Pratima Sherpa is an inspirational figure whose name is now widely recognized in the international golf community. She is not merely an amateur female golfer, but a symbol of hope and perseverance representing Nepal—a country rarely associated with the global golf scene. Born on 27 November 1999 in Kathmandu, Nepal, Pratima grew up in humble circumstances, living in a small maintenance building located directly behind the third hole of Royal Nepal Golf Club, where both of her parents worked as security guards and course caretakers.
It was from this environment that her close relationship with golf began. Despite her extremely modest background, Pratima possessed a strong determination to prove that limitations should never restrict ambition. Her dream of becoming Nepal’s first professional golfer has taken her on a long journey, including relocating to the United States to pursue better training opportunities and education. Below is a comprehensive profile presented by GoGolf.
Profile and Career
Pratima Sherpa’s golf journey began at a very young age. By the time she was 11 years old, she was already competing in various golf tournaments across Nepal. Within her first six years of competition, she astonishingly won 33 trophies, an extraordinary achievement for a child from a family with limited resources and minimal access to elite sporting facilities.
Her dedication and consistent success soon attracted international attention. Pratima eventually moved to the United States to continue her education while training under more advanced golf systems. She first studied at Santa Barbara City College, before transferring to California State University, Los Angeles. Life in the U.S. provided her with access to professional coaching, modern training facilities, and competitive tournaments that far exceeded the standards available in Nepal.
Her achievements continued to grow. In 2020, Pratima was awarded “Women’s Golfer of the Year” by Noozhawk, a recognition that highlighted her talent and consistency on the course. In the same year, she was also named to the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list in the Sports and Entertainment category.
The year 2018 marked one of the most memorable moments of her life. Pratima received a rare opportunity to train privately with Tiger Woods, one of the greatest golfers in history. This opportunity arose while she was in the United States promoting a documentary about her life story produced by ESPN.
In 2019, Pratima took her first steps into professional-level competition in the United States by participating in the Epson Tour (formerly the LPGA Futures Tour) through sponsor exemptions. This experience allowed her to test her abilities against international competitors and opened the door to higher-level tournaments.
Beyond competition, Pratima has remained committed to the growth of golf. Since 2023, she has served as a program coordinator at the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation, demonstrating her desire not only to succeed personally, but also to inspire and nurture the next generation of golfers.
Personal Life and Honors
Pratima Sherpa’s background is an inspirational story frequently highlighted by international media. Her parents, Pasang Sherpa and Kalpana Tsering, worked tirelessly as security guards and course maintenance staff at Royal Nepal Golf Club. From them, Pratima learned the values of dedication, discipline, and perseverance—qualities that have shaped her career.
Linguistically, Pratima reflects her diverse environment. She is fluent in Nepali, professionally proficient in English, and has a basic understanding of Hindi. These language skills have supported her interactions within the global golf community and expanded her international network.
During her college years in the United States, Pratima earned multiple academic and athletic honors, reinforcing her reputation as a well-rounded individual capable of balancing education with a demanding athletic career.
She is also active as a brand ambassador and frequently participates in golf promotion campaigns aimed at attracting younger generations to the sport. As a national symbol of golf in Nepal, Pratima has helped change public perception of golf—traditionally viewed as an expensive and exclusive sport—into something more accessible and aspirational.
Pratima Sherpa: The First Female Golfer to Train Privately with Tiger Woods
One of the most historic moments in Pratima Sherpa’s career occurred when she had the opportunity to train directly with Tiger Woods, widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. On 24 April 2018, Sherpa met Woods at Medalist Golf Course in Jupiter, Florida. This meeting was not just a training session—it was the realization of a childhood dream.
The story began when ESPN produced a 30-minute documentary titled “A Mountain to Climb”, produced by Kristen Lappas and narrated by Tom Rinaldi. The film chronicled Sherpa’s journey from growing up in a golf course maintenance building to dreaming of competing on the LPGA Tour. The documentary premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York and was later broadcast across ESPN platforms.
Sherpa’s inspiring story caught Tiger Woods’ attention. Learning that she was in the U.S. promoting the documentary, Woods invited her for a private practice session. During a 30-minute session at the driving range, Woods provided direct guidance and even allowed her to use his own golf clubs. For Sherpa, the experience was priceless—learning directly from a living legend she had admired since childhood.
This meeting symbolized how a simple story from Nepal could reach the global stage. From living behind a golf hole in Kathmandu to standing beside one of the greatest golfers in history, Sherpa’s journey became a source of pride not only for herself, but for the entire nation of Nepal.
Pratima Sherpa Inspiring Tiger Woods
Interestingly, the meeting between Sherpa and Tiger Woods was not only inspirational for her—it also had a profound impact on Woods himself. Through his personal Twitter account, Woods described Sherpa as an extraordinary individual filled with dedication and determination. He praised her work ethic and described her journey as an example for young people both within and beyond golf.
For Woods, who was at the time recovering from his fourth back surgery, meeting Sherpa served as a reminder of golf’s true essence—a game driven by passion rather than luxury or privilege. Sherpa’s enthusiasm and resilience provided Woods with positive energy during his own comeback journey.
During the practice session, Sherpa even played barefoot, reflecting her humble upbringing and long-standing habits. Woods was impressed by her determination and natural style of play. He expressed confidence that, with continued dedication, Sherpa had a strong chance of reaching the LPGA Tour and becoming Nepal’s first professional female golfer.
The story quickly went viral and received widespread international media coverage. Support poured in from the global golf community as well as from people in Nepal, who began to see golf as a legitimate pathway toward dreams and global recognition.
Conclusion
Pratima Sherpa is a living example of how extraordinary dreams can emerge from the most humble beginnings. From a young girl living in a golf course maintenance building in Kathmandu, she has grown into the face of Nepalese golf on the world stage. With 33 trophies at a young age, prestigious honors such as Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, and the rare opportunity to train with Tiger Woods, Pratima has proven that limitations never define potential.
Beyond her pursuit of becoming Nepal’s first professional golfer, Pratima remains deeply committed to inspiring future generations through her role at the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation. She wants more children—especially those from Nepal—to discover golf as a pathway to opportunity and a brighter future.
Her life story is not merely about sport, but about courage, sacrifice, and unwavering determination. Today, Pratima Sherpa stands not only as an athlete, but as a symbol of resilience and hope for Nepal—and as a global inspiration within the world of golf.
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