SL golf on the rise

Ongoing practice 

The Sri Lanka Golf Union has made elaborate plans to complete an exhaustive schedule in the forthcoming months to improve the standard of golf in Sri Lanka. 

With COVID-19 setting the proposed programs behind, the Golf Union, together with the Ministry of Sport, National Olympic Committee and the health authorities, has made plans to fast forward the delayed tournaments in the coming months. 

The Sri Lanka Golf Union will send two players to participate at the forthcoming Asia Pacific golf tournaments for men and women, taking place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. The tournament for the men will be held in Dubai from 7-14 November, while the women's tourney will be in Abu Dhabi from 15-21 November.

M.U. Chanaka Perera will tee off in the men's category while Taniya Balasuriya will take part in the women’s. Both golfers have been invited by virtue of their World Amateur Handicap Ranking. Young Vinod Weerasinghe, a rising star, too was invited to participate in the men's category but due to unforeseen circumstances will not make it to Dubai. 

The Golf Union has finalised different squads to be put through a strenuous training schedule in the coming months. The National Squad, Development Squad and Junior Squads will undergo on-course training in addition to physical fitness training under supervision.

“Plans are in place to get both the golfers in peak condition by mid-next year to make a strong showing at the Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou, China. The Asian Games 2022 where golf will be a sport is to be held in November. Sri Lanka Golf will enter four male and four female golfers to participate in the individual and team events," said Golf Union President Michael Perera Magala.

“Plans are underway to hold Sri Lanka's ranking tournaments in November and December 2021 and conclude the prestigious 132 Sri Lanka Amateur Championship and Sri Lanka Open in January 2022. We are in the process of moving to a unified and worldwide accepted World Handicapping System for all golfers with the support of all golf clubs in Sri Lanka. This will be a beneficial move to all golfers in Sri Lanka,” said Sri Lanka Golf Vice President Ranil Peiris.

The lack of golf courses has been a setback for young golfers looking to take up the game, though Sri Lankans have been gifted with high hand-eye coordination. The Royal Colombo Golf Club, Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, Victoria Golf Club – Digana, Eagles Golf Club – Trincomalee, and Shangri-La Golf Club – Hambantota, have all been supportive in their willing service to the Golf Union by extending their facilities to improve golf in Sri Lanka.

Women’s golf is in an upward trend with many young players taking to the game ably supported by Anouk Chitty. “We intend on making a strong showing at the forthcoming Asian Games,” she said.

Junior golf is an area that has been the focal point and Niloo Jayetileke has her sights set on drawing many new talented players to the game. “Royal and Ancient in Scotland have a support program which has been beneficial in this area. Five tournaments are being held for juniors each year and plans are underway to tie up with an Indian Golfing Group to extend this program to reach a greater height,” said Jayetileke.

Initial plans have been made, and the Ministry of Sport has been approached to build a golf range for the SLGU. President Michael Perera Magala, Ranil Peiris, Air Chief Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema, Sudath Getawakanda, Lal Wickrematunge and the council members are intent on laying the foundation in popularising golf as a sport in Sri Lanka.