Kathmandu, 28 October: The fourth event part of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2012-13, Surya Nepal Challenge, will be played here at the Royal Nepal Golf Club from 29 Oct – 01 Nov. The tournament will be played over 72 holes, in which 33 professional and 13 top amateurs will take part, there shall be a cut applied after 36 holes. 21 top scoring professionals with the ties (if any) and amateurs who make the professional cut will make it to the final 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 363,000 and the winner will bag a cheque of Rs. 65,000, Runner up will take home Rs. 42,000 and third place will earn Rs. 30,000. Others in the top 21 will also receive their share of cash prizes.
Top ranked player Shiva Ram Shrestha is coming back for the tournament, defending champion Ram Thapa has been practicing hard to defend the title. Rabi Khadka, Sanjay Lama, Ramesh Nagarkoti and Deepak Thapa Magar will be strong contenders in the tournament. Those who came through the qualifying school, Bikash Adhikari, Tirtha Poudel, Ashish Paiyar, Gyanendra Raut, and Bhuwan Pudasaini will make a debut as professional from this tournament.
Bikash Bogati and Dinesh Prajapati of Surya Nepal Golf Development Program members among others will vie for the amateur trophy.
NPGA President Rabindra Man Shrestha said, “The rains are over and we are back in the season again. I personally look forward to good performance from the professionals and amateurs. I would also like to thank Surya Nepal Pvt. Ltd. for their incessant support for the development of the game.”