Englishman Green and Chamil champs

by S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Correspondent at Rajawella

Mark Green from the United Kingdom won the Swedish Golf Classic while schoolboy Chamil Wickremasinghe won the junior competition at the inaugural Swedish Golf Classic held at the Victoria Golf and Country Resort golf course at Rajawella.

This competition was hosted by seven 'Swedish Vikings' namely Rolf Tibblin, Voinert Holm, Bo Lindberg, Joachim Engman, Per Cramborn, Nils Persson and Karl Yoar Westman.

Golfers had flown from the Middle East, United Kingdom, Australia and Germany and it was made a truly international event with foreign residents from Sweden, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Holland, India and Australia, and Sri Lankans also taking part in this prestigious golf championship.

The Sun shone as the players took off in flights of three in what could only be described as perfect golfing conditions. Tony Witham and his green staff had the course playing to its full potential following the Seventh SAARC competition earlier this month, putting on the greens was still 'whippy' and the closely mown fairways were running well.

Four hours later, players started to return their scores and quench their thirst in the clubhouse with iced teas provided by the sponsors Tea Tang Limited. Scores varied, however it soon became apparent that a Swedish surge was on as Per Cramborn and Rolf Tibblin both had scored 38 stableford points to take an early lead.

They were soon joined on 38 points by Simen Northcott and Mark Green and test cricketer Sidath Wettimuni closely following them home with 37 points. The 'count back' system in the last nine holes was put into play and with an amassing 24 points on the back nine Mark Green from the United Kingdom from the afternoon session pipped the Swedes to the post. Rolf Tibblin took great delight in presenting the tall elegant trophy, however the greatest pleasure for all was when he presented the 'Blue' Swedish Blazer in true US Open style.

The Runner-up in the Swedish Classic was Per Gramborn.

The Rolf's Cup was staged for players over 65 years and Rolf Tibblin himself was hugely applauded to the podium to receive the award from his old friend and fellow Swede Veinert Holm.

Ina Rasmussen who played in a fashion which was head and shoulders above the other ladies of the day, dominated the Ladies Stableford competition, and Chathuri Engman a respectable runner-up.