Country Golf finals May 30
Richard DWIGHT
For the past 17 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 18th of which, well
sustained through the years by DIMO will take place on Saturday May 30
at the RCGC. Welcoming the media at a briefing held at the RCGC on
Monday, the Captain of the RCGC, Lal Dias was very pleased that this
tournament after a lapse of a year (being held last year at Kandy), is
taking place here at the Ridgeways.
His feeling was that the Mercedes Trophy competition belongs here -
for the reason that Mercedes and RCGC have a lot in common. RCGC boasts
of tradition and a long and illustrious 131 year history, while Mercedes
can boast of a world class product and a brand that is synonymous with
prestige and an exclusive clientele.
Dias concluded to say that the Mercedes trophy is not just another
golf tournament, it is a whole new social event, where golfers and their
families look forward to every year and, this year is no exception. The
Chairman/CEO DIMO, Ranjith Pandithage, before presenting the sponsorship
cheque said that the tournament for a change last year was held in Kandy.
It was also some years ago, that we had it in N' Eliya.
But notwithstanding this, he did say that the RCGC has always been
the main venue and will continue to be so.
Ranjith's observation was that Mercedes Benz does it with a lot of
passion in the business of its vehicles and this has been extended to
golf - where apart from the competition it turns out to be an enjoyable
social event. He added that the competition will assume an international
air in that the top winners will fly 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 world finals to be
held in Stuttgart, Germany.
According to the vice captain, RCGC Ananda Jayasekera, the
participation is limited to owners of Mercedes Bensz, Jeep and Chrysler
vehicles and will have around 150 golfers vying for championship honours.
The local tournament here on Saturday May 30 will commence at 6.30
a.m. and proceed on the basis of the Stableford format played over 18
holes.
Those competing will play under 3 categories in keeping with their
respective handicaps viz Group 'A' 0-12, Group 'B' 13-20 and Group 'C'
21-24.
All prizes are sponsored by Dimo, with awards ceremony in all
probability being held on the same evening at the RCGC. Entries for the
tournament close on the May 25 at the RCGC. |