KATHMANDU, MARCH 5
Suraj Shrestha took the lead after the first day of the Ang Tshiring Sherpa Memorial Golf Tournament here at the Gokarna Golf Club today.
Played under stableford 3/4 handicap format, the 11-handicap amateur golfer Shrestha accumulated 30 points and remained at the top. Dawa J Sherpa, who played with eight handicap allowances, earned 38 points to remain at the second position.
In gross section, Surendra Phuyal stayed at the top with 33 points, while Mithun Rai was second on 32 points. Brig Gen Dilip Rayamajhi was at the top of the senior category after he scored 31 points, one more than Maj Gen Vijoy Moktan.
Meanwhile, Kashmira Shah won the women's section title. Playing with eight-handicap allowance, Shah accumulated 38 points to finish first ahead of Gita Gurung, who was a distant second with 32 points. Star golfer Pratima Sherpa was third on 31 points.
Also, Samir Acharya and Surendra Phuyal were leading the longest drive and closest-to-the-pin sections respectively, while Dawa J Sherpa carded four birdies and sank an eagle to take lead in the most birdies category. Likewise, Shyam Tamang was closest-tothe-pin on the 13th hole to lead the pack for special prize kept on the 13th hole - the favourite one for Ang Tshiring Sherpa.
A total of 76 golfers completed their rounds on the first day and 82 others will compete on Saturday. The golfers observed a minute of silence before the tournament jointly by Yeti Airlines, Tara Air and Gokarna Forest Resort in memory of Ang Tshiring Sherpa - one of the pioneers in Nepal's civil aviation and tourism industry and founding Managing Director of Yeti Group - who died in a helicopter crash in Taplejung two years ago.
Earlier, Chanda Sherpa, Managing Director of Yeti Airlines and wife of Ang Tshiring Sherpa, inaugurated the event by teeing off on Hole No 1. Himalaya Airlines, Air Dynasty, Yeti Mountain Home, Kasara Resort, Moksha Mustang and Ker, and Downey are the sponsors and partners of the two-day event.
A version of this article appears in the print on March 06, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
