20 September 2012
Muscat: The Sri Lankan government is offering a picturesque golf course to attract big-spending tourists to the island nation.
"We have one of the most beautiful golf courses in Asia and every golfing family in Oman knows about us. But we want people coming to Colombo to explore them,- said Lakshman Weerasooriya, Country Manager of SriLankan Airlines-Oman.
Though the numbers are not that big, golf aficionados have started trickling in from Oman, and eight golfers from Muscat have already confirmed their presence on the greens of Royal Colombo Golf Club.
The SriLankan Airlines Golf Classic, the signature corporate sports event of the national carrier, will return to its calendar of events this year.
The three-day tour is schedule to start from October 17 at the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC). "This year we have decided to invite guests and players so that they can discover the place, suggest ideas and join us in developing the beautiful city in Sri Lanka as a golfing destination,- Weerasooriya noted.
RCGC, an 18-hole golf course, was bestowed with the prefix, 'Royal' by King George V in the 1920s. It is the oldest golf club in Sri Lanka, and the second oldest Royal Golf Club outside the United Kingdom.
Established in 1880, its history dates back to British colonial times, when golf was first introduced to the island, making it a true time capsule of the past.
Golfers will be 'lost' in the lush landscape, serene atmosphere and accompanying colonial club house with its extensive display of historic golf memorabilia, restaurant, coffee shop and bar all in the country's biggest city.
"Last year some tourists from Japan had visited Sri Lanka. They were very impressed with our golf setting. They said that if they fly to Colombo, stay for the weekend, play golf, and go back to Japan, their expenditures would be much lower than playing golf in Japan,- he said, with a big smile on his face.
"The SriLankan Golf Classic has been one of our most successful events in the past, attended by many international golfers and we are excited to relaunch it. By hosting and sponsoring such events, which attract a large numbers of tourists and promote the country as a sports hub, we hope to help attain our national goal of boosting tourism,- said the CEO of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena.
"Altogether 200 golfers from all over the world are expected to participate in the event,- he added.
Muscat: The Sri Lankan government is offering a picturesque golf course to attract big-spending tourists to the island nation.
"We have one of the most beautiful golf courses in Asia and every golfing family in Oman knows about us. But we want people coming to Colombo to explore them,- said Lakshman Weerasooriya, Country Manager of SriLankan Airlines-Oman.
Though the numbers are not that big, golf aficionados have started trickling in from Oman, and eight golfers from Muscat have already confirmed their presence on the greens of Royal Colombo Golf Club.
The SriLankan Airlines Golf Classic, the signature corporate sports event of the national carrier, will return to its calendar of events this year.
The three-day tour is schedule to start from October 17 at the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC). "This year we have decided to invite guests and players so that they can discover the place, suggest ideas and join us in developing the beautiful city in Sri Lanka as a golfing destination,- Weerasooriya noted.
RCGC, an 18-hole golf course, was bestowed with the prefix, 'Royal' by King George V in the 1920s. It is the oldest golf club in Sri Lanka, and the second oldest Royal Golf Club outside the United Kingdom.
Established in 1880, its history dates back to British colonial times, when golf was first introduced to the island, making it a true time capsule of the past.
Golfers will be 'lost' in the lush landscape, serene atmosphere and accompanying colonial club house with its extensive display of historic golf memorabilia, restaurant, coffee shop and bar all in the country's biggest city.
"Last year some tourists from Japan had visited Sri Lanka. They were very impressed with our golf setting. They said that if they fly to Colombo, stay for the weekend, play golf, and go back to Japan, their expenditures would be much lower than playing golf in Japan,- he said, with a big smile on his face.
"The SriLankan Golf Classic has been one of our most successful events in the past, attended by many international golfers and we are excited to relaunch it. By hosting and sponsoring such events, which attract a large numbers of tourists and promote the country as a sports hub, we hope to help attain our national goal of boosting tourism,- said the CEO of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena.
"Altogether 200 golfers from all over the world are expected to participate in the event,- he added.
© Times of Oman 2012
