Dharan, December 29

Top professional golfer Shivaram Shrestha and amateurs Samir Acharya, Ritesh Tamang and Tek Bahadur Rai won

the title of the Pro-Am event of the Surya Nepal Eastern Open here at the Nirvana Country Club Health and Golf Resort today.

The winning team accumulated 151 points to finish first. Pro Shrestha earned 37 points, while Acharya came up with the best card with 42 points. Likewise, Tamang scored 37 points and Rai earned 36.

The team of pro Shiva Kumar Majhi and amateurs BM Sunuwar, Babindra Rai and Rajesh Rai finished second with 141 points. Majhi scored 37 points, while Sunuwar earned 36. Babindra scored 35 and Rajesh got 34 points. Veteran pro Deepak Magar, who scored 35 points, and his team of amateurs Bom Prasad Limbu (34), Biren Limbu (34) and Norkin Pakhrin (33) came third with 136 points.

Sumod Bastakoti won the closest-to-the-pin award, while Ritesh Tamang bagged the longest drive trophy. A total of 36 players, including 11 pros, took part in the event which was played under stableford full handicap format.

Top pro was teamed up with top three amateurs to decide the winning team, while second-placed pro and amateurs from fourth, fifth and sixth positions were in the runner-up team. Likewise, third best pro and seventh to ninth amateurs made the second runner-up team.

Vice President of Nepal Golf Association Tilak Rai, Vice-chancellor of BPKIHS Prof Dr Raj Kumar Rauniyar and President of Sunsari District Golf Association Maj Dal Bahadur Rai handed over the prizes to the winners.

In the main event that concluded yesterday, local amateur Sukra Bahadur Rai won the title with a five-stroke victory over top pro Shivaram Shrestha and Bikash Adhikari. Rai posted the 54-hole total of four-under 206, while Shrestha and Adhikari shared the second position at 211.

Rai receives house keys

DHARAN: Nepal Golf Association handed over house to national team member Sukra Bahadur Rai amidst a function organised on the sidelines of the Surya Nepal Eastern Open on Saturday. Vice-chancellor of BPKIHS Prof Dr Raj Kumar Rauniyar handed over the keys to golfer Rai and his father Laxuman Rai, at the presence of NGA Vice-president Tilak Rai and Sunsari District Golf Association President Maj DB Rai. Nepal Golf Association and Sunsari District Golf Association had raised funds to build the house for Rai, who had been living under a shed with his family.