Ranil Peiris to defend title

Defending champion Ranil Peiris will look to stamp his class once again when he takes the field at the 85th Nuwara Eliya Golf Clubs (NEGC) Club Championship which will take place on December 7 and 8 at the club’s golf course.

Last year, Pieris got the better of Priyanga Hapugalle by 3 shots at the Club Championship and a narrow oneshot lead in the Gold Medal.

This year’s event has attracted a record number of entries with some top class golfers such as Kushal Johnpillai, Srinath Rajapakse, Affli Raheem, Praveen Dias and Haroon Aslam, a school boy from the central hills, battling out for the top honours.

Manjula Chandrasoma who won the recent Ogilvy Cup 2019 is in cracking form and will also be a strong contender for the title.

In the Silver Division Sunil Udalagama, Janaka Gallangoda,

Mohamed Fazeel and Tharanga Gunasekara are players to watch out for. Rohan J Perera, Chaminda Bandutilake and Anura Wimalaratne are the leading contenders for the C Division segment.

The format will be two days of stroke play where the overall champion will be decided on the best gross score. Players will compete for the Gold Medal which is awarded for the best gross score on day two. The gold medal is also a Board event.

Some top class golfers such as Sachin de Silva, Alain Gyi, Pin Fernando, K Prabagaran and Nandasena Perera had stamped their class in the past events. Divisional trophies and prizes are also on offer for divisions A, B and C. Concurrently the ladies club championship will also take place.

The Graeme Sinclair Trophy will take place on December 6 which will be an ideal warm up session for all participants this year.