Sri Lankan golf stars to conquer in India and Malaysia

Reshan Algama (15) and veteran Chanaka Perera will represent Sri Lanka at the prestigious 122nd Amateur Championship of India, hosted at the historic Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) from 10 to 17 December. 

Both Reshan and Chanaka left the country on Wednesday with their Manager Lal Wickrematunge.

In addition, Sri Lanka Golf is currently represented by two other senior amateurs, Uchitha Ranasinghe and Chalitha Pushpika, at the upcoming Malaysian Amateur Open Championship. Taking place at the Tiara Melaka Golf and Country Club in Melaka that commenced on 7 December will be played till 10 December.

Reshan Algama is already creating waves in the golfing world, earning a reputation as a young left-handed sensation. Algama, a student at CIS has an impressive list of accolades, including as the youngest to win a Golf Ranking event in Sri Lanka. His remarkable journey extends beyond national borders, having participated in tournaments in Bangladesh, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia. 

He won back-to-back events and the most recent win made him qualify to represent Sri Lanka. Algama›s international acclaim is further solidified by his current standing as the highest-ranked Sri Lankan amateur golfer in the world, securing an impressive 557th position in the global rankings. 

 Chanaka Perera is an amateur golfer who has previously represented Sri Lanka. Perera, a world-ranked player, embodies enduring golfing prowess and experience. The duo›s selection underscores the commitment of Sri Lanka Golf to foster a diverse and talented representation on the international stage. 

The 122nd Amateur Championship of India promises to be a fiercely contested event, with over 120 players from countries as diverse as South Africa and Australia converging at the RCGC. The tournament format includes a qualifying match-play, narrowing down the field to the top 32 players, who will then engage in stroke-play individual matches. The grand finale is scheduled for 17 December. 

Meanwhile, the other two players who will tee off in the Malaysian event, Uchitha Ranasinghe and Chalitha Pushpika clinched their spots during the last round of trials held at the Victoria Golf Resort (VGR) in Rajawella, showcasing their skill and determination. 

The Malaysian Amateur Open Championship, inaugurated in 1894, has evolved into a prominent Asia Pacific Amateur tournament. Notably, Sri Lankan golfing legend Nandasena Perera engraved his name on the trophy in 1998, followed by Anura Rohana in 1999. 

Uchitha Ranasinghe, one of the qualified golfers, is the son of the 1999 champion, Anura Rohana. The connection between generations further adds to the significance of Sri Lanka›s participation in this prestigious event. 

Chalitha Pushpika, currently ranked 969th in the world, and Uchitha Ranasinghe, ranked 1056th globally, have also earned the distinction of being the 3rd and 4th highest-ranked Sri Lankan golfers, respectively. Chalitha recently showcased his skills at the Asia Pacific Amateur Championships in Australia, while Uchitha participated in the 62nd Amateur Championships in Pakistan earlier this year. (SJ)