‘Pin Fernando’ golf on Saturday

Richard Dwight

GOLF: Every now and then, there comes along a man, who through his varied contributions lights up the fairways and greens of the Royal Colombo Golf Club and elsewhere.

Mainly so, by playing this fine sport, golf in the way and manner it was intended to be played - one such man as this, with intrinsic worth and wide appeal both on and off the golf course was undoubtedly the illustrious W. P. Fernando affectionately spoken of as ‘Pin Fernando, considered as Sri Lanka’s finest amateur golfer.

Regarded as a pioneer to be a pathfinder, Pin’s memory since his death and even before, has been perpetuated through a well sustained annual golf tournament in his name by the RCGC.

This year’s Pin Fernando golf tournament, the 28th and sponsored by United Tractor and Equipment Ltd (UTE) for the past six years, takes place on Saturday at the RCGC. The competition which is prestigious enough to be a Board event, is open to members of the RCGC with valid handicaps, maximum handicap of 18 will apply to participants with a handicap over 18.

There will be around 125 golfers competing and, apart from the main trophy, the ‘Pin Fernando Memorial award, there will be other prizes to be won as well.

Last we forget, we would do well to recall the wide array of achievements of this legendary golfer, Pin in winning 52 championships viz: Sri Lanka 10, All India 2, Wester India 1, RCGC 19, Nuwara Eliya Golf Club 7 and Havelock Golf Club 11.