Carsons ‘Shakespeare Shield’ Golf Tournament enters decisive final

The corporate sector battled it out for top honours for the prestigious Shakespeare Shield sponsored by Carson Cumberbatch PLC, which spans over 17 weeks played in a knockout format.

This year the tournament saw some interesting pairs taking part: Anil Hirdramani and Mahesh Hirdramani of Hirdramani Group, Nihal Keppetipola and Priyath Bandu Wickrama of Sri Lanka Port Authority, Erajh Gunaratne and Ivor Mahroof of Metropolitan Group, Kumar Boralessa and Jith Wanigasekera of Ceylon Tea Marketing, Harsha Abeywickrema and Srinath Rajapakse of the Defence Ministry, Noel Selvanayagam and Gerard Fernando of Senok Trade Group and sponsor Carson Cumberbatch PLC represented by Vijaya Malalasekera and Niloo Jayatilake.

There were a total of 34 corporates that vied for the prestigious shield. The competition saw many combinations of father and son: Sumal Perera and Shamal Perera of Access Group, S.M.A. Hameed and Richel Hameed of Club Villa, Priath and Prasan Fernando of United Tractors and Equipment Ltd., and a combination of brothers, Sidath and Nimal Wettimuny, participating in the tournament.

The Shakespeare Shield is the only tournament open to RCGC members who are employees and/or directors of registered companies, embassies, Government departments and service organisations. The tournament is keenly contested among the corporates for top honour. Last year’s winners Sri Lanka Port Authority represented by Nihal Keppetipola and Priyath Bandu Wickrama failed in their attempt to make a go two years running and lost to Dasarath Hettiarachchie and V.T. Sundaralingam of Asiri Hospitals Ltd.

The strong combination of Sumal Perera and Shamal Perera of Access Group had a convincing win over Fazal Hameed and Firaz Hameed of Jezmia Holdings and thereafter Land Ocean Consortium represented by Wasantha De Silva and Errol Weerasinghe.

It was however a tough ding dong quarter finals match against Priath and Prasan Fernando of United Tractors and Equipment Ltd. with Access Group winning 3/2.

The Defence Ministry represented by Harsha Abeywickrama and Srinath Rajapakse annihilated their opponents Mahesh and Anil Hirdramani of Hirdramani Group, Ranjith Thabrew and D. Hewawasam of CCSM Ltd., by playing excellent golf in the knock out rounds and reached the final.

In other interesting matches witnessed, Kamlesh and Kushal Johnpillai of Kay Jay Agencies Ltd. sent home Dr. Manjula Karunaratne and Iftikar Ahamed of Softlogic Group on the 12th hole, beating them 7/6. Strong contenders S.M.A. Hameed and Richel Hameed of Club Villa got a scare from J. Rajendran and Nataraj Ramaiah of Dior Properties & Investments, however finally losing the match 3/2.  

The coveted final is to be played among the formidable teams – Defence Ministry represented by Harsha Abyewickrama and Srinath Rajapakse and Nobles (Pvt) Ltd., represented by Sidath and Nimal Wettimuny.

The Shakespeare Shield is an annual board event at the Royal Colombo Golf Club under the sponsorship of Carson Cumberbatch PLC, being the only tournament open to members of companies, embassies, government departments and service personnel etc. and very popular among members of the commercial sector.

The sponsor has planned a fitting celebration for the tournament’s centenary in 2011.