KATHMANDU, JUNE 17

Jaibir Acharya and Aaiesteena Tandan won the titles of the Olympic Day Junior Golf Tournament here at the Royal Nepal Golf Club today.

Played under stableford scratch handicap format over 18 holes, Acharya accumulated 25 points to finish first in Under-18 boys' section. Avhimanyu Karki came second with 20 points, while Idan Singh Saud was third on count back after he was tied with Soham Agrawal on 19 points. Tandan was the winner in the U-18 girls' section with 20 points. Shornima Bastakoti came second with 17 points and Anavdya Malla was third with 14 points.

In the U-13 boys' section, Aaryav Shah won gold medal with nine points. Played over nine holes, Aaroha Neupane claimed silver with seven points, while Birshan Rai took bronze with five points. In girls' section, Avanie Rai won gold with four points. Yeshvi Shrestha won silver on count back after she was tied on two points with Srisha Kadel, who claimed bronze medal.

In the team event, the team of pro Ramesh Nagarkoti and amateurs Jaibir Acharya, Vivaswat Dhoj Khand, Idan Singh Saud and Yuvanshi Shahi won gold medal with 56 points. Pro Sanjok Moktan and amateurs Soham Agrawal, Prem Magar, Srisha Kadel and Birshan Rai bagged silver on count back after they were tied on 42 points with the team of pro Ram Thapa Magar and amateurs Aarav Gurung, Aaiesteena Tandan, Yashaswi Bhandari and Aaryav Shah.

Yuvansh Shahi and Anavdya Malla bagged the longest drive and closest-to-the-pin awards respectively in U-18 category. Among the junior camp players, Sanish Lama and Adhrit Acharya won the longest drive and Darshana Shrestha and Devansh Kumar bagged the closest-to-the pin awards in U-18 and U-13 categories respectively. Seshovh Shrestha and Aditya Rana won putting competitions in U-18 and U-13 sections, while Shivaram Shrestha and Paru Bhandari were the winners among guests.

In all, 28 golfers participated in the tournament organised jointly by Nepal Golf Association and Royal Nepal Golf Club on the occasion of the Olympic Day 2023. Nepal Olympic Committee Vice-president Chaturananda Rajvaidhya, NGA President Tashi Ghale, Treasurer Krishna Kumar Agrawal, RNGC President Madhukar Yakthumba, Vice-presidents Rajendra Shrestha and Rabin Rana, Captain Mithun Rai, Lady Captain Arshiya Banu and RNGC Youth Development Committee Member Deepak Karki gave away prizes to the winners.

In Pokhara, Sansar BK won the U-18 section gold medal with the score of 14-over 83 at the Himalayan Golf Course. Played over 18 holes at the par-69 course, Sonam Tamang bagged silver with the score of 90, while Bishu BK claimed bronze with the score of 92. In U-13 section played over nine holes, Dipson Lama won gold with the score of six-over 43. Ayush Sunar was second at 45, while Ashish BK came third at 49.

Sansar BK, Samir Gurung and Sandesh BK won top three places in the longest drive competition in U-18 section, while Dipson Lama, Danieal Khadka and Ashish BK bagged top three positions in the closest-to-the-pin competition in U-13 category.

In all, 24 golfers - 13 players in U-18 category and 11 in U-13 section - took part in the tournament which was supported by Gandaki Province Golf Association, Kaski Golf Association and Himalayan Golf Pvt Ltd. Nepal Olympic Committee Vice-president Tej Gurung handed over the prizes to the winners.

In Dharan, Ujwal Rai and Yangnu Rai won U-18 section titles, while Aayush Basfor and Manyata Rai claimed U-13 category gold medals. Siddhant Sapkota and Prakrit Tamang came second and third in U-18 boys' section, while Juntara Rai and Benisha Rai won silver and bronze medals respectively in girls' category.

Arthat Rai and Dipesh Shrestha finished second and third respectively in U-13 boys' section, whereas Tayabungma Rai and Khusi Rai won silver and bronze medals in girls' category.

Riwaj Limbu, Emanbo Rai and Sidhant Rai were top three players in the longest drive, while Onisimas BK, Binaya Dash and Debina Bhujel won top three places in closest-to-the-pin competition. In short game, Minshu Limbu, Rijam Limbu and Bryan Limbu claimed top three places respectively. A total of 35 players took part in the competition organised by Dharan Golf Club.

A version of this article appears in the print on June 18, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.