Sujeewa and Suwen win Victoria Golf Titles

S M Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Correspondent at Victoria

Sujeewa Lankatillake and that versatile golfer Suwen Selvaratnam won the Men's and Ladies Golf championship at the annual Club Championship of Victoria Golf and Country Resort sponsored by Noritake Limited and worked off at the award winning Victoria Golf Course at Rajawella off Kandy.

Sujeewa Lankatillake a regular winner at the competitions held at Victoria registered a combined gross total of over the two rounds to lift the coveted Noritake trophy in second place was John Scarth who had 18.8u1 and Yukirava 18.82. Japanese Asakawa Yukiyasu 21 strokes behind with 174. In third place was Wender Shieh with 179 gross. Also registering good scores were Englishman Ian Tait 181 edging out Nihal Perera who also made 181 on a count back, John Scarth 184, Ashawa Toshiya 189 and Errol Johnston who also made 184.

Suwen Selvaratnam won the Ladies title with a Combined Gross score of 178 over the two rounds. Another top lady golfer Niloo Jayatillake too came up with an equal total and on a count back on the 18 holes Suwen Selvaratnam scored a wafer thin victory getting 18.91 against 18.93 by Niloo Jayatillake.

Almost at every golf championship held at Victoria, an excruciating battle had been witnessed between these two ladies and the winner is unpredictable till the end. Apart from this duo Sonia Boyle got 195 and Manori Jayakoddy known for her fighting spirits disappointed with 201 gross. Fran de Mel made 209.

Irene Scarth 225 and Stagen Gudran 266. Wender Shieh won the Men's Combined Nett with a total of 155 over the two rounds playing to a handicap of 12. Sujeewa Lankatillake was on top in this competition with a total of 147 playing to a handicap of 4 but the competition rules permitted only one title win and he opted for the more prestigious Gross Championship.

Thus John Scarth was in second place with 158 playing to a handicap of 13 with Asakawa Yukiyawa too coming up with a similar total and on a count back John Scarth edged out his opponent. Shadesh Balasubramaniam made 160 and closely followed by Errol Johnston 161.

The Ladies Nett title was won by English lady Sonia Boyle with a Combined Nett score of 159 playing to a handicap. It was nice to see this veteran golfer back in form and not being a winner for sometime.

But speaking in terms of scores Suwen Selvaratnam was on top with a Nett total of 158 playing to a handicap of 10 but once again the competition rules permitted only one win and Suwen Selvaratnam opted for the gross title.

Niloo Jayatillake playing to a handicap of 9 finished runner up with 160 and in fourth place was Manori Jayakoddy with 163 playing to a handicap of 19.

Japanese Yukirawa Asakawa was the winner of the Combined Division one Nett with a total 153.

The final results:

Longest Drive Men Day One: Sujeewa Lankatillake

Day two: Dileep Kodikara

Longest Drive Ladies Day One: Suwen Selvaratnam

Day two: Niloo Jayatillake

Nearest to the Pin: Ladies: Suwen Selvaratnam

Day two: Fran de Mel

Nearest to the Pin Men: Ian Tait

Combined Nett Score Ladies: Winner Sonia Boyle 159

Combined Nett Winner: Men: Wender Shieh

Combined Men's Nett Winner Division One: Yuki Asakawa

Combined Nett Winner Men's Division two: John Scarth

Club Champion – Ladies: Suwen Selvaratnam 178 gross.

Club Champion Men: Sujeewa Lankatillake 155 gross.