Kathmandu, February 26

A two-member golf team today left for Vietnam to participate in the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final slated for March 1-3 at the Laguna Lang Co Golf Club in Danang.

Sukra Bahadur Rai and Pratima Sherpa will take part in the 54-hole R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event, while coach Kim Baldwin will join them in Vietnam from Singapore.

Rai and Sherpa had earned berths in the Final after winning the titles in the CMS sixth Faldo Series Nepal Championship held at the Gokarna Golf Club in December last year. Defending champion Rai won the overall title and boys’ U-21 trophy, while Sherpa defended the girls’ section title.

More than 80 players from 20 countries will take part in the Final which is hosted by six-time Major champion and tournament founder Sir Nick Faldo.

While Rai will be playing in the second consecutive tournament, Sherpa will be making her debut in the event. Nepal Golf Association President Tashi Ghale bade farewell to the golfers at the Royal Nepal Golf Club. Rai said he was looking forward to improve on his score and play natural golf. “Last year, I could not perform well due to the wind. This year, I will try my best to improve the scores,” he added.

Ghale thanked ISME Pvt Ltd Chairman Nagender Pampati for sponsoring the Faldo Series Nepal Championship and Gokarna Forest Resort for hosting the event. “The tournament is important for the development of golf in Nepal as it is the best platform for the youth golfers and the winners will also get international exposure,” said Ghale.

Meanwhile, Ghale handed over Ping Iron set — donated by Springfield Golf Club Director Michael van Amelsvoort — to golfer Rai. “Springfield and van Amelsvoort have been very supportive to Nepali golf and I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart,” said Ghale. He also said that van Amelsvoort had agreed to provide the Nepal team with one-month training ahead of Asian Games.