Rajan and Team wins Western Open Pro-Am


The team led by pro Rajan Thapa won the Pro-Am title of the Surya Nepal Western Open at Pokhara’s par-73 Himalayan Golf Course on Saturday. Pro Rajan and amateurs Buddhi Adhikari, Raju Thakali and Jhuna Rai accumulated 90 points to claim the trophy. Rajan scored 25 points, while Buddhi earned 22, Raju made 26 and Jhuna scored 17 points for the winning team.

Likewise, the team of pro Sanjay Lama (25) and amateurs Ram Baniya (25), Yub Raj Garbuja (25) and Tupendra Limbu (17) earned 88 points to finish second, while the team of pro Rabi Khadka (23) and amateurs Lachhim Prasad Gurung (23), Samir Acharya (21) and Dr Niranjan Sharma (16) came third with 83 points.


Ram Sharan Thapa was the best amateur in the men's individual section, while Ambika Rana and Kesang Lama were the joint best in the women's section. Norbu Sherpa won the longest drive award, while Rabin Rana bagged the closest to the pin award. A total of 20 pros and 60 amateurs took part in the tournament.


In the main event that concluded on Friday, Shiva Ram Shrestha claimed the title with one-under 218. Rabi Khadka finished second with five-over 224, while Rajan Thapa claimed the third position in the sixth event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2011-12. Out of the total cash purse of Rs 425,000, the top three pros earned Rs 90,000, Rs 57,000 and Rs 45,000 respectively.