Golf History in Nepal

1917 Rana Prime Minister’s delegation returns from Scotland with some golf clubs. Started playing at Gaucharan, where the present T.I. Airport runway is located. G of those days were Rana Generals like, Gen Babar Shumsher and Gen Lava Shumsher. It is believed that they had 18 holes at that time, with sand and oil/tar based greens (so called browns). Some golf tournaments were initiated at that time.

Mid 1920’s The Lava cup was started in mid 1920’s

1955 The golf course at Gaucharan got shortened once airplanes started landing in Kathmandu as the runway occupied half of it’s land. Those days even King Tribhuwan and members of the Royal family used to play golf occasionally. Prince Basundhara was a keen golfer.

Late 50’s Gen Kiran Shumsher established the same golf course by naming it Gauchar Golf Club.

5/Sep/1965 Gauchar Golf Club received Royal patronage from King Mahendra; the Club was inaugurated, and since then it has been named Royal Nepal Golf Club (RNGC). Prince Basundhara became president and held presidency until 1978. Golfers in those days were mostly expatriates, diplomats and from the Shah and Rana families.

Late 60’s Dharan Country Club was established by British Gorkhas in Dharan. The course had 9 holes and grass greens (not browns).

1982 All the land of RNGC was occupied by Civil Aviation to expand the Airport. There were no golf courses in the Kathmandu valley for over a year. The only golf course remaining in the country was the Dharan Country Club.

1983 RNGC was revived in Tilganga on Pashupati Development Trust land. It had only 6 par 3’s holes and golfers used to play it thrice to complete the requisite 18 holes.

1984 Gokarna Safari Golf Club was established at Rajnikunj Gokarna in Kathmandu. Nine holes with browns (not greens) were made.

RNGC expands up to 9 holes – 8 par 3’s and one par 4.

Nepal Golf Association was established.

1986 RNGC gets land from Civil Aviation and build 6 new holes and uses 3 old holes.

1988 First Bermuda greens were made at RNGC.

1993 First Professional/International tournament was held in Nepal. The “Surya Nepal Open” at RNGC commenced and was held yearly thereafter.

Crown Prince Dipendra gave his patronage to RNGC.