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STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
NEPAL
GOLF COACHING IN NEPAL
It’s important to me to continually invest in
personal education, so I have taken trips to the
U.S. and Australia to learn more about teaching
By Sachin Bhattairai, golf and growing the game. I am now the club
USGTF Master Teaching professional at the Royal Nepal Golf Club, which
Professional, supports my passion for growing the game.
Kathmandu, Nepal We offer a free
weekly junior program for
he great game of golf has truly reached the underprivileged children that
Tcorners of the world, and in a land known for its attracts hundreds of boys and
trekking with eight of the 10 highest peaks in the girls. One of our star students
world, the game of golf is flourishing in Nepal. is Pratima Sherpa, who has
The history of golf in Nepal goes back to received worldwide attention
1917, when the first golf course was established due to an ESPN documentary
in Gaucharan when a delegation of ministers about her life, called “A
returned to Nepal with golf clubs after a trip to Mountain to Climb.” Pratima
Scotland. During that time, golf was limited to was born and raised in the golf
the royals and dignitaries. Later, the country maintenance shed at the Royal Nepal
established multiple golf courses, including Golf Club, and could become the first
the Royal Nepal Golf Course, Army Golf Club, female professional golfer from Nepal.
Nirvana Country Club and the Yeti Golf Club. The The inspiring documentary got the attention of
Gokarna Forest Resort, just outside Kathmandu, is many notables, including Tiger Woods, who spent
regarded as one of south Asia’s finest courses. The time with her sharing his knowledge of the game.
resort offers golf and spa packages and various Pratima is now being supported by an American
activities. For the more adventurous golfer, the family and is attending college in the U.S., playing
Himalayan Golf Club in Pokhara is considered by on the golf team.
golf connoisseurs to be one of the most unique Like most countries, Nepal has no organized
golf experiences on the planet, with three of the training or certification program to become a
highest peaks in the world overlooking the course. professional golf instructor or coach, so I went to
I started working as a greenskeeper in 1988 the U.S. to gain WGTF certification and am the
and then became what is known as a ball boy, only certified golf coach in Nepal. However, Nepal
then a caddie. Earning the privilege of playing, does have a professional golf tour where I sit on
I became an accomplished amateur player, the committee.
turning professional in 1999. I became a full-time My dream is to have a golf academy in Nepal
instructor in 2004 and was appointed as the which would provide underprivileged children their
national golf coach in 2010. own space where they can learn and practice.
®
Sharing Our Passion Around The World!”
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Golf Teaching Pro SUMMER 2020
