Nepal's number one amateur golfer, Sadbhav Acharya, has received a prestigious scholarship to play in America's National College Athletic Association (NCAA) Division One. 18-year-old Sadbhava has received a scholarship worth nearly one million dollars to study at the University of Texas (UTSA) in San Antonio.

According to him, UTSA head coach Matt Wernick offered him the scholarship. Sadbhav was offered the scholarship based on his performance at the Junior Players Championship in the US and the Faldo Junior Tour European Grand Final in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He will leave for America on Monday.

Last year Sadbhav had a great performance. In Abu Dhabi, he won the Faldo Junior Tour European Grand Final for the 17-21 age group and was runner-up overall. "Coach Wernick has been following my game since last year, he later contacted me and offered me a scholarship from the university," said Sadbhav, "He was very impressed with my performance at the Junior Players Championship and the Faldo Junior Tour European Grand Final." 

In the next four years, Sadbhav will represent UTSA and play in NCAA Division One, as well as graduate in marketing and marketing management courses. The varsity golf team has 7 players, 5 of which will play in 13 tournaments next year. There are 4 Americans, 2 Mexican players and me in the team. After the internal selection, the coach will select 5 players for each game," said Sadbhava. He has got membership in an exclusive club. 

Non-Americans charge twice as much. Tuition costs about $55,000 per year and $200,000 for 4 years. The annual membership fee alone is $50,000. Apart from that, all facilities are provided. Golf cards, driving range, simulator, indoor facilities are all provided. Trainers will be with him at all times. This facility costs 70-80 thousand dollars a year. Sadbhav will play more than a dozen tournaments a year, all expenses will be borne by the college. 

A tournament can cost up to $3,000. Just playing the tournament costs 30 to 45 thousand dollars, but it costs up to 120 thousand dollars in 4 years. Under this scholarship, the top sports equipment company of golf, Callaway, will provide the balls, gloves, shoes, kit bags needed by Sadbhava. Its cost is 20 thousand dollars a year. 

'It's not worth the money, it's a big package. If we are to spend it, it will cost more than 10 crore rupees," says Deepak Acharya, father of Sadbhav. Stating that this is the biggest opportunity Nepali players have received so far, Deepak, Secretary General of Nepal Golf Association (NGA) and Professional Golf Association, adds, 'NCAA 

Breaking into Division One is not easy for any golfer in the world. Sadbhav will play college golf at UTSA, where he will get all the facilities related to education, training, health.' 

Deepak says that since NCAA is also a means to enter the PGA Tour, this is also the goal of Sadbhav. "It's a great opportunity, because the NCAA opens the door to the PGA and other global tours," he added, adding, "The top-ranked players in the NCAA make the PGA Tour card." The top 10 to 15 players will be selected for the European and Asian tours along with other PAGA events. The Valero Texas Open has been held on this land. He will get the facility of training in 36 holes of the club. Sadbhav will play in the qualifiers for the 125th US Amateur Championship to be held in Ohio from July 30. 

Last January, he won the 38th Bangladesh Amateur Open. He is the first Nepali player to win this tournament. In the 36th and 38th editions of the Bangladesh Amateur Open, Sadbhav also played a major role in winning the team event. He started his career from Gokarna Golf Club and is ranked 184th in the world amateur golf ranking. 

won 7 out of 8 tournaments organized by NGA in the year 2024. He made a record 12 under par 60 in the Nepal Amateur Open and won individual and team gold. During that time he scored 20 under 196. Sadbhav is also the youngest Nepali player to win a professional title.