Kathmandu, August 21
Rijul Karki became the overall gross champion and Abhi Jha the overall net champion at the first-ever Himalayan Open golf tournament, held at Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course in Colorado, USA.
Held on August 8 and 9, the tournament drew more than 100 golfers from Nepal and the diaspora across the Himalayan region. Organisers said registration for the inaugural event, aimed at connecting the Nepali and Himalayan community through golf, had to close a month early due to demand.
Launched on the initiative of Nepali golfers based in Denver, the Himalayan Open brought together both experienced players and a younger generation, including Rijul Karki, Kashyap Raimajhi, Jaibir Pandey, and Suchit Sharma. On the women’s side, Nepal’s top-ranked amateur golfer Pratima Sherpa competed alongside Rihana Bhandari, Samara Pandey, and Shreya Sharma.
The two-day event featured competition in both gross and net categories, with a total prize purse of $41,200. Karki claimed the gross title with the best overall score, while Jha, who performed best relative to handicap, was crowned net champion.
Organisers plan to make the Himalayan Open an annual event, with future editions rotating through different US cities to draw more players. They also aim to hold the 2028 edition in Nepal itself, with a long-term goal of creating opportunities for young Nepali golfers as the sport develops.
