|
|
THUNDERBOLDT NEWSLETTER
|
Messages from Bob
Bob Boldt
Director of Golf
|
Bob's Weekly Blog
THE WEEK IN GOLF
Here's a golf hole you haven't played yet......
CLICK BELOW FOR PICTURE OF PAR THREE
/golf/emailer2020/img/vintnersgolfclub/par_three.bmp
Forget pitch and putt -- this tee-off point on top of a 1,410 ft. mountain in South Africa is the hardest golf
shot in the world, and more than $1 million awaits the player who can score a hole in one. Players must
take a helicopter to the top to play the longest and highest par three on the planet.
Taking the shot also requires courage. A player needs to teeter terrifyingly close to the edge of the
mammoth hillside.Indeed, the Extreme 19th Hole is so high the ball takes almost 30 seconds to reach
the ground.
Channel Nine cricket commentator Mark Nicholas recently played the hole. "It was awesome, riveting
and phenomenal," he said, "it's like the end of the world when you get up there and it's an awful lot of fun.
It's such an adrenaline rush taking the helicopter up and then rushing back down."
The hole is based at the Legends Golf and Safari Resort, within the Entabeni Safari Conservancy in
South Africa 's Northeastern Limpopo Province . The other 18 holes were designed by world golfing
legends including Trevor Immelman, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington and Australia 's Robert Allenby.
A round of golf - including a buggy and lunch - will set you back R450 ($70). The Extreme 19th costs is
$1060 per foursome, which includes the helicopter ride, souvenir cap, glove, and a DVD of you playing the
hole.
So far, no one has even come close pocketing the million-dollar prize, but Harrington became the first
golfer to conquer the hole within par. Harrington said, "This is the type of innovation and excitement
we need to get more people playing golf. There aren't many new innovative ways to play the game
but this is certainly one of the best. I think this hole is awesome. I love the whole experience,
the helicopter, the views, the drama and having the green the shape of Africa.
And now I've got bragging rights over all the other professionals who have played this hole and not
managed to make a three. I love everything about it."
Golf questions and tips: call 707-501-8846.
|
|
