All-india Amateur Golf Championship 2012

Sri Lanka was represented by N. Thangaraja and Vijitha Bandara who formed a two-man Team that also participated in the International Team Event which was played concurrently with the Qualifying rounds for the Match-play (Knock-out) format of the ultra competitive All-india Championship. India fielded ‘Four Men’ and declared the teams after the first round and eventually India B beat India A with England and Sri Lanka finishing 3rd and 4th respectively! The two Sri Lankans qualified for the Knock-out stage comfortably but sadly Thangaraja was beaten in an earlier round while Vijitha Bandara played well to reach the Quarter Final where he went down fighting to lose 2 & 1 in a close match.

International team event results

Winner: India ‘B’ 290 (Honey Baisoya 71, 72 – An

gad Cheema 72, 75) Runner-up: India’a’ 292 (Chikkarangappa 74, 74 –

Khalin Joshi 73, 71) 3rd Place: England 293 (Curtis Griffiths 75, 70 –

Jack Colegate75, 73) 4th Place: Sri Lanka 296 (N. Thangaraj 71, 76 – Vi

jitha Bandara 74, 75) Farzan wins RCGC President’s Cup 2011/2012

The President’s Prize first played in 1901 is one of the most prestigious Tournaments each year where the Club President gives a Prize for the Best Nett Aggregate Score over two rounds returned by a member. B. De Saram was the first Ceylonese to win the President’s Prize in 1911. The soft spoken unassuming Executive Director of NTB Sarath Piyaratne as the incumbent President of Royal Colombo Golf Club gave away valuable prizes to the Winner and Runner-up including a handsome Trophy. Farzan Sikkander a relatively ‘new’ Golfer won with a two round total of 141(65, 76) by 2 strokes from W.A.K. Fernando (143-78, 65).

There was a competitive field of 140 players but the lack of discipline and concern for fellow players is significant with the mobile busy while players are trying hard to concentrate on sinking a vital putt to save a shot! Furthermore oblivion to courtesy, members carry on chatting regardless of whether it is their turn to play or not, thus holding up play and congesting Golf-traffic! Golf is said to be a Gentleman’s Game but wonder ‘ Where have all the values gone, long time passing !’,hopefully with time Men will learn and safeguard Tradition which is priceless and historically appreciated!

Asian Golf Tour ‘Q’ School 2012

Mithun Perera is competing to Qualify for a place in the Top 40 out of over 240 starters in Thailand where many International Professionals from 30 Countries are vying for the vital ‘Qualifier’ spot for the 2012 Asian Tour. The ‘Q’ School is over 4 Rounds played on two Golf Courses alternatively and the Leader is 11 Under Par after 3 rounds where a further cut up to 80 Players was applied and Mithun made it to the fourth round at Even Par in joint 76th position. Mithun will have to pull out some extra magic in the last round to climb up the ladder and make the cut in 40th place! Mithun shot a 2 under par 1st Round and had ‘two ‘1 over rounds to be Even Par going in to the last round.

Pleisure golf simulator in Colombo.

A Virtual Reality, true to life 'Simulator' with ultra modern, highly technical 'Golfing' programmed to enjoy in air conditioned comfort is now available in the heart of Colombo down St. Alban's Way. This facility is amazing providing pleasure to hit any number of shots into a plush driving range without walking a yard! Golfers could also avail themselves with learning options by watching themselves.

Any Golfer's dream of playing on World famous International Golf courses can select at the press of a button any challenging Hole and compare their swings to Tiger Woods, Ernie Els or any other!

This is certainly the fulfillment of a Golfer's DreamNever before in Sri Lanka! The Simulator facility also enables non-golfers to try their hand at Golf in a very 'Economic' way!

FLASH

Mithun misses Q School Qualifier finishing 1 over Par after 4

Rounds in 61st place. 40th place Qualifiers were 3 Under Par.