Tibblin to sponsor monthly medal golf

S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN Kandy Sports Corr.

Victoria Golf and Country Resort will be honoured when the Club's Monthly Medal Golf Championship is sponsored by a legendary in motor sports who has been the world champion at motorcross four times Sweden born Rolf Tibblin when this championship is worked off at the Victoria Golf Course at Rajawella off Kandy this Saturday, May 23 commencing at 7 a.m.

Rolf Tibblin exploits at motor sports in the seventies hit the world headlines at a time motorcross was new to the world and many watched in awe his dare devil riding over obstacles and bumps with the machine air borne for sometime on dirt tracks. He gave a new dimension to this sport which became a major attraction in motor racing, before a serious injury cut short his career in motor sports.

At that time it was believed that his injury was so serious that he will not be able to walk again. But Rolf Tibblin like the mythical phoenix rose from the ashes and now not only walks but also plays rounds of golf at Victoria and often participates in competitions.

He is a major force at Victoria and has been one of the pioneers of the Swedish Golf Classics which is conducted annually at Victoria and has attracted even foreign golfers.

Rolf Tibblin who also became a racing driver later has the fastest lap timing in Sweden and he would have made giant progress in this sport too if not for the serious injury, he sustained.

Last year he was honoured at the 'Country Hall of Fame' which recognises international personalities. Rolf Tibblin is revered so much in Sweden that the motorcycles which made the world champion four times are on display at the National Museum preserved for the posterity of a legend who carved a niche for himself in a sport which was feared by a large number and his performances impelled others to take to it.

It is nothing but fitting that Rolf Tibblin had chosen to sponsor the monthly medal golf championship at Victoria Golf Course - a golf course which was voted the Best Course in the Sub-Continent by the Asian Golf Monthly in 2005 and again in 2008 when their Marketing Executive Ms. Dhanushika Medagoda went over to Mission Hills in China to collect the prestigious award.

According to the Golf Digest Magazine it is ranked among the top 100 Most Beautiful Courses in the world and number one in Sri Lanka.

Kitrina Douglas - the European Ladies Champion and holder of 10 World Championship titles during one of her visits described the Victoria golf course thus "This will be one of the top 10 golf courses in the world - it offers a challenge to even the most accomplished golfer."

These words were spelled by no ordinary golfer but ten times world champion.

Even England cricketers and one time holder of the world record for the most number of test wickets Sir Ian Botham said "Try to stop me playing at Victoria."

In a golf course having a track record such as this, it is not surprising that another International personality and a legendary at that had come forward to sponsor the Monthly Golf Championships.

The weather at Victoria has been bright and sunny and the course kept green by regular watering.

The entries for this competition are now open and those interested are requested to contact Ms. Dhanushika Medagoda mobile 0777-840894 or golf shop 081-2376376 for details and entry forms.