At just 16 years old, Colombo International School student Reshan Akash Algama is already making waves in the world of golf with his exceptional talent, dedication and family support.
Algama’s journey into golf began at the tender age of five, but it wasn’t until he was around nine that he started taking the sport more seriously. His initial exposure to competitive golf came at nine when he surprisingly clinched third place in a tournament, igniting his passion and determination to excel in the sport.
“That experience sparked something in me – the realisation that I could actually win something if I put in the effort.
“From that point on, I became more determined to achieve success in golf, aiming to win more trophies and become the best player I could be,” said Algama, the highest ranked Sri Lankan amateur golf player at 563 in the WAGA (World Amateur Golf Rankings).
From a young age, Algama harboured lofty ambitions in golf. “My goal in golf is to become one of the best in the world and set records that make Sri Lanka proud,” he contended.
A notable achievement in his fledgling career is winning the Sri Lankan National Ranking Tournament three times in 2023, making him the youngest winner of this prestigious event.
His most significant achievement was when he participated in the Sri Lankan Open last year and finished in 14th place and Algama believes it probably the most important tournament he had ever competed in so far.
The Sri Lankan Open is a tournament that includes all the top professionals from Sri Lanka, like Mithun Perera and Anura Rohana, as well as top players from India, Pakistan and other countries.
Algama performed admirably, finishing in the top half of the leaderboard in a field dominated by seasoned professionals aged 30 or even 35, who have played at the highest levels in the Asian region. It was his debut in the Sri Lankan Open, where he was the youngest participant at just 15 years old.
“When I’m focussed, people have told me I’m zoned out. I ignore everyone else on the golf course. I really don’t care who I’m playing against. It’s just me on the golf course. I don’t really care about anyone else besides me,” said Algama reflecting on competing against seasoned pros.
He also won the Royal Colombo Golf Club championship, one of the youngest players to win this prestigious title. Notably, he may have achieved a rare feat by winning both club championships in Colombo and Nuwara Eliya in the same year, a feat that few Sri Lankans have accomplished in recent history.
Algama draws inspiration from top golfers like Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods and southpaws Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson for their unique styles.
“Justin Thomas has a calm demeanour on the course while Tiger Woods is known for his incredible technique and dominance. The left-handers bring a different flair to the game and I appreciate seeing their natural style of play on the golf course,” said Algama.
What drew the young Algama to golf was its individual nature. “I used to play cricket and dabbled in swimming, but in golf, it’s all on me; whether it’s blame or praise, it’s solely my responsibility,” he says.
His father Manoj Algama, a Thomian double Coloursman in cricket and rugby, played a crucial role in introducing him to the sport.
“He’s quite aggressive on the golf course, unlike my more conservative style. I’ve allowed him the freedom to be himself, supporting him as he navigates his unique path. He’s fortunate to have Arjun Lal, a mentor coach from India, guiding him along the way,” Manoj Algama.
The junior Algama has also benefited from the expertise of Jehan de Saram, a professional who has been his guide and coach from a young age, and Anura Rohana a renowned professional golfer in Southeast Asia who oversees his course activities. “These three individuals play crucial roles in Reshan’s development and success in golf,” said Manoj Algama.
Despite the challenges of balancing academics and golf, Reshan Algama has managed to excel in both domains. “I do play basketball on and off and I do play a lot of video games. And obviously, I have a mom who forces me to study. So, I guess you could say that’s also a hobby,” said the budding Algama.
He has participated in international tournaments across the Asia Pacific region, consistently ranking within the top 10 or 15 on the leaderboard. To meet the rigorous demands of golf, his parents plan to transition him to homeschooling.
“Many top golfers dedicate the majority of their time to the sport, typically around 70-80 percent, leaving only about 30 percent for studies. This shift will allow him to dedicate more time to golf while still balancing his academic commitments effectively,” said Manoj Algama.
His son’s ultimate aim is to compete on the PGA Tour by the age of 20 or 21. In the short term, he focuses on participating in international tournaments to elevate his world ranking.
“Last year, I participated in around 5-6 international tournaments. After my exams, I have ranking tournaments in Sri Lanka that will contribute to my world ranking,” said Algama.
He wants to mirror the carefree approach of his 14-year-old brother Keshav, a golfer who consistently finishes in the top three in his age group categories. Their shared passion for the sport reflects a family legacy of excellence and dedication to golf.
He explains: “To be honest, I’m pretty laid back when I’m out on the golf course. Sure, there are moments where I might get a bit frustrated, but most of the time, I couldn’t care less about my performance. I actually draw inspiration from my brother in this regard.
“He’s incredibly carefree when he plays golf, completely focussed on his own game without worrying about anything else. It’s a mindset I admire, and one that I strive to emulate myself.”
Algama’s game strengths lie in his exceptional distance off the tee and he favours the Victoria Golf Course in Digana, considering it his “home course” despite not being his actual home course.
“Many have noted that for my age, I hit the ball exceptionally far, and it’s often considered the strongest aspect of my game,” said Algama.
According to dad Manoj, his son’s ability to hit long off the tee has certainly made an impact and established him as one of the longest hitters in Sri Lanka, if not the entire region.
“You have to be either first or second by the end of July for him to qualify. That invitation comes from R&A, the World Golf Association. That’s the ambition. So, after June 15, that’s exactly where the coaches and his support staff will be working towards,” said Manoj Algama.
