The Nuwara Eliya Golf Club celebrated its quasquicentennial - its 125th anniversary in other words - with great fanfare in August this year.
With its widespread interest of promoting Sports in all spheres and, recognizing social welfare, the McLarens Group of Companies was instrumental in the construction of the ‘Golf Hut’ from the point of designing up to its completion.
The ‘Golf Hut’ enables Golfers to take a rest, and some refreshments, in-between a game, thereby boasting of one of the finest golf experiences, whilst adhering to dress codes and golf standards at all times. The ‘Golf Hut’ constructed anew is self-contained and features a canteen, food warmer, refrigerator, serving area with seats around, ladies’ and gents’ washrooms etc., encompassing everything under one roof.
The President of the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, Capt. Nihal Keppetipola, a passionate Golfer, in an endeavour to enhance the existing facilities of the Club had approached several institutions with the aim of regenerating a unique ‘Golf Hut’ on this vast Course.
This 18-hole Golf Course undergoes regular maintenance and development in order to retain its stunning surroundings and century old heritage. The latest addition towards this end was the reconstruction of the ‘Golf Hut’ on the large open Course.
Situated some 6,200 feet above sea level, amid the tea plantations of the cool, central highlands Nuwara Eliya (the Little England), is the highest city in Sri Lanka which lies beneath the tallest peak of the island, Pidurutalagala or Mount Pedro (2555 meters).
This charming hill station developed by British Planters in the late 1800’s, set in an area of great natural beauty and pleasant climate in parts, echoing their homeland, easily persuaded the British to settle here. Testament to its past, the town is home to many renowned institutions of Sri Lanka’s colonial British era such as the Race Course, the Hill Club and of course the magnificent Nuwara Eliya Golf Club (NEGC).
Founded by British servicemen and colonial tea planters in the year 1889, the NEGC features fir lined fairways, bunkers and scenic surroundings. It has a well known 18-hole Golf Course with a terrain that consists of uphill and downhill treks and many waterholes. The entire length of the course is 6075 yards. The fairways will take the players through breathtaking sceneries whilst spotting palm squirrels, dragon flies and many species of grasshoppers. It has also won the admiration of the forefathers of the game as the “best hillside course East of Suez”. It is the third oldest Golf Club in this part of the world, with the Royal Calcutta Golf Club being the first and the Royal Colombo Golf Club the second.
Photo Caption - From Left - The President of the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club - Capt. Nihal Keppetipola (Managing Director, Sri Lanka Ports Authority), Rohan De Silva - Chairman / Managing Director, McLarens Holdings and Dinesh Jayawardana - Director, McLarens Holdings.
