Sonam Dukpa won the open category National Handicap Championship Golf Tournament held in Thimphu. The finals were played yesterday between Sonam Dukpa and Penjor Dorji.
The tournament was played over a period of four days. 126 participants took part in youth, amateur and open categories. The 36 holes tournament is an annual event.
The winners of the tournament were awarded Samsung LED TVs and the winner of the open category was also awarded the rolling trophy.
According to the officials from Bhutan Golf federation, initiatives are underway to promote golf among youth but golf in Bhutan is still not a popular sport. Adequate golf range and lack of proper coaches are the main challenges in the promotion of golf in the country.
“I do believe that we have the talent but to nurture it we need coaches and experts from outside. But we are not able to bring out the level of potentials they have. Depending upon how we can secure aid and coaches I think we could produce good golfers in the next five years,” Phuntsho Gyaltshen, the President of Bhutan Golf Federation, said.
The tournament was primarily sponsored by the Bhutan Olympic Committee and Druk Wang Alloys.