May 20, 2010 at 8:58 am

The Most Exotic Golf Course in the World

by twistedsifter

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While Augusta National might be steeped in tradition; the Himalayan Golf Course in Pokhara, Nepal is steeped in some of the largest mountains in the world. Set within a sweeping canyon created by Himalayan snow water, the HGC is truly the most exotic golf course in the world.

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THE HIMALAYAN GOLF COURSE (HGC)

– Located just seven kilometers (4.35 miles) away from downtown Pokhara, the twice played 9 hole course is well laid out for championships at 6,900 yards with a par of 73
– It has 11 greens and different tee positions and lies for the most part inside a sweeping canyon created by the Himalayan snowed waters of the Bijayapur river
– The course incorporates Scottish-influenced features such as fairway mounding, split fairways and the use of natural landforms and nature to shape the course

– The course has been the venue for the Nepal Surya Western (professional) Open for the past seven years.
Framed by the towering the Annapurna range, cattle and buffalo roam freely providing most of the grass mowing
– The signature fifth hole is known to be one of the only natural river island holes in the world
– The Club house is perched on the edge of balcony land 250 feet above the river canyon from where you have a bird eye view below of the golf course with scenes of stunning canyon walls dotted with eagles nests, waterfalls, and the soothing sight and sound of the Himalayan snowfed river meandering through the golf course

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THE UNIQUE LANDSCAPE

– The course wanders through aerial cliff drops of hundreds of feet down to the signature island hole within the either tranquil or raging Bijayapur river, full of exposed boulders washed down over centuries from the towering mountains above
– In addition to the mountain and river canyon scenery, various forms of wildlife live on or frequent the course. Foxes, monkeys, hawks, eagles are among the resident fauna here. Wild flowers are evident in profusion, with the wild geraniums most visible by the fourth green
– It is located in a spellbindingly beautiful amphitheater like setting of a river canyon scene with a breathtaking panoramic view of the Annapuma Himalayan range
– Pokhara is blessed with a very pleasant subtropical climate. Winters are mild with clear visibility, while the summers are an average of 27°C (81 F), with evening showers bringing the temperature down immediately. Thus, golf can be played throughout the year

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HISTORY & DESIGN

– The course was designed and constructed by an Ex British Army officer, Major Ram Gurung, MBE, and opened for play in January 1998
– Major Ram Gurung was exclusively invited to take up the challenge to carve a 9 holes Golf Course from what was previously a desolate wasteland of river boulders and swamps
– Says major Ram, “It’s been my goal to preserve the natural environment so you can experience the beautiful and inspiring Nepali scenery while at the same time playing a challenging round of golf. The enchantment of this course has to be experienced to be fully appreciated.”

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GREEN FEES

– Weekday: 9 Holes – $35 USD | 18 Holes – $45 USD
– Weekend: 9 Holes- $35 USD | 18 Holes – $45 USD

Other charges
– Shoes: $5 USD
– Ball Boy*: $2 USD

*the shoes cost more than a ball boy???

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THE PEAKS OF ANNAPURNA

– Annapurna is a series of peaks in the Himalayas, a 55 km (34 mi)-long massif of which the highest point, Annapurna I, stands at 8091 meters (26,545 ft), making it the 10th-highest summit in the world and one of the 14 “eight-thousanders”
– It is located east of a great gorge cut through the Himalaya Mountains by the Kali Gandaki River, which separates it from the Dhaulagiri massif (Dhaulagiri I lies 34 km west of Annapurna I.)
– Annapurna is a Sanskrit name which literally means “full of food”, but is normally translated as Goddess of the Harvests

– In Hinduism, Annapurna is a goddess of fertility and agriculture and an avatar of Durga
– The entire massif and surrounding area are protected within the 7,629 square kilometer (2,946 sq miles) Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the first and largest conservation area in Nepal, established in 1986 by the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation
– The Annapurna Conservation Area is home to several world-class treks, including the Annapurna Circuit.
The Annapurna peaks are among the world’s most dangerous mountains to climb, with a fatality rate of more than 40%

Source: Wikipedia – Annapurna

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ALL INFORMATION AND PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE HIMALAYAN GOLF COURSE







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