Sports

Two years ago I had the distinct pleasure of introducing Zhang Lizhou to the Royal Colombo Golf Club to register the first Mainland Chinese member in the 127-year history of the Club. An absolute strapper, he is quite comfortable playing off 8 and he regularly strikes nett par rounds. An amiable person, he loves Sri Lanka and is nuts about golf. He leads a massive trading company.

The South West Monsoon Meet over two week-ends, began superbly in kind weather and despite untidy greens there were a few amazingly good performances. Unquestionably the best came from the club heads of Zhang Lizhou who struck a stunning nett 62 to pick the much coveted Calcutta Medal. He was absolutely delighted with gross 70. Coming behind was M. W. Lee with a stylish nett 65. Then came another excellent performance by, new to the game, Sharya Unamboowe, closely following by A. O. Gunawardena and Rohan de Silva, both on nett 69 each. The lowest gross score was recorded by chubby Mithun Perera, our very best, who had a brilliant round of gross 67 nett 70. The young fella gladdens our hearts with his regular star performances, unbelievably, 35 rough centuries were recorded with the course taking a massive beating. The biggest mutilator was Nimal Weeraratne with 135 shots over 18 holes. He stayed quite amused and unperturbed, ready to go again like all true golfers who love the game.

The confetti production line was packed to capacity with Hamza Macan Markar and Ron Bakelman producing messy packs.

There were centurions galore with much earth moving. Nimal Weeraratne trounced Shiran Manakulasuriya convincingly with an all-round display. The next week-end promises highly competitive performances. Mithun Perera leads the gross score challenge with 2 magnificent rounds of 67 each and in the nett event Zhang Lizhou is just one strike ahead of Sheron Fernando.

In much improved weather, playing conditions were more comfortable. Sheron Fernando who strikes a helluva good ball came pretty good once again with a spritely gross 69 nett 64 to lead the day’s play. On the previous day he had a nett par round. Watch him over the next week-end, he promises much. Coming behind him was young Amrith de Soysa on a quick visit from studies in the U.S.A. The young fella, a scratch golfer now, his gross 67 was the best for the day, drawing level with Mithun Perera who struck a repeat 67. Alain Gyi and Mihindu Chandrasoma had sharp and well crafted rounds of 68 each.