Commander’s Cup Golf Tournament 2023 Prabath Gamage shines in China Bay

Commander, Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana handing over the Commander’s Cup to the Men’s winner Prabath Gamage (R)

Commander, Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana handing over the Commander’s Cup to the Ladies’ winner Manori Jayakody

By Shamseer Jaleel

Prabath Gamage was in top form as he won the men’s segment at the 10th Commanders Cup Golf Tournament 2023, which took place at the Eagle Golf Link in China Bay, Trincomalee, last weekend.

Manori Jayakody won the Women’s segment, while Vivienne Fowler Watt became the runner-up.
More than 100 golfers, including 18 lady golfers, registered for this annual event, which took place with a colourful awards ceremony the same night in Trincomalee.

Gamage, who played consistent golf on a challenging course at Trincomalee, finished off by collecting 35 points. There was a close tussle for second place between Rtd. Maj. Gen. Srinath Rajapakse and AWM Reza, which was won by Rajapakse on countback. Both accounted for 33 points each.

The Longest Drive for Men’s was won by Rajapakse, and the winner of Nearest to the Pin was Nishantha Perera, who showed top-class accuracy in his shots. Both the Longest Drive and Nearest to the Pin in the Ladies’ segment were won by Anuk Chitty.

In the Eagle’s Challenge trophy, the Longest Drive was won by Group Capt. Dhammika Samarakoon and Nearest to the Pin was won by the former Rajans golfer, Air Vice Marshal Udula Wijesinghe.

With the Commander’s Cup being held for the 10th time this year, a special event was organised in the 10th hole with the Nearest to the Pin award, which was won by Wing Comm. Viraj Gamage. The Eagle’s Challenge Trophy for the Tri Forces was won by Group Capt. JG Jayalath, with Air Vice Marshal Udula Wijesinghe ending as runner-up.

The Commander’s Cup was organised by Sri Lanka Air Force, headed by Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, with Air Vice Marshal Prasanna Ranasinghe heading the organising committee.