Old Trinitians regain Bradby Golf 2020 G.C. Wickremasinghe Challenge Trophy

By Shamseer Jaleel 

The hosts, the old boys of Trinity College, outclassed the old boys of Royal to regain the G.C. Wickremesinghe Challenge trophy after a lapse of two years at the Victoria Golf and Country Resorts (VCGC) last weekend. Trinity won six team events while Royal accounted for three of them with one game ending in a tie.

Trinity lead the series 3/2. The inaugural events in 2016 and 2017 were both won by Trinity and Royal won the next two years. This year’s Trinity out-fit was led by Tharanga Gunasekera while the old Royalist was led by Samitha Perera. This event was a brain child of two former Trinitians Bimal Fernando and Ravana Wijeratne.

The hosting course VCGR was in perfect conditions for some top quality golf played by both schools. Nearest to the PIN in the 7th hole was won by Tariq Mohamed of Royal while in the same event for the 16th hole was won by his team mate Lucky Desinghe. The longest drive in the 18th hole was won by Sathish Balasubramaniam of the Trinity outfit.

Winning skipper, Tharanga Gunasekera of Old Trinitians, speaking to Daily FT, said: “This was the 5th edition and we changed the format where everyone needs to play a role. End of the day golf was the winner. This was a small event with 40 teeing but the popularity grows each year with even Old Boys from overseas showing interest in playing at this event. I am thankful to my teammates and VCGR headed by Asela who himself is a top class golfer. The course was in top class condition. I also like to thank Royal lads for coming all the way to Kandy.”

This event is growing in popularity, aptly termed ‘Bradby Golf’, the old boys competed for the coveted G.C. Wickremesinghe Trophy, in honour of renowned Royal rugby legend, G.C. Wickremesinghe who appeared as a crack second row forward of the all-conquering 1951 Royal Rugby team, which is regarded as ‘invincible’. 

He is an avid golfer and has several golf board events at Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC) under his belt and still tees off at the age of 88 years.

This 2020 event was partnered by Victoria Golf and Country Resorts and Pro Golf. There will be a 2021 event taking place at VCGR a day prior to the Kandy leg of the 2021 Bradby later this year.