14th Mercedes Benz country golf finals on June 11
 

by Richard Dwight

For the past 13 years, the Mercedes Benz country finals (local) golf tournament, sponsored by Diesel and Motor Engineering Company (DIMO) has from its inception earned a wide reputation amongst the golfing fraternity here to become exclusive, to be prestigious.

Regarded as a much looked forward to popular event in the golfing calendar of the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC) - the 14th of which, well sustained through the years by DIMO, takes place on Saturday June 11 at the RCGC.

Addressing the media at a briefing held in connection with the tournament on Tuesday at the RCGC - the captain of the club, Elmo de Silva was thankful to DIMO for its continued support for the tournament these 13 years. With all the trimmings, trappings and media hype going, he was mindful that this championship has come to be known as the flagship tournament of the RCGC.

De Silva recalled that the tournament through the years, derives its popularity from the lavish attractive prizes made available by the sponsor, and also the challenging incentive of the winner and runner-up of each of the three categories, flying across to Australia to take part in the Asian Finals and, the likely prospect of those doing well at the Asian Finals, travelling later to take part in the finals to be held in Stuttgart, Germany.

This tournament in Colombo sets the stage for the cream of Sri Lankan golfers to go on to compete alongside some of the world's finest golfers, thus putting the country on the world golfing map.

The former RCGC captain, Lalin Samarawickrema who won the inaugural tournament and repeated it the following year, spoke of his experience at Malaysia and Thailand, where the hospitality was extremely good to be heartwarming.

Since then quite a few golfers have made it to the Asian Finals and some to world's finals - names like Lalith Ramanayake and Cap. Navin de Silva come swiftly to mind.

The Chairman/CEO DIMO, Ranjith Pandithage, said he was pleased to know that the tournament has gained momentum to be ever so popular, he assured that DIMO will continue to support golf in Sri Lanka as the country seeks to establish itself as an international venue for high - spending golfers from around the world. He said that the company believes that the sponsorship of a coveted tournament such as this, serves as an ideal vehicle to bring attention to the country, as a top golfing destination.

Six who qualify at this tournament will compete in the Asian Finals to be held in Queensland, Australia from the 3 to 5 August - those who come out in top in Queensland will take part in the Mercedes World Finals to be held in Stuttgart, Germany from the 22 to the 27 September.

At this Stableford format golf competitions, which commences at 6.30 a.m. on Saturday June 11 at the RCGC, there will be around 220 golfers vying for championship honours.

They will be drawn from the clubs viz RCGC, Victoria Digana, Nuwara Eliya along with a few invitees from the sponsors. The entry fee is Rs. 300 with it closing on Wednesday, June 8 at 6.00 p.m. The tournament is open to all members who are over 18 years and will play according to their accredited handicaps.