How would you like an opportunity to win $1,000,000 US?

Anyone raising their hand? Well, that dream could become reality by playing in the Million Dollar Hole In One (MDHIO). It is a competition that has been running for 19 years in the United States and arrived in Europe 10 years ago. The challenge began in the Canary Islands and Portugal, before continuing onto the Costa Blanca, Mallorca and the Costa del Sol.

Jamie O’Doherty, MDHIO regional manager has great expectations of growth in this part of Andalucía. “There’s no reason why the Costa del Sol won’t grow. We’ve only been here a few months and the prospects are very good,” he said whilst visiting Villa Padierna Golf, one of the Costa del Sol clubs where players can compete in the original hole in one competition.

The price for playing MDHIO is just 10 euros per player and that gives the right – in return for supplying their name, country of origin and email address – to a sleeve of three balls and a voucher for a 10 per cent discount at the relevant course’s shop. If the participant manages to hit their ball onto the green and it remains there, they can choose between various quality items such as, Callaway golf towel, Ecco caps and visors, Taylor Made and Bridgestone balls. And, if you scores an ace, the prize is truly special: a trip to either Las Vegas or Europe to play for the one million dollar prize, won for achieving a hole in one over there.

For golf courses joining forces with MDHIO the benefits are also interesting and beneficial: in addition to offering optional incentives to their clients, they receive a commission on tickets sold. One factor worth highlighting is that MDHIO works with charitable causes – international, national and local, although it is a profit making business.

Another business area for MDHIO is advertising, enabling advertisers for golf products and services to reach more than 90,000 golfers weekly who MDHIO email their weekly newsletter to. They can also advertise on the MDHIO website.

Until now, the annual event bringing together all those hopeful of winning one million dollars has been held in Las Vegas, but in 2015 it will move to the Algarve in Portugal, specifically Vale de Lobo. In 2016, it will be played once again in the US city, and the following year return to Europe.