Apr18 Sawgrasscomp

Published:

Golfers who land their ball on the iconic floating green at the London Golf Show next week may find the experience a useful practice aid.

For one lucky visitor to Europe’s top consumer golf show will win a stunning holiday to the Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa, on the north-east coast of Florida, and home to the most photographed golf hole in the world: the 17th island-green.  

The prize will be up for grabs in a floating green play-off on the final day of the four-day extravaganza at ExCeL. Those nearest to the pin over the entire length of the show will be invited back to participate in a winner-takes-all finale.

And it’s certainly worth winning. It comprises a seven-night, stay-and-play package for two at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa – home to the world-famous TPC Stadium Course, which hosts the annual Players Championship, the so-called fifth Major, which will be contested this year in its new position on the PGA Tour schedule from May 10-13.

Two rounds on the course – where Stephen Ames won the $8m championship last year – are included in the prize, as are two rounds on the Pete Dye-designed TPC Valley Course, and one round at the Sawgrass Country Club.

Also included are flights, a complimentary ticket to the World Golf Hall of Fame, located 20 minutes from the resort at the World Golf Village, and exclusive access to the hotel’s private Cabana Beach Club, located minutes from the resort, along the 26-mile Ponte Vedra Beach.

The prize has been supplied by the venue and Supertravel Golf, which offers packages to the resort from the UK.

Roger Barrett, part of the team representing the resort, said: “The course at Sawgrass is one of the most famous in the world, but because of its high profile people assume that, like Augusta, you can’t get on it.

“Nothing could be further from the truth, however, with guests of the hotel enjoying exclusive access to the course where you can tee up where the PGA Tour greats call home. And you too can try to negotiate the most challenging and infamous 128-yard shot in world golf: the 17th on the TPC Stadium Course at Sawgrass.

“The London Golf Show is probably our biggest event of the year as it affords us the opportunity to target UK golfers – the biggest golf travel market in Europe.

“The tie-in between the show’s floating green and the 17th at Sawgrass is obvious – though with all due respect to those in London I think the Florida hole may have the edge,” smiled Barrett.

The London Golf Show’s project director, Jay Tyson, who personally oversees the construction of the event’s floating green, said: “This is a fabulous prize for the floating green and the synergy is obvious. We’re delighted we have been able to welcome the Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa and Supertravel Golf to the show and we have not taken offence – I think the 17th probably is the more testing hole; but only just…”

The London Golf Show 2007 returns to ExCeL, from April 26-29, with European Ryder Cup hero David Howell making an appearance.

There will also be Europe’s largest golf retail store courtesy of the UK’s no1 retailer, american golf; a 30-bay driving range; the chance to go head-to-head on the chipping green with celebrities; the opportunity to sink a 100ft putt; the iconic floating green; myriad game-improvement gadgets; a fashion show; plus a much bigger area dedicated to junior golf with free coaching, fun and games and prizes.

What’s more, two juniors go free with every paying adult…

For tickets visit www.londongolfshow.com or call Ticketmaster on 0870 1451205.

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