Youngest National Golf Champion

Thuhashini Selvaratnam (துகாசினி செல்வரத்தினம்), born on June 9, 1976, in Sri Lanka, made history in the world of golf by becoming the youngest national golf champion. On April 29, 1989, at the age of 12 years and 324 days, Thuhashini won the prestigious Sri Lankan Ladies Amateur Open Golf Championship at the renowned Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, a historic course known for its beauty and challenge.

Her victory at such a young age was a remarkable achievement, especially given the fierce competition from more experienced golfers. Thuhashini’s performance in the tournament was exceptional, showcasing a level of skill and maturity well beyond her years. Her triumph at the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club made her the youngest-ever national golf champion, a record that still stands.

Background

Thuhashini came from a family with a deep connection to the game of golf, a factor that played a significant role in her success. She hailed from a lineage of thoroughbred golfing talent. Her grandfather, Lionel Illangakoon, was a dominant figure in Sri Lankan golf during his youth and reigned supreme at the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, setting high standards for the sport. Additionally, her mother, Suwaneetha Thuhashini, was a talented golfer who had won numerous titles during her youth, passing on her knowledge and passion for the game to her daughter.

Thuhashini’s victory is especially notable because the Sri Lanka Amateur Golf Championship is the second-oldest amateur golf tournament in the world, after the British Amateur Golf Championship. First played in 1891, it was initially known as “The Amateur Golf Championship of Ceylon.” The championship has a rich history and is one of the most respected tournaments in the golfing world. To win such an event at such a young age highlights not only Thuhashini’s natural talent but also her deep-rooted connection to Sri Lanka’s golfing heritage.

Thuhashini Selvaratnam’s achievement continues to inspire aspiring golfers in Sri Lanka and around the world. Her victory in 1989 remains an important milestone in Sri Lanka’s sporting history, serving as a reminder of the potential that can emerge from the right combination of talent, family legacy, and determination.

Disclaimer: Records may change over time as new milestones are achieved, but Thuhashini Selvaratnam’s incredible achievement as the youngest national golf champion will forever be part of the history of golf.