15 year old Vinod Weerasinghe of British School Colombo played brilliant golf on the last day to catch up four shots under tremendous pressure to take the coveted national title at the Sri Lanka Junior Open Golf Championship 2016, concluded at the Royal Colombo Golf Club. He shot 78, 79, and 74 over the three rounds, playing 18 over par. Armand Flamer Caldera pipped Taniya Balasuriya on the last day score of gross 78, playing 22 over par over the three rounds to be runner – up. Taniya who was the overnight leader had to settle for third place in the age group category 15 – 17 years (Gold Division) with same 22 over par total score of 235 but losing on the last days card.
In the Silver Division (age group category 12 – 14 years) playing 18 holes, Kayla Perera proved her class by winning the division by 18 shots over her closest rival with an aggregate score of 240. Dilshan Malinda took second place with aggregate gross score of 258, closely followed by Dhuwarshan on total gross score of 259. The fourth place went to Mahisha Hirushan with aggregate score of 263. We are likely to see the progress of Kayla in the coming years with the maturity as a fine girl golfer.
The Bronze Division (age group category 10 – 11 years) playing 14 holes we saw Yannik Kumara outclass Nirekh Tejwani to take a comfortable win by six shots with total score of 182. Nirekh Tejwani totaled 188 after three rounds. Followed by Sherin Balasuriya on total aggregate gross score of 200 and in fourth place K. Danushan on 202. We saw much competition in this category on the final day and these juniors show much promise for national representation in the years ahead.
The event was conducted by the Sri Lanka Golf Union, the national body for golf in Sri Lanka and sponsored by Prima Sunrise Bread. Mr. Shun Tien Shing – General Manager of Ceylon Agro Industries promotors of Prima Sunrise Bread gave away the main awards. The age group category prizes were given by Mr. Sajith Gunaratne – Senior Business Manager & Marketing Manager of Ceylon Agro Industries Prima Group, Mr. Priath Fernando – President of The Sri Lanka Golf Union, Mr. Johny De Saram – Vice President, Sri Lanka Golf Union and Mr.Premal Wijenayake – Captain of the Royal Colombo Golf.
Results:
Gold Division (Age Group 15 – 17yrs)
Vinod Weerasinghe 231
Armand Flamer Caldera 235 L/B/C
Taniya Balasuriya 235
M. Hiruna 247
Silver Division (Age Group 12 – 14yrs)
Kayla Perera 240
Dilshan Malinda 258
Dhuwarshan 259
Mahisha Hirushan 263
Bronze Division (Age Group 10 – 11yrs)
Yannik Kumara 182
Nirekh Tejwani 188
Sherin Balasuriya 200
K. Danushan 202
Copper Division (Age Group 09 & under)
Shanal Binuksha 95
Kvahn Tejwani 96
Musa Shariff 107
T. Deshan 108
Shean Markus 112
Photo caption: (Above from left) Sajith Gunaratne (Senior Marketing & Senior Business Manager, Ceylon Agro Industries Prima Group), Premal Wijenayake (Captain Royal Colombo Golf Club), Mr. Shung Tien Shing (General Manager – Ceylon Agro Industries), winners, Niloo Jayatilake (Chairperson, Junior Sub Committee) and Priath Fernando (President Sri Lanka Golf Union)
Kids – (from left) Armand Flamer Caldera, Vinod Weerasinghe, Kayla Perera, Yannik Kumara, Shanal Binuksha