Kathmandu, March 13:

Nepal Professional Golfer’s Association (NPGA) is organising the CMS Open Golf Championship here at the Royal Nepal Golf Club (RNGC) from March 16-21.

The pro event will be held from March 16-19, while the last two days will feature more than 100 amateur golfers in an amateur tournament, informed the organisers at a press meet today.

“The event is the biggest one in the Tour in terms of prize money,” said NPGA General Secretary Deepak Acharya, who is also the Golf Director at the Gokarna Golf Club. Out of the total prize money of Rs 500,000, the top three golfers will receive Rs 112,000, Rs 70,000 and Rs 55,000 respectively. Top 15 pros will receive their shares of cash prizes.

A total of 25 pros and 15 amateur golfers will take part in the four-day event, the eight tournament under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour. “Toran Shahi, who has been playing in the Indian Tour, will also take part in the tournament, informed Acharya.

The total budget of the tournament — sponsored by Nagender Pampati, CEO and Chairman of the International Society of Medical Education (ISME) Pvt Ltd — is Rs 1.5 million. The CMS All Nepal Caddy Golf Championship — an annual event under the tournament — was held on March 9.

NPGA President Rabindra Man Shrestha lauded the efforts of Pampati and said the event was important for the golfers and the NPGA itself. “College of Medical Sciences and ISME Pvt Ltd have been regularly organising events and I think they have made significant contribution in the development of the sport in Nepal,” said Shrestha.

Gokarna Club Pro Pashupati Sharma and RNGC Tournament Committee Chairman Maj NK Rai were also present on the occasion.