Kathmandu, January 21:

P B Rai won the New Years Cup Golf Tournament organised by Le Meridien Gokarna Forest Golf Resort and Spa here today.

Played at stable ford 3/4 handicap format, Rai scored 34 points and was thrilled with his first title of the season. He received a golfing holiday for two at Afamosa Resort in Malaysia.

Top amateur and well-known golfer, Tashi Ghale came second in count back with 31 points. “I was striking the ball very well and was focused on hitting the ball on the hard greens but lost the putting tempo. The luck was not on my part as I also made a couple of three putts,” said the defending champion Ghale, who also won the longest dive award.

Lachim P Gurung won the best gross award with 26 points, while Ritu Lumba won the ladies section title on count back after she was tied with top lady golfer Kesang Lama at 21 points.

Maj Gopal B Gurung was the best among the senior golfers (60 and above). Sanjiv Rajbhandari and Sandeep Updhayay got the closest to the pin and best sportsmanship award respectively. Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation, Afamosa Resort of Malaysia supported the tournament.

The Himalayan Times was the official media of the event, which was participated in by 76 golfers.