Entabeni: Golf and Miss World aren't two things that people normally link together.
But during their six-day stay at the amazing Legend Golf & Safari Resort at the Entabeni Safari Conservancy in South Africa the 112 contestants learned to love the game.
As a finale to their stay the contestants enjoyed taking part in a unique golf day on the resort's unique Signature Course - with each hole designed by one of the world's leading golfers.
Unique experience
It was a new experience for many but like another day at the office for one. Miss Wales, Chloe-Beth Morgan, said: "I used to work at Celtic Manor which is the host club for the next Ryder Cup, so I was looking forward to the golf day. But I have never seen a course or a resort like this. It's absolutely amazing - I can't believe people can play golf off the top off a mountain to a green the shape of Africa."
The mountain is called Hanglip and the hole is the resort's Extreme 19th, the most dramatic par 3 in the world... as well as the longest at 361m and the highest at 400m.
The contestants were put through their putting paces on the Extreme 19th green by director of golf David Riddle.
It was all part of their six-day stay at the resort in the 22,000 hectare Big 5 Entabeni Safari Conservancy in Limpopo Province where they enjoyed an amazing variety of activities.
The exhilarating programme, which included the elements of golf, was developed by a team of experts to bring together all aspects of bush life and to showcase all that the resort and safari conservancy has to offer.
The golf was particularly popular with the contestants, many of whom have only ever played mini-golf before or seen the game played on TV.
Miss Finland, Linda Wikstedt, who was one of the nearest to the pin in the putting competition said: "I have only ever played mini golf before but that made this a bit easier. "I really thought it was amazing putting on a green that is designed in the shape of Africa and looking up to where the tee is on the top of the mountain."
The Extreme 19th is the world's longest and most spectacular par three which provides every golfer with a truly unique and unforgettable golfing experience.
Accessible only by helicopter, the hole is a breathtaking experience and with a green contoured and shaped like Africa.
The girls were all given basic lessons on golf etiquette, safety and a brief insight into the principles and great traditions of the game so they could celebrate all that is profoundly good and healthy about the sport, a sport with supreme values.
Another contestant who really enjoyed the challenge of the Extreme 19th was Miss England, Laura Coleman, who worked at Stapleford Park GC in UK for four years but said she was a little rusty when it came to putting.
She said: "I really enjoyed my time on the golf course back home but it didn't have a setting like this. Certainly no beautiful mountains and such stunning wildlife - what amazing rough."
"And to fly up to hit balls off the mountain is just something I will never forget!"
The Extreme 19th is the ultimate golf challenge and sits next to a unique golf course... where each of the 18 holes has been designed by one of the world's leading golfers.
Signature hole
The list of signatures who have been honoured to design a hole reads like a 'Who's Who' of world golf, including reigning US Masters Champion Trevor Immelman; reigning British Open and US PGA champion Padraig Harrington; Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie, Justin Rose, Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia and Retief Goosen, to name but a few.
The unique 18 signature golf course is due to open for play in March 2009 but is already one of the most talked about in Africa.
Details about the Legend Golf & Safari Resort can be found at: www.legendgolfsafari.com.
