Kathmandu, December 8:

Nepal Professional Golfers Association is organising the fifth event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2008, Ghana Shyam’s Golden Jubilee of Golf Open Championship, here at the Tribhuvan Army Officers’ Golf Club (TAOGC) from Tuesday.

This three-day event is being organised to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Golf of its founder President Ghana Shyam Thapa, who is also the first professional golfer of Nepal. Thapa himself is the main sponsor, while Bhagwati Steel Industries is the co-sponsor of the event supported by TAOGC and Nepal Airlines. Top pros and amateurs having below nine handicap allowence will participate in the 54-hole event to be played over three days under the stroke play fromat. Out of the total prize money of rs 200,000, the winner will receive Rs 50,000. Others in the top 15 will also receive their share of cash prizes, while amateurs will receive trophies.

In all, 38 players — 23 professionals and 15 amateurs — are taking part in the championship.

The winner of the first three events under the Tour Shiva Ram Shrestha, Surya Nepal Western Open 2008 champion Mani Rai, Surya Nepal Masters 2007 champion Deepak Thapa Magar, Deepak Acharya, Pashupati Sharma, Rabi Khadka, Ramesh Nagarkoti, Sabin Sapkota and Deepak Neupane are among the top pros in the event.

Thapa, who started playing golf at the age of 10 in 1958, turned pro in 1968. Thapa was one of the first players to introduce Nepali golf in the international arena. As part of this celebration, an amateur tournament was organised in November.