Mike Harwood wins PGA Golf tourney

S. M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Corr

Mike Harwood the former USA PGA Tour Card holder who is also a former PGA champion won the inaugural PGA golf tournament organised and sponsored by the Sri Lankan Airlines which was worked off over two rounds at the picturesque Victoria Golf Course at Rajawella off Kandy yesterday.

Mike Harwood who went as clear favourite following his impressive record in international events was in the lead on the first day with 68 gross followed by another contender Jammian Chitprason of Thailand who had 71 gross and in third place was Ahmed Bateman of Canada with 72.

On the second day Mike Harwood registered the same score of 68 followed by Noppajak Meesom of Thailand who had 72.

When the Combined Scores were taken into reckoning Mike Harwood of Australia emerged winner with a total of 136. Noppojak Meesom (Thailand) and Ahamed Bateman (Canada) tied for the runner up position with combined total of 143 which was 7 points behind the winner.

There were 55 foreign participants from countries like Australia, Canada, Thailand, Phillipines, Taiwan, USA, England, Hong Kong, Scotland, Wales, Switzerland, Sweden. Sri Lanka's only participant was former National Champion Nandasena Perera who finished 9th with scores of 78 and 73 making a total of 151, which was good considering the inform participants from other countries.

This golf championship was a major success for Sri Lankan Airlines and golf tourism in Sri Lanka as all the participants indicated that they had never before come to Sri Lanka or played golf in Sri Lanka. Their experience here was wonderful and the course beautiful and challenging and could rank among the best in the world. They vowed to come back with their friends soon.

Mike Harwood from Australia is one of the finest golfers to play at Victoria and his win was embellished with a 10 under par.

The first ten positions: 1. Mike Harwood (Australia) 136, 2. Noppajak Meesom (Thailand) and Ahamed Bateman (Canada) 143, 4. Fabian C de Rosairo (Phillipines) 146, 5. Jammian Chitprasong (Thailand) 147, and Cheng Tsang Te (Taiwan) 147, 7. Don Klenk (USA) 149 and Josefino Hornandez (Phillipines) 147, 9. Nandasena Perera (Sri Lanka) 151, 10. Matt Richardson (England) 152, Keith Murray (Australia) 152, Glenn Berry (Australia) 152, Chang Ching Kuo (Taiwan) 152.