If you ever thought that Sri Lanka is famous only for cricket, it is time to think again. Though not as popular as cricket, golf has made its mark in Sri Lanka and to support this claim there are a number of well maintained golf courses in many parts of the island and there is also the annual SriLankan Airlines golf classic event that takes place in the country. In 2011, the event took place from 1st of October to 31st October at the beautiful hill capital Kandy.
It is an amateur tournament held at the picturesque Victoria Golf Club, with its panoramic views of the Mahaweli River and the surrounding landscape just outside the Kandy city. The event attracts the best of local golfing talent as well as golfers and golf enthusiasts from all over the world. The occasion presents the participants the chance to truly test their prowess on a competitive golf course designed by Donald Steel. Victoria Golf & Country Resort has been ranked in Top 100 Most Beautiful courses in the World, by Golfers Digest and also Best Course in Asia 2005 by Asian Golf monthly. It is blessed with both a superb rolling terrain and a scenic background of hills and a lake. The greens are made to USGA specifications and are of the best quality.
The event is open to both male and female players with a Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) or other recognized handicap. The competition comprises of two 18-hole Stableford rounds and each competitor is required to play a round on two days consecutively. The tournament will be conducted based on R&A rules.
For those who want to base themselves in
Sri Lanka hotels for a while before heading off to the tournament in October there is a golf course right in the capital city to practice a bit of teeing off. An exceptional
Colombo hotel, the luxurious Cinnamon Lakeside offers a wide variety of opulent accommodations and is located close to this golfing facility in the capital that will benefit you while you get ready for the match in style.
