Pauline Danaher achieved every golfer’s dream on her way to success at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort’s Founders’ Day competition – by producing a clean sweep of all the prizes available at Spain’s new number one.
Pauline won all four nearest-the-pin prizes and the longest drive to score 38 points and claim victory in the ladies’ event on the second day of the inaugural tournament on Hacienda del Alamo’s stunning 7,400-yard championship course.
The 12-handicapper, from Dublin, Ireland, walked off with the silverware at the short holes after hitting the ball closest at the 5th, 8th, 12th and 15th – all testing par threes requiring a wood or long iron.
And Pauline knew it was going to be her day when she teed up her ball on the 478-yard par five 18th hole and launched it straight down the middle – watched by Hacienda del Alamo’s director of golf Billy Sim.
"I had been hitting the ball well all day and was delighted to find the green on all four par threes because two of them were playing into the wind but I certainly didn’t expect to win all the prizes," said Pauline.
"It was one of those days where I felt really comfortable but the lads I was playing with gave me a fair amount of stick after my drive on the 18th and said I was showing off in front of Billy.
"You should have seen me at the prize-giving dinner. I had four visors, two tee shirts and lots of other things. I had five bags by the end of the evening and didn’t know how to carry everything," she joked.
Pauline, who is a member at Beaverstown and Shannon golf clubs, could have scored even better in the competition for owners and their guests had she not three-putted TEN TIMES thanks to a putter she was using for the first time.
And the lecturer in culinary arts at Dublin’s Institute of Technology missed out on the ladies’ overall first prize as she did not play in the first day of the event held at the luxury golf and property resort near Fuente Alamo, Murcia.
Pauline, who flew over from Ireland with her husband Richard, especially for the event, added: "The local professional suggested that I use the putter but it was a lot softer than the one I’m used to playing with and I won’t be using it again.
"I was a bit disappointed not to win the overall prize but didn’t realise the competition was on the Friday as well. But the course was the best I have seen it, it was in fantastic condition and the greens were excellent."
Regina Sim secured first place in the overall ladies’ competition with 52 points while an impressive two-round score of 70 points helped Martyn Nethercott prevail in the men’s event.
Pauline was one of more than 80 people to take part in the two-day competition at Hacienda del Alamo and has backed the five-star complex to become one of the most sought-after golf resorts in Europe.
The luxury development, situated in 550 hectares, already boasts one championship course, 550 villas and a golf academy.
But, by 2010, this will have grown to 3,500 villas, 400 luxury apartments and a five-star hotel and spa together with a ‘Spanish-style’ village featuring shops, bars and restaurants and a second championship golf course.
Pauline, who bought a three-bedroom villa with her husband at the resort three years ago, added: "Hacienda is a very exciting project and it has the potential to be the best there is in the area.
"The golf course is wonderful and we intend to move down there permanently when we reach the age of 50."
Contact:
Pete Richardson
08700 330550
pete@prcpr.co.uk
