13th version of Donald Steel Golf Championship Feb 12 and 13

by S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kaat Victoria

GOLF: Victoria Golf and Country Resort is all set to stage the 13th version of the Donald Steel Golf Championship which will be worked off at the picturesque Victoria golf course at Rajawella off Kandy next Saturday and Sunday - February 12th and 13th with the first tee off at 7.30 a.m.

Entries are pouring in from both local and foreign golfers for this prestigious golf competition which was the first one to be worked off after the golf course was opened for golfers in 1998. Already some of the foreign golfers have come over to Victoria are getting themselves acclimatised to the conditions which is rather unusual with rains falling and cold like the "Old Blighty'.

The course is in fine condition thanks to the untiring efforts of its Australian born General Manager Errel Johnston and the Course Manager Maheel Bulumulla assisted by the support staff. The Course Manager Blumulla said that it has been made challenging and the golfers will have to give out their best and this is necessary in a competition such as this. General Manager Errol Johnston said that playing on this excellent golf course is going to be a great experience and it is not going to be easy for the golfers with the holes located at strategic points with one of them 100 feet above the fairways. Friday February 11th will be the practice day and the golfers could get used to the conditions, said the Marketing Executive Dhanushika Medagoda.

Upto now over 75 golfers have entered to play in this golf championship which was first conducted in 1999 with Donald Steel and his Assistant Martin Ebert themselves gracing the occasion as honoured guests. Since then both of them have made many trips to the island from the United Kingdom to witness this event. Martin Ebert has done one better to win the Donald Steel championship in 2001, 2003 and 2004.

This event which will be awarded for the Best Gross score over two rounds, previously won by Chamath Kulasinghe (1990), Daviffith (2000), Martin Ebert (2001), Alain Gyi (2002), Martin Ebert (2003) and 2004. Binupa Wijesinghe (2005), Romesh Abhayaratne (2006), Sujeewa Lankathilaka (2007), Sidath Wettimuni (2008), Ian Tait (2009) and 2010).

Englishman Ian Tait who has played rugby and cricket for Cheshire Minor County will make out an all out effort to make a hat-trick of wins but he will receive tough competition from top golfers like Ian Nalder, Sujeewa Lankatilleke, Sam Gunaratne, Sidath Wettimuny, Nimal Wettimuny, Errel Johnston and many others.