Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Wednesday, 21 February 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The rankings for the year concluded with the completion of the Sri Lanka Junior Open 2017 with Vinod Weerasinghe, Taniya Balasuriya, S. Dhuwarshan, Shanal Binuksha and Reshan Algamatopping the rankings oftheir respective divisions.
The designated tournaments for the year for the national junior ranking were the Rukmini Kodagoda Match Play Championship, the Prima regional junior opens in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya and the Sri Lanka Junior Open in Colombo.
With the aim of encouraging more young golfing talent to emerge, the Sri Lanka Golf Union developed a comprehensive ranking system based on eight Stroke Play rounds of golf. Junior golfers have been ranked accordingly in the four age categories ranging from below nine years (Copper Division) and 10-11 years (Bronze Division) to 12-14 years old (Silver Division), 15-18 years old (Gold Division) and girls combined (Silver/Gold Divisions).
NDB Wealth’s sponsorship also entails equipment sponsorship for ranked juniors and this year it recognisedprofessional coaches who have been instrumental in the development of players.
“NDB Wealth is firmly committed to developing and promoting junior golf in Sri Lanka and most of all we are encouraged by the dedication of the Sri Lanka Golf Union officials,” said NDB WealthChief Executive Officer Prabodha Samarasekera.
“The Sri Lanka Golf Union (SLGU)is thankful to the sponsorship from NDB Wealth for the second year running. This has resulted in the junior golfers aspiring to improve their skills and being competitive throughout the year to get a prestigious national ranking, a feather in the cap for our juniors,” said Sri Lanka Golf Union Junior Subcommittee Chairperson Niloo Jayatilake.
She added that it would entail the selectedjunior’s access to any golf course in Sri Lanka and privilege facilities. The developed ranking system will also be used in selecting players for overseas representation as it tests the player’s current form, making national selection easier and more transparent.
The governing body for golf in Sri Lanka has developed a long-term strategy and is now focused on promoting junior golf in the country to harness talent in the island with the rollout of junior development programs island-wide.
As the playing population increasesthere will be greater numbers participating in the coming year and much keener competition for the juniors.
“The Sri Lanka Golf Union’s successful initiative to develop a system of national ranking for junior golfers was recently introduced and the top five ranked juniors from each category will form the Sri Lanka Junior Golf National Squad,” stated SLGU President Priath Fernando.
“We also like to thank expert financial planner NDB Wealth in supporting Sri Lanka golf with the commitment to sponsor the new rankings in the 2018 season as well.”
Final Rankings for 2017:
Top ranked juniors for 2017:
nVinod Weerasinghe (Boys - Gold Division)
nTaniya Balasuriya (Girls – Gold/Silver Division)
nS.Dhuwarshan (Boys – Silver Division)
nShanalBinuksha (Boys – Bronze Division)
nReshanAlgama (Boys – Copper Division)
