Caldera claims Kandy Regional Junior Open Golf Championship in play-off

The winners of the Kandy Regional Junior Open Golf Championship

Sixteen-year-old Armand Flamer Caldera played brilliant golf on the final day of the Kandy Regional Junior Open Golf Championship to card a gross 73. 

He was five strokes behind leader Vinod Weerasinghe going into the last round and then piled on the pressure being 1 under Par after 10 holes, quickly closing in on Vinod. Eventually Armand’s Par Round gross 73 to Vinod’s 5 over forced a sudden death play-off in the Gold Division (15-17 years).  

It was an exciting play-off where both players matched each other shot for shot. But Caldera’s nerves proved stronger as he annexed the coveted title of ‘Prima Regional Junior Champion’ in the Gold Division. 

The large crowd present offered evidence of the growing popularity of the sport and witnessed over 70 juniors compete for top honours at the championship golf course, the Victoria Golf and Country Resort, Kandy. 

Januka Dilshan too came up with a good last round score. However, he had to settle for second runner-up. T. Akash went on to take the third runner-up trophy with a total score of 175. 

In the Silver Division (age group category 12-14 years) playing 18 holes, the experienced Taniya Minel Balasuriya enjoyed a comfortable win, playing consistent golf over the two days with an aggregate score of 167. 

Both P.A. Dimuthu and Dhuvarshan were tied on 175 but Dimuthu went on to be first runner-up on the count back and Dhuvarshan ended second runner-up. Kayla Perera went on to be the third runner-up with an aggregate score of 180. 

In the Bronze Division (age group category 10-11 years) playing 13 holes, Sherin Mithara recorded a comfortable win with a total score of 119 over Nirekh Tejwani with a total score of 122 over two days of play.  They were followed by Yannik Kumara, who improved on the second day but failed to close the leader gap and had to settle for a second runner-up finish with a total score of 128. 

Youngster K. Danushan, with a total score of 133, became third runner-up while showing much promise for the future with an excellent temperament. We are likely to see the talent pool blossoming in this division with the maturity of these young golfers. 

In the Copper Division (Age Group 09 and under) playing nine holes, Shanal Binuksha won by seven shots with a score of 85 and won the most junior category in style. 

Kvahn Tejwani was the first runner-up with a total score of 92. For the second and third runner-up places there was a battle between Musa Shariff of the UAE and Pranav Muralidaran. However, Musa, with total score of 102, got the better of Pranav, who had 105.

The event was conducted by the Sri Lanka Golf Union and sponsored by Prima Sunrise Bread. Sri Lanka Golf Union Secretary Ken De Alwis gave away the winner’s trophy and Special Events Manager Dinesh Wimalachandra represented sponsors Prima Sunrise Bread at the prize-giving. Sai Kasturiarachie Arosha Abeywarne – Manager Events and Customer Relations, Victoria Golf and Country Resort, distributed the age group category prizes.