Villas Valriche, one of the tournamentās sponsors of theĀ > upcoming AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, has announced aĀ special prize of a villa to the value of US$1 million forĀ the firstĀ professional golfer who shoots an eagle on the par 4, 423m,Ā 17th hole on the final day of theĀ tournament atĀ Heritage Resorts in Mauritius from May 7-10.
Anton de Waal, CEO of VillasĀ Valriche, said: āThe AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open isĀ the first tri-sanctioned tournament of its kind to beĀ endorsed by the Sunshine, European and Asian Tours. As suchĀ we believeĀ that this special prize, which holds the highest monetaryĀ prize value ever awarded for an eagle across all threeĀ Tours, is testament the marquee status of the tournament, ofĀ which we are proud to be a sponsor. It will be our absoluteĀ pleasure to give awayĀ this prize to the first professional golfer who achievesĀ this extraordinary feat during theĀ tournament.ā
VillasĀ Valriche was confirmed as Mauritiusā leading golf andĀ beach residential resort after winning two top honours atĀ the InternationalĀ Property Awards 2013-14 (voted Africaās Best GolfĀ Development and Africaās Best Safe Home). Set in 525Ā acres of lush, tropical landscaped grounds on a rollingĀ hillside overlooking the Indian Ocean, this pristineĀ villa-only estate forms part of the DomaineĀ de Bel Ombre and is situated in the Savanne region, theĀ most naturally beautiful part of theĀ island.
Commenting on the special prizeĀ Selwyn Nathan, Executive Director of the Sunshine Tour said,Ā āThis is a very exciting development for the inauguralĀ AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. I believe this will inspireĀ the golfers to perform at their very best to clinch thisĀ prize.ā
Keith Waters, The EuropeanĀ Tourās Chief Operating Officer and Director ofĀ International Policy, said: āWe are very grateful toĀ all of the sponsors for their continued support of theĀ AfrAsia BankĀ Mauritius Open and this special prize will be a fantasticĀ incentive for the players competing in the inauguralĀ tournament.ā
Mike Kerr, the CEO of the AsianĀ Tour said, āIt is fantastic that Villas Valriche hasĀ come up with such an attractive reward for the first golferĀ shooting an eagle on the 17th hole during theĀ finalĀ round of the inaugural AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open in May.Ā
With a princely value of US$1 million, I believe that thisĀ will be the most lucrative special award that we have onĀ offer on the Asian Tour and I would like to thank VillasĀ Valriche for supportingĀ this new tournament through such a unique and excitingĀ way.ā
The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open isĀ the first ever tri-sanctioned golf tournament endorsed byĀ the Sunshine, European and Asian Tours, all of whom areĀ founding members of the International Federation of PGAĀ Tours. It is expected to draw top performing golfers fromĀ each of the three Tours.
The tournament will be played atĀ the Heritage Golf Cub on Domaine de Bel Ombre, voted one ofĀ the Top 10 golf courses in Africa, according to global newsĀ broadcaster CNN. The course wasĀ designed by Peter Matkovich, who has also presided over theĀ construction of 20 top-ranked golf courses on the continent,Ā such as Arabella Golf Club in South Africa, and BorrowdaleĀ Brooke Golf Club in Zimbabwe.
This 27-hole facility whichĀ includes an 18-hole par-72 championship layout and a nineĀ hole short course, is not only set in the middle of stunningĀ natural scenery and dotted with smallĀ lakes and streams, but also possesses exceptionalĀ infrastructure and services.