Ishira swings to victory at Menik Thurairaja Junior Open
View(s):Promising golfer Ishira Fernando emerged overall winner of the Menik Thurairaja Junior Open Golf Championship, which was held for the second consecutive year at the Royal Colombo Golf Club.
Ishira, a youngster competing under the silver division in the Junior Nationals, grossed 77 to csnatch the Menik Thurairaja Challenge Trophy from 79 other young golfers who competed with great enthusiasm. Among the competitors were 29 children of caddies of the RCGC.
Ishira, who competed in the Silver Division in the 18 holes for Under-14 category, won the class while S.D.S. Dilshan finished second with a gross score of 85. The overall winner also won the award presented for the Closest to the Pin. With a gross score of 90, Aston Godfrey finished third in the Silver division. Interestingly the trio finished with better gross totals than those who competed in the Gold Division.
Meanwhile Lamindu Rainika finished with a gross score of 90, on par with the third-placed golfer of the Silver Division, to win the Golf Division 18 holes for the Under17 age group. Navika Ediriweera, with a gross score of 91, finished second followed by Praveen Rajah from Victoria Golf Club who grossed 92.
The Under 10s competed in the Bronze Division on a nine-hole course as young Avishka Gunewardena won the category with a score of 46. S.D.M. Hirushan was placed second ahead of Vinuk Welikala in the same category. The award for the Longest Drive was won by Armand Flamer Caldera.
Apart from the hosts, this year the tournament was open to young golfers from both the Nuwara Eliya and the Victoria Golf clubs. According to event officials, the competition, which was conducted in collaboration with the RCGC, will be held annually in the future as part of the junior golf calendar.
This tournament was held in memory of Menik Thurairaja, a long-time official who served the RCGC Ladies’ Committee. As a competitor, Menik won board events like the Hayleys Mixed Foursomes and Rose Bowls. She was also part of the committee which organised the Queen Sirikit Cup in Sri Lanka. She played an essential role in promoting golf among youngsters, particularly encouraging the children of caddies to adopt the sport.
- NA
Follow @timesonlinelk
comments powered by Disqus