The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg, hosted the inaugural Khyber Cup golf tournament at the stunning Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar on September 20-21, 2024. The event attracted over 100 top golfers from across India, offering participants an exhilarating experience amidst one of the most picturesque golfing locations in the country.

Sponsored by American Express and organized by Rishi Narain Sports Marketing (RNSM), the Khyber Cup aims to promote golf tourism in Jammu & Kashmir, leveraging the region’s natural beauty and ideal landscape for world-class golf courses. This initiative by The Khyber Himalayan Resort is expected to boost tourism in the area, drawing golf enthusiasts to combine their love for the sport with a vacation in Kashmir.

Khalil Tramboo, Director of Pinnacle Resorts and promoter of The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, emphasized the resort’s commitment to elevating the standard of golf events in India. "Our vision is to make this a yearly golf tournament that meets international standards,” he said, reinforcing the resort’s mission to support sports and wellness tourism in the region.

Set against the breathtaking Zabarwan Range and Dal Lake, the Royal Springs Golf Course provided a challenging and scenic venue for the tournament. The Khyber Cup was played over two rounds, totaling 36 holes, with the scores from both days determining the winners in various categories. Golfers competed fiercely, showcasing their skills and determination on one of India’s most beautiful golf courses.

Reflecting on the event, Rishi Narain, Tournament Director and Managing Director of RNSM, expressed satisfaction with the success of the tournament. "The feedback from visitors was heartening as everyone enjoyed the challenge of the amazing Royal Springs Golf Course and the tournament surpassed their expectations. The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg has taken this important initiative to promote Kashmir in all its potential aspects and we are sure The Khyber Cup will grow to become a highly sought after annual tournament for players from around India, in the future," he said.

The tournament wasn’t just about the competition but also celebrated the fusion of golf and nature. Participants enjoyed a relaxing stay at The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg’s iconic luxury ski resort. A Gala Dinner with live musical performances and an awards ceremony marked the event’s conclusion, leaving lasting memories for all who attended.

Tournament Winners:

Visitors Category (Nett Scores):

Winner Div A: Vijay Kumar Jha – Score 145

Runner-up Div A: Amit Khansaheb – Score 146

Winner Div B: Anil Arora – Score 150

Runner-up Div B: Vineet Rastogi – Score 150

RSGC Members’ Category:

Winner Div A: Shabbir Bhat – Score 143

Runner-up Div A: Ghalib Shah – Score 143

Winner Div B: Zaman Sheikh – Score 144

Runner-up Div B: Ishifaq Hussaini – Score 144

Ladies Winner:

Chandana Raju – Score 151

Special Contest Winners:

Closest to Pin: Bharat Sharma – 6 inches

Longest Drive: Ahmed Mir – 315 yards

Straightest Drive: DP Singh

Ladies Straightest Drive: Haya Trumboo