Lankan Golfers' UAE Open tees off April 20

S M Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Correspondent

Victoria Golf and Country Resort (VGCR) will host the second annual "Lankan Golfers' United Arab Emirates Open"golf championship organized by the Sri Lanka golfers in the UAE and by the Victoria Golf and Country Resort which will be worked off at the award winning Victoria golf course at Rajawella off Kandy next Saturday, April 20 with the first tee off at 7 am.

Manager, Marketing and Events of VGCR Dhanushika Medagoda said that this event which was held for the first time last year and turned out to be a roaring success with over 120 golfers participating and were bursting our seams and we were compelled to restrict the entries.

She said it is great that the Sri Lankan Golfers Union in the UAE had struck upon this idea to give back to their motherland in the form of golf and other additions.

There will be divisional prizes for ladies and gentlemen winners and runners-ups. The top prize will be a fully paid three day trip to Dubai.

There will be no green fees even for non-members, free golf clinic for beginners. Entertainment throughout the day, free starter kits, with golf balls, shirt, cap and other goodies will be given to all players.

With all these goodies and no green fees for all, it is a great opportunity for a golfers to participate. In addition there will be also special prizes for ladies and men for nearest to the pin, longest drive, and straight drive.

Last year the organisers guaranteed an unique brand of golfing, hospitality and this is what the players and their guests received in return. The defending champion for men is Dayananda Ukkwatte after a count back on the last nine holes following a tie with Sujeewa Lankatillake who also registered an identical score. The division one for men was won by former national cricketer Sidath Wettimuni with Captain Damindra Fernando of Sri Lankan Airlines as runner up.

The ladies division was won by that versatile golfer Suwen Selvaratnam after a tense battle with another top golfer Niloo Jayatillake. Also excelling was Sumithra Ukkwatte hot on heels on the success of her husband Dayananda, who also won the longest drive for ladies.

For entries contact Dhanushika Medagoda on phone number 0727840894 or 0777-840894 or Siva or Logarajan on Tel no. 081-2376376. Entries will be limited to first 100 on a first come first served basis.