KANDY: (ePRESS) – Haroon Aslam, a 20-year-old golfer from Sri Lanka, recently returned from the United States, where he studies and plays golf at Texas Wesleyan University. Aslam clinched the Sri Lanka National Golf Ranking Tournament with an impressive total gross score of 294 (73, 75, 72, and 74) over four rounds at the Victoria Golf Resort in Digana last week.
Aslam, a former Trinity College student, has been fine-tuning his skills in the United States while majoring in Business Analytics. Despite arriving in Sri Lanka just a day before the tournament, Aslam delivered a stunning performance. “I thought the green speed was a bit slow, but the course was in good condition,” he said.
Reflecting on his victory, Aslam mentioned, “I finished my semester and left the US on Saturday, arriving here on Monday. It wasn’t an ideal situation to land and play a four-day tournament the next day without even a practice round. I didn’t have high expectations, but I was confident in my preparations, which helped me win.”
Aslam started playing golf at the age of 10 at Trinity College. “I played throughout my school career and now continue to play during my university studies,” he shared. His most notable achievement before this tournament was winning the Sri Lanka Junior Match Play Championship in August 2022.
“This victory at the Victoria Golf Resort is probably one of my biggest accomplishments,” he added. “It’s my first overall victory, but if you exclude the professional golfers, it’s my second. In a similar tournament last July, I finished first among amateurs and third overall.”
Aslam credits his uncle, Rizmi Sherif, for introducing him to golf. He enjoys the individual aspect of the sport and values the practice and coaching he receives from his coach, Kumara, in Colombo. As a part of his university golf team, he benefits from high-quality practice facilities and competes against top-ranked amateur golfers.
“My ambition is to finish my degree in the US and pursue a career in professional golf,” Aslam said. “My role model is Tiger Woods. The things he has accomplished under pressure are something I strive to emulate.”
He expressed gratitude to his supporters, especially his parents and brother, for their sacrifices over the past decade. “I also thank Sri Lanka Golf for giving me so many opportunities to play in tournaments and gain experience. Their support has been crucial in my development.”
Aslam’s victory at the National Ranking Tournament highlights his dedication and potential as he aims for greater success in the world of golf.
