World's most extreme par-three
A galaxy of Miss World contestants has learned to putt on one of the most amazing greens in the world. The contestants have been put through their putting paces on the Extreme 19th by director of golf at the Legend Golf & Safari Resort in South Africa, David Riddle.
It’s all part of their six day stay at the resort in the 22000 hectare Big 5 Entabeni Safari Conservancy in Limpopo Province where they are enjoying an amazing variety of activities.
The exhilarating program, which includes an element of golf, has been developed by a team of experts to bring together all aspects of bush life and to showcase all that the resort and conservancy has to offer.
The golf has been particularly popular with the contestants, many of whom have only ever played mini-golf before or seen the game played on TV.
Miss Finland, Linda Wikstedt, who was one of the nearest to the pin in a putting competition said: “I have only ever played mini golf before but that made this a bit easier. I really thought it was amazing putting on a green that is designed in the shape of Africa and looking up to where the tee is on the top of the mountain.”
The Extreme 19th is the world’s longest and most spectacular par three which provides every golfer with a truly unique and unforgettable golfing experience.
Accessible only by helicopter, the hole is situated on the top of Hanglip Mountain with a 361metres shot to the green situated 430 breathtaking meters below the tee.
And with a green contoured and shaped like Africa all the continent’s contestants have been excited to find their own countries in Africa on the green.
The girls have all been given basic lessons on golf etiquette, safety and a brief insight into the principles and great traditions of the game so they can celebrate all that is profoundly good and healthy about the sport, a sport with supreme values.
Another contestant who really enjoyed the challenge of the Extreme 19th was Miss England, Laura Coleman, who worked at Stapleford Park GC in UK for four years but said she was a little rusty when it came to putting. She said: “I really enjoyed my time on the golf course back home but it didn’t have a setting like this. Certainly no beautiful mountains and such stunning wildlife – what amazing rough!!”
The Extreme 19th is the ultimate golf challenge and sits next to a unique golf course… where each of the 18 holes has been designed one of the world’s leading golfers.
The list of signatures who have been honoured to design a hole reads like a who’s who of world golf… Trevor Immelman, reigning US Masters Champion; Padraig Harrington, reigning British Open and US PGA champion; Bernard Langer, Colin Montgomerie, Justin Rose, Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia and Retief Goosen to name but a few.
The unique 18 signature golf course is due to open for play in March 2009 but is already one of the most talked about in Africa.