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STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
NEPAL
NEWS FROM NEPAL
It’s important
to me to con-
tinually invest in
By Sachin Bhattairai personal edu-
USGTF Master Teaching cation, so I have
Professional taken trips to the
Kathmandu, Nepal U.S. and Austra-
lia to learn more
he great game of golf has truly reached the about teach-
Tcorners of the world, and in a land known for ing golf and growing the
its trekking with eight of the 10 highest peaks game. I am now the club
in the world, the game of golf is flourishing in professional at the Royal
Nepal. Nepal Golf Club, which
The history of golf in Nepal goes back to supports my passion for
1917, when the first golf course was established growing the game.
in Gaucharan when a delegation of ministers We offer a free
returned to Nepal with golf clubs after a trip to weekly junior program for underprivileged
Scotland. During that time, golf was limited to children that attracts hundreds of boys and
the royals and dignitaries. Later, the country girls. One of our star students is Pratima Sherpa,
established multiple golf courses, including who has received worldwide attention due to
the Royal Nepal Golf Course, Army Golf an ESPN documentary about her life, called
Club, Nirvana Country Club and the Yeti Golf “A Mountain to Climb.” Pratima was born and
Club. The Gokarna Forest Resort, just outside raised in the golf maintenance shed at the
Kathmandu, is regarded as one of south Asia’s Royal Nepal Golf Club, and could become
finest courses. The resort offers golf and spa the first female professional golfer from Nepal.
packages and various activities. For the more The inspiring documentary got the attention
adventurous golfer, the Himalayan Golf Club in of many notables, including Tiger Woods, who
Pokhara is considered by golf connoisseurs to spent time with her sharing his knowledge of the
be one of the most unique golf experiences on game.Pratima is now being supported by an
the planet, with three of the highest peaks in the American family and is attending college in the
world overlooking the course. U.S., playing on the golf team.
I started working as a greenskeeper in 1988 Like most countries, Nepal has no organized
and then became what is known as a ball boy, training or certification program to become a
then a caddie. Earning the privilege of playing, professional golf instructor or coach, so I went
I became an accomplished amateur player, to the U.S. to gain WGTF certification and am
turning professional in 1999. I became a full-time the only certified golf coach in Nepal. However,
instructor in 2004 and was appointed as the Nepal does have a professional golf tour where
national golf coach in 2010.
I sit on the committee.
“Sharing Our Passion Around The World!”
®
46
SUMMER 2020 Golf Teaching Pro ®
