Pun clinches 10th Gokarna Open trophy

KATHMANDU: Niraj Pun won the 10th Gokarna Open amateur golf tournament here at the Gokarna Golf Club today. Played under stable ford 3/4 handicap format, the former Nepal Police DIG accumulated whopping 40 points to win the championship, organised by Gokarna Golf Club to mark its 10th anniversary. Pun received the round ticket to London from Qatar Airways.

Kanchan Basnet was runner up with 39 stable ford points and earned the round ticket to Sharjah from Air Arabia, while Prem Sachdev finished third with 37 count back points. Sachdev, the chairman of Gokarna Forest Resort, received the coupon of one-night stay for a couple at Hotel Dwarika's.

Rupak Acharya won the best gross award with 35 points and received the coupon of one-night stay for a couple at Gokarna Forest Resort.

Namokheee Yoo won the ladies section award with 36 points and bagged the round tickt to Pokhara from Yeti Airlines, while Shin U Jin Kwon came second with 34 points to win hte Mountain flight ticket from Yeti Airlines.

Former Brig Gen Gunja Man Lama scored 38 points to claim the senior section award and the coupon of one-night stay for a couple Soaltee Crowne Plaza.

Rabindra Man Shrestha, the president of Nepal Professional Golfers Association, won the men's section longest drive award at Hole No 18, while Kesang Lama did so among ladies. Tashi Sherpa bagged the closest to the pin award. Nicole Frost was awarded with the best sportsmanship award.

Other winners were Lt Gen KNS Thapa and Eu Hazur Thapa (Most Regular Couple at Gokarna) and Himalaya SJB Rana (Senior Most Golfer). A total of 123 players including 15 women and 21 senior golfers took part in the tournament. Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd was the main sponsor of the event, while Pepsi, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia, Ethihad Airways and Lowenbrau were the other partners of the tournament.

Gokarna Golf Club also awarded the winners of the Club Championship. Ang Tshering Sherpa was the winner of the championship with 74 points from eight tournaments, while Joseph Nathan was runner up with 70 points from 10 tournaments.

A total of 12 tournaments were held in the 2008-09 season. Sherpa received round ticket to London from Ethihad Airways, while Nathan got round ticket to Sharjah from Air Arabia.

Chairman of Gokarna Forest Resort Prem Sachdev and Brand Manager of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd Ishwor Gautam among others gave away prizes to the winners.