The Sri Lanka Golf Union (SLGU) following on from last year has once again boosted the purse being offered at the Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship 2015 to be played at the Royal Colombo Golf Club from 31st January to 5th February 2016.
Teaming up with Bally’s Entertainment, this year, the SLGU signed and sealed the title sponsorship agreement, to conduct the Bally’s Sri Lanka Open 2015 amongst a distinguished gathering of SLGU Officials, representatives of the media, enthusiastic sponsors and Sri Lanka’s Professional Golfers at the official Media Press briefing which was held at the Royal Colombo Golf Club “Café on the 8th” on Monday 11th January 2016.
Many records are at stake with the defending Champion K. Prabagaran from Nuwara Eliya Golf Club attempting to win the Sri Lanka Open for a third consecutive time thereby creating a record for his home town. However, he will have many Pro’s queuing up behind him to grab hold of the Championship. R. A. Anura Rohana who finished in 6th place last year is on the verge of establishing a record for the ‘Sri Lanka Open” having won on seven occasions and tied with the great Nandesena Perera for most number of Open wins. Thangarajah who was discovered when Water’s Edge Golf Resort opened and moved to RCGC is waiting in the wings to add this prestigious title to his National amateur title and other professional titles won on the Indian Pro Tour.
Another past winner Amarapadma, Sri Lanka Pro’s on the Indian Tour Lalith Kumara, Vijitha Bandara and 06 Indian Pro’s too are set to face the starter. Other local golfers who could pose a challenge will include seasoned campaigners K. A. Chandradasa, Arumugam, Harrison, Sisira Kumara, Ranga, not forgetting Jehan De Saram the popular RCGC Pro.
The “Bally’s Sri Lanka Open 2015” total prize money has been enriched by the Title Sponsor Bally’s Entertainment and the Co-sponsorship by UTE, DIMO’s and the Affiliate Sponsorship of CML Walkers.
The Sri Lanka Golf Union with the intention of promoting competition and fellowship to encourage more member Golfers to play among Pro Golfers, will be introducing the Inaugural Sri Lanka Inter Club Golf Championship on Sunday 31st January 2016. The member Clubs of the SLGU namely RCGC, NEGC, VGCR and the Defence Services Team comprising Golfers from the Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Navy will be represented by more than one team and of the teams named the top 11 scores of each team will count on the stableford format to determine the Winners of the Inaugural “Sri Lanka Inter Club Golf Championship Shield”. The Sunday ‘Golf’ will also have the added interest of individual and team Events conducted by the SLGU for the Levers Challenge Shield, Levers Cup, Dudley Senanayake Trophy and the RCGC Centenary Trophy.
A record number of entries are expected for the Bally’s Sri Lanka Open 2015 to be played from 02nd -05th February 2016 and the field will be restricted to 120 players. In the event there are more entries a Pre Qualify Round will be played on Monday 01st February, which is otherwise allocated as a practice day.
UTE will be once again presenting the UTE CAT Trophy and the Pam Fernando Trophy to the Gentlemen & Lady Members of Golf Clubs who will play on the 02nd & 3rd alongside the Seniors Championship, concurrently with the first two rounds of the “Open”.
With four Sri Lankan Golfers Ranked on the Indian Professional Golf Tour for 2015, and Mithun Perera Ranked 20th in the Asian Professional Golf Tour for 2015, the promotion of Sri Lankan Golf with more International level tournaments is a great encouragement. Sri Lanka promoted as a Golf Tourism destination is strengthened by active and positive sponsorship establishing Sri Lanka as a significant holiday, sport and entertainment destination which will mutually promote the game of Golf and the arrival of international visitors to Sri Lanka.
Spectator interest and participation is encouraged to witness Professional Golfers in action at the RCGC Ridgeways from 02nd February thro’ 05th February 2016.
