By Andy Hiseman, Hiseman Partners 

500 golf-mad kids face the judges in ‘Talent Hunt’ auditions at Playgolf Manchester

Over 500 children faced the judges this weekend, as golf’s first X-Factor style auditions kicked off in spectacular fashion at Playgolf Manchester.

And with their families looking on the ‘Talent Hunt’ auditionees didn’t disappoint, as 66 golf-mad youngsters aged 7-14 made it through to Boot Camp, the next stage in the competition.

Just as in the TV talent show ‘X-Factor’, ‘Talent Hunt’ hopefuls went through a nerve-wracking audition in front of four judges – hitting three golf balls instead of singing a song.

The judges were: former international footballer and TV pundit Les Ferdinand; Setanta Sports presenter, Charlotte Jackson; Chairman of Selectors for GB&I junior golf Peter McEvoy OBE; and Playgolf Manchester General Manager, Craig Whitfield.

“It was an emotional weekend,” said celebrity judge Les Ferdinand. “You could see how much it meant to the kids, they were incredibly brave to stand up there and hit three shots in front of the judges. Rather them than me! Every one of them deserved a medal, and we think we have found some brilliant golfing talents among the 66 Boot Camp qualifiers.”

The event – believed to be the biggest-ever ‘golf audition’ to be held in the UK – took place at the Playgolf Manchester golf complex on September 27-28.

‘Talent Hunt’ is an initiative to unearth a single 7-14 year old in the North West who has what it takes to succeed in golf’s professional ranks.

The winning child will receive a year’s free golf lessons, a new set of golf clubs and golf clothing, plus a year’s free membership at a local golf club.

Celebrity judge Charlotte Jackson said: “I have so much respect for every single boy and girl that stood up and hit golf balls in front of us. Having faced a few auditions myself, I can tell you that what they did took huge courage! The weekend flew by, and there were some real stand-out characters among the 500 children. It was one of the best golf events I think I have ever seen.”

‘Talent Hunt’ judge Peter McEvoy will be monitoring the winning young golfer’s progress during 2009, in case he or she shows the potential to break through onto the world stage.

“This weekend was the single most thrilling demonstration of junior golf that I have seen in over forty years in the game,” said McEvoy. “I think we have hit upon something quite amazing here. In just three swings of a golf club, under pressure, you could see the raw talent instantly. I’m very excited about the future of ‘Talent Hunt’, it is something which we plan to develop much, much further over the next few years.”

Including families, over 1,500 people attended the ‘Talent Hunt’event. “This was a monumentally successful weekend for Playgolf Manchester,” said general manager Craig Whitfield. “Literally hundreds of families visited us for the first time, and although we could only put a fraction of the kids through to ‘Boot Camp’, every one of the auditionees took away a goody bag, and there weren’t too many tears.

“We were originally looking for just 40 ‘Boot Camp’ qualifiers, but so many amazing young golfers turned up that we ended up putting far more through. ‘Boot Camp’ will be a special month: we have 7 and 8 year old boys and girls in there who had never held a golf club before this weekend, right through to low-handicap 14 year olds who have a real chance of becoming Tour pros within a few years.

“Our golf pros and the rest of the team here at Playgolf Manchester worked their fingers to the bone to keep our customers happy, and I think we have proven once and for all that we are the North West’s #1 place to improve your golf. We are all going into the autumn on a real high.”

From the weekend’s open auditions, 66 talented young golfers progressed to ‘Boot Camp’ – four weeks of intensive tuition at the Playgolf Academy, based at Playgolf Manchester, taking place on the weekends of October 11/12, 18/19, 25/26 and November 01/02.

At ‘Boot Camp’, Playgolf’s coaches are looking for the 12 youngsters who show the most determination, strength of character and golfing ability. The 12 will then compete in the ’Talent Hunt’ Grand Final in November 2008, again at Playgolf Manchester.

Company Contact: Craig Whitfield, Playgolf Manchester
Tel: +44 (0)161 749 7000, Email: craigwhitfield@playgolfworld.com
   
Media Contact: Andy Hiseman, Hiseman Partners
Tel: +44 (0)1780 757537, Email: info@hiseman.com

By Pete Richardson, Azalea 

Golfers will be able to experience the same treatment as Ryder Cup stars Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia at the NEC Golf Show.

Both players represent TaylorMade and the manufacturer will be bringing its tour truck to Birmingham’s golfing extravaganza in November.

