A lucky golfer who won a dream all-expenses trip to watch the Masters at Augusta thanks to Million Dollar Hole in One (MDHIO), described the five-day break as “out of this world”.

Richard O'Brien from Enfield, North London enjoyed the once-in-a-lifetime experience worth more than £5,000 after winning MDHIO's prize draw, which is run in conjunction with its popular par-three hole-in-one challenge.

The competition gives golfers the chance to shoot for a $1million at the annual event usually held in Las Vegas. And although O'Brien failed to register an ace at Vilamoura in Portugal's Algarve – one of 40 MDHIO's associated courses across Europe – he did land on the green, earning him a place in the prize draw for the Masters trip.

And after his name was pulled out of the hat, he and best friend Mark Hubbocks were whisked off to the United States to stay in a four-star hotel, courtesy of MDHIO and YourGolfTravel, and play two rounds of golf, as well as enjoying VIP entry to Augusta National on the penultimate day of the first Major of the year.

O'Brien said: “It was absolutely fantastic, better than we could have imagined – out of this world. Augusta is an incredible place, the course is pristine. I have never seen anything like it and would never have had the chance to go, so it a huge thanks to MDHIO.

“Until you have been there and seen it, you just can't imagine how difficult the greens are – they are unbelievably hard. It's beyond me how anyone can read them. All it takes is the smallest of taps and the ball goes flying down them.”

O'Brien and Hubbocks, both 49, saw the action unfold at Augusta on the third day from the ninth hole before moving on to Amen Corner and finally rounding off the unforgettable day with VIP invites to the after-party, where they met and chatted with 2011 Open champion Darren Clarke.

Luton-born O'Brien added: “The day was fantastic and then we went to the party where there was a Q&A with Darren Clarke. We had our photo taken with him – it was just a great night and a fantastic experience.

“We watched the final day of the Masters in a sports bar near our hotel, which was in Columbia about an hour or so away from Augusta.

“There was a great atmosphere as South Carolina Women's basketball team won the National Championship and there was a victory parade through the main high street. It was a great end to the Masters. I am glad Sergio Garcia won as he deserves a Major. I'm sure Justin Rose will win a Masters in the future.”

The popular MDHIO competition attracts more than 50,000 competitors a year and anyone who manages a hole in one will get the chance to shoot for a $1million prize at an annual event to be held in Las Vegas, USA.

MDHIO is one of three companies, along with established tour operators Leisure Link Golf Holidays and Golf Amigos, who have joined forces to form a new entity (Million Dollar Holdings), which promises to create new experiences, events and escapes for golfers across the UK.

Bringing together a range of experienced operators from within the golf, retail and leisure industries, Million Dollar Holdings will offer golfers unique opportunities both at home and abroad.

For more information, visit Million Dollar Hole in One.

ENDS

Information for journalists

Press release written and distributed by Azalea on behalf of Million Dollar Holdings.

• Million Dollar Hole in One competitors win a selection of golf prizes for landing on the green, and if they score a hole in one at one of more than 40 courses in Portugal, mainland Spain, Majorca and the UK, they qualify to shoot for a $1m hole-in-one during an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas.
• Million Dollar Holdings is a brand-new company that has been formed from Million Dollar Hole in One and golf travel operators Leisure Link Golf Holidays and Golf Amigo.
• Leisure Link Golf Holidays and Golf Amigos are both long-established award-winning golf tour operators that have delivered tailor-made golfing holidays to a host of UK and world-wide destinations.
• The people behind Million Dollar Holdings are Martin Tyrrell, Kevin Stowe, Tracy Aslam, Doug Fisher, Jamie O'Doherty, Steve Ingle and Gordon Murray.
• A talented business developer, Martin Tyrrell boasts a deep knowledge in areas of management, recruiting, leadership, business strategy and marketing.
• Kevin Stowe enjoyed a highly successful career in the IT and telecommunications industry before moving into the golf sector where he also established the likes of Tournament Golf College and the Algarve Pro Golf Tour.
• Tracy Aslam is a board-level executive with specialised expertise in the retail sector and has experience in building customer loyalty. She recently served as a board director at Jordan Media Group and has international experience in the UK, Ireland and Australia.
• Doug Fisher is the managing director of award-winning golf holiday experts LeisureLink Golf Holidays where he has served for nearly 16 years. A talented salesperson and developer, he also has extensive experience as a trader and served at both Merrill Lynch and Phillips and Drew.
• Jamie O'Doherty, who speaks fluent German, has spent 12 years building up the MDHIO brand from scratch in Portugal and played a key role in the business development in both Lisbon and Spain's Costa del Sol.
• Steve Ingle is a fully qualified chartered management accountant and is the head of finance for Million Dollar Holdings. He boasts more than 15 years' experience within the accounts function.
• Gordon Murray co-founded Golf Amigos in 1993. He has been a member of IAGTO, the International Association of Golf Tour Operators since its inception 19 years ago and over the years he has developed a strong business relationships with key suppliers in the golfing industry.

For further information or to arrange an interview with any of the founders, please contact Nick Ive on 01730 711920 or email nick@theazaleagroup.com