Burdett to tee off tomorrow

Friday, 25 July 2025 02:51 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC) will host the 122nd edition of the Burdett Trophy on 26 July continuing a time-honoured tradition that began in 1902. Played between two of Sri Lanka’s most esteemed golf clubs Royal Colombo Golf Club (est. 1879) and the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club (NEGC) (est. 1889) the Burdett Trophy is perhaps recognised as the world’s oldest inter-club golf tournament, predating even the Ryder Cup by 25 years.

This tournament traditionally follows the esteemed Ryder Cup match play format, highlighting both the competitive and collaborative spirit of the game. In the Burdett Trophy, Gents will contest four foursomes matches in the morning, followed by eight singles matches in the afternoon where 6.5 points are required for victory.

The Puffin Cup, Sri Lanka’s foremost ladies’ team event first played in 1936, will mirror this format with four foursomes and four singles matches, and 4.5 points by a team will be required for victory.

RCGC Burdett Trophy team will be led by Gehan Siribaddana, while Harsha Abewickrama will lead the NEGC team two formidable leaders guiding their respective clubs into another chapter of this historic rivalry.

In the Puffin Cup, Dinuka Boralessa will captain RCGC’s ladies, with Usha De Silva leading the NEGC team.

The day will begin with a ceremonial inauguration steeped in tradition. The National Flag will be hoisted by RCGC President Capt. Navin De Silva, followed by the hoisting of the respective club flags by the two club skippers.

The event will also feature two parallel tournaments with the Masters Tournament, captained by Lal Dias for RCGC and Riyaz Mihular for NEGC, and the 125th Anniversary Trophy, led by RCGC President Capt. Navin De Silva and NEGC’s Suresh Subramanium.

These events will be conducted in a Four-Ball Better-Ball format of match play, with pairs from each club competing head-to-head, showing both strategy and teamwork in equal measure.

RCGC leads with 70 wins to NEGC 33 while 7 halved contests in the Burdett Trophy.

Festivities will commence today (25 July) with Wine and Cheese night where players and guests will gather in anticipation. Teams will be officially announced, and camaraderie renewed in true golfing tradition.

Match day will conclude with a grand awards ceremony, cocktails, and a gala dinner at the stately RCGC. (SJ)

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