Haroon Aslam to defend title

By Shamseer Jaleel

The young golf sensation from Trinity College Haroon Aslam (16) will defend his title when the Victoria Golf and Country Resort (VGCR) host the 12th Mark Bostock Memorial Golf Tournament 2019 on 3 and

Haroon Aslam

4 October at their picture postcard Rajawella golf course.

Tee-off is scheduled at 7 a.m. both days.

One of the best and most beautiful golf courses in South Asia which is 73 par 6933 yard championship 18-hole golf resort nestled amidst the misty hills of Digana bordering the glistening Victorian Reservoir in the Central Province. 

Since taking over John Keels Holdings, the owning company of the resort had embarked on the major renovation of the resort and the course over the last two years. Renovations included the re-turfing of all the fairways with a new grass variety Zoysia Zorro, imported from the US and the renovations to Club House facilities and the installation of the new fully automated irrigation system. Course renovation was carried out under the supervision of Troon International. 

The golfing fraternity will long remember Mark Bostock, a 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 centre 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.

This tournament which is well established and has been supported throughout the years by both Sri Lankan and overseas golfers alike. This event will be an 18-hole Stableford competition as in the past with the main trophy being awarded to the player with the best net score. There are also two ancillary prizes, the Ken Balendra Trophy for the best gross score by a gentleman, and the Tony Whitham Trophy for the best gross score by a lady.

Mark Bostock Memorial Golf Tournament began in 2008 with Chris Holloway winning the very first trophy which was on offer. Haroon Aslam the golf sensation from the Central Hills stamped his class by not only winning the 2018 event but also becoming the youngest ever to do so at the age of only 14 years which will be tough to be broken in history. Though this is an open event from the inception onwards this has always been won by a member of VCGR.