The Royal Colombo Golf Club is the oldest Golf Club in Sri Lanka. Established in 1880, it is located in the capital city of Colombo at the The Ridgeway Links also known as the Anderson Golf Course. It is home to the Sri Lanka Golf Union, the governing body of Golf in Sri Lanka and maintains links with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland. Golf in Sri Lanka, like many other British sports gained popularity on the Galle Face Green. The Colombo Golf Club was formed here and in 1896 moved to its present location which was a model farm originally owned by Sir Charles Henry de Soysa, a Ceylonese philanthropist.
In 1928 the privilege of using the prefix “Royal” was bestowed upon the Club by His Majesty King George V. Established March 13, 1880 nine gentlemen met at the Colombo Club and held the first General Meeting of the Colombo Golf Club. The first Chairman and Captain was W Law and the Committee consisted of W Somerville, F A Fairlie and R Webster. The competitive Trophy of the club dates backs to 1887 and in 1888 the Calcutta Golf Club presented a silver Medal to the Club, thus The Calcutta Medal is a permanent Challenge Medal to this day. Earlier the club was maintained at Galle Face Green till 1896, in June that year the club was informed by the Colonial Secretary that the Governor of Ceylon would give a part of the Model Farm in Borella. The land for the Model Farm was given by Sir Charles Henry de Soysa, however the farm was failed and the land was used for the formation of the golf links and it was open by Governor Joseph West Ridgeway, after whom the Ridgeway Links were named after. During world war 2 the club house and the golf links were used by the Royal Navy code breakers of the Far East Combined Bureau and was known as HMS Anderson.
The Course
From a beginnings of a 9-hole course, the Golf club has been able to develop this land to an 18-hole par 71 course.
The Clubhouse
The clubhouse provides an airy and relaxing atmosphere. It is a wonderful place for members and visitors to unwind after a round of golf. As you enter, you will be greeted with a warm welcome by the Receptionist at the main entrance to the club, who will be a source of information and guidance to visitors. The walls to your right are filled with pictures of historical importance to the club and to the left is the newly renovated Pro Shop.
The Guv’nors Bar
its walls filled with the names of Past Champions, Captains and Presidents, houses a flat screen television and a large stock of local and imported liquor. The grand French windows give you an eyeful of the Café on the 8th and a panoramic view of the greens.
The colonial style Veranda is by far the main feature of the cub house and extends right around the building. This is the venue where many a golfing story is related and the achievements and disappointments of golfers dreams are discussed vigorously and enthusiastically.
The coffee shop
takes up a majority of the club, and with a recently renovated bar it is the preferred place to be while watching a round of golf. The rest of the clubhouse includes changing rooms for the Ladies’ Section and the Men’s Section, and the RCGC Fitness Centre
Visitor Handicaps
All visitors must declare their handicap to the starter prior to teeing off. Visitors without a valid handicap must tee the ball up for every shot from the fairway.
Players with a very high handicap or beginners are likely to slow down play and should allow faster groups through. The club reserves the right to request such players to tee up the ball, or stop play. Green Fees are non refundable.
Tee Times
A group whose players have missed their tee-off time will not be allowed to play, unless a later tee-off time is available and if time permits.
Footwear for Play
Only golf shoes with ‘soft’ spikes are allowed. Street shoes, training, gym, jogging shoes and slippers are not allowed on the course. (Junior golfers may be allowed to play in suitable training shoes if approved by the starter).
Attire
Members and Guests must dress in a fashion befitting the surroundings and atmosphere of the club.
On the course, shirts for men must have a sleeve and collar; only golf specific collarless shirts are permitted. Beach shorts, cargo pants and jeans are prohibited.
Caddies
All visitors must use the services of a caddy for guidance and to minimise slow play.
Please do no hand over your valuables to your caddy. Ensure that your clubs and any accessories are not left unattended and that your personal belongings are safe and secured at all times.
Golf Etiquette
Please be still and quiet when a player is addressing the ball or playing a shot.
Please ensure that the players in front are out of range before playing a shot.
Whenever you are uncertain as to whether your ball is out-of-bounds, please play a provisional ball to save time.
Avoid slow play and let faster players through.
Avoid taking divots with practice swings, replace, repair and fill your own divots as well as any other divots nearby.
Ensure bunkers are properly smoothed and raked after hitting out and place the bunker rakes properly INSIDE the bunkers.
Greens
Upon reaching the green, study your line of putt immediately. When it is your turn to putt, try to putt through to completion of the hole.
Please repair your pitch mark plus any others nearby.
Never drag your spiked on the green. Avoid stepping on another player’s line of putt and standing directly in front or behind his line.
Do not throw the flag stick down; place it gently on the green.
Players should not remove the ball from the hole with their putters.
Trolleys
Trolleys should follow the directional signs on the course. Avoid excessively wet areas and do not enter areas where access is prohibited.
Trolleys should not enter within 30 yards of the area directly in front of the green and should always approach the green from the edge of the fairway.
Trolleys must never be taken over tees or greens.
