Swedish Golf Classics at Victoria Golf Resort on Nov.19

S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Corr.

GOLF: Swedish Classic Trophy and Rolf's Cup will be the main two events at the sixth annual Swedish Golf Classics 2011 organised by the Swedish Community in Sri Lanka and the Victoria Golf and Country Resort which will be worked off at the beautiful Victoria Golf course at Rajawella off Kandy on Saturday - November 19th with the first tee off at 7 a.m.

Over a 100 golfers from Sri Lanka and abroad especially from Sweden and Germany will vie honours for the several handsome trophies which are on offer for men and lady golfers.

Last year this championship was a roaring success as 130 golfers participated and the organisers had to turn down some of the entries as they were 'bursting in their seams' and could not be accommodated in a one-day tournament. They did accommodate the maximum possible. This year nearly 100 entries have been received so far and more entries are expected in the next few days.

The 18-hole gold course at Victoria is in best ever possible condition. The rains which fell two weeks ago broke a spell of five-month drought in the region and helped in the luxuriant growth of grass in the fairways. The greens have been always in fine condition made challenging by the Australian born General Manager, Errol Johnston and the Course Manager Indu Rodrigo with the help of the support staff, It came for a lot of praise at the recently concluded 124th Sri Lanka Amateur Golf Championship from both local and foreign golfers who were all thrilled at the high standards of the course.

The history of the Swedish Golf Classics is that over six years ago it started with the birthday of the five times World motorcross champion Rolf Tibblin and a golf championship was organised to celebrate the occasion by the Swedes residing in Sri Lanka and then it has grown in stature over the years and was re-named as "Swedish Golf Classics".

World champion motorcross rider Rolf Tibblin, from Sweden was one of the main organisers with the help of Sujeewa Lankatillake, Englishmen Ien Tair, Chathuri Engman and the officials of the Victoria Golf and Country helped them in the organising arrangements.

The occasion was graced by the consulate for Sweden in Sri Lanka as the Chief guest. Last year, Ian Tait, a former Minor Country cricketer and ruggerite excelled by winning the Golf's Cup and the Swedish Classic and it is left to be seen whether he could repeat this success.

A glittering array of trophies are on offer and there is also a wooden spoon as an award.

This will be also Victoria's last major golf championship for the year and arrangements are under hand to make it a tremendous success.

The following events will be worked off at this championship:

The Swedish Classic Trophy: This competition for Ladies and Gentlemen and will be decided on the Net scores;

Golf's Cup: This competition is for men over 65-years and will be decided on the Net scores. This trophy is presented by former world champion rider at motorcross Golf Tibblin.

Men's Stableford competition: Gold Division for handicappers 0 to 12 - both Net and Cross scores will be taken into reckoning.

Silver Division for handicappers 13 to 28. Award will be made for Net winner and runner up.

Ladies Stableford Competition: Gold Division for handicappers 0- 20 - both gross and Net Silver Division for handicappers between 21 to 36.

Awards will be made for the Net winner and runner-up

One shot events: Longest Drive for Ladies, Longest Drive for Men, Nearest to the Pin for Ladies, Nearest to the Pin for Men, Nearest to the Line for Ladies, Nearest to the Line for Men.

The organisers have not forgotten the Novices and there will be a competition for Novices above 12-years and it will be a nine hole competition.

The organisers have also arranged for the competition to practice at the golf and the course will be open on Friday November 18.

In addition to the main there will be another competition for the golfers on Sunday - November 20th Veinert's Scramble organised by Veinert Hom.

Entries will close with Victoria Golf and Country Resort and could be mailed to P.O. Box No. 7 Rajawella.

Entry forms could be had from Victoria Golf and Country Resort, Nuwara Eliya Golf Club and Royal Colombo Golf Club.