A record group of 79 national Golfers and Golf lovers, including those from Tri Services at the invitation of the Sri Lanka Army Golf Committee (SLAGC) gathered in the garrison town of Diyatalawa on Saturday (29) for the ‘Highlanders’ Cup Golf Tournament – 2019’ in the re-laid Diyatalawa Army Golf Course. 

Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake who inspired the SLAGC to upgrade and promoted the sport within a short spell of time to match with international standards by opening the new state-of-the-art Clubhouse of exceptional design last year, was there this time too as the Chief Guest to tee off and inaugurate the tournament at the invitation of Brigadier Nanda Hathurusinghe, Chairman, SLAGC.

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The day’s itinerary for this 3rd tournament on Saturday (29) kicked off with the arrival of the Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake and the subsequent welcome hosted by Brigadier Nanda Hathurusinghe, Chairman, SLAGC in the company of Major General Anura Sudasinghe Director General Army Sports and Major General Laksiri Waduge, Commander Security Forces -Central. Giving a further boost, ‘Dialog’ and ‘Sri Lankan Airlines’ as main sponsors powered this year’s tournament with exclusive awards and air tickets to the winners. Adding a new dimension, intending to make this “game of gentlemen” more popular among more and more servicemen, the SLAGC this year inducted the exclusive ‘Commander’s Trophy’ also to the event in addition to the award of the ‘Highlanders’ Cup’. 

The seasoned golfer, Mr Amila Amarasuriya of the Colombo Golf Club emerged victorious to claim the reputed ‘Highlanders’ Cup-2019′ in the tournament while the newly-inducted  Commander’s Trophy’ was won by the Group Captain H.E. S Dharmadasa of the Air Force. Several Runners-up including Major General (Retd) Srinath Rajapakse qualified to receive special awards and mementos. 

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The climax of the tournament was later in the evening with the prestigious awarding ceremony of trophies, shields, mementos and gifts to the achievers and participants, dignified by the presence of Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army who remains the driving force behind the revival of the game during the past two years, particularly by allocating a sum of about Rs 10 million for erection of an internationally-recognized Clubhouse for the game. 

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Towards the end of the day’s proceedings, Brigadier Nanda Hathurusinghe, Chairman, SLAGC appreciating the Commander’s presence and the contribution presented a special memento to the day’s Chief Guest. Commander did not also forget to interact with all those attendees after the awarding ceremony to share a few thoughts with them before he took leave of them.

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List of recipients of awards:

Trophy                                                Name

  1. Longest drive ladies: Mrs Anusha Senadheera (16) and Mrs Alenka Jelnikar (17)
  2.  Longest drive gents: Commander P.M Munmullage
  3.  Nearest to the pin ladies: Mrs Alenka Jelnikar (17)
  4.  Nearest to the pin gents:  Mr Lakshman Sumathipala (19) S
  5.  Ladies best gross points score runner-up: Mrs Usha de Silva (14)
  6.  Ladies best gross points score winner: Mrs Sunitha Selwaratnam (12)
  7.  Ladies best NET points score runner-up: Mrs Usha de Silva (14)
  8.  Ladies best NET points score winner: Mrs Sunitha Selwaratnam (12)
  9.  Senior category NET points score runner-up: Mr Lakshman Sumathipala (19) S
  10.  Senior category NET points score winner: Mr Anil Amarasooriya (23) S
  11.  Division ‘B’ 2nd best NET points score runner-up: Air Vice Marshal S Pathirana (24)
  12.  Division ‘B’ best NET points score winner: Mr Anil Amarasooriya (23) S
  13.  Division ‘A’ 2nd best NET points score runner-up: Mr Rohan de Silva (12)
  14.  Division ‘A’ best NET points score winner : Mr Ranil Peiris (6)
  15.  Best gross points score – Runner up: Major General (Retd) Srinath Rajapaksha (08)
  16.  Best gross points score winner : Mr Ranil Peiris (6)
  17. Runner-up Army Commander’s Cup: Commander P.M Munmullage
  18.  Runner-up highlanders cup: Mr Ranil Peiris (6)
  19.  Winner Army Commander’s Cup:  Group Captain H.T.H Darmadasa
  20.  Winner Highlanders’ Cup: Mr Anil Amarasooriya (23) S