Defending Champion Anura Rohana wins title for 7th time

Saturday, 8 December 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Sri Lanka Golf Union organized UTE-CAT Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship 2012 reached a sensational climax with Anura Rohana proving his experience and ability to overhaul Championship leader Vijitha Bandara to defend the Title and win the Championship for the 7th time. K. Nandasena Perera who regained supreme from 1982-1992 winning the Championship 7 times is now joined by Anura Rohana.

The UTE-CAT Sponsored and Co-sponsored by CML-MTD Construction and Heladiv (HVA foods) Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship 2012 had a truly nail-biting finish with Mithun Perera firing 3 birdies on the last nine holes to end on 6 under par including final hole birdie.

Amateur Sri Lanka National Golfer Vijitha Bandara who lead the star-studded Sri Lanka field over 3 days held his own against the Pro-Tour hardened Anura Rohana up to the penultimate hole and finished a very creditable joint Runner-up alongside Mithun Perera who is currently ranked 43rd in the Asian Pro Tour and 4th in Indian Tour standings. The newly turned Pro from NEGC K. Prabagaran had every chance of winning but he too finished a note worthy Runner-up. Reigning Amateur Champion, N. Thangaraja finished 5th place 8 strokes behind the winner. Tissa Chandradasa who was in the ‘Top Two’ places for 3 days slipped to share 6th place with Lalith Kumara.

The Pam Fernando Challenge Trophy for the ladies best gross aggregate was won by Niloo Jayatilake from Neesha Nirmalalingam. The Nett event was won by Nonaka Namie from ‘evergreen’ Fran De Mel who edged out Niloo Jayatilake on a better 2nd round score.

The award ceremony followed the thrilling finish to the UTE-CAT Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship 2012 and Chairman of the principal sponsor Priath Fernando gave the Championship Trophy to Anura Rohana while Dian Jayasuriya, the Managing Director of the main Co-sponsor who gave away the prizes. SLGU President Ana Punchihewa appreciated the good standard of golf displayed and the subpar scores returned in the championship notably the performance of the top amateurs competing with the professional golfers.