Kathmandu, May 7

Swdesh Gurung won the title of the first Pepsi Open Golf Championship here at the Royal Nepal Golf Club today.

Gurung, playing with 18 handicap allowance, accumulated 41 points to win the trophy.

Gurung scored 19 points on the front nine and added 22 on the latter half. Subodh Thapa, the 14-handicap amateur golfer, came second with 36 points.

Rabindra Raj Bijaynanda, who is an eight-handicap player, won the gross section title with 32 points. Kausi Maya Rai scored 40 points to lift the women’s section trophy, while Sabitri Rai came second with 38 points.

Maj Gen Ram Bahadur Gurung claimed the senior category title with 39 points, Dr Singha Bahadur Basnyat won super senior section trophy with 24 points.

Devasri Rana won the junior section title on count back after she was tied on 22 points with Subash Ghising. The winner of the nine-hole competition was decided on the count of last six holes.

Likewise, Damodar Khadka, who carded two birdies in his round, won the most birdies award on count back, while Sanyog Shahi and Phuntsok N Lama bagged the longest drive and closest-to-the-pin awards respectively.

The tournament was played under stableford ¾ handicap format on Friday and Saturday. A total of 121 players took part in event.

Country Manager of Varun Beverages Pvt Ltd Rohit Kohali, RNGC President Rabindra Man Shrestha, Vice-president Tashi Ghale, Captain Maj Narendra Kumar Rai and Vice-captain Shrehar SJB Rana handed over the prizes to the winners of the event, the first-ever golf event sponsored by Pepsi.

Varun Beverages Pvt Ltd has also planned to organise an international tournament next year to mark the centenary celebrations of RNGC.