KATHMANDU: The Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) officials onTuesday assured the facelift of Nepali golf in a couple of years. APGC President Kwang Soo Hur, Vice President David Cherry and Director Dominic Wall, who is also the director of Royal and Ancient (R&A), St Andrews, arrived here today to attend the 25th Anniversary and Award Ceremony of Nepal Golf Association (NGA) slated for Thursday.

At a welcome programme organised by the NGA at the Royal Nepal Golf Club (RNGC), Wall said he was hopeful of making a big difference in a couple of years. “We will help in the development of golf in Nepal and hopefully we can make a big difference in 2-3 years,” said Wall, the director of the governing body of golf, R&A. “We are very excited to be here and will also observe some of the golf courses here,” he added.

Vice President Cherry said the team was committed in promoting golf in Nepal. “We are delighted to be here and are here to promote golf, which can be played by a five-year-old kid to a 60-year-old player,” said Cherry. “With the start of the junior development programmes, golf has a tremendous future in Nepal,” said Cherry.

Earlier, NGA President Vinode SJB Rana, General Secretary Tashi Ghale, Secretary DT Sherpa, Treasurer Gautam Sayami, RNGC President Madhukar Yakthumba and RNGC Captain Rabindra Man Shrestha among others welcomed the APGC officials. RNGC president Yakthumba marked the day as historic for the Club and the Nepali golf itself. “This is a historic visit by the APGC officials and it is a great day for the Nepali golf,” said Yakthumba.

Briefing the present situation of golf in the country, RNGC Captain Rabindra Man Shrestha — who is also the president of the Nepal Professional Golfers Association (NPGA) — said the visit would help Nepali golf gain more height. “We are very delighted with your visit and we have a lot of expectations for golf in Nepal,” he said.

The APGC team is scheduled tour Pokhara to observe the Himalayan Golf Course and play a round of golf there. Apart from visiting the golf courses of the country, the APGC officials will also play a round of golf at the Gokarna Golf Club on Thursday before attending the NGA ceremony in the evening. The NGA is organising a special ceremony to mark its

silver anniversary.