(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) –The Sri Lanka Air Force and the Eagles’ Golf Links hosted the Commander’s Cup – 2024 Annual Golf Tournament, which was concluded yesterday (20 January 2024) in the picturesque settings of China Bay, close to the harbor city of Trincomalee.
The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa graced this year’s tournament as the Chief Guest and he was accompanied by Mrs. Enoka Rajapaksa as well. This year’s tournament was powered by Dialog Enterprise as the main sponsor which made it much more glamorous and memorable for the participants.
The tournament, played under ‘Handicap rules’ was open to all and started off at 0700 hrs with the participation of more than hundred (100) enthusiastic golfers. The Commander participated for the first Tee Off signifying the start of the tournament. Air Vice Marshal Udula Wijesinghe (Retd) won the Commander’s Cup trophy securing the highest marks in the Gents category while Mrs. Anusha Senadhira won the Ladies’ Trophy. Wing Commander Lakmal Gunawardena(Retd) secured the Runners Up position in the Gents Category while Mrs. Pravina Dunuwille secured the Ladies’ Runners Up position. Mr. Sujeewa Lankathilake and Mr. Nishantha Perera received the awards for the longest drive and the closest to the pin in the Gents’ Category while Mrs. Vivien Fowlerwatt and Mrs. Jehan Lye took the honours for the longest drive and the closest to the pin respectively in the Ladies’ Category.
Wing Commander Asantha Gunarthne adjudged the Six Hidden Holes Award while Group Captain Crishantha Fernando received the Commander’s Island Green Award. The Wooden Spoon was received by Group Captain Dayan Sumanasekara. To encourage participation from lower handicappers for the first time this year, two new awards for “Gross Winner” were introduced, for both men’s and women’s categories. Air Vice Marshal Udula Wijesinghe (Retd) secured the award for the Gross Winner in the Men’s category while Mrs. Anouk Chitty received the award for the Gross Winner in the Women’s category. The Eagles’ Challenge Trophy presented to members of the Tri-Services (Men’s Category) was won by Wing Commander Asantha Gunarathne from the Sri Lanka Air Force. Group Captain Crishantha Fernando emerged as the Runner Up for the Eagles’ Challenge Trophy. Commodore Pradeep Karunathilake secured the award for the longest drive and Major General Shewanth Kulatunga secured the award for the closest to the pin in the Eagles’ Challenge Trophy segment.
The awards of this year’s Commander’s Cup – 2024 were given away at a gala Awards Ceremony held at ‘Club House’ during the evening of the same day. The Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa graced the Awards Ceremony as the Chief Guest with his lady Mrs. Enoka Rajapaksa. Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in Sri Lanka, Her Excellency Dewi Gustina Tobing, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the Main Exclusive Sponsor, Group Chief Officer of Dialog Enterprise, Mr. Navin Pieris and former Commanders of the Air Force also participated as special guests for this year’s edition of the Commander’s Cup Awards Ceremony.
All participants of the tournament departed the scenic China Bay today (21 January 2024) with a load of fun filled memories from this year’s event which is a milestone as the 11th iteration of the Commander’s Cup Golf Tournament.
