Priya Hemantha and Sandya Kumari emerge men and women's golf champs

by S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen- Kandy Sports Corr

Victoria golfers on top: Priya Hemantha of Victoria Golf and Country Resort won the 'A' Division Championship while lady golfer Sandhya Kamari also from Victoria Golf and Country Resort kept the flag of the 'deadlier of the two species' flag flying at the July 2014 Pin Fernando Grand Prix Golf Championship organised by the Sri Lanka Golf Union and played over four days during the week at the beautiful Victoria golf course at Rajawells off Kandy.

The golf course was in excellent condition and looked a billiard green top and a very strong wind blew across the golf course which made it cooling for the golfers who put up plucky displays.

A total of 36 golfers from Victoria Golf and Country Resort, Royal Colombo Golf Club, Army Diyatalawa Golf Club, Navy Sandy Bay Golf Links, participated in this championship.

The Division 'A' winner Priya Hemantha form Victoria who shot a 9 over par 301 to win this championship by 5 shots over the second placed Pradeep Kumar of Royal Colombo Golf Club who aggregated 296.

Priya Hemantha's win was highlighted by a brilliant 3 over per 70 on the third day which helped him to maintain the lead on to the fourth day and walk away with the 'A' Division win.

But the lady who really stole the honours among the many men golfers was 32 year old caddie from Victoria Golf and Country Resort Sandhya Kumari who participating in the 'B' Division and being the only lady to participate in the Grand Prix gave a polished display to finish runner up in the 'B' Division title was won by Praveen Raj of Victoria Golf and Country Resort.

Caddie Sandhya Kumari is no stranger to golf and she has excelled in many local golf championships competing with ladies. She said that she was from a village close to Digana and she learny all her golf from Victoria Golf and Country Resort and the management encouraged her to participate in competitions.

The results of the two main competitions of the July Pin Fernando Grand Prix:

Division 'A' Winner: Priya Hemantha (Victoria Golf and Country Resort). Runner-up: G.M. Pradeep Kumar (Royal Colombo Golf Club), Third: Jointly: G. Sridaran (Navy) and R. Sureshan (RCGC)

Division 'B' Winner: Praveen Raj (Victoria Golf and Country Resort) Runner-up: Sandhya Kumari (Victoria Golf and Country Resort)

Third: Dilee Sharika (Royal Colombo Golf Club)