Sanjeewa Wickremanayake wins overall men's title at UAE - Sri Lanka Golf C'ship

by S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Cor.

Sanjeewa Wickremanayake won the Overall Championship while Jane Hong the Ladies Gross title and Johan Wasserman the men's Gross title at the second annual UAE Sri Lankan Golfers Championship 2013 organised by the Lankan Golfers Society in the UAE and the Victoria Golf and Country Resort and worked off at Victoria Golf Course at Rajawella off Kandy.

One hundred and five golfers teed off with all enthusiasm on a bright and sunny day with the golf course looking like a billiard table. But it was challenging and when they got to the course they found it tough and difficult to come to terms. The seasoned golfers managed but others struggled but it was all exciting.

Sanjeewa Wickremanayake hailing from the hill capital did his home town proud when he lifted the main event, the Lankan Golfers Championship Trophy with a Net 40 playing to a handicap of 40. His prizes included a return air ticket to Dubai with a 3-day fully paid holiday.

A happy President of the Sri Lankan Golfers Society in the UAE Julien Arnolda said that they were delighted to organise this golf championship on a prestigious like Victoria Course and that they will be back next year to organise this event better.

Expatriate Jane Hong with a brilliant display won the Ladies Gross with a score of 20 and finishing runner-up was Fran de Mel with a Gross score of 14 which meant Jane Hong had a clear six stroke lead over her nearest opponent. In third place was that golfer from the 'Old Blighty' Sonia Boyle with a Gross score of 13. In fact Sumithra Ukkwatte came up with a fine display to register a good score of 20 gross which equalled the score of Jane Hong but on count back on the last nine holes, Hong edged out her opponent 9:12 to 9:11. Manori Jayakoddy also made 19 gross.

Men's Gross championships

Johan Wasserman one of the finest golfers to play at Victoria won the Men's Gross championship with a score but Sanjeewa Wickremanayake too came up with a similar score but on a count back a Wasserman was ahead 9:17 to 9:16. Former Cheshire cricketer Ian Tait ended runner-up with 30 gross. Finishing second runner-up was Nimal Wettimuny with 28 and he was one stroke ahead of his illustrious brother Sidath Wettimuny who had 27. Also registering good scores were Tobian Jaeckers with 27 and former Kandy Sports Club rugby coach Johan Taylor presently with Royal College with 25.

Ladies nett championship

Manori Jayakoddy of Hyundai Motors fame won the Ladies Net Championship with a score of 37 playing to a handicap of 19. She was fairly comfortable in her victory as she was two strokes in front over her nearest opponent Sumithra Ukkwatte who got 35 Net playing to a handicap of 16 and was first runner-up. In third place was Irene Scarth with 33 Net playing to a handicap of 27. Also getting good scores were Niranjalee Amarasuriya 33, Jane Hong 29, Sonia Boyle 28, Pauline Morley 26, Michelle Marchandani 25, Linda Harris 25, and Padnanai Arnolda 25.

Men's net championship

Nimal Perera returned the winner of the Men's Net Championship getting a net score of 38 playing to a handicap of 14. But he had a close contest with John Scarth who was one stroke behind with 37 also playing to a handicap of 14. John Scarth finished first runner-up and occupying the second runner-up berth with 35 was Ranjith Perera playing to a handicap of 16. Also among the top performers were Mark Chicano 35, Sidath Wettimuny 35, Scott Wanigasekera 35, Nimal Wettimuny 34, Martin Linders 34.

Also participating in this champion was former Sri Lanka opening bowler Ravi Ratnayake who was delighted with the conditions of the Victoria and said it was enchanting. He finished 25th in the Men's Gross with 18 and 28th in the Men's Net, getting 31 playing to a handicap of 14. He is now a resident of Melbourne, Australia.

Award winners

The results of all the competitions: (Prize list):

Nearest to the Pin: Ladies fourth hole Manori Jayakoddy

Men's twelfth hole: Nihal Perera

Longest Drive: Men : Errol Johnston

Ladies: Michalle Minohandani

Nearest to the Line Combined Ladies and Men: Rohan J. Perera

Nearest to the Pin 2nd shot 10th hole: John Aiteman

Men's Gross: Winner Johan Wasserman

First runner-up : Ian Tait, Second runner-up : Nimal Wettimuny

Men's Net Winner: Nimal Perera, First runner-up: Johan Scarth, Second runner-up: Ranjith Perera.

Ladies Gross: Winner: Jane Hong, First runner-up: Fran de Mel, Second runner-up: Sonia Boyle

Ladies Gross: Winner: Manon Jayakoddy, First runner-up: Sumithra Ukkwatta Dayananda, Second runner-up: Irene Scarth

Winner Lankan Golfers Championship Trophy: Sanjeewa Wickremanayake.