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GOLF TOUR SRI LANKA |
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Golf Tour In Sri Lanka Sri Lanka may not be world-renowned for its golf but the sport has a long history in the island and there are four excellent courses. The highlight, undoubtedly, is Victoria Golf & Country Club, a stunningly beautiful course hidden away in the hill-country near Kandy that is encircled by water and flanked by mountains. There are two courses in Colombo – Royal Colombo and Water’s Edge. In Nuwara Eliya there is a wonderful old course dating back to the Colonial period. Green fees in Sri Lanka are relatively inexpensive by international standards and there are also some fun tournaments each year for amateurs
Sri Lanka currently has four excellent golf courses: Royal Colombo, Water’s Edge, Victoria and Nuwara Eliya. The first two are situated in the centre of Colombo, ideal for a half-day escape from the capital’s shopping. The other two, Victoria and Nuwara Eliya, are located in the central highlands and both are stunningly, picturesque. Victoria is spectacular, ringed by ragged mountains and a huge reservoir, while Nuwara Eliya, in the heart of the tea hills, feels like the Scottish Highlands on a misty morning.
Golf is, thankfully, quite laid-back in Sri Lanka. Royal Colombo is quite formal – although not by normal Royal standards – but the other courses are delightfully relaxed. Day members are welcome in all four courses and the average cost of a round is around £20 inclusive of green fees, caddy, ball spotters and tips. Clubs can be hired but don’t expect the latest titanium shafts. Hires costs are approximately £5 for a round. Packages are sometimes offered if you want to play on consecutive days.
Golfing etiquette in Sri Lanka appears to demand you hire as many people as possible. Your caddy is a must in any case – it is far too hot and humid to be hauling around a bag – but expect ball spotters to be offered. Their fees are small and they do an excellent job. Beware water hazards. “Pond boys” will find your ball within minutes and charge a small fee for their trouble – if you wish, your caddy will handle negotiations.
There is rarely a need to book a tee time, except at weekends. Red Dot will do this for you in any case. We recommend you take lots of fluid while on the course and the island’s great energy snack, bananas, will keep fatigue at bay. It is best to avoid the midday sun too as the mornings and afternoons are far more comfortable.
Though Sri Lanka is virtually unknown in the field of Golf, it has a long history dating back to 1895 when the Colonial Secretary, an ardent golfer himself in consultation with the then Governor of Sri Lanka, Sir Joseph West Ridgeway, offered the Alfred Model Farm-named after the son of Queen Victoria to the golf club. The course was opened by Governor Ridgeway and was first named Ridgeways and in 1896 was named the Royal Colombo Golf Club after much restructuring.
Sri Lanka boasts of having three of the finest 18 hole Golf courses comparable to those in Asia. The three courses are situated in Colombo, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. The elevations and climatic conditions in each location differ to the extent that some golfers often comment that it is like playing in three different countries. |
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