Team Sanjay wins Pro-Am title

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

POKHARA: Professional golfer Sanjay Lama led his team to the Pro-Am title victory in the 13th edition of the Surya Nepal Western Open here at the Himalayan Golf Course today.

Sanjay, who scored 35 stableford points, was drawn along with amateur players Bina Thapa (38), Shanker Baniya (36) and Rajan Thapa (27). The team claimed the title with the total score of 136 points.

The team of pro Dhana Thapa (33) and amateurs Basant Gauchan (37), Gajendra Limbu (33) and Ambika Rana (32) was second with the total score of 135 points. Likewise, pro Mani Rai (32) and amateurs Tashi Ghale (27), Maj Lachhim Prasad Gurung (35) and Maj Ganga Bahadur Gurung (37) finished third with the total score of 131 points.

Rahul Agrawal came up with the best individual score of 30 stableford points, while Bina Thapa claimed the award in women’s section with 38 points. Ambika Rana won the closest to the pin award, while Rabindra Man Shrestha bagged the longest drive trophy.

The top three team professional golfers received Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively, while the amateur players were awarded with trophies. Top eight pro and 24 amateur cards were selected for the draw and the four players — one pro and three amateurs — were drawn to form a team. A total of 68 golfers participated in the event.

President of Nepal Professional Golfers Association Rabindra Man Shrestha, General Secretary of Nepal Golf Association Tashi Ghale, President of Kaski District Golf Association Maj Lachhim Prasad Gurung, Brand Officer of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd Rajat Thapa, Western Regional Sports Development Committee President Deepak Koirala and Kaski District Sports Development Committee President Suman Devkota gave away the prizes.

The main event, a three-day professional tournament to be played over 54 holes at the par-73 Himalayan Golf Course, will begin on Sunday. A total of 48 players — 23 pros and 25 amateur golfers — will participate in the second tournament under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2012-13.

Out of the total cash purse of Rs 467,500, the top three pros will get Rs 88,000, Rs 57,000 and Rs 40,700 respectively. Others in the top 20 will also receive their share of cash prizes.