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SriLankan Airlines has teamed up with HSBC to launch yet another international golf tournament “SriLankan Strokes” in its efforts to promote high-end sports tourism to Sri Lanka.
“SriLankan Strokes is a tournament that is specifically for golfers in Asia, including the Far East, India, Pakistan, and the Middle East,” said Chandana De Silva, Head of Corporate Communications. “The National Carrier already has two other golf tournaments – the SriLankan Airlines Golf Classic which celebrated a decade of success last year, and the NEGC Golf Tournament that we launched in 2005 for local golfers. We are indeed very pleased to have as our partner a prestigious global institution such as HSBC.”
The inaugural tournament will be held from 17-19 March 2006 at the picturesque Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, located among the swirling mists and tea plantations in the mountainous resort town known as “Little England”.
Mr. David J H Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives said: “HSBC is pleased to sponsor the international golf tournament, SriLankan Strokes. Golf is a game enjoyed the world over and we consider it a privilege to be associated with SriLankan Airlines in this venture. This tournament will be open to HSBC Premier customers both in Sri Lanka and abroad and we hope that this will also provide a boost to tourism in Sri Lanka.”
The Principal Sponsor of the tournament is HSBC, with Co-Sponsors being Alpha Orient and Carlsberg.
All ground arrangements for participants and their companions will be taken care of by Hemtours, the Official Ground Handling Agent.
Exciting prizes on offer include no less than five Business Class and Economy Class return air tickets from Colombo to the Middle East, Far East, India, and Pakistan, for winners of the three Mens Groups and the two Ladies Groups.
SriLankan is offering discounted airfares for participants, and packages that include airport pickup and drop, accommodation, transport to Nuwara Eliya by coach, green fees, caddy fees, and shuttle service from hotels to the golf course.
Participants could also opt to travel in supreme comfort and convenience via the Airline’s domestic arm SriLankan Air Taxi, enjoying a bird’s eye view of the island’s panorama as they cruise over jungles and gushing waterfalls in a Turbo Otter aircraft and landing on Lake Gregory in the centre of Nuwara Eliya.
Players will be staying in comfort at the four Official Hotels – Grand Hotel, St. Andrews, The Heritage, and the Tea Factory.
The organizers have planned a wide variety of day programmes for spouses and companions, and also for the golfers themselves, ranging from 1-day to multi-day tours. They include tours of Nuwara Eliya and its environs, Sri Lanka’s nearby ancient hill capital of Kandy, Whitewater Rafting, Safaris in the Uda Walawe National Park, Cultural Tours, climbing up the holy mountain of Adam’s Peak, Shopping Sprees in Colombo, a Tea Plantation Tour, and a Colours & Spices Tour.
The Nuwara Eliya Golf Club was founded in 1889 by a group of Scottish highlanders who were stationed in the country’s tea plantations. The second oldest course in the country, it was the venue of the island’s first ever championship in 1891, which continues to-date as the second oldest National Golf Championship in the world. The clubhouse is a charming building dating back to 1923, famed for its cheese toast and courteous service. The clubhouse’s broad verandah overlooks the 1st and 18th holes, affording spectators an exciting view of the action. The Club’s facilities include a library, pro-shop, billiards room, badminton court, and 15 bedrooms for members and guests. The beautiful par-70 18-hole course winds its way through Nuwara Eliya Town, at an altitude of 6,000 feet.
SriLankan Airlines, which now flies to 49 destinations in 28 countries, is vigorously promoting Sri Lanka as an ideal location for Adventure Sports and Sports Tourism, such as Marathons, Surfing, Horse Racing, Scuba Diving, Camping, Canoeing, River Rafting, Hiking, Biking, Golf, Rugby Football, Wildlife Tours, and Mountaineering.
The Airline already hosts two international surfing competitions, a horseracing event, an international rugby sevens tournament.
More information on SriLankan Strokes can be obtained from:
Hemtours phone (94) 11-2300003 or (94) 11-2300004
E-mail rohanlal.hemtours@hemas.com
SriLankan Airlines
Hyacinth Silva phone (94) 19733-1372
E-mail hsilva@srilankan.aero
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