HEAVENLY INSPIRATION HELPS CLYDEBANK GOLFER TO ACHIEVE POIGNANT HOLE IN ONE

NEWS RELEASE

A Clydebank golfer invoked the memory of his late brother to score a hole-in-one during a recent competition at his club, receiving a limited-edition BOSS watch for his feat.

Alex Hopkins, 55,
pictured, scored his ace on the 240-yard, par-three 14th at his club, Dalmuir Municipal, and the 13-handicapper was rewarded with membership of the exclusive BOSS Watches H1 Club and a specially-commissioned, commemorative timepiece.

In March 2012 Hopkins' brother, William - himself a keen golfer - passed away suddenly, and the club erected a memorial bench by the 14th tee in his memory.

Alex said: "As I waited to tee off I sat on my brother's bench and silently asked him to give me some inspiration for the shot, knowing he had scored a hole-in-one on this hole many years ago. I watched as my playing partner's tee shot landed short, which encouraged me to plump for my driver. I made a good connection, saw the ball bounce before the green and thought ‘well that's me on the green' as I reached down to pick up my tee.

"While I was stooped over, my playing partners started celebrating and informed me that the ball had gone straight in the hole. I was delighted, and more than happy to buy drinks for my fellow members in the bar after the round.

"This was my first ever hole-in-one and made all the more memorable given that it came at the hole on which my brother scored his ace many years ago."

In addition to the memorial bench, William's memory is also honoured by the William Hopkins Memorial tournament, held annually in June.

The luxury German brand, BOSS Watches, has pledged to reward club golfers with an exclusive timepiece for every hole-in-one recorded during a club competition between April 15 and October 31 this year. And, with nearly 4,000 holes-in-one recorded annually, BOSS Watches could feasibly be giving away £1m-worth in 2013.

The scheme is open to any golfer whose club uses HowDidiDo - a free-to-use, web-based social network for golfers - and anybody playing in official club competitions will be eligible. Currently, more than 1,800 clubs use the website.

Stephen Brydon, commercial director for MGS Distribution, the official licenced UK distributor for BOSS Watches, said: "Congratulations to Alex on what, to most of us, is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement.

"To the majority of amateur golfers, recording a hole-in-one will be the most memorable thing they achieve in golf - yet all many have to show for it is a dent in their bank balance after buying a round of drinks in the clubhouse.

"We aim to make it a lot more memorable for them by presenting them with an exclusive BOSS watch, only available to golfers who record a hole-in-one, so they are truly exclusive and will provide a constant reminder of the sight of their ball popping into the hole and the emotions attached to that very moment.

"It also adds a frisson of extra excitement to club competitions for golfers who may not be in with a chance of winning the event, for they know that every time they stand on the tee on a par-three, they are just one shot away from winning a stunning timepiece."

In addition to the limited-edition watch, Hopkins is also awarded membership of the exclusive BOSS Watches H1 Club which offers its members access to exclusive benefits and merchandise.

No extra registration is required to participate in the BOSS Watches promotion as all official club competitions are recorded on the HowDidiDo system, so holes-in-one will be noted and automatically ratified by the golfer's club.

www.bosswatches.co.uk