Victoria Gregory Derby to tee off on Saturday

NEGC Skipper Nayana Dehigama and VGR Captain Niloo Jayathilake exchanging the MoU – Pic by Lasantha Kumara 

By Shamseer Jaleel

Victoria Golf Resort (VGR) and Nuwara Eliya Golf Club (NEGC) will tee off in an exhilarating golf tournament, marking the much-anticipated 4th instalment of their annual rivalry on 14 October.

With a history that dates back to 2017, this tournament has become a highly anticipated event for golf enthusiasts in Sri Lanka. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was on pause between 2020 and 2022.

Both teams are led by formidable captains who have a wealth of experience on the golf course. Nayana Dehigama, who has numerous achievements on the course and a deep understanding of the sport, leads NEGC whilst the VGR team will be led by Kanchana Wickremasinghe.

In the Ladies event, Ahalya Rajan leads NEGC while another veteran in the golfing circle, Niloo Jayathilake leads the VGR team. The golf course itself will provide a challenging yet rewarding backdrop for the players to exhibit their skills. The lush greens and breathtaking landscapes will add to the overall excitement of the tournament.

NGEC Skipper Nayana Dehigama said: “The return of this tournament after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been a breath of fresh air. It is an honour to be a part of this tradition that brings together golfers from both clubs.”

VGR Captain Kanchana Wickremasinghe said: “These tournaments provide us with an incredible opportunity to showcase our skills and forge strong connections with fellow golfers. This annual event not only strengthens the bond between the two golf clubs but also highlights the resilience and determination of the sporting community in overcoming obstacles.”

In the initial year 2017 saw NEGC Gents winning the event while in the following year, VGR regained the trophy winning both the Ladies and Gents events. The last tournament in the series was played in 2019 which saw NEGC winning both the Ladies and Gents events.

The tournament will be sponsored by Lynear Wealth Management. Commenting on their association with the tournament Managing Director and Co-Founder Dr. Naveen Gunawardhana said: “LYNEAR Wealth Management is excited to partner with Victoria Golf Resort and Nuwara Eliya Golf Club as sponsors of the Derby 2023. We wish both teams the best of luck.”

Commenting on the tournament, John Keells Properties Head of Asset Management, and John Keells Holdings Vice President Rusiru Abeyasinghe said: “We are pleased to host the Victoria Gregory Derby and resume the rivalry after a brief pause. We are also happy to welcome Lynear Wealth Management as sponsor of the tournament. Best of luck to both teams.”