Prashan Peiris defends title

Saturday, 11 April 2015 02:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Left-handed Prashan Peiris stayed cool and struck gold at the right time, beating the top seed Ishira Fernando 2/1 in a right royal battle to successfully defend his Sri Lanka Junior Matchplay title. Both youngsters hit booming drives that even more senior golfers would have found hard to beat. They played excellent golf and showed why they were considered top golfers even amongst more seasoned amateurs and have the potential to even represent Sri Lanka at the highest level. Young Taniya Minel Balasuriya took the Silver Division title 2/1 against Sathsara Dilshan in another close battle which went down to the final putt. The Bronze Division (under 12 years) too produced a great fighting spirit amongst Kayla Perera and Levon Niyarepola. Levon had to once again experience a sudden-death play-off to finally grab the title at the extra hole. The new Copper Division for players Under 10 years age category, had Yannik Kumara get the better of Tien Kapilasena 3/2 to establish his superiority and clinch the double having topped the qualifying round on the first day. The Sri Lanka Junior Match Play Golf Championship was sponsored by Perera & Sons bakers, who is not only a trusted household name with over 100 years of history but also a keen promoter of sports in Sri Lanka. The sponsors promised their continuous support to develop Sri Lankan golf. The President of the Sri Lanka Golf Union Priath Fernando stated: “The newly introduced match play format is likely to develop the mental grit of the players and see future champions blossom. Also the new initiative of the SLGU’s to concentrate its resources on the 12 years and under category juniors is likely to shape the future of national golf.” Rukmini Kodagoda Trophy main tournament results: Gold division - Champion - Prashan Peiris, Runner-up - Ishira Fernando Silver division - Champion – Tania Balasuriya, Runner-up - Sathsara Dilshan Bronze division - Champion – Levon Niyarepola, Runner-up - Kayla Perera Copper division – Champion – Yannik Kumara, Runner –up – Tien Kapilasena First day stroke play (Best gross score) champions: Gold division - Ishira Fernando Silver division – Taniya Balasuriya Bronze division – Kayla Perera Copper division – Yanik Kumara Second day stroke play for non-qualifiers: Gold division – Devmith Weeraratne Silver division – Prabath Ganeshan Copper division – Shanal Binushka