A tournament dedicated to late Rukmini Kodagoda

Sri Lanka Junior Match Play Golf Championship for the Rukmini Kodagoda Trophy is once again set to be held at the Royal Colombo Golf Club from 18 to 21 April 2016. Inaugurated in 2014, this annual tournament will be sponsored by Perera & Sons Bakers Ltd the family company of the late Rukmini Kodagoda, for the third consecutive year. The prestigious tournaments scheduled for the year and popular given the match play format which is one of a kind, will award the winner of the overall championship to carry away the Rukmini Kodagoda Challenge trophy while the qualifying medal round of the championship would be a designated round for national junior ranking for the year 2016,which stands as a recent introduction.

“We are likely to see new talent blossom among the juniors who show aptitude for match play format.” commented Gihan Perera CEO/Managing Director of Perera and Sons Bakers Ltd.

The Sri Lanka Gold Union is focusedin developing the young pool of golfers below 14 years, hence sub segmenting the pool between Bronze and Copper division. The tournament will be played over four days and will comprise of four age groups as follows; 15-17 years (Overall/Gold Division), 12-14 years (Silver Division), 10 -11years (Bronze Division) and 9 years and under (Copper Division). The manner of play would be based on a qualifying stroke play round whereby the best eight qualify to play, match play knock out. There would be many prizes on offer such as best gross score on qualifying round and plate winner for non-qualifiers on day two best gross score.

Last year’s divisional winners were: Gold Division – Prashan Peiris, Silver Division – Taniya Balasuriya, Bronze Division – Levon Niyarepola and Copper Division – Yanik Kumara. This year we are likely to see stiff competition from Armand Flamer Caldera, D. Dhanranjan, S. Flamin, Januka Dilshan, Tien Kapilasena, Nirekh Tejwani and Sathsara Dilshan in their respective age group categories.

Mr. Perera further stated, “P&S is committed to help develop the game of golf and tennis, especially to give an opportunity to the juniors from the outstations, and believe that there is a lot of hidden talent out of Colombo, which needs to be unearthed through events such as these.”

The junior match play championship is a fitting tribute to Rukmini Kodagoda, who won the Sri Lanka Amateur Championship in 1979 and several other club tournaments. Ruki as she was popularly known established herself as one of Sri Lanka’s talented sports women having won national titles and represented Sri Lanka in both tennis and golf. She also held the prestigious position of Chairman Sri Lanka Ladies Golf Union in 1990 and 1991 and Captain of the Ladies Section of the Royal Colombo Golf Club.

P & S, standing statement to their service promise, ‘Great Taste”have come forward once again to give a taste of Golf to youngsters and to pay tribute to their late Chairperson’s passion.

Photo Caption: Handing over the sponsorship cheque to the officials of the Sri Lanka Golf Union.

From left to right : Hasshan Priyadharshana from P & S, Ruvini Kariyawasan Business Development Manager- Perera and Sons , Gihan Perera- CEO/Managing Director, Perera and Sons, Mr. Nimal Piyaratne – President Sri Lanka Golf Union, Ms. Niloo Jayatilake – Chairperson Junior Sub Committee Sri Lanka Golf Union and Mr. Ken De Alwis – Secretary Sri Lanka Golf Union,