The Peterite Golf Classic 2012

The severe thunderstorms of Friday evening graciously gave way to a pleasant, bright and astounding Saturday; grace granted by the golf gods bestowing their approval on the initial Peterite Golf Classic charity golf tournament organized by the St. Peter's College OBU of Washington D.C. (SPCOBUWDC) on June 2, 2012 at Glade Valley Golf Course in Walkersville, Maryland.

The SPCOBUWDC, initialized in the 1980's has been supporting its Alma Mater in Colombo for the past two decades and riding on the success of its past accomplishments, was energized to undertake a larger project to yield a greater impact to children in Sri Lanka and in the USA.

There was much excitement when news of the initial Peterite Golf Classic hit the street. This was the first golf tournament organized by any Sri Lankan alumni along the eastern states of the USA and SPCOBUWDC raised the bar by including a Sri Lankan schools tournament within the PGC Open.

The 72 degrees weather with light breeze was ideal playing conditions for the 102 golf players at the scheduled 8:30 am shotgun start. Domestic players forged bonds with out of state players and together welcomed overseas players, who had travelled from the UK to participate in the tournament.

The PGC organizers offered very attractive prizes to each par 3 hole-in-one winner, with a 2012 BMW 328i being the principal prize. In addition the PGC shootout raffle winner Antonio Leal was offered the opportunity of winning USD 100,000.00 as a hole-in-one prize. He failed to get an ace, but was awarded a Panasonic stereo iphone docking station for getting on the green in his attempt to win the USD 100,000.00

Although there were no par 3 hole-in-one competition winners, the SPCOBUWDC wanted every player to feel like a winner and offered complimentary mail in coupons to be redeemed for two golf clubs per player. The tournament was conducted by the golf professional staff at Glade Valley and various distinguished members of other alumni and guests, were invited to present the awards and prizes.

The following were the winners of the PGC Open

1st.  Place  -   DCI One                        Score  63
2nd. Place  -   Dark Cloud                    Score  65
3rd.  Place  -   Royal College - Blue     Score  66

The following were the Sri Lanka School winners

1st.   Place  - Royal College - Blue     Score  66
2nd.  Place  - St. Peter's College        Score  71
3rd.   Place  - Royal College Gold      Score  73

The longest drive winners - Helen Sexton (Ladies) and Joe Abbondante (Gents)
Closest to the pin winners - Yumin Choi (Ladies) and Shawn Park (Gents)

During lunch, praises of the tournament were free flowing as much as the complimentary buffet. Many players were eager to know if the event would be organized next year, assuring their participation and support. The sponsors and advertisers were very satisfied with how the tournament was organized and conducted, and pledged their continued support. New sponsors eager to come aboard and partner with SPCOBUWDC for future events, stepped forward and identified themselves.