Shangri-La Hambantota’s Annual Anniversary Golf Tournament a success

Shangri-La Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa celebrated three years of golfing and good times with its Annual Anniversary Golf Tournament held on 28 and 29 June 2019. 

The format of the golf tournament was Stableford over 18 holes and played under the Rules of R&A and USGA. The weekend of activity began with cocktails on 28 June in the breezy outdoors of the resorts’ Upper Lagoon Poolside, where members enjoyed an evening of fellowship before competing on the greens. 

The tournament teed off in the early hours of Saturday 29 June with over 50 golf members who started the day with breakfast at Ulpatha, the Golf Club House overlooking the 18th hole. Players appreciated the idyllic settings of the par-70, 18 hole golf course spread across a vast coconut palm plantation, with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. The course offers lush fairways and challenging bunkers, with the Dune Area featuring subtle elevation changes and the Sapphire Mine showcasing generous greens with an abundance of water features. Shangri-La Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa’s golf course is USGA (United States Golf Association) Course Rated and Slope Rated.

The Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner were held in the evening at Gimanhala Lounge. Nimal Wettimuny emerged as overall gross winner (ladies and gents). Afflli Raheem and Sunil Udalagama were named the gents gross and nett winners respectively; whilst Niloo Jayathilake and Ahalya Rajan were named the ladies gross and nett winners respectively. Amongst the guest participants Somanath Fernando received the award for overall gross winner. 

Prizes for winners included airline tickets from SriLankan Airlines and Cinnamon Air, and weekend stays at other Shangri-La hotels and resorts. Other partners for the golf tournament were Siddhalepa and Spa Ceylon who extended indulgence packages to players.

“It has been a rewarding experience for my team and me to host our Annual Anniversary Golf Tournament for our esteemed members and their guests. We truly appreciate the standard of golf played amongst those who competed,” said Shangri-La Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa General Manager Moshi Perera. Perera added that by offering world class facilities, it has been the resort’s vision to further develop the sport of golf in Sri Lanka. “Over the years, we have seen how the increasing number of tournaments with experienced players is inspiring those at grass root levels to take on the game of golf with more dedication.” 

Shangri-La Hambantota offers much more beyond just a great game. The resort boasts 274 spacious rooms, including 21 lavish suites. Three swimming pools, Shangri-La signature CHI Ayurveda Spa, a wide variety of vibrant dining destinations, unparalleled recreational facilities including the thrills of a 7 metre high trapeze, a dedicated kids club and an artisan village that celebrates local arts and crafts, are all a part of the fine offering here.

The golf membership at Shangri-La Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa provides all the amenities you would expect from a world-class golf club, with different categories of membership to suit golfers’ preferences and special benefits at the resort.