Big response from players at first 'Lexmark' Stableford golf C' ship

by S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN- Kandy Sports Corr. at Victoria

GOLF: Over Sixty golfers have entered so far the first ever 'Lexmark' Stableford Golf Championship organised by the Victoria Golf and Country Resort and sponsored by the computer people EWIS (East West Information System) which will be worked off at the picturesque Victoria golf course at Rajawella off Kandy next Sunday - July 25 with the first too off at 7 a.m.According to the organisers, the total number of entries is expected to be around 90 or may even touch the century mark as entries are still open.

EWIS have done a lot to promote sports in the hill capital having provided employment to sportsmen and they also sponsored a schools rugby tournament and now they have decided to sponsor golf. Their Chairman Sanjeewa Wickremanayake is a golfer of repute and has excellent in this sport at Victoria in many competitions.

This golf championship will also mark the opening of the latest state of art aircondiotned restaurant 'Araliya' at Victoria golf club by the Minister of Livestock Development and MP for 'Nuwara Eliya' District C. B. Ratnayake who is also the President of the Nuwara Eliya District Association. This restaurant could accommodate six persons at any given time and will also have satellite television and other modern facilities. Victoria Golf and Country Resort which has a number of chalets and guest houses within its complex, enjoys a very high rate of occupancy both golf tourists and other holiday makers who would like to have a quiet holiday in a wonderful setting in the heartland of the country.

Victoria Golf and Country Resort was once a coconut plantation and it was designed in the mid nineties by the world renowned golf architect Donald Steel and the rest of the work was accomplished by former plantar and Old Thomian cricketer and ruggerite Tony Wilham who flew over from Melbourne in Australia to take up appointment, to build the Victoria golf course in 1997. This 18-hole course standing on a 500 acre coconut plantation was opened for golfers in 1998 with the Donald Steel golf championships. Since then it has grown in gigantic stature and has been twice as the Best and Most Beautiful golf course in the Asian sub-continent by the Asian Golf Monthly.

Victoria - a big draw

Besides this, a visit to Victoria has been a formality by any foreign cricket team to Kandy and England cricket legendary Ian Botham has been one of the regular visitors and he has even mentioned in the Club Log book to try to stop him playing at Victoria.

European Ladies Golf champion and the holder of ten times world championship Kitrina Douglas who had a round of golf at Victoria wrote: 'This will be one of the ten to golf courses in the world, and it offers a challenge to even the most accomplished golfer" Victoria offers an inspiration challenge and a great golfing experience. Whatever your handicap and within the most breathtaking setting.

Apart from the main contest for the nett winner, there will be also other competitions like the best Gross score, longest drive, nearest to the pin. There will be separate competitions for ladies and gentlemen.The General Manager of the Victoria Golf Club Australia-born Errel Johnston who himself is a golfer of repute with the longest drive as his forte, said "we are looking forward to a great competition".

With the little showers experienced in the Victoria region, the Course Manager Maheel Bulumulla using his wide experience has made the course very challenging.

Entries are still open and entry forms could be had from Pro Shop Victoria Golf and Country Resort, Rajawella (Telephone 081-2376376) or from Dhenushika Medagoda Mobile 0777-840894, email www.victoriagolf.lk or www.golfarilanka.lk.