Sri Lanka Junior Match Play Championship 2014 tees off for Rukmini Kodagoda Trophy

Wednesday, 9 April 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The inaugural Sri Lanka Junior Match Play Championship, sponsored by Perera & Sons Bakers Ltd., started on a positive note with 60 players competing for top honours at the Royal Colombo Golf Club. The winner of the overall championship would carry away the Rukmini Kodagoda trophy donated by the family in memory of one of Sri Lanka’s talented sports women, a former national tennis and golf champion.

In the open/gold division Ishira Fernando showed much promise with a gross score of 77 taking the best gross medal. Closely on the heels Prashan Peiris and Zaffar Sikkander both on gross 78 and Charya Kannangara with 82. The eight to qualify for the match play knock out stage: Ishira Fernando 77, Prashan Peiris 78, Zaffar Sikkander 78, Charya Kannangara 82, Januka Dilshan 84, Lamindu Rainika 85, Navika Ediriwira 86 and S. Kailash 86. In the Silver division age group 11 to 14+ the best score for the day was recorded by S.D. Sathsara with a gross score of 86 winning the best gross medal. Heightened competition was evident with Hiruna Sigera - 87, Tania Minel Balasuriya and Prashan Heendeniyage both on 91. The eight to qualify for the match play stage: S.D. Sathsara 86, Hiruna Sigera 87, Tania Minel Balasuriya 91, Prashan Heendeniyage 91, Iman Sangani 95, Dilip Muthukumara 97, Avisha Gunawardena 98 and Dulitha Ellawala 103. In the most junior age group category bronze division 10+ and under we saw the talents of Sidath Dias Desinghe with a score of 47over nine holes on a better back three to win the best gross score medal on day one over Tienn Kapilasena closely followed by Kayla Perera on gross 48. The eight to qualify for the match play stage: Sidath Dias Desinghe 47, Tienn Kapilasena 47, Kayla Perera 48, Mahisha Hirushan 49, K. Danushan 50, Yannik Kumara 51, Vikash Thangadore 51 and Levon Niyarepola 53. The tournament has reached knock out match play stage and is likely to see new talent blossom based on the new format.