KATHMANDU: Gokarna Forest Resort is organising the 10th Gokarna Open amateur golf tournament on May 30 here at the Gokarna Golf Club.

A total of 120 players including 15 women golfers are expected to take part in the tournament to be played under the Stable ford 3/4 handicap format, said the organisers here today. Of the total 120 golfers, 60 will be from the hosts club, Gokarna Golf Club, while remaining 60 will be from other clubs across the country.

The event, which is being organised on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Gokarna Forest Resort, will feature three categories — men, women and senior (above 60). The champion will be awarded with a trip to London, informed Deepak Acharya, Golf Director at Gokarna Forest Resort. Suhrid Ghimire is the defending champion.

Apart from the winners and runners up in men, women and senior sections, the organisers will also award the winners of the best gross, longest drive, closest to the pin and best sportsmanship. The estimated budget of the tournament is Rs 400,000.

Acharya also said the Resort was planning a separate tournament for junior golfers. “We should take care of amateurs as this is the first step to be a good professional in future,” added Acharya. He also said the the Course was rated as one of the the top five in Asia by Golf Monthly. “We are happy that we got such a recognition,” he said, adding the rating was based on the votes from the golfers who played at Gokarna.

General Manager of the Resort Vikram Singh said the event was a big one. “It will be a grand event and we hope to take it further and more are in store for future,” he said. Murari Sharma, Director, Business and Administration at Gokarna Forest Resort, was also present at the press meet. The organisers are also awarding the winners of the last year’s Club Championship on the occasion.