The Amateur Championship started amidst fine weather at the pictures Nuwara Eliya Golf Course. In the qualifying rounds the best scores were recorded by the Indian contingent, closely followed by Sri Lanka’s experienced Suwen Selvaratnam who showed consistency over the the two days.
The best gross score on day one was recorded by young Indian girl Astha Madan who went on to win the Leonard Peiris Cup with a gross score of 76. The Firestone Jepson for the best net was also won by Astha Madan. Also the best gross score over two days for the Lilamini Weeraratne trophy was won by Tvesa Malik on a better second day score and the Pin Fernando trophy for the best aggregate net score was won by Astha Madan. The Indian contingent cleared the trophy board, highlighting their supremacy and improved standard.
In the knock out stage experienced Suwen Selvaratnam took Rasika Ekanayake last year’s finalist to the 19th hole to clinch the win.Young Indian national player Astha Madan creamed Sandiya Kumari to win 6/5 and in the other quarter final match Michele Mirchandani got the better of Kishani Vethavinayakam 4/2. We are likely to to see a keen tussle between the Sri Lankan and Indian girls to get a birth in the finals. For the F B De Mel Challenge Cup played by the non-qualifiers of the championship is likely to see a ding dong battle between Shirani Buffin and Marleen Billen. The tournament is conducted by the Sri Lanka Golf Union.
