The Captain’s Cup a two round stroke-play medal aggregate Nett score Tournament, which is the last Tournament at the RCGC for the 2011/2012 year brought the curtains down on the out-going Committee and Captain Sanjiv Vairawanathan's Year!
The smart, amiable and friendly "Vaira" as he is fondly called, but factually very popular gathered as many playing members as possible in robust fellowship, camaraderie and competition. This year’s Captain gave away several special Prizes, opening-up new categories in addition to the Captain's Cup encouraging more participation without confining to Golfers with 18 Handicap and below to play in the Captain's Cup week-end. Captain Sanjiv attracted many entries on a magnificently turned-out Golf Course lengthened for the main Trophy, Handicap Category Prizes excluding the main 'Cup' winners, Masters Category and Ladies Prizes.
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| Action on at the RCGC |
Excellent Golf was played and for the first time in known history the Captain's Cup a main Board event at the RCGC was won by a 1 Handicap Golfer Young Zen Dharmaratne who returned a two under par Gross Aggregate which gave him a 4 under Nett Aggregate of 137 which was tied with Zaffar Sikkander another promising youngster but due to a better a 2nd Round Score Zen won the Cup. An unusual double success was performed when Zen's younger sister won the Ladies Prize to complete a double sweep by the Dharmarathne siblings.
A vast crowd of participants enjoyed a. 'Fantastic Buffet spread' Sponsored in recognition of Captain Sanjiv's sensational year which had 'Sushi' for starters and nothing lacking in the main course, 19th Hole, 'Live Music' for dancing and Golfing fellowship to overflow! All-in-all it was a great tribute to Captain 'Vaira' and his team who truly built Bridges that had collapsed literally on the 7th hole and for the first time accommodated over 600 members on the Golf Course 8th Hole to see the New Year in on 31st December in the breadth-taking open-air, which was dubbed the best New Year's Eve Dance for 2012! Vaira with a 5 handicap led the RCGC as a Golfer ensuring a quality Golf Course through the year, with the energy of a young man visited and worked on providing an all round service to the members on a daily basis and encouraged entertainment, dining and wining with an experienced F and B Professional to support him.
Last week’s reference to the RCGC losing it's Country Club charm is no to the past Captains rather it is a reminder to the new and future Custodians of this prestigious 'Royal' Club that the Glory lies in the Game and the environment and not in the 5 Star marble look and focus on hiring the Club House. The comparison is obvious when one considers the Silver Medalists and Champions RCGC produced through promoting Caddies to play Golf since the 1960's and in the recent years only a handful allowed through the good offices of the Sri Lanka Golf Union. Gone are the days when Ball-boys, Fore-caddies and the less privileged neighborhood could chip and putt on the periphery of the Course! That is where the talent was born and the extensive Open Junior Tournaments available to the non-member on-course Golfer was discovered!
The facts speak for themselves and if Golf is the Core Focus of a Royal Golf Club to realize success for Sri Lanka only a Golfer will understand what the Column meant! To the Ladies - Aristotle Onasis once said "There would be no meaning to Money if not for Women. It is worthwhile being wealthy to shower Women with Diamonds and Gold a Woman's best friend" It has also been said many times before that "Woman is an evil Man cannot do without". Therefore as the saying goes the Ladies are a very necessary partner, companion and friend without whom only a few 'crooked men' may exist.
The pun was meant to urge the good ladies of the RCGC to pull-out their gorgeous Pink socks with the fluffy Golf ball for style and to play the game, for fun and enjoy the Ridgeways as in the past helping the Men in maintaining the highest standards on and off the Course!
It is with a deep sense of hope and expectation that the new Captain of the RCGC Priath Fernando is sworn-in for the 2012/2013 Year. In an emotional acceptance speech the Chairman UTE-CAT said that 'Golf is his world and that he was humbled by the election to the office of Captain' Captain Priath reminisced about the past glories expressing his appreciation to his predecessors Ron Bakleman and specially Sanjiv Vairavanathan who has set the bar high! He said" Above all, I want you to join me to make RCGC The Premier Golf Club in Sri Lanka that provides the best Golfing qualities in our Region and continues to produce Champion Golfers" The new Captain exuberant about his commitment concluded his speech with a Poem - I have a destiny, I know I shall perform, at the Royal Colombo, where Golf is the norm. I have a destiny and it is not an empty wish, for I know I Was born for such a time as this.
You have chosen me to work, on many many things, To bring forth the joy of Golf and fellowship it brings. I know you'll stand behind me, to support me when I fall, But for now, let's get together, and learn to hit the ball.
May wise counsel prevail, may a united effort make Golf at the RCGC even better and the wrath of the ladies melt away and enjoy their pristine # 1 place in the life of Man! For, when the great scorer comes to write against your name, he writes not whether you won or lost but how you played the Game! |
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