Etisalat golf tourney on grand scale

Ranjan Anandappa

The inaugural Etisalat Golf Classic will commence on July 30 at the Royal Colombo Golf Course.

This two day golf extravaganza is open for Gents and Ladies who will get the opportunity to play competitively, and as well as enjoy every minute at the green at the picturesque RCGC green.

The winner (Gents) will receive two business class return air tickets for a golf tour in Abu Dhabi with a friend, whom both should be of course Etisalat customers for the entitlement

All facilities and accommodation in a 5 Star Hotel and three rounds of golf at the splendid Abu Dhabi Golf Club is also in the offering.

In addition the duo will also have the privilege of witnessing the prestigious Abu Dhabi Open Golf Tournament. The overall winner in the Ladies Division too, will be rewarded with a business class return air ticket to the same destination.

At a press briefing held with regard to the tournament at the RCGC, its President Lalith Ramanayake said that from Celltel to Tigo, they have been sponsoring golf tournaments and this of course is a big tournament.

"This tournament is conducted on a grand scale over two days because of the increasing popularity and also to include as many golfers as possible.

On the first day (Friday) we'll see the Ladies and the senior members teeing off and on Saturday it will be the men's events and as many as 220 golfers, that is as much as the golf course can take on in one day", said Ramanayake.

"The tournament is for the members of the RCGC and the men's competition will be in three divisions A,B, and C. The 'A' Division is for single handicappers, those who are handicapped from 0 to 9. "B' those who are handicapped from 10 to 18 and 'C' for those who are handicapped from 19 to 28.

There will also be a different format of play which is called the Stapleford Format and therefore it will be very competitive and filled with lot of fun and enjoyment."

The CEO of Etisalat Dumindra Ratnayake said that " Etisalat's association with Golf will help build its international profile in key markets as it is perceived as a sport associated with skill, patience, precision and discipline; all qualities that we strive to embrace not only in our corporate culture but also in our personal life".

"As a company we believe that sports is a vital part of life and this tournament will not only promote talent and sportsmanship, but also the opportunity to gain exposure on an International level". he said.