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' considered Sri Lanka's finest amateur golfer. Regarded as a pioneer to be a pathfinder.

This year's Pin Fernando Trophy golf tournament, the 32nd and sponsored by United Tractor and Equipment Ltd for the past eleven years, takes place on Saturday July 9 at the RCGC.

The competition which is prestigious enough to be 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 have to play off 18. The qualifying round for around 200 golfers will commence today on the medal play format.

The players with the best 32 nett scores in the medal round will be drawn to play match according to their qualifying rank.

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

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