At the inaugural Himalayan Open Golf Tournament held in Colorado, USA, Rizul Karki emerged as the overall gross champion and Abhi Jha secured the overall net champion title. The event, conducted on August 8 and 9, saw participation from over 100 golfers from Nepal and the Himalayan expatriate communities. The organizers aim to establish the Himalayan Open as an annual event and plan to host its next edition in Nepal in 2028.
Kathmandu, September 22 – The first Himalayan Open Golf Tournament took place at the Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course in Colorado, where Rizul Karki claimed the overall gross championship and Abhi Jha earned the overall net championship. The tournament, held on August 8 and 9, featured more than 100 golfers representing Nepal and the Himalayan diaspora. Organized to unite Nepali and Himalayan communities through golf, registration for the competition closed a month earlier due to overwhelming interest, according to the organizers.
Initiated by Nepali golfers in Denver, the Himalayan Open successfully brought together experienced players and youth on a single platform. The competition included promising young athletes like Rizul Karki, Kashyap Rayamajhi, Javier Pandey, and Suchit Sharma. On the women’s side, Nepal’s top-ranked amateur golfers such as Pratima Sherpa, Rihana Bhandari, Samara Pandey, and Shriya Sharma also participated.
The two-day tournament featured contests in both gross and net categories. With a total prize pool of $41,200 USD, Karki won the gross title with an outstanding overall score, while Abhi Jha was named net champion based on his performance adjusted for handicap.
The organizing committee has expressed its intention to develop the Himalayan Open into an annual event. Future editions are planned to be hosted in various U.S. cities to encourage wider participation. Furthermore, preparations are underway to hold the 2028 edition in Nepal. The long-term objective of the tournament is to provide opportunities for young Nepalese players in line with the development of golf.
