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Royal Colombo Golf Club 125 Years
Epoch saga of golfing in Sri Lanka
Commemoration Book Review by Nirmal Ranasinghe
In the simplest form of expression, this Commemorative Publication epitomes the Epoch Saga of Golfing in Sri Lanka that supposedly began some 125 years ago. One finds the compilation in prose and verse, in itself, an abridgement of the history of The Nation of Sri Lanka, its people and its culture. The very words of Henry McCaw, Past Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, whom I quote "Royal Colombo Golf Club has a remarkable history in the World of Golf" captures the subtle depths the book presents to the entire Golfing Community, Historians et al.

The personal note addressed by our Captain Kumar Boralessa, now referred to as "Captain Marvel", from Prince Andrew, HRH The Duke of York itself, signalled the austere importance of the occasion.

The edition itself delves into a literary treasure trove of articles, anecdotes, well chosen illustrations and sketches, that are most fitting of The Royal Occasion of 125 Years of the Club's Existence. "It may be of interest to golfers to know that golf was played in Colombo in Dutch times. Apart from the derivation of the word Golf which is from the Dutch 'Kolf meaning Club, historians of the Royal and Ancient game are agreed that golf is of Dutch origin. A considerable importation of golf balls into England from Holland took place in 1618 and the museum and Public Galleries in Holland afford definite proof that the game was played there in the 15th and 16th centuries. Unfortunately, no Dutchman has considered it worthwhile to place on record how the game was played.

The reference for my discovery is from an inventory of the effects of the keeper of a place of public entertainment in the Fort of Colombo (Stads-Herberg) the item read. "On the golf course (Kolf-Baan) 21 golf balls, 18 ditto sticks". It may also be of interest to speculate whether it was a miniature course that is referred to or a more extended one on the glacis of the Fort and Galle Face .... Excerpts from Tita Nathanielsz's well researched article, "Long before the beginning" provide absorbing and intriguing reading.

It certainly gives rise to stimulating discussion and debate leading to further research, whether golf was in fact introduced to Sri Lanka 125 years ago or during the Dutch occupation of 1651 to 1797. I say this particularly since the Editor of the Publication is of Dutch origin. The development of Ridgeways from its original farmland to one of the best designed golf courses within the South Asian Region is captured in its entirety in the Publication. A Golfer's view of the fauna that adorn the golf course adds to the uniqueness and fascination of the location. The increase of "wayward" golfers and bird-watchers on the golf course appears to go hand in hand.

This work of art, well researched, presented in a classy publication is by a literary genius with a creative vision Tita Nathanielsz. Who else but Tita renowned for his Furor Scribendi could have come up with this Collectors' Item.

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