Pin Fernando Golf today

Richard DWIGHT

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 (RCGC) 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.

He was considered Sri Lanka's finest amateur golfer and regarded as a pioneer to be a pathfinder. Pin's memory since his death and even before, has been perpetuated through a well sustained golf tournament in his name by the RCGC.

This year's Pin Fernando golf tournament, the 30th and sponsored by United Tractor Equipment Ltd for the past eight years, on this morning at the RCGC.

The competition which is prestigious enough to be a Board event, had its origin during the 1979 centenary year of the RCGC.

It is open to the members of the club with a maximum handicap of 18. Those with handicaps above 18 will be eligible, but will play off 18. The qualifying round for around 100 golfers will begin on Saturday on the medal round format. The players with the best 32 nett scores in the medal round, will be drawn to play, match play according to their qualifying rank, in the weekends that follow.

The winner will be awarded the Pin Fernando Memorial Trophy - the prizes would be for the winner and runner-up match play, best gross score - qualifying round and best nett score qualifying round.

These details and information was gathered at an eve of the tournament fellowship get-together held yesterday evening at the RCGC.