The Faldo Junior Series Sri Lanka, sponsored by DFCC Bank, successfully concluded its championship event at the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC) after three days of competitive play from January 6 to 8. Emerging as the Overall Champion was Kaya Daluwatte. The tournament attracted over 100 young golfers from both Sri Lanka and abroad, showcasing budding talent under the internationally recognized Faldo Series, which was founded by six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo.
Now in its second consecutive year with DFCC Bank as the title sponsor, the championship is committed to providing a structured pathway for junior golfers to transition from national competitions to international arenas. The tournament was divided into distinct age and gender categories, fostering a consistent competitive environment while enhancing players’ confidence and tournament preparedness from an early age.
The event featured “Faldo Juniors” categories for boys and girls aged 13–16 and 17–21, as well as “Faldo Futures” categories for younger age groups, including 7–8, 9–10, and 11–12. This setup aids in early talent identification and offers young golfers valuable exposure to high-caliber competition and a clear progression route.
Winners were celebrated at a prize-giving ceremony held at RCGC:
Faldo Juniors
Age group 13 to 16 – Girls:
Runner-Up: Lorance Sithara Dedunu
Winner: Mira Bisneer Agrawal (India)
Age group 13 to 16 – Boys:
Runner-Up: Karmanye Mahajan (India)
Winner: Vivaan Ubhayakar (India)
Age group 17 to 21 – Girls:
Runner-Up: Dhanushi Wanasinghe
Winner: Kaya Daluwatte
Age group 17 to 21 – Boys:
Runner-Up: K. Dhanushan
Winner: Reshan Algama
Faldo Futures
Age group 7 to 8 – Girls:
Runner-Up: Vignesshh Samyuktha
Winner: Kyra Cader
Age group 7 to 8 – Boys:
Runner-Up: Rahein Manathunga
Winner: Thangarajah Onith Ometh
Age group 9 to 10 – Girls:
Runner-Up: Aashna Amogha (India)
Winner: Ayra Athar Yasin (Pakistan)
Age group 9 to 10 – Boys:
Runner-Up: Jayith Minhas Guruge
Winner: Abiman Wickramasinghe Abeywardene
Age group 11 to 12 – Girls:
Runner-Up: Dulkini Subanya
Winner: Vihara Herath
Age group 11 to 12 – Boys:
Runner-Up: Vivaan Singh (India)
Winner: Syed Mahdi Mahbeer (Bangladesh)
The tournament was organized by RCGC, Sri Lanka’s most historic golf institution, whose ongoing efforts to bring the Faldo Series to Sri Lanka are instrumental in elevating junior golf standards and enhancing the country’s presence on the regional golfing calendar.
Winners from the Faldo Juniors categories have also earned the opportunity to represent Sri Lanka at the Faldo Junior Tour Asia Grand Final. This offers them exposure to elite regional competition and international benchmarks, which are crucial in developing high-performance athletes and future professionals.
Kaya Daluwatte was named the Overall Champion, with notable figures such as Mahela Jayawardene, Vice Captain of the Royal Colombo Golf Club, Gehan Siribaddana, Captain of the Royal Colombo Golf Club, Thimal Perera, CEO of DFCC Bank, and Shamindra Marcelline, Deputy CEO of DFCC Bank, present to honor the winners.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.