Prashan Peiris makes history – first winner of Rukmani Kodagoda Trophy

Friday, 11 April 2014 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The inaugural Sri Lanka Junior Match Play Championship concluded at the Royal Colombo Golf Club amidst much excitement with Ishira Fernando being pipped at the post by Prashan Peiris after leading most of the way in the 18 hole final. Both youngsters played excellent golf and showed why they are considered the top golfers even amongst more seasoned amateurs. Ishira was a bit more erratic mixing brilliant birdies with unforgivable 3 putts, whilst Prashan never gave up nor allowed Ishira to get more than 2 up at any

stage. Finally Ishira with a bogey followed by a double bogey at the 16th and 17th gave Prashan the break he was waiting for to go 1 up into the final hole and make history by being the first winner of the Rukmani Kodagoda Trophy sponsored by Perera & Sons Ltd. “The match play format has added a nice new dimension to junior golf in Sri Lanka,” said Sri Lanka Golf Union President Lal Dias at the prize distribution ceremony. Young Prashan not only showed maturity on the course by keeping cool and striking at the right time but off the course as well when he made a Winner’s speech after receiving his trophy. Ishira although losing this battle should take heart from the fact that he still has many more years of golf ahead of him and this loss should be taken as a foundation stone to build on. The Silver Division for age group 11 to 14+ provided a humdinger of a final match where one could not predict a winner at any stage. Here too the favourite and top seed Sathsara Dilshan was finally toppled by Hiruna Sigera at the 20th in a sudden death situation when the match ended all square at the 18th and halved at the 19th. Both these youngsters have been groomed in the Sri Lanka Golf Union Junior Development squad as their parents are

registered caddies at the Royal Colombo Golf Club and have been give special playing rights by the members of the RCGC. No quarter was given and none asked in the final of the Bronze Division for age group under 10+ where another SLGU Junior Development Squad Member Manisha Hirushan knocked out the last girl left in the tournament Kayla Perera, 2/1 to make it to the victor’s podium. Using not much more than an old baking tray and his own ingenuity, K. A. Charles Perera who hailed from the remote Southern village of Kodagoda, baked his first loaf of bread, and then, with the aid of his loyal assistant Anthony Bas, went from door to door selling his products. The quality of his wares soon won him a steady, loyal and ever growing customer base that gave him the confidence and encouragement to set up his own business – a bakery. A century and several generations later, Perera and Sons has enhanced and expanded their founder’s initial business philosophy since 1902, and now, celebrates over 100 years of success and goodness; qualities inherent in all its products and services. Today Perera and Sons Bakers linked their name to Golf which also has a rich tradition in Sri Lanka by being the proud sponsors of The Rukmani Kodagoda Trophy and pledged to continue supporting the SLGU for this event.