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Ratnayake
captures Pin Fernando Trophy
Mohan Ratnayake and Nimal Wettimuny played splendid golf on Sunday
to break even and tie on 67 nett each in the final round of the
prestigious tournament for the Pin Fernando Trophy. Inaugurated
in 1979 in memory of the legend this event is lavishly sponsored
by United Tractor & Equipment Co. Ltd. This year the event just
concluded was quite successful but the sponsorship was low key due
to prevailing conditions in the country.
Mohan Ratnayake playing off 10 was methodical and quite miserly
with his strokes which he used to advantage through a steady round
of nett 67 to beat Nimal Wettimuny producing a better back nine.
Wettimuny was impressive too playing a great game and deserved the
applause he got.
Stableford
In the nett Stableford event popular Korean H.C. Noh came good with
an excellent collection of 45 points and in the gross score event
Mithun Perera was outstanding with 38 points.
Final
Round
Following Mohan Ratnayake and Nimal Wettimuny the chubby fella Mithun
Perera just turned 18 cracked a tremendous gross 66 to record the
lowest score for the day. This youngster is really outstanding and
needs professional guidance.
Dilip
Kodikara another exciting youngster joined Sanjay Wettimuny to strike
praiseworthy scores of nett 69 each. These two kids are playing
tremendous golf these days and appear craving for professional control
over their journeys through the course.Toshikoru Inou and Haren
Dias were quite impressive with nett 70 each. Dian Jayasuriya and
Shavinda Fonseka had a great partnership of a century each and Navin
Peiris moved into the confetti factory briefly. Sunday’s play
went through in superb weather and low hanging rain clouds created
a cool and comforting atmosphere.
Awards
The ceremony at launching was quite brief. Pam Fernando the living
legend of the Ladies Division and a former champion presided in
grace and style and distributed the awards. Priath Fernando, the
Chairman of United Tractor & Equipment Ltd. addressing the gathering
eloquently thanked the R.C.G.C. for the support they give the tournament
each year. In lighter vein he referred to the fun style his father
specialized in when entertaining guests at his residence. Christine
Fernando, Druki Martenstyn and Sarita Rajendran looked great and
comfortable in casual outfits. A small crowd participated an a refreshing
surprise was the presence on Ian Chappell a close friend of the
Fernando family. Ajanta Mylvaganam’s compering was far too
straight laced. He should introduced a little lively patter in his
presentation.
Mending
Fences
Quite a surprise cropped up when Elmo de Silva the Captain decided
that he cannot any more carry on the suppression of Golf results
from me a Golf Journalist. Sanity has moved in after my strong objections
to his misdirections and Kumar Boralessa’s authoritative intervention.
I am now getting the complete results without any restrictions and
very quickly the fences will be mended for the of golf at the Royal
Colombo.
Development
of Junior Golf at RCGC
They are beginning to see the light and better late than never.
Radha Sunderampillai has been for many recent months making repeated
appeals for help to co-ordinate a Coaching Scheme for the languishing
kids with proven talent. The silence has been deafening.
President
of the Royal Colombo Shiran de Soysa the man behind the scene of
many successful undertakings has now moved in with a rescue plan
and operation and with the assistance of a tremendous group of dedicated
ladies formed a Golf Development Committee. Headed by Radha Sunderampillai
and comprising of Niloo Jayatilleke, Usha de Silva, Yvonne Abhayaratne,
Suwen Selvaratnam, Anusha Senadhira and Anitha Flamer-Caldera. Shiran
de Soysa was unanimously elected the Convenor amidst applause.
Languishing Kids
For well over a year the kids have been completely neglected and
as a Senior wag was heard to say “Its almost a criminal offence
to see stunning talent ignored”. Brimming with enthusiasm
and battling to succeed Richard Gunawardena, Sanjay Wettimuny, Binupa
Wijesinghe and Zen Dharmaratne to name a few practice diligently
and play with success without any form of recognized professional
advice and now Soysa’s plan is set to succeed.
Radha Sunderampillai will get the several kids together under a
master plan effectively set out another delightful personality Niloo
Jayatilleke who has also agreed to monitor the operation through
every phrase. She is knowledgeable and exceptionally dependable.
The
Coach
Negotiations are in progress to invite Henk Stevens and his wife
Anita to join the scheme again. They know and love the country,
its people and the kids they coach and they deserve credit for the
success achieved by Mithtun Perera, Binupa Wijesinghe and a few
young Caddies not forgetting Richard Gunawardena, Zen Dharmaratne
and Sanjay Weetimuny. I remember Nirmal Hettiaratchy the most competent
in the Committee dovetailing the negotiating contract which the
Stevens found acceptable. Hettiaratchy did a great job and now the
right prospects are that the Stevens will get packed and ready to
arrive after their assignments are over.
Meantime
Radha Sunderampillai, Yvonne Abhayaratne and Suwen Selvaratnam will
get the kids under their wings and with their knowledge and experience
keep the kids together until the Stevens arrive. The Ladies are
enthusiastic, they are proud of their organizing capabilities and
they stay firm in a great spirit of togetherness.
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