Marcos and Niloo shine in China Bay

Marcos Gomez Chicano (L)

 Niloo Jayathilake (L)

By Shamseer Jaleel

The Commander’s Cup Golf Championship 2026 concluded in grand style at the picturesque Eagles’ Golf Links and Courses, showing elite competition among Sri Lanka’s vibrant golfing community. Organised by Sri Lanka Air Force, the tournament attracted leading defence and civilian golfers competing across multiple divisions last weekend in China Bay in Trincomalee. Marcos Gomez Chicano played some superb golf on the green to account for the Commanders Cup (Men’s) segment, while evergreen Niloo Jayathilake won the women’s category with a sparkling performance on a challenging course.

Group Capt. Prabath Wijekoon, who delivered an outstanding all-round performance, won the Eagles’ Challenge Trophy Men’s Winner title while also claiming the Six Hidden Holes Award and the Commander’s Island Green prize, underlining his exceptional control and consistency throughout the championship. The runner-up was Captain Thishara Jayawardena.

In the Men’s Gross segment, Derrick Ponnambalam emerged as the winner with a composed and technically sound round. Jade Jiggens produced a commanding performance to win both the Gross Winner Women’s title and the Longest Drive Women’s award. Her powerful drives and confident putting defined one of the standout performances of the championship. Manori Jayakody claimed Nearest to the PIN for Women, while Anthony Fernandopulle secured Nearest to the PIN for Men. In the defence category, Group Capt. Prabath Wijekoon added another accolade by winning Nearest to the PIN.

Sqn Ldr Asela De Silva winning Longest Drive Defence Men’s and Wg. Cdr. K.A.P.S. Laksmi claiming Longest Drive – Defence Ladies. Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Srinath Rajapakshe (Retd.) powered his way to victory in the Longest Drive Men’s open category.

The tournament was sponsored by Dialog Enterprises for a record 6th year in tandem.