The inaugural Sri Lanka Junior Match Play Championship started on a positive note with 60 players competing for top honours at the Royal Colombo Golf Club.
The sponsor for the event is Perera & Sons Bakers Ltd.
The winner of the overall championship will carry away the Rukmini Kodagoda trophy, donated by the family in memory of one of Sri Lanka’s talented sports women, a former national tennis and golf champion.
In the open/gold division, Ishira Fernando showed much promise with a gross score of 77, taking the best gross medal. Closely on the heels were Prashan Peiris and Zaffar Sikkander, both on gross 78 and Charya Kannangara with 82.
The eight to qualify for the match play knock out stage: Ishira Fernando 77, Prashan Peiris 78, Zaffar Sikkander 78, Charya Kannangara 82, Januka Dilshan 84, Lamindu Rainika 85, Navika Ediriwira 86 and S. Kailash 86.
In the Silver division Age Group 11-14+, the best score of the day was recorded by S. D. Sathsara, with a gross score of 86, winning the best gross medal. Heightened competition was evident with Hiruna Sigera 87, Tania Minel Balasuriya and Prashan Heendeniyage, both on 91. The eight to qualify for the match play stage: S. D. Sathsara 86, D. D. Hiruna Sigera 87, Tania Minel Balasuriya 91, Prashan Heendeniyage 91, Iman Sangani 95, Dilip Muthukumara 97, Avisha Gunawardena 98 and Dulitha Ellwala 103.
In the most junior age group category, bronze division 10+and under, we saw the talents of Sidath Dias Desinghe with a score of 47, over nine holes on a better back three to win the best gross score medal on day one over Tienn Kapilasena, closely followed by Kayla Perera on gross 48.
The eight to qualify for the match play stage: Sidath Dias Desinghe 47, Tienn Kapilasena 47, Kayla Perera 48, Mahisha Hirushan 49, K Danushan 50, Yannik Kumara 51, Vikash Thangadore 51 and Levon Niyarepola, 53.
The tournament has reached the knock out match play stage. We are likely to see new talent blossom, showing powers based on the new format.
