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by Richard Dwight

The sensational 15-year old Amrith de Zoysa created golfing history, when he in all probability became the youngest player to become the champion of a Royal Colombo Golf tournament, which was conducted over the past two weekends at the RCGC.

Perhaps, never in the annals of the 123-year old RCGC, has there emerged a talented youngster of this mould, with so much promise for the future. Prodigious as he was, Amrith belied his tender age to get the better of season campaigners like Murad Ismail, Alain Gyi and the dominant Rusi Captain, to bring honour to his school, Colombo International, the club and himself. His victory at this prestigious tournament was not just 'a flash in the pan', a mere occurrence - For those of the golfing fraternity, were very much aware of the steady progress Amrith was making - As a prelude to the current title he holds, Amrith in January won the All India Junior title in Calcutta, in the under 15 age group.

At this tournament Amrith in the quarter finals met Murad Ismail and the latter played a brilliant front 9 of 2 under par to secure a formidable lead of being 4 up. However thereafter, Amrith lifted his game, whilst Murad's game fell apart and Amrith finally secured victory with a margin of 291.

Moving over to the semifinals Amrih had to pit his might against the experienced Alain Gyi a former champion and, what ensued thereafter with the game being evenly balanced found Amrith holding on to a slender lead. Both players experienced the ups and downs as play progressed, which made the competition intense and Gyi managing to lead. On the 16th par 3 hole, both players hit good tee shots to the green and settled for par. But with Gyi being over cautious to miss his putt and Amrith chipping well, to be level on the 18th, which meant the players starting again. On the 23rd hole which was the 5th play off hole, Gyi erred to be penalised, whilst Amrith hit two beautiful shots to be on regulation on the green and earned a par and a well deserved victory. Engaging, the formidable Rusi Captain, the reigning champion, who has won this title in the years 96, 97, 99, and 2000 - in a final, could indeed be overwhelming, but it redounds to the credit of the youngster Amrith, who was able to keep his cool, playing steady golf to wrest the initiative from the dominating Rusi and clinch the final from him and, have the pleasure of seeing his name go up on the historic board of the RCGC.

It's undoubtedly a commendable achievement for a lad of 15 years, who has shown remarkable maturity and tremendous mental strength, in becoming the youngest player to win this title that augurs well for the future of golf. 

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