by Mat Churchill

When Susan Cooper placed her ball on the tee at the par three 15th at Sea Temple Golf Club on Sunday, took a practice swing, and lined up the hole 125 metres away she could only imagine what it would be like to land a hole in one.

Just seconds later she didn't need to imagine anymore.

Watch the hole in one video (top left)

The Sea Temple Golf Club held its 2010 Open Championship on the weekend, but for competitors all eyes weren't necessarily on the trophy, they were fixed on the shiny new $75,000 HSV Holden, the major prize for the lucky (or skilful) person who could summon every golfers dream, a hole in one.

The prize remained elusive to all on day one of the two day event, but Ms Cooper, who hails from Paradise Palms Country Club at Kewarra Beach, stole the show and the car as she took her place in the second group to tee off for the day.

"I tried not to think too much about my shot but I thought it was going in the right direction. I couldn't see it (go in the hole) but all the girls said it had gone in.

"I saw the man (who was taking footage of each player's hole in one attempts for insurance purposes) waving his arms and the girls were saying 'it's gone in! It's gone in!' but I thought they were having me on."

In an ironic twist of fate, Ms Cooper's husband was putting at the adjoining 10th green when her ball rolled in.

"He could hear all the commotion and he missed his putt," Ms Cooper said. "He ended up losing on a count-back, but I think he's forgiven me."

General Manager of Sea Temple Golf Club, David Robinson, said he couldn't have hoped for a better result.

"It was a fantastic effort by Sue and has made all our dreams come true."

Mr Robinson expects next year's event will attract huge interest because of Ms Cooper's feat.

The car was provided by Ireland Holden in Cairns who secured insurance prior to event which reportedly cost the business $4,000. It was money well spent despite the improbable, but not impossible odds.

So what are chances of scoring an 'ace'?

While figures vary, a Gold Digest report said "One insurance company puts a PGA Tour pro's chances at 1 in 3,756 and an amateur's at 1 in 12,750." Another says the figure is closer to 33,000 to 1, and even up to 45,000 to 1.

Regardless, it's a feat that Susan may never repeat. But with a $75,000 HSV parked in her driveway, she will probably never need to.

Winner of the men's A Grade competition was Steve Toyne from Atherton with Heath Kapor runner up, while in the ladies competition Saivora Lenz took the honours and Nerida Wilson finished the weekend in second place.