Armand, Vinod, Levon and Yannik shine in regional junior golf in Nuwara Eliya

Armand Flamer Caldera won the Gold division championship with an aggregate of 166 over two rounds in the national junior regional golf tournament worked off at the Nuwara Eliya Golf Course. 

Over 50 juniors competed for top honours over two days of play under windy and cold conditions. However Armand showed his maturity by playing excellent golf over the two days to clinch the win by three shots. 

Buddika Jayalath was runner up with 169 and 2nd runner up Januka Dilshan with total score of 172. The Silver division was won by Vinod Weerasinghe, Bronze division by Levon Niyerapola meanwhile Yannik Kumara was the champion in the most junior category Copper division.

14- year-old Vinod Weerasinghe played consistent good golf to score 84, 82 over two days to clinch the Silver division championship and closely followed by Taniya Balasuriya with scores of 96, 72. In the Bronze division the tussle was between Levon Niyerapola and T. Vikash. However former getting the better by three shots with scores of 103, 99. 

In the most junior category the Copper division Yannik Kumara showed his class with scores of 48, 51 over 9 holes. Closely followed by Shereen Balasuriya with scores of 52, 50 and Nirekh Tejwani 45, 57 with total aggregate score of 102. The juniors from Kandy failed to master the course to take any wins. However they are likely to pose a challenge at the upcoming Regional Junior Open to be held in Kandy soon. 

The championship was conducted by the Sri Lanka Golf Union with the support of Ceylon Agro Industries – promoters of Prima Sunrise Bread, Pro Golf Ltd. along with Nuwara Eliya Golf Club the host for the event. Sri Lanka Golf Union’s vision of identifying talent in the country is taking shape with the development of junior golfers in the Nuwara Eliya District with the birth of the development program. 

For the first time junior participation was evident from schools in the area. Bold step in introducing national regional open championships is to identify the young talent island wide to bring to the national squad level. It’s an initiative to foster talent regionally and talent scouting for national representation.  

The sponsor Prima Ceylon Ltd. promoters of Prima Sunrise Bread was represented by Dinesh Wimalachandra and awards were given by Mithun Perera and Lal Wickrematunge on behalf of the Sri Lanka Golf Union. Special guest of honour was Dr. P. Senanayake, Committee Member of the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club. 

Results

Gold Division

(Under 18 yrs)

1. Armand Flamer Caldera 166, 2. Buddika Jayalath 169, 3. Januka Dilshan 172, 4. Sarana Raj 173

Silver Division

(Under 15 yrs)

1. Vinod Weerasinghe 166, 2. Tania Balasuriya 168, 3. Kayla Perera 192, 4. P. A Dimuthu 202

Bronze Division

(Under 12 yrs)

1. Levon Niyerapola 202, 2. T. Vikash 205, 3. Harish Yadave 262, 4. K.N.V Chethana 271 

Copper Division

(Under 10 yrs)

1. Yannik Kumara 99, 2. Shereen Balasuriya 102, 3. Nirekj Tejwani 102, 4. Harish Kressive 120