Etisalat’s 15th Annual Donald Steel Trophy a success
Friday, 14 March 2014 00:00
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Sheron Fernando is crowned champion
The 15th Annual Donald Steel Trophy, a board event of Victoria Golf & Country Resort powered by Etisalat Sri Lanka, concluded at the Victoria Golf and Country Resort in Kandy recently. Sheron Fernando took home the prestigious trophy with an impressive score of 35. In second place was Sujeewa Lankathilake with 32 points while Alain Gyi claimed 3rd place with 29 points.
The Donald Steel Trophy is the flagship annual tournament of the picturesque Victoria Golf and Country Resort. The tournament, named after the famous designer of the golf course, marks the opening of the golf course and is linked to the Club’s rich history and tradition. The tournament has been graced by numerous local and foreign golfers over the years, all of whom contest in an atmosphere of friendly but competitive rivalry.
This has been the second consecutive year that Etisalat Sri Lanka has tied up with the Victoria Golf and Country Resort to put together this eagerly-anticipated event. With the successful completion of this tournament, Etisalat Sri Lanka has continued to further underline the Company’s commitment to developing and nurturing golfing talent in Sri Lanka. Last year, the company broke new ground by becoming the first private organization to partner with all four golf clubs in Sri Lanka.
Speaking on the latest edition of the Donald Steel Trophy, Etisalat Sri Lanka Chief Executive, Wail Salman stated: “Etisalat Sri Lanka is proud to support the Victoria Golf and Country Resort and be a partner of 15th Annual Donald Steel Trophy. We have always been on the forefront when it comes to nurturing the talents of the golfing community of Sri Lanka. Our congratulations go out to all the winners who continued to perform at their best on this grand stage and provided us some highly entertaining golfing action. It is great to see Sri Lanka producing these exciting golfers, who I am sure have the talent to perform on the international stage in the future.”
Commenting on the tournament, Neroy Marso, General Manager of the Victoria Golf and Country Resort stated: “It has been another hugely successful tournament. We are thankful to Etisalat Sri Lanka for their continuous support, not only for this tournament, but also for the sport of golf in Sri Lanka.” He added that the tournament provided some exciting golfing action for the followers of the sport adding, “We hope to make next year’s tournament, an even bigger event.”
In the other events, Rohan Fernandez claimed the ‘Ebert Pot Trophy’ following his score of 43 points. Second place was won by Adam Kristoffersson (38 points) with Per Kristoffersson landing third place (38 points) on count back. In the battle for the ‘Pam Fernando Cup’, Kishani Vethavinayakam came out on top with 30 points, followed by Niloo Jayathilake (25 points) and Ingrid Baum (21 points). Maleen Billien (40 points) won the ‘Victoria Bowl’ event. Margareta Berg (39 points) and Marie Christoffer (39 points) came 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Amongst the special prizes given away, the ‘Nearest the Pin (Ladies’)’ prize was won by Niranjalee Amarasuriya while the ‘Nearest the Pin (Gentlemen’s)’ prize was won by Alan Gyi. Melanie Bond won ‘The Longest Drive (Ladies’)’ prize and Richard Worrall won the Gentlemen’s version of it. The coveted ‘Etisalat Elite Club Special Prize for Best Gross Score’ was won by Nihal Perera.
Spread over a sprawling 517 acre coconut plantation, the Victoria Golf course was opened for golfing in 1999. The 18-hole course was designed by the world renowned golf architect and one-time President of the United Kingdom’s Professional Golfer’s Union Donald Steel with assistance from Martin Ebert. Fittingly, the first golf championship organised in this course was named after its designer Donald Steel. The course has won international acclaim and is ranked among the 100 most beautiful golf courses in the world. It has also won the ‘Best Golf Course in the Sub Continent’ awarded seven times since the year 2002.
