising golfers, He showed a stringent approach to the game. His relentless dedication to refining his skills is evident from the way he has honed his technique, ensuring his swing is calibrated for precision and power.

Jevahn’s Monthly Medal wins, McLachlan Cup, and Grand Prix Prize at the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC), his consistent under-par rounds by virtue of his long hitting and accuracy around the greens facilitated his journey from a 24 handicap three years ago to a scratch (0) handicapper by end December 2023.

Jevahn represented Sri Lanka at the World Junior Open (Thailand) and Malaysian Junior Open. The most notable highlight was winning the Sri Lanka Junior Open Strokeplay Championship by a commanding 10 strokes. Coupled with his previous runner up position in the Sri Lanka Junior Open Matchplay Championship a few months before, Jevahn comfortably ended up being the fore runner at both official National Tournaments conducted by the Sri Lanka Golf (SLG) which also doubled as qualifiers for international selection.

Sri Lanka Golf President Ranil Peiris speaking to Daily FT said, “R and A invited to enter the best Under-16 Boy and Girl golfers, played this year on the outskirts of Troon on the West Coast of Scotland, Kilmarnock (Barassie). The competition will be held over 3 days of stroke play competition amongst the best junior players from over 60 countries. Sri Lanka will be thus represented this year by Jevahn Sathasivam and Kaya Daluwatte, accomplished juniors with great future potential, who will both aspire to leave their marks.”

“As per invitation criteria given by Royal and Ancient, UK, two events were nominated, and these were the two junior national tournaments held by Sri Lanka Golf in Sri Lanka during 2023. Sri Lanka Junior Open and the Sri Lanka Junior Match Play were the two events. The invitation was for two players 1 boy and 1 girl below 16 years as of 1st Jan 2024. The players chosen must be winners or the leading eligible players of the nominated events to play in this tournament,” Peiris added.

Kaya Daluwatte won both the events thereby confirming her nomination to the R and A Junior Open. In the Boys event, Jevahn Sathasivam was the winner of the Sri Lanka Junior Open and the runner up in the Sri Lanka Junior Match Play tournament, losing to Kumar Dhanushan in the final. As Kumar Dhanushan was over aged as per R and A criteria, Jevahn was the leading eligible player and therefore he was nominated player for the R and A Junior Open.