Nepal´s first professional golfer and former president of Nepal Professional Golfers Association Ghana Shyam Thapa has been sponsoring the event that will conclude on May 17. [break]
"Professionals and top amateurs need more opportunities to compete and this tournament has been sponsored for the last three years to give the opportunity to the golfers in the country," said sponsor Thapa.
According to NPGA, 25 professional and 23 amateur golfers will participate in the tournament that will be played over 72 holes. A cut will be applied after 36 holes, where top 20, both professionals and amateurs, will make the cut based on the overall score of the first 36 holes.
The playing condition of the course has been tweaked up for the tournament. Most participants played a practice round on the course on Sunday to acclimatize with the conditions of the course.
Defending champion Ramesh Adhikari will face challenge from Nepal No 1 Shiva Ram Shrestha as well as Rabi Khadka, Ramesh Nagarkoti and Deepak Thapa Magar. Toran Shahi, Nepali professional who is regular on the Professional Golf Tour of India will also be taking part in this tournament.
Wangchen Dhondup, Tashi Tshiring, Tashi Ghale, and four players from Surya Nepal NGA youth Golf development program, Bikash Bogati, Ashish Pariyar, Michael Rai and Dinesh Prajapati will compete for the amateur trophy and ranking of amateur golfers.
The event carries a total purse of Rs 300,000 and the winner will get a check of Rs 55,000. Runner-up will get Rs 37,000 and third place will get Rs 27,000.
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