President’s Cup tee-off on Valentines Day

By Shamseer Jaleel

The President’s Cup Golf Tournament will tee-off today with the Seniors, Masters and Ladies’ segments taking place on the initial day. Day 2 and day 3 will see the segments A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ golfers in action at the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC). 

Nearly 200 golfers have registered so far with the first tee-off scheduled for 6.50 a.m.

 The President’s Cup was initiated in 1883 and the Club, President G. S. Williams instituted the trophy. It was a Match-Play and there were 12 entries. The initial trophy was won by J. N. Campbell. 

 The President’s Cup of 1897, the first at the Ridgeways Course, was won by G. F. Munro from Scotland.

 The President’s Cup at the RCGC has been played continuously since the inception except during the Second World War between 1942 and 1947, when the Club House and sections of the course were occupied by the Military.

The President’s Cup is open to all Club Members (Men’s and Ladies’) with a current Handicap played under Stroke Play, Best Aggregate Nett Score over the two rounds. 

The Winner of the Tournament will hold the President’s Cup for one year and will also receive a prize donated by the President of the Club, Avancka Herat. 

The defending champion of this Cup is Jayalath Perera.