Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, May 17:

Rotary Clubs of Nepal are jointly organising the second Nepal Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians - 2005 at Gokarna Forest Golf Resort on May 21.

The tournament, which will be played at Stableford 3/4 handicap format, is for amateur golfers and the competition will be held in three categories — Rotarian, non-Rotarian and non-golfers, said the organisers at a press meet today. There will also be a putting competition for non-golfers and a free one-hour golf lessons. Apart from the winners’ awards, other eight individual prizes including Best Gross, Longest Drive, Closest to the Pin and Most Birdies will be given. However, the centre of attraction will be a Rio Sedan, sponsored by KIA Motors for Hole in One.

The registration fees is Rs 2,000 for the Rotarians and Rs 1,000 for Rotractors and the non-golfers.

“The event is one of the Nepal Rotary’s programmes,” said Rotarian Pradip Shrestha. The organisers infomed that 67 of the Rotary Clubs of Nepal, registered as Rotary International District 3290, have come together to organise this tournament for a cause.

“The fund that we collect from the event will be given to Rotary Nepal Centennial Everest Expedition,” said Rotarian Gopal Sundar Lal Kakshapati, coordinator of Centennial Ceremony. Kakshapati further said that three of the Rotractors — Moni Mulepati, Kami Sherpa and Pem Dorji Sherpa — are on their way to scale Mt Everest, marking the Rotary International’s 100th year. He also said that the three have reached the basecamp and hope to conquer the 8848-metre-high peak by Saturday.

“Since we need a huge sum to sponsor our juniors, we have recieved financial support from Nepal Investment Bank Ltd and Standard Chartered Bank,” said Kakshapati.

“We are celebrating our centennary and we plan to have atleast 100 participants,” said Kakshapati.

So far, 65 registrations, including 15 women and few elderly Rotarians, have been recieved for the one-day event.