GOLFING IN NEPAL

A decade ago, golf in Nepal was more or less a past time. Now it has turned a bit more professional in that it draws big sponsors and serves a wide purpose. The major breakthrough came in1993 when Surya Tobacco Company started the yearly Surya Nepal Masters Open, the first internationally organised professional tournament with a hefty cash prize. Ever since the tournament was launched, which is now played at the most scenic and natural Gokarna Golf Course, it has been a big attraction for the professional and amateur golfers from many Asian countries and more from rest countries. Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has also been promoting golf and is a co-promoter too many events including Surya Nepal Masters. There are seven golf courses in Nepal, namely, Royal Nepal Golf Club (RNGC), 9-hole, at Tribhuvan International Airport, Gokarna Golf Resort (18-hole) at Gokarna, Yeti Golf Club (9-hole) at Fulbari Resort in Pokhara, Nirvana Golf Club (9-hole) in Dharan, Himalaya Golf Club (9-hole) in Pokhara, Tribhuvan Army Officers golf Club (9-hole) in Nawalparasi. Almost all of these golf courses are centrally located and have fantastic fairways and well-managed with state-of-the-art facilities like bars, driving ranges, golf lessons and party venues. Throughout the years these golf courses host many events and tournaments with overwhelming participation of professional and amateur players including expatriates. And this number is increasing every year. Nirvana Golf Course Nirvana Golf Course in Nepal is one of the biggest and oldest golf courses in Nepal within an area of 69 hectares. It has an 18 Hole Golf course with 5990 yardages, 70 pars with one of the best facilities in Nepal capable of hosting major and International Golfing events. It has the record of hosting many events in the field of Golf. Nirvana Golf course was designed by Nuffield Trust (UK) while golfing in Asia. Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa: Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa is located deep inside the serene temperate Gokarna Forest, traditionally the private Royal hunting grounds of the Kings of Nepal. Situated within the city limits of Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, this luxury Hotel Resort, Golf Course & Spa is operated by Le Meridien, a leading global chain of luxury hotels and resorts popular to Asia golfers. Gokarna is also a unique golf course with green lush vegetation, 500-year old forests still in its pristine form and the occasional sighting of wild animals like deer and squirrel prowling among fairways. In fact Gokarna is the only golf course designed under United States Golf Associations specification by internationally renowned Gleneales group. It is situated on the outskirts of Kathmandu at secluded and serene environment and is surrounded by temples including world heritage monument of Changu Narayan. Roal Nepal Golf Club Now, RNGC alone receives 10-15 tourists every month. The green fees charged by the club is very reasonable and golf set, balls, golf shoes and pros are available on the spot on offer. RNGC is one of the oldest golfing courses in South Asia. The golfing course is centrally located adjacent to the only international airport in Nepal and is just 10-15 minute drives from any of the five-star and four-star hotels in Kathmandu. Yeti Golf club Yeti Golf club is located in Pokhara with Annapurna and Fishtail mountains on the backdrop. There is nothing playing in a course perched on a hill with Seti River gorging right below. Himalaya Golf Club in Pokhara and Nirvana Golf Club in Dharan are promoted by Yak and Yeti hotel. The climate factor plays a determining role here. Being in the lap of Himalayas, places like Pokhara and Kathmandu Valley have cool temperate and monsoonal climate. The climate is always pleasant, warm in summer and benignly cold in winter. Unlike the scorching cold in Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta or Malaysia or Singapore, it is possible to play golf in Nepal throughout the year without having to suffer from excessive heat and doggedly rains.