Dhanushi Senadhira

A Sri Lankan Golf sensation

by Ranga Chandrarathne

Unlike any other lass in her class, fifteen year old Dhanushi has an extra subject apart from her class wok which occupied her past time and even much-loved parting.

Dhanushi is Sri Lankan Golf sensation although she took to Golf in the last quarter of 2003. Sporting an unassuming character Dhanushi, still a student of the Holy Family Convent refuses to lead an easy-moving luxurious life resting on her parents who are successful professionals.

Forgoing partying and other entertainments she totally dedicated her spare time to practising Golf, thus being awarded the trophy for the best player of the year (1994) with the best handicap reduction, from 31 to 22 at the end of the year.

However, Dhanushi's turning point in her golf career came when she spent her April-May school vacation in USA with her uncle Saliya de Silva who enrolled Dhanushi in a Golf Coaching Clinic conducted by the Knollwood Golf Club, Los Angeles, California.

The Clinic was conducted for junior players. The international exposure and the training began to produce a magical effect on Dhanushi who won spat of awards in the year 2004 including the Hyundai Challenge Trophy for the best Nett Score (June 20,2004), the Bronze Cup competition sponsored by M/s. Woodman Lanka beating Karen Rempel.

In the Gold Medal Competition, Dhanushi played off a handicap of 24, securing the Gold Medal with a magnificent Nett Score of 64 beating most of the senior and best golfer of the Ladies Section. She also had the rare honor of making the 'HOLE IN ONE' on the 4th hole, at the age of 13 becoming the youngest lady to achieve the accolade.

Following successful years of golfing, she was awarded the player with the best handicap reduction in three consecutive years in February 2007 and was also selected to represent Sri Lanka at the Queen Sirikit Cup to be held in Manila, Philippines from March 21 to 23, 2007.

Danish's talent in sports is phenomenal as she hails from a lineage of sportsmen and sportswomen and also outstanding golfers. Her parents Anusha (de Silva) and Lalin Senadhira are well entrenched into the field of sports, her mother Anusha captained the Ladies Section for the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC) in the year 2005. Her only sister Heshaya plays squash for Holy Family Convent.

Her brother who is a resident in USA is also a golf player with a considerable repute and her uncle Anel de Silva is also a golfer with a history at the RCGC. Dhanushi's cousins have also been golfers and her grand parents Upali and Derna de Silva also encourage family members, particularly grand children to engage in the field.

A junk-food addict Dhanushi would hope to complete her A/L and to reach the millstone of less than six handicaps in Golf. She hopes to apply for a scholarship in a prestigious American university and to play golf for her alma mater.