A WINCHESTER golfer has won a new car after getting his first ever hole in one - against odds of 12,500-to-one.

The achievement by Mike Sandbrook took place at South Winchester Golf Club’s ‘Captain’s Day’, which was fundraising for Winchester Youth Counselling.

Member Peter Tubb, manager of Marshall Mercedes-Benz at Southampton Airport, organised for an A class Mercedes worth around £20,000 for anyone able to get a hole in one on the par 3, 11th hole.

Actuaries have calculated the chance of an average golfer making a hole in one at around 12,500 to one.

Eighty-four members played on a revamped 15-hole, par 3 course especially designed for the day. This was followed by the afternoon team event where 130 members played the course.

At the 11th hole, with the Mercedes placed next to him, Mike teed off with a 7 iron and watched as the ball flew straight into the hole.

Club captain Steve Barney said: “This sort of thing very very rarely happens on an ordinary golf day, let alone a special event like this, and on the actual hole that has been sponsored.”

“The players couldn’t quite believe what had happened and they walked to the hole to find it nestled right at the bottom.

“I happened to arrive just at the right time to see Mike take the ball from the hole and celebrate with a few choice words.

“The day was a great success and Mike’s hole in one just put the cherry on the icing of the cake.”

Mike, a 7 handicapper, is a long standing member at South Winchester together with his wife Ronnaugh.