Where In The World Is DJ: Victoria Golf Resort, Sri Lanka, June 2023
DJ Flanders, Senior VP of Operations recently visited Sri Lanka and the team at Victoria Golf Resort to check out the improvements at the facility and ongoing enhancements on the golf course. Read his travel diary from his recent trip and learn why you should be adding this location to your golf destination wish list.
Last week I had the opportunity to visit the exceptional Troon associates at Victoria Golf Resort. Over the last few years these individuals have been working extremely hard to complete a significant facility enhancement project, facilitated by the clubs new ownership – John Keells Group. The enhancement project includes an upgrade of the golf course, renovation of the existing resort including the addition of several amenities, rooms and the creation of an extremely impressive residential development.
I was able to spend time with GM, Kanchana and Superintendent, Rashika, on the golf course and see first hand the results of the ongoing work from the agronomy team. Spending time with the associates who operate a golf facility on a day-to-day basis is always an important part of my trips and a highlight of this one was sharing dinner with some of the associates.
The game of Golf has a rich history in Sri Lanka, dating back to the late 1800’s. The game was brought to the country by the British during their Colonial rule before Sri Lanka gained its independence in 1948. The Royal Colombo Golf Club was the first to open back in 1879 and is the second oldest golf club in Asia only behind Royal Calcutta Golf Club in India (1829). Today the country has four beautiful 18-hole golf courses.
Ranked among the “100 most beautiful golf courses in the world”, Victoria Golf Resort is nestled amidst the scenic hills of Nuwara Eliya. The 500-acre resort in Digana encompasses an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Donald Steel with scenic views overlooking the Victoria reservoir and is surrounded by breathtaking vistas of the Knuckles Range. Plus there are leisure activities, nature trails and cultural excursions; it’s this variety of experiences and hospitality from the locals that make Victoria Golf Resort an ideal destination for your next golf trip.
Oh and you can arrive at the resort by seaplane… not that’s an arrival experience not to miss.