Thurstan beat Isipathana in annual golf duel to equal win tally

Isipathana and Thurstan golf teams

 Thurstan College golf team Leader Sriyana Gurusinghe receiving Naomal Fernando Challenge Trophy

Thurstanite Thushara Rupasinghe was aptly adjudged the champion golfer, as his team Thurstan College, bagged the Naomal Fernando Challenge Trophy at the 7th annual Battle of the Brothers Golf Encounter played against Isipathana College, held at the Royal Colombo Golf Club on 10 March, Sunday. 

With the win, Thurstan equaled the tally with three wins each, as traditional rivals Isipathana, after a duel having ended in a tie. Overall, Thurstan, led by Sriyan Gurusinghe, scored 218 points, against 185 points raked in by Isipathana, to record a comprehensive win, as they regained the Naomal Fernando Challenge Trophy for the third occasion, in the annual golf encounter played between top golfers from both schools.

This year 26 players teed off with each team consisting of 13 golfers, as Thurstan dominated gaining top honours. Seasoned campaigners in this friendly golf duel saw Thurstan golfers raking up more points than their Isipathana counterparts. Top of the list for Thurstan, and the encounter was Thushara Rupasinghe, who scored 38 points, followed by fellow classmate Chaminda Prabath, with 37 points. Noel Joseph and Sriyana Gurusinghe scored 36 points each for Thurstan, along with Milinda Ratnayake and Suminda Amarasinghe, who also scored 35 and 34 points respectively contributed to Thurstan’s emphatic victory.  

In addition, Thurstan golfers claimed all major awards on offer, displaying their commitment towards the game of golf and to their alma mater. 

While Thushara Rupasinghe claimed the topmost award, the Best Player and Overall Winner, he also won the award for the Longest Drive. His team mate Chaminda Prabath won the award for the Best Golfer on Nett Points, while Prof. Deepal Weerasinghe from Isipathana won the award for Gross Points after scoring 23 points. Harendra de Silva won by Nearest to the Pin award.

The inaugural Isipathana vs Thurstan Golf Encounter was played on 10 December, 2017 at the Royal Colombo Golf Course, and both schools have been continuing the duel annually, concurrently to their traditional cricket big match, the Battle of the Brothers, which was played for the 61st occasion this year at the SSC ground. Isipathana won the golf encounter last year under the Captaincy of Ravi Liyanage against the Thurstanites under Milinda Ratnayake, to lead the tally with three wins. Prior to equalling the win tally, Thurstan have won twice with the 2022 encounter ending in a tie.

The tournament is annually played for the Naomal Fernando Challenge Trophy, donated by the distinguished old boy of Isipathana, Naomal Fernando, who is also the Chairman and Managing Director of JFI Printers and Packaging Ltd.