Over hundred golfers expected at Bostock C'ships

by S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Cor.

Over a hundred golfers from several countries are expected to tee off at the ninth version of the Mark Bostock Memorial Golf Championship 2016 organised by the Victoria Golf and Country Resort which will be worked off at the award winning Victoria Golf Course at Rajawella off Kandy on May 7th and 8th (Saturday and Sunday) with the first tee off at 7 a.m. each day.

This will be a 36 hole stableford golf championship with the golfer having the best Nett Score becomes the winner. In addition to this the gentleman golfer who has the best gross score will be awarded the Ken Balendra trophy and the award for lady golfer having the best gross score will be awarded the Tony Witham Trophy.

Late Mark Bostock could be termed as the father of the Victoria Golf course and it was his vision to have a golf course in the mid country to attract tourists and golf enthusiats to the hill capital at a time when tourism was on the decline - due to the war. His dream and vision was a roaring success and beyond all expectations.

The late mark Bostock during one of his visits to the Victoria region and to be precise to the Mahaberistenna Group in Teldeniya in 1990 saw the potential of having a golf course on this coconut estate surrounded partly by the waters of Victoria reservoir impounded in 1983.

But it was an estate and over 200 families were settled down in the middle of the plantation. This had to be resolved in a very amicable manner. As it was impossible for familoies to live amidst a golf course.

Late Mark Bostock was a kind hearted man and if any changes had to be made he assured that it should be beneficial for both parties.

The plantation was a state owned one and lease agreements had to be signed which was done judiciously by the concern parties.

Bostock planned a brilliant strategy. which resulted the dwellers provided with modern cottage type of house with a forty perch plot of land which they accepted gratefully.

They were also found employment in the golf complex. The problem created by the environmentalist were also settled. The golf course was designed by the world famous golf architect Donald Steel and assisted by Martin Ebert another golfer famous for his contribution to golf courses around the world.

This golf course consists of 18 holes one designed for 36 holes. World renowned personalities have played here including a King. It is also a major tourist attraction with a chain of chalets and guest houses within its complex both for the golfers and tourists seeking to have a quiet holiday in pleasant surroundings.

The defending champion is Ian Tait. It was first won by Englishman Chris Holloway who was then Chairman of Victoria and followed by Ashar Ahamed 2009, Johan Taylor (2010), Bo Lindberg (2011), Sidath Wettimuny (2012), Harin Udesh (2013), Stagen Gudrun (2014) and Ian Tait (2015).

Stagen Gudrun is the only lady to have won this title. Weather up in the hills is fine at the time of writing and hope it prevails during the tournament as well.