Founded in 1880, the Royal Colombo Golf Club holds the distinction of being the oldest golf club in Sri Lanka and one of the oldest in Asia. Set on the Ridgeway Links — also known as the Anderson Golf Course — in the Borella district of Colombo, the club has quietly shaped the sport across the island for well over a century. It is the home of the Sri Lanka Golf Union, the national governing body for the sport, and maintains an enduring institutional relationship with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in Scotland.
How did the Royal Colombo Golf Club begin?
On 13 March 1880, ten founding members gathered at the Colombo Club for the first General Meeting of what was then simply called the Colombo Golf Club. The meeting was led by Edward Aitken, co-founder of what would become Aitken Spence, one of Sri Lanka's most prominent conglomerates. W. Law was elected the first Chairman and Captain, with W. Somerville, F. A. Fairlie, and R. Webster forming the founding committee.
The club's competitive heritage runs deep. Competitive trophies date back to 1887, and in 1888 the Calcutta Golf Club presented a silver medal to the club — the Calcutta Medal — which remains a permanent challenge trophy contested by members to this day.
How did the club move to its current location in Borella?
For its first sixteen years, the club operated at Galle Face Green, the seafront esplanade in central Colombo. In June 1896, the Colonial Secretary informed the club that the Governor of Ceylon would grant it a portion of the Model Farm in Borella. The land and funds for that farm had originally been provided by Sir Charles Henry de Soysa, a prominent Ceylonese philanthropist.
The new golf course was formally opened in July 1896 by Governor Joseph West Ridgeway, after whom the Ridgeway Links were named. The move gave the club a permanent, purpose-designed home that it continues to occupy today.
When did the club receive its royal designation?
In 1928, King George V granted the club a royal charter, conferring the right to use the prefix "Royal" in its name. From that point forward, the Colombo Golf Club became the Royal Colombo Golf Club — a title that reflects both its colonial-era standing and its enduring prestige within Sri Lankan sporting life.
Membership was originally restricted to British and European residents of Ceylon. That policy changed in 1936 when Ceylonese members were formally admitted, a shift that reflected the broader social changes taking place across the island in the lead-up to independence.
What role did the club play during World War II?
During World War II, the clubhouse and golf links were requisitioned by the Royal Navy for operational use. The site housed the Far East Combined Bureau, a signals intelligence and codebreaking unit, and was designated HMS Anderson for the duration of the war. The choice of Borella — away from the exposed seafront — made it a practical base for sensitive naval work. After the war, the club resumed civilian operations and gradually returned to its role as Colombo's premier golf venue.
What is the course like today?
The Ridgeway Links occupy a relatively compact but well-maintained footprint in the heart of Colombo, making the Royal Colombo Golf Club an unusual urban golf experience. The course reflects the layout established in the late 19th century, adapted over decades to meet modern standards of play. As the headquarters of the Sri Lanka Golf Union, the club also serves an administrative function for the sport nationally — hosting selection events, sanctioning competitions, and maintaining handicapping records for affiliated golfers across the country.
Visitors and overseas golfers are typically welcomed, though arrangements are best made in advance. The club retains a formal atmosphere in keeping with its heritage, and appropriate dress on the course and in the clubhouse is expected.
How do I get to the Royal Colombo Golf Club from central Colombo?
The club is located in Borella, roughly 5 kilometres from Colombo Fort and the city's main hotel district. The journey by car or taxi typically takes 15 to 25 minutes depending on traffic, which can be heavy during morning and evening peak hours. The nearest major landmark is the Borella junction on Baseline Road. Colombo's three-wheeler network provides a convenient and affordable option for shorter journeys from nearby hotels.
Is the Royal Colombo Golf Club worth visiting for non-golfers?
The club is primarily a members' and golfers' destination rather than a general sightseeing attraction. That said, for travellers with an interest in Sri Lanka's colonial history or the country's sporting heritage, the club offers a genuinely layered story — from its Victorian founding and wartime naval use to its royal charter and postcolonial transformation. Those interested in the broader context of golf in Sri Lanka may also want to explore courses outside Colombo, including the historic Nuwara Eliya Golf Club in the hill country, which shares a similarly storied past.
What other golf courses can I visit in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka has a small but historically rich collection of golf courses, most of them established during the British colonial period. The Nuwara Eliya Golf Club in the central highlands is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque in Asia, set at over 1,800 metres above sea level amid tea estates and colonial-era bungalows. The Victoria Golf and Country Resort near Kandy offers a more contemporary resort-style experience. For golfers planning a multi-course trip, a private transfer from Colombo Airport directly to your chosen club is a practical and comfortable way to begin.
