Million Dollar Hole in One (MDHIO) brought the curtain down on its thrilling hole-in-one grand final at the prestigious Golf & Spa Resort Grand Tirolia Kitzbühel as three golfers were given the chance to shoot for a life-changing $1million.

The trio of finalists from across the globe enjoyed an all-expenses paid trip to the stunning mountain setting of Austria to again try for an ace and bag the whopping jackpot on Tuesday (September 12).

No one managed the feat, but the Alpine adventure saw former England strike ace Alan Shearer join Marissa L'Estrange, 55, from Brisbane, Australia, Jose Pinto Da Silva, 59, from Lisbon and Merja Salminen from Sipoo, Finland on the 150-yard par-three second hole.

And birthday girl Salminen enjoyed a day to remember during the showdown at the Grand Tirolia Kitzbühel as she celebrated her 55th in style – despite missing out on an anniversary windfall.

Salminen, who runs her own kitchen planning and fitting business, said: “Winning $1million would have been a brilliant present but even though I didn't do it the trip has been an amazing experience.

“My husband couldn't come to Austria but when he called me after the event I told him I didn't win the million dollars he said 'oh, I'm so happy as that means you are coming back'. He didn't think he would see me again! But the resort is a marvellous place with a superb golf course and amazing scenery.”

Three-time Golden Boot winner Shearer, an ambassador for MDHIO's sister company Million Dollar Club, who netted an impressive 30 goals for his country in just 63 appearances and rattled in a Premier League record 260 in 441 appearances, was on hand to watch the drama unfold.

The football legend said: “It was a fantastic event in an amazing place. The course was superb and the resort is just incredible. I am just sad I was unable to play myself as I am recovering from an arm injury.”

The finalists, media and guests were welcomed to the luxurious Alpine destination by general manager Burkhard Wolter and golf manager Dominik Kremper, who said: “It was an exciting couple of days and we are so happy that everyone enjoyed the atmosphere at the hotel and our golf course Eichenheim”

The resort's owner Jelena Nikolajewna Baturina was delighted to welcome the MDHIO finalists and is keen to host such an event again in the future.

MDHIO director Martin Tyrrell added: “Unfortunately no one scooped the $1million but everyone has thoroughly enjoyed themselves in an incredible resort that has breath-taking views.”

Situated about an hour from Salzburg Airport, the Golf & Spa Resort Grand Tirolia Kitzbühel, which boasts spectacular views of the Wilder Kaiser mountain range, is a salubrious hotel, featuring an extensive range of facilities such as the Grand Alps SPA that includes an indoor/outdoor pool, six saunas and 13 treatment rooms.

MDHIO, which has been running since 1990 in USA and since 2000 in Europe, has steadily grown in popularity over the years and more than 50,000 people each year try their luck at the various par 3 holes at the 40 associated courses across Portugal, mainland Spain, Majorca and the UK.

The final will be held in Las Vegas, USA every other year and hosted at other top venues across the world every alternative season.

For more information, visit Million Dollar Hole in One |  www.grand-tirolia.com

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