Kathmandu, November 24:

Continental Trading Enterprises Pvt Ltd is organising the third KIA Open Golf Tournament with a record number of participants — 144 golfers — here at the Gokarna Forest Golf Resort and Spa on Saturday.

“We have got a overwhelming response from golfers this year. The golf course capacity is 144 but we have more applications,” said Suhrid Ghimire, President of Continental Trading Enterprises Pvt Ltd.

Continental Trading Enterprises Pvt Ltd — a group of companies involved in the industries, construction and property development, health services and automobile trade — has announced a prize of newly-launched KIA Rio car worth Rs 21,50,000 for Hole-in-one feat at the Hole Nos 5 and 10.

“We have put the cars at both the holes and we will award the winner then and there,” said Ghimire, who is also the treasurer of Nepal Golf Association.

“One of the reasons of the overwhelming response for the participation might be the award announced by us,” he added. “KIA believes sports related sponsorship and the event is just one of them,” said Ghimire, who was the member of the golf team that won the Pro-Am event at the Singapore Open in September.

Golfers from Nirvana Country Club of Dharan, Himalayan Golf Course of Pokhara, Tribhuvan Army Officers’ Golf Club, Royal Nepal Golf Club and Gokarna Golf Club are taking part in the event which will be played at the stableford 3/4 handicap format.

Apart from the Hole-in-one award, golfers can win prizes in five different categories — Men’s Open, KIA Customer, Ladies, Senior and Super Senior — and closest to the pin, longest drive, and most birdies.