Kathmandu, May 13

The third event part of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour
2012-13, Ghana Shyam Open Golf Championship, will be played at the Tribhuwan Army Officers’ Golf Club from 14-17 May in Kathmandu.

The tournament will be played over 72 holes, in which 25 professional and 23 top amateurs will take part, there shall be a cut applied after 36 holes. 20 Top professional and amateurs who make the cut on the overall score will make it to the last 36 holes.

The playing condition of the course has been tweaked up for the tournament. Most participants played a practice round on the course to acclimatize with the conditions of the course.

The event carries a total purse of Rs 300,000 (three lacks) and the winner will get a cheque of Rs. 55,000. Runner-up will get Rs. 37,000 and third place will get Rs. 27,000. Others in the top 20 will also receive their share of cash prizes.

Defending champion Ramesh Adhikari will face challenge from Nepal Number one Shiva Ram Shrestha, Rabi Khadka, Ramesh Nagarkoti and Deepak Thapa Magar. Toran Shahi, Nepali professional who is regular on the Professional Golf Tour of India will also be taking part in this tournament.

Wangchen Dhondup, Tashi Tshiring, Tashi Ghale, and four players from Surya Nepal NGA youth Golf development program Bikash Bogati, Ashish Pariyar, Michael Rai, and Dinesh Prajapati will be competing for the amateur trophy and ranking of amateur Golfers.

Sponsor and former president of NPGA Ghana Shyam Thapa said, "Professionals and top amateurs need more opportunities to compete, this tournament has been sponsored for the last three years, I will try to sponsor the event annually to give more opportunity to the professional Golfers in the country. I hope that more sponsors will join the bandwagon to support professional Golf for its sustainable development."