COMMANDER'S CUP - 2021 CONCLUDES AT PICTURESQUE EAGLES GOLF LINKS IN CHINA BAY
1:43pm on Sunday 24th January 2021
The Sri Lanka Air Force and the Eagles’ Golf Links hosted the Commander’s Cup - 2021 Annual Golf Tournament, which was concluded yesterday 23 January 2021 in the picturesque settings of China Bay, close to the harbor city of Trincomalee. On the invitation of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne graced this year’s tournament as the Chief Guest. This year’s tournament was by Dialog Enterprise as the main sponsor which made it much more glamorous and memorable for the participants. The SLAF was also joined by Anilana Hotels this year as the hospitality partner.
The tournament, played under ‘Handicap rules’ was open to all and started off at 0800 hrs with the participation of eighty two (82) enthusiastic golfers. General (Retd) Gunaratne followed by the Commander participated for the first Tee Off signifying the start of the tournament.
Mr. Sanjeewa Ariyarathne won the Commander's Cup trophy securing the highest marks in the Gents category while Mrs. Anusha Senadheera won the Ladies' Trophy. Mr. Janaka Thebuwana secured the Runners Up position in the Gents Category while Mrs. Niloo Jayathilake secured the Ladies Runners Up position. Mr. Romesh Abeyrathne received both awards for the longest drive and for the closest to the pin in the Gents Category while Mrs. Anusha Senadheera and Mrs. Manori Jayakody took the honours for the longest drive and the closest to the pin respectively in the Ladies Category.
The Eagles Challenge Trophy presented to members of the Tri-Services (Men’s Category) was won by Air Vice Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa who is the Southern Air Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force and the Base Commander of SLAF Base Katunayake. Wing Commander Lakmal Gunawardane emerged as the Runner Up for the Eagles Challenge Trophy. Commodore Pradeep Karunathilaka from the Sri Lanka Navy secured the award for the longest drive in the Eagles Challenge Trophy segment.
The awards of this year’s Commanders Cup – 2021 were given away at a gala Awards Ceremony held at ‘Eagle’s Bay View’ Resort during the evening of the same day. The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne also graced the Awards Ceremony as the Chief Guest. The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana and Mrs. Charmini Pathirana also participated for the Awards Ceremony to give away the awards. Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Jayalath Weerakkody, Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Kolitha Gunatileke and Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Gagan Bulathsinghala, who are former Commanders of the Air Force also participated for this year Commanders Cup – 2021.
All participants of the tournament departed the picturesque China Bay today (24 January 2021) with load of fun filled memories of this unforgettable event.
