The revived RCGC Open, one of only two open golf tournaments conducted in Sri Lanka, and now titled the RCGC – Altair Open, is to be worked off over four days at the Royal Colombo Golf Club from 29th July – 1st August with the support of Altair, the event’s Principal Sponsor for the third consecutive year.
Pitting some of the country’s top professional and amateur golfers against each other, the tournament in stroke play format is expected to attract about 70 players, with the best 30 among them advancing to the final two days.
Defending champion Mithun Perera and past winners N. Thangaraja and K. Prabagaran, all currently playing in the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) are among the professionals to watch at the 2019 RCGC – Altair Open, while several Sri Lanka National Pool players such as Sisira Kumara, B. A. Sanjeewa and M. U. Chanaka Perera, the reigning Amateur Golf Champion of Sri Lanka, are expected to lead the amateur contingent.
Announcing the tournament, RCGC Captain Mr Shiran Fernando said: “In these difficult times Altair should be highly commended for supporting this prestigious golf championship which is a unique test for both the professional and amateur golfers in Sri Lanka. In fact, it was Altair’s support that made it possible for the club to revive the RCGC Open after a break of nearly two decades, and we appreciate the company supporting the tournament’s continuance.”
Altair Director Mr Pradeep Moraes said: “Sport is a great leveller, and the RCGC – Altair Open promotes this aspect by providing an opportunity for a wider segment of players, regardless of club affiliations and membership, to compete against one-another and thereby contributes to the development of the sport. Altair is delighted therefore to once again sponsor this unique championship.”
The winner of the 2019 edition of the RCGC – Altair Open will be awarded the Altair trophy. Cash awards will also be presented to the top 30 golfers of the tournament.
The RCGC Open Golf tournament was inaugurated in 1970 and was open to all golfers, professional as well as amateur. It is a true test of golf with four rounds of stroke play to determine the champion golfer of the tournament.
The RCGC’s resident professional H.L. Premadasa won the championship in its first three years, after which Sri Lanka’s best golfer to date, Nandasena Perera, won it a record seven times. Club amateurs Pheroze Billimoria and Rusi Captain won it twice and once respectively, while other winners included Jessie Perera, N Thangaraja and two-time champion K. Prabagaran.