Dhuwarshan and Danushan pull-off stunning wins and emerge junior golf champs
On an overcast morning, excitement was created and the atmosphere was electric when the Junior Golf Match-Play Championship Finals in five different age group categories Teed- off.
In the premier age category of 15-18+, Gold Division for Boys, number 2 seed S. Dhuwarshan from Nuwara Eliya Golf Club defeated Haroon Aslam(VGC) a shade comfortably 3 and 2, to capture the Rukmani Kodagoda Trophy and the Title of Junior Boys Golf Champion 2019.
Haroon Aslam a rapid improve in the recent past, being the Top Seed in the Gold division was expected to win the Trophy but, young Duwarshan fresh from obtaining 9 A’s capped it all with a calm performance to create an upset, winning the Rukmani Kodagoda Trophy for the Junior Boys Champion for 2019.
The other major upset came in the Silver Division Boys, when Danushan beat Nirekh Tejwani the top qualifier with a Gross 72. Danushan played consistent Golf to put Nirekh under pressure early in the match and then held on to lead with some accurate shot-forshot Golf, so important in the Match-play format to win 3 and 2. Match-play temperament is far different to stroke-play Golf and sometimes reflects a competitive fighting spirit able to deal with match pressure as well.
Taniya Minel beat Sherin Mithara-- her younger sister 3 and 2 which was a good effort from Sherin, but not enough to stop Taniya Minel defending the Girls Junior Champion title she won in 2018.
The Bronze Division battle between Kaya Daluwatte and Reshan Algama was a close match as they were ‘All-square’ after 9 holes but then probably nerves did matter and Reshan won the 10th, 11th and 12th to seal victory for the ‘boys’ 3 and 2, which in no way takes away the credit due to Kaya whose talent and ability is not in doubt.
The Copper division for age group 9+ and under which was also hotly contested saw the number 2 seed Ayaan Gunasekera maintaining his consistency throughout the tournament to defeat Varun Fernando who knocked out the top seed and 4th seed on the way to the final. Ayaan won a shade comfortably beating Varun 3 and 2.
The event was sponsored by P&S Bakers.