22 Dec 2009
History has been made at Legend Golf & Safari Resort with former West Indies cricketer Franklyn Stephenson becoming the first person to birdie the longest par-three in golf � the now-famous Extreme 19th Hole. Accompanied by a group of friends on a golfing holiday, organized by tour specialists Amazing SA, Stephenson took the helicopter to the top of Hanglip Mountain and faced up to the challenge that has made Legend Golf & Safari Resort, on the Big 5 Entabeni Safari Conservancy in Limpopo Province in South Africa, the talk of the international golf travel industry. Having seen the Extreme 19th for the first time, Stephenson was just about at a loss for words, saying: �Ordinarily a quote tends to be a sentence or an extract thereof, but it would challenge the best to truly express the overwhelming extremity of the truly amazing experience of a group of friends' visit to the Extreme 19th .� The hole itself measures approximately 400 metres, both horizontally and vertically and presents golfers with the task of attempting to hit an African-shaped green from the top of a mountain. No easy task, although Stephenson showed nerves of steel in stepping up and smashing his very first ball onto the green, approximately 20 feet from the pin which was placed middle-right or in the Great Rift Valley. Stephenson�s drive was no fluke as the former Barbados star has traded in his cricket whites, following retirement from the game in 1997, and taken up golf on a professional basis. He�s currently the resident professional at Sandy Lane Golf Club and Resort in Barbados, after putting behind him a first-class cricket career that saw him turn out for the likes of English counties Gloucestershire, Nottinghamshire and Sussex, South African province Free State and, of course, Barbados. Golf has been Stephenson�s game since retirement just over a decade ago, although the big all-rounder was probably drawing on the big-match temperament he cultivated over many years on the county cricket circuit, when he cast his eye over a 20-foot putt for birdie on the Extreme 19th. Reading the break to perfection, Stephenson�s putt never looked like missing and Sandy Lane�s resident professional was able to make history and celebrate the first ever two on the famous hole. After his world first Stephenson said: �Having scored a hundred in each innings and taken 10 wickets in a first class match, been the only West Indian and the last man to do the English County Double (100 wickets and 1000 runs in a season) and been credited with the invention of the slower ball, it was easy to think that the record headlines had already been written. No. Room has to be made for the amazingly awesome achievement and mind-blowing experience of making a birdie-two on the Extreme 19th at Legend Golf & Safari Resort.� The Extreme 19th Hole is just one of the many attractions at Legend Golf & Safari Resort, which also boasts the unique 18-hole signature golf course. The layout draws on the design skills of 18 of the world�s top golfers, including Padraig Harrington, Retief Goosen, Sergio Garcia and Jim Furyk. The course opened for play in March and is already one of the most talked about courses in Africa. ENDS Information for media This special reader offer has been compiled to run alongside any coverage: SPECIAL READER OFFER � FROM R4660 per person TWO NIGHTS SHARED ACCOMMODATION IN THE RESORT SUITES � BED & BREAKFAST These newly completed, luxury suites offer an extraordinary, wholesome environment where wildlife is an integral part of the lifestyle ONE ROUND OF GOLF per person ON THE WORLD FIRST SIGNATURE GOLF COURSE This championship course was designed by 18 of the world�s top golfers providing players with Africa�s most spectacular golf experiences ONE ROUND OF GOLF per person ON THE TRIBUTE COURSE This 10-hole par 3 course replicates some of the most famous par 3 holes in the world TWO DINNERS and ONE GAME DRIVE per person are included in this unique offer Terms & Conditions Apply Valid until 30th April 2010 Reservations subject to availability Child Rate available on request To book or for more information contact Amazing SA on 00 27 (0) 82 789 0239 or via carol@amazingsa.com or visit www.amazingsa.com ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For more information, contact Pete Richardson on + 27 767 835 173 or via pete@theazaleagroup.com For more information about Legend Golf & Safari Resort go to www.legendgolfsafari.com Images of Franklyn�s amazing achievement are available to download, please go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/azaleagroup/sets/72157622624939320/ For more information about Amazing SA contact Carol Pretorius on +27 82 789 0239 or via carol@amazingsa.com
About the Legend Lodges, Hotels & Resorts group The Legend portfolio encompasses the rich diversity of Southern Africa: her people, culture, breathtaking scenery and abundant bird, marine and animal life. Legend Lodges, Hotels & Resorts, with its head office based in Pretoria, features game and safari lodges, country lodges, coastal hotels & lodges, city and town hotels and cultural villages and shebeens. The group operates throughout South Africa and in Mozambique.
For more information about Legend Golf & Safari Resort, please go to www.legendgolfsafari.com contact Pete Richardson on 00 27 (0) 767 835173 or email pete@theazaleagroup.com.