LOMANTHANG, AUGUST 27
Mustang Golf Course created history by hosting a nine-hole golf tournament at the world's highest altitude in Lomanthang today.
A total of 36 golfers, including three players, participated in the record-setting Top of the World Golf Classic at the newly-built course at 4,645 metres above the sea level. The nine-hole course, initiated by Provincial Assembly Member of Gandaki Province Indra Dhara Bista, will beat the previous record of 3,907 metres held by Yak Golf Course of Sikkim, India, once it is approved by Guinness Book of World Records.
Octogenarian golfer, Dr Rita Thapa hit the first shot for par-4, 295 yards first hole to inaugurate the course and the tournament organised by Lomanthang Rural Municipality under the sponsorship of Glenlivet. The 81-year-old Thapa is a regular player in Kathmandu. Played under stableford 3/4 handicap format, Shyam Tamang won the title with 22 points, while Balram Thapa came second with 20 points. Sushma Singh won the women's section trophy with 15 points. Ravinder Saini won the gross section title with 14 points and he also bagged the longest drive award. Shyam Simkhada claimed the closestto-the-pin award.
Winner Tamang said he was "at the Top of the World' to get the opportunity to play at the world's highest-altitude golf course and winning the trophy was a bonus. "we came here yesterday and played a round to get used to with the local conditions," he said. "I think the hard work paid off and I am extremely happy with the performance."
Women's winner Singh said she was unable to express her feelings in words. "It's really awesome and I am proud to be a part of a tournament that has created history," she added. "Hats off to the organisers and supporters for making it happen," she said.
According to General Secretary of Nepal PGA Deepak Acharya, they would apply for approval from Guinness Book of World Records. "We have created history today in Mustang and I think we will get the recognition in near future. It was an awesome experience working with the locals of Lomanthang. The course can really make a difference in tourism, especially in adventure sports," he added.
The participating golfers – 21 from Kathmandu, 10 from Pokhara, two each from Mustang and Butwal, and one from the United States – arrived to Lomanthang on Friday and most of the players played a practice round in the evening to acclimatise withthe local conditions.
Member of Parliament Prem Prasad Tulachan, Provincial Assembly Member of Gandaki Province Indra Dhara Bista, Nepal Golf Association Vice-president Pavitra Kumar Karki, and Lomanthang Rural Municipality President Tashi Norbu Gurung handed over prizes to the winners of the tournament.
A version of this article appears in the print on August 28, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
