11th Mark Bostock Memorial Golf Tournament 2018: 14-year-old Haroon Aslam creates history

By Shamseer Jaleel

The 18-hole Mark Bostock Memorial Golf Tournament for 2018 was won by 14-year-old golf sensation Haroon Aslam at the Victoria Golf and Country Resort (VGCR). 

Haroon learnt his basics at the VGCR. Haroon, who is a schoolboy at Ecole International, Digana at present, becomes the youngest ever winner which is a record which will be tough to beat in the future.

The Mark Bostock Memorial Golf Tournament began in 2008 with Chris Holloway winning the initial tournament. Chamara Abeyrathne won the title last year. 

Abeyrathne settled with a gross runner-up win. Niloo Jayatilake and the Victoria course have always shared a close link and she walked away with a Gross Ladies runner-up win which was below her usual high standards.

The golfing fraternity will long remember Mark Bostock, former chairman of John Keells Holdings, as the visionary behind the Victoria Golf Course and its holding company, Rajawella Holdings Ltd. Bostock conceived the idea of a golf course in the center of the island, in the scenic area bordering the newly-built Victoria Dam. This tournament was held in his memory and to celebrate all that is good about the game of golf. The Mark Bostock Memorial Trophy is the flagship tournament and a Board Event at the Victoria Golf & Country Resort. This tournament was held to remember Mark Bostock. The competitionwas sponsored by Cinnamon life and John Keells Plc, the company which owns VGCR.

Over-all winner - Haroon Aslam

Over-all runner-up - Louise Huxtable

Gents Gross winner - Rohitha Batepola

Gents Gross runner-up - Chamara Abeyrathne

Gross Ladies’ winner - Louise Huxtable

Gross Ladies’ runner-up - Niloo Jayathilaka

Seniors Ladies’ winner - Pauline Morley

Seniors Gents’ winner - Mo Elangasinghe

Past winners

2017 – Chamara Abeyrathne

2016 – Chris Thornton

2015 – Ian Tait

2014 – Stagen Gudrun 

2013 – Harin Udesh

2012 – Sidath Wettimuny

2011 – Bo Lindberg

2010 – Johan Taylor 

2009 – Azhar Ahamed 

2008 – Chris Holloway