History was made last weekend in Sri Lankan sport as the country’s first franchise-based golf tournament, the Ceylon Golf League, unfolded from 5th to 7th December at the Royal Colombo Golf Club. Over three days of fierce competition, the normally subdued fairways of the RCGC came alive with color and action as eight teams vied for a spot in history as the league’s maiden champions.
The brainchild of former Sri Lanka cricket captain Mahela Jayawardene, along with fellow entrepreneurs Shamal Perera and Suhayb Sangani, the Ceylon Gold League was introduced as a serious step forward for Sri Lankan golf. The organisers’ vision was simple yet highly effective: taking the sport beyond exclusivity into mainstream sporting culture by creating city-based franchises that would foster rivalries and bring fans closer to the game through modern presentation and accessibility. Their ambition was matched by strong corporate backing, with HUTCH Sri Lanka coming on board as a key partner, and several well-known local brands lending their support to ensure this league debut lived up to expectations.
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The opening edition featured eight franchises: Colombo Aces, Kandy Kings, Nuwara Eliya Panthers, Trinco Sharks, Hambantota Tuskers, Galle Ballers, Sigiriya Hornets, and Anuradhapura Gladiators. The team makeup was done very thoughtfully through a live auctioning process earlier in the year, introducing a refreshing twist to how teams are selected in local golf. Players were drafted across different handicap categories to ensure balance and competitiveness as teams blended experience with emerging talent.
The tournament spanned three days, with different formats for each to challenge all aspects of the game. On day one, it was Foursomes, which requires coordination among the teammates. On day two came the more grueling “indies” format, which really tested both the technical and mental aspects, while on the final day, the fast-moving Fourball provided tension right into the last minutes.
From the first tee-off, the standard of golf was high, right through to the last putt. The pressure situations were handled coolly, brave shot selections changed the course of matches, and often it was just team unity that made the difference in tightly contested matches. Every franchise had their moments of impact; however, one team set themselves apart from the rest with consistency and composure. The Nuwara Eliya Panthers were a class apart throughout the tournament and thus carried momentum with confidence into the final day.
When play concluded on December 7, it was the Panthers who emerged as champions of the inaugural Ceylon Gold League, finishing ahead of the Trinco Sharks in the final standings after a strong performance when it mattered most. The following celebrations reflected just how much the achievement meant, with players and staff recognizing the significance of lifting the first-ever championship trophy in the league’s history.
Beyond the outcomes, the Ceylon Gold League provided a glimpse at what the future of golf in Sri Lanka might look like. The franchise concept created new excitement, sparked new rivalries, and provided younger players with a concrete goal to work toward. It also gave seasoned campaigners a platform that felt bigger than a regular club tournament.
With the final day coming to an end and celebrations continuing at Royal Colombo, the league achieved something beyond crowning champions: opening doors for future development, strengthening belief in the game’s potential, and adding that much-needed spark to Sri Lanka’s sporting calendar. This first edition of the Ceylon Gold League will be remembered not just for who won it, but for what it started.
