Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Tuesday, 18 July 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Buffin prevails to win
Pam Fernando Trophy 2017
The Pin and Pam Fernando Trophy 2017 finals were worked off at the Ridgeways of the Royal Colombo Golf Club Course on Friday and saw two enthralling matches.
Vinod Weerasinghe, a rising star of Sri Lanka golf, joined a select band of Pin Fernando Trophy winners, displaying a solid match temperament but above all good steady golf. Weerasinghe, playing off a four handicap, had to give 10 strokes to Tyronne Weerackody in the final but Weerasinghe withstood the early pressure of giving a stroke per hole in the first five holes.
Weerackody managed to win the first hole, lost the fourth even with a stroke and was all square after five. Then Weerasinghe got into top gear with no strokes given for the next five holes and quickly built up a 4 up lead after 10. Weerasinghe lost the 11th to a stroke but immediately stretched the lead to be dormie 5 up playing the 14th. Weerackody pulled back one by winning the 14th but Weerasinghe halved the 15th to seal the match and lift the Pin Fernando Trophy 2017, 4 and 3.
The Pam Fernando Trophy final was more closely fought, with Niranjalee Amarasuriya taking an early 3 up lead after five holes but Shirani Buffin clawed her way back, winning the 6th, 8th and 10th to be all square.
Buffin won the 11th to lead 1 up for the first time in the match but immediately lost the 12th to square the match again. Buffin won the15th and 16th to be dormie 2 up but lost the 17th to play the final hole 1 up.
Buffin kept her cool and won the 18th to be victorious in a well-played final between high handicap lady golfers.
The Pam Fernando Trophy is played in memory of the outstanding achievements of the late Pam Fernando, who holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest golfer to win a national title.
The prize-giving was held upon the conclusion of the finals and Priath Fernando representing UTE – CAT Solar, the sponsors of the prestigious RCGC Board Event Pin Fernando Trophy and the Pam Fernando Trophy, gave away the semi-finalists’ prizes.
The main trophies were handed over by Sunil Udalagama representing the RCGC as the host club of the event in memory of the legendary Pin Fernando.
The Pin Fernando Trophy, inaugurated in the RCGC’s Centenary year of 1979, has been played continuously since and boasts the participation an excellent band of golfers, especially single figure handicappers, to which Weerasinghe is a great addition, having won the 2017 edition of the Pin Fernando Trophy, off a 4 handicap.
Results
Pin Fernando Trophy 2017 winner Vinod Weeras-inghe
