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| Sunday, 11 May 2003 |
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Six amateur golfers for Mercedes-Benz Asian finals by LAL GUNESEKERA Six amateur golfers will qualify to play in the Asian finals of the Mercedes-Benz Trophy on the Gold Coast of Australia in August and if any further qualify even at the World finals scheduled to be staged in Stuttgart, Germany in September. However, the dreams of 200 golfers will be realised only on May 24 when the Mercedes-Benz Trophy Sri Lanka Country finals tees off at the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC) sponsored by Diesel and Motor Engineering Company (DIMO). The captain of the RCGC, Sarath Piyaratne, said that this was the most prestigious event in the RCGC calendar and is eagerly awaited by the golfers. The popularity and the participation has increased steadily over the years, partly due to the attractive prizes/incentives on offer. He thanked Dimo and Mercedes-Benz for sponsoring this event for the 12th year and that the course will get even better on the day of the event. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dimo - Ranjith Pandithage, said that they were more novices when they started this event 12 years back, but now, with the help of RCGC officials are conducting it smoothly. He also disclosed that although he was a member of RCGC for more than 25 years, he patronised only the 19th Hole". He thanked RCGC for their co-operation and for accommodating them. He also said that over the years, 86 from Sri lanka have gone for the Asian Finals and 10 for the World Finals. Vice-President of RCGC and Chairman of the Tournament Committee - Kumar Boralessa, disclosed the format of this stableford tournament to be worked off in three categories (Group 'A' - handicap 0 to 12, Group 'B' - Handicap 13 to 20 and Group 'C' - Handicap 21 to 24). The event is over 18 holes and will start at 6.45 a.m. The winner and runner-up of each group will qualify to play in the Asian finals in Australia. Entries close on May 20. Among those who will receive awards will be the winners of each handicap group, first and second runner-up of each handicap group, nearest to the Pin (9th hole), longest drive (8th hole), hole-in-one (16th hole), wooden spoonist, youngest player, oldest player and more surprise gifts for all competitors. The others who were present at a media briefing on Thursday evening were Hiranjan Welagedera (Dimo), Bernard Fonseka (President of RCGC), Gahanath Pandithage (Dimo) and Lionel de Almeida (Secretary of RCGC). Lalith Kumara runner-up in Nepal Sri Lanka's Lalith Kumara (294) was runner-up to Bangladesh's Sidikar Rahman 292 (76, 69, 69, 78) at the Nepal Amateur Golf Championship last week at the Gokarana Forest Golf Resort in Nepal. The team event saw Napel 'A' emerge victorious with 296 with Sri Lanka (298) being runner-up again. (L.G.) |
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