The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg brought together over 100 players who competed for the inaugural Khyber Cup at the breathtaking Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar, providing an exhilarating experience for golf enthusiasts and participants alike.  The inaugural event took place from 20-21 September 2024 and attracted top golfers from across the country.

The Khyber Cup was sponsored by American Express and managed by Rishi Narain Sports Marketing (RNSM).

With Kashmir already attracting over 20 million tourists and an ever-growing demand of travellers for new experiences, The Khyber, Gulmarg has created a yearly Golf Tournament to encourage Golf Tourism in J&K. Besides Kashmir is blessed with a natural landscape ideal for golf courses which makes it a great destination to combine one’s passion with a vacation.

As hosts of the tournament The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg —India’s only luxury ski resort — offering world-class amenities and services, is committed to promoting sports and wellness in the region. It is proud to support The Khyber Cup, bringing together the finest in golf with the unparalleled beauty of Kashmir. “Our vision is to make this  a yearly Golf Tournament that is aspirational and meets the International standards of Golf Events,” says Khalil  Tramboo, Director,  Pinnacle Resorts, promoters of The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg.

Nestled against the stunning backdrop of the Zabarwan Range and the serene Dal Lake, the Royal Springs Golf Course is renowned as one of the most beautiful and challenging golf courses in India. The Khyber Cup, was a showcase of skill, determination, and sportsmanship, set amidst this awe-inspiring landscape and was played over two rounds or 36 holes with the total scores of both days determining the individual winners in various categories.

Commenting on the inaugural edition of The Khyber Cup, Rishi Narain, Tournament Director & MD RNSM said: “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.”

A Celebration of Golf and Nature

The Khyber Cup Golf Tournament was more than just a competition; it was  a celebration of the sport of golf set against the pristine natural beauty of Kashmir. The event provided an excellent platform for players to test their mettle, as well as for spectators to enjoy the game in one of the most picturesque settings imaginable.

In addition to playing in an exciting tournament, golfers participating got to experience a relaxing stay at the stunning and iconic The Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa in Gulmarg. The Gala Dinner with live musical performances was followed by the award ceremony at the resort and marked the closing of this first successful Khyber Cup golf tournament.

The tournament winners were:

Visitors Category: (All scores are on Nett format )

Winners Div A – Vijay Kumar Jha – Score 145

Runner up Div A – Amit Khansaheb – Score 146

Winner Div B – Anil Arora – score 150 ( won on tie-break)

Runner up Div B – Vineet Rastogi – 150

RSGC Members’ Category

Winners Div A – Shabbir Bhat – Score 143 (won on tie-break)

Runner up Div A – Ghalib Shah – Score 143

Winner Div B – Zaman Sheikh– score 144 (won on tie-break)

Runner up Div B – Ishifaq Hussaini– 144

Ladies Winner

Chandana Raju – 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