The Nuwara Eliya Panthers captured the inaugural Ceylon Golf League title, winning Sri Lanka’s first-ever league-format golf event after a closely contested final at the Royal Colombo Golf Club.
The Panthers dominated the three-day tournament, topping Group B on the first two days to secure a place in the final against the Trinco Sharks, a team widely regarded for its depth and talent.
Of the 56 matches the Panthers played throughout the competition, they won 35, lost 17 and tied five.
The championship match was decided on the 17th hole, where Thiumi Gunasekera sank the winning putt to seal the victory for the Panthers in the last match of the day.
The title-winning squad included some of Sri Lanka’s top amateur talent, led by national No. 1 amateur golfer Chanaka Perera and several standout junior players from the women’s division.
The team was coached by South African PGA professional Rick Currin and captained by Tharanga Gunasekera.
Team owners Janith Akmeemana, Kalum Inamaluwa, Saneth Gamage and Gunasekera supported the Panthers alongside presenting partner Homelands, strategic partner Euvtech of the United States, and several commercial partners including Agxa, Fonte, Polymerlink, Terrawatt, Swatten, IJ Interiors and Condor Golf.
In a gesture highlighted by organizers, the Panthers donated their prize money to the Ceylon Golf League disaster relief fund to support junior golfers in Nuwara Eliya affected by recent floods.
The 2025 Panthers roster included Perera, Priya Hemantha, Anura Wijenayake, Roshana Prasad, Nishantha Perera, Sampath Hemachandra, Akmeemana, Gamage, Gunasekera, Suren Waas, Samitha Perera, Manjula Lanerolle, Keya Abhayaratne, Anashya Weerakkody, Gunasekera and Anumi Karunatilake.
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