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UTE-CAT Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship 2011

The 2011 Sri Lanka open Golf Championship that got underway at the RCGC on 2nd January '12 with a principal sponsorship from United Tractors & Equipment (Pvt) Ltd.(UTE) the authorized dealer for Caterpillar Equipment in Sri Lanka, concluded today with the distribution of awards and the crowning of the new champion. The tournament organized by the Sri Lanka Golf Union, was referred to as 'UTE-CAT Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship.'

During this tournament, two inaugural competitions for members of the SLGU were introduced and there was keen competition for the coveted trophies. Some of these titles were UTE-CAT Challenge Trophy for Amateurs (Men) and Mrs. Pam Fernando Memorial Trophy for Amateurs (Ladies). Both tournaments were conducted concurrently with the 'UTE-CAT Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship', on 4th & 5th January, respectively.

The Vice President of Sri Lanka Golf Union and the Managing Director of CML –MTD (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Dian Jayasuriya (Vice President) speaking at the award ceremony said, "It is with much pleasure that I as the Vice President of the Sri Lanka Golf Union witnessed a superb Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship. The Golf was of a very high order and the prize money this year is the highest ever. My congratulations to the winner, runner up and the participants. I thank the press for giving good coverage to the tournament"

Also, speaking at the award ceremony on this sponsorship and the Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship, Mr. Priath Fernando, Group Chairman, UTE said, "Our company has a very close affiliation with this championship as, the late Mr. Pin Fernando who is still regarded as the best amateur Golfer from Sri Lanka was a former Chairman of UTE. He was also a former winner of this coveted trophy." He further stated that "UTE has always supported the development of the game of Golf in Sri Lanka along with necessary assistance to unearth golfing talent in the country."

This year in particular attracted the SLGU member clubs to increase their participation with several amateurs from the newly instituted Eagle Golf Links from China Bay, Trincomalee and Victoria Golf Link Country Resort Club sending 12 and 13 members each as well as several ladies to participate in the inaugural Pam Fernando Challenge Trophy.

The Championship promised and delivered tremendous competition between the local professionals who played in the Indian Tour in 2011 and who will also play in Asian Tour this year and the Amateur Golfers in the National Squad, nurtured by the SLGU.

UTE-CAT and the family of Pin and Pam Fernando hope to make this Golf Championship an annual feature in their corporate calendar and has pledged continuing support to develop local golfing talent. Furthermore, UTE also continues to sponsor The Pin Fernando Trophy conducted by the Royal Colombo Golf club which is one of the most prestigious Golf Tournaments in the Club which UTE-CAT has been sponsoring for the past 11 years.