International golfers expected at Lomanthang’s high-altitude tournament

By Hari Krishna Sharma

Muktinath, May 25: Indradhara Bista of Lomanthang Rural Municipality–5, Mustang, is currently busy preparing for the fourth edition of the high-altitude golf tournament. Having successfully organised the first three editions on a grand scale, Bista is now working to include international golfers in this year’s event. He is holding meetings at various golf courses in Kathmandu to promote the tournament.

Bista, who is also the Managing Director of Mustang Golf Course and a former member of the Gandaki Provincial Assembly, aims to establish the golf course in Lomanthang, situated at an altitude of 4,700 metres above sea level, as the highest golf course in the world. He stated that this year’s tournament would bring together golfers from Nepal and several other countries.

“Lomanthang’s course is now attracting attention not only for competitions but also for practice sessions,” said Bista. During his tenure in office, he allocated Rs 1 million for infrastructure development and raised additional funds from various donors. He has also gathered information on the altitudes of golf courses around the world to support his claim of establishing a world-record high-altitude golf course in Mustang. Currently, India’s Yak Golf Club in Sikkim holds the record, situated at an altitude of 3,970 metres.

The Gandaki Provincial Golf Association has compiled all necessary data to support Lomanthang's claim to the title of the world’s highest golf course. For comparison, La Paz in Bolivia has a course at 3,260 metres, China’s Jade Dragon Mountain Golf Club stands at 3,038 metres, and Cooper Creek Golf Club is located at 3,006 metres.

Mustang Golf Course has highlighted its unique location, characterised by cold weather, natural beauty, and the surrounding Himalayan ranges, as having strong potential to attract golf enthusiasts from across the globe. The organisers are therefore seeking infrastructure development and essential support from government bodies.

In last year’s third edition of the tournament, Indradhara Bista secured the men’s title, while Balkashi Gurung won in the women’s category. The event featured 36 participants. To date, players from the Himalayan Tiger Golf Club have taken part in the Lomanthang tournament and have also contributed financially towards improving the course.

Chairman Tashi Norbu Gurung of Lomanthang Rural Municipality stated that funds are allocated annually to ensure the tournament is organised in a manner that attracts players from around the world. “We are working to establish this as Nepal’s premier sports tourism destination,” he said.

Following a recent visit to Upper Mustang, Shridhar Sharma, Member Secretary of the Gandaki Province Sports Council, remarked that Mustang could be developed as a hub for high-altitude sports. He noted that the region has ample space for football fields, as well as volleyball and basketball courts, making it a promising site for various sporting activities.

Sharma added that next year’s plans would prioritise integrating Mustang into the broader sports tourism sector.