UTE helps boost golf tourism

United Tractor and Equipment (UTE), the local distributor for the world-renowned Caterpillar brand of equipment, hosted the annual Caterpillar Far East Dealers Association Conference (CFEDA) for 50 overseas delegates from Caterpillar and their South-East Asian dealers, including India and China, at Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo recently.

As part of the itinerary, UTE arranged a novel CFEDA Annual Golf Championship played at the prestigious Royal Colombo Golf Club.

Former UTE Chairman Priath Fernando as the current President of the Sri Lanka Golf Union (SLGU) organised the tournament.

The SLGU is the sole official controlling body for the sport of golf in Sri Lanka recognised by the Ministry of Sports, the National Olympic Council Sri Lanka and the R&A, which governs golf worldwide.

Thanking UTE and Caterpillar for the tremendous support given towards developing golf in Sri Lanka, he said: “I am confident that UTE and the whole Caterpillar family will continue to go from strength to strength and continue their support towards the development of golf in Sri Lanka. The SLGU has embarked on a new journey under my leadership to make Sri Lanka golf world-class. Our new journey is to not only produce champion golfers but to also promote visits to Sri Lanka by more high net worth tourists through golf tours and international golfing events – in keeping with the mission of the Prime Minister.”

Commenting on UTE’s association with golf, UTE Chairman Prasan Fernando said: “We are happy that the event attracted a lot of players who teed off.  CFEDA participants are mainly from countries with booming economies and we hope hosting this tournament will promote Sri Lanka as a golfing destination which attracts golf enthusiasts and serve as an important asset to boost tourism.” 

The CFEDA 2017 Golf Championship tournament generated great interest and saw some close contests along with quality golf.

A highlight of the tournament was the announcement of SLGU’s new strategic partnership with the prestigious Crocodile brand of menswear as its clothing partner.

Addressing the gathering, the SLGU President said: “As President of the Sri Lanka Golf Union, I sincerely thank Crocodile Sri Lanka for joining and supporting the SLGU on its new journey. I am pleased our new strategic partner was able to offer, on a complimentary basis, the Caterpillar family of golfers special Crocodile branded golf shirts with the CFEDA Sri Lanka logo specially printed on it.”

Crocodile Lanka Ltd. has been the sole licensee for Crocodile apparel and lifestyle accessories in Sri Lanka since 2001.

Established in 1947, Crocodile is an international fashion and lifestyle brand that delivers timeless, quality and functional wear with men’s garments having been the initial product of the brand. Crocodile Sri Lanka’s product portfolio includes t-shirts, shirts, ties, innerwear, footwear, leather goods, travel-ware, timepieces, eyewear and other accessories for men.

The company’s vision is to continue to be Sri Lanka’s leading international fashion lifestyle brand. Crocodile will carve new milestones in 2018 with its strategic partnership with SLG and the opening of a bigger and high-end new flagship store at No. 345, Duplication Road, Colombo 3.