TaylorMade purchased the 18-metre behemoth only this year and visitors to the show will be able to take advantage of its state-of-the-art custom-fitting facilities.

And the truck is likely to be visited by a host of famous faces as the brand’s ambassadors are expected to be well represented at the show with a mixture of professional golfers and celebrities.

The brand will also have four bays on the show’s indoor driving range – where golfers can have their requirements analysed before getting custom fitted – and will be showcasing its latest Burner 09 and R7 limited drivers.

Michael Stoker, TaylorMade’s trade marketing executive, said: “It’s great for us to be at the show this year. It will be a good opportunity for us to get to know our customers and we’ll be offering our tour expertise to show people exactly what we’re capable of as a brand.

“We’re also hoping to bring some of our ambassadors. It’s too early to say who will be coming but hopefully some players and famous faces will be joining us.”

Andy Barwell, managing director of the Golf Show Group, said: “It’s fantastic TaylorMade has signed up to the show and will have such a strong presence.

“Getting clubs in people’s hands is one of our main aims and this is the first of many big brands that visitors will be able to try out at the show.”

The NEC Golf Show runs from November 21-23 and offers the entire golfing spectrum under one roof.

A purpose-built american golf store, massive indoor driving range, numerous golf simulators and the 100ft putt are just some of the show’s main attractions and there are great prizes to be won.

In addition, hundreds of exhibitors will be showcasing cutting-edge golf equipment, from big brands offering custom fitting on their latest products, to one-man bands with the newest golfing gadgets.

Visitors can also sample the latest fairway fashions and hottest golfing destinations and a host of interactive features including the brand new Putt Black where golf meets snooker.

 For more information or to buy tickets go to www.golfshownec.com or call 0844 581 0801

Information for journalists.
Release written by Azalea Media – part of The Azalea Group.

For more information or pictures from the NEC Golf Show, please contact Lee Todd on 08700 330550, or email lee@theazaleagroup.com.

By Pete Richardson, Azalea

ENJOY THE RYDER CUP IN STYLE 

Golf fanatics who can’t make it to Kentucky can still enjoy the Ryder Cup in style thanks to Your Golf Travel.com.

The specialist golf break company has put together a range of Ryder Cup Sunday packages at more than 20 golf venues across the UK, giving golfers the perfect way to experience golf’s biggest competition.

Guests will play golf on the Sunday before assembling in a dedicated area where they can watch the climax of the Ryder Cup and even try to recreate the defining moments during a second round the following morning.

Packages start from just £75 and include two rounds of golf, one night’s accommodation with dinner and access to the private room with big screens showing the Ryder Cup until the early hours of Monday morning.

The initiative has already proved popular with golfers and more than 800 signed up in an initial rush but limited places are still available.

Euan Gillon, product manager at Your Golf Travel.com, said: “No other event on the golfing calendar inspires such passion and excitement as the Ryder Cup, and we are delighted to offer our customers the chance to make it a truly special weekend.”

To book your own Ryder Cup Sunday experience, call 0800 043 6644 or visit www.yourgolftravel.com/tournament-sundays.html.

Issued by The Azaela Group. For more information contact Sean Noble 08700 330 550.

By Pete Richardson

MATCHPLAY REGIONAL VENUES ANNOUNCED 

The venues for the regional finals of the prestigious 2008/09 Matchplay Championship have been announced.

After winning through a series of local knockout rounds, the regional finalists will compete at one of two venues.

The southern final will be held at Marriott St Pierre, Chepstow on 30th March 2009. The Monmouthshire course is set in stunning surroundings and the fairways weave around some of the oldest trees in Europe. The venue has hosted prestigious tournaments over the years including the PGA Welsh Masters, the Solheim Cup and the Dunlop Masters.

The northern final will take place on 14th April 2009 at Marriott Hollins Hall in Bradford. The challenging parkland course is a regular venue on the PGA EuroPro Tour and boasts former Ryder cup player Gordon Brand Jnr as a Club Professional.

Following the regional finals, 32 golfers – men’s pairs and mixed pairs – will qualify for a week-long expenses-paid trip to Egypt for the grand final. Entry to the competition costs just £20 per golfer.

This year has seen a dramatic increase in the number of entrants with the number of golfers taking part up to 2338 from 1660, a rise of more than 40%.

Golfers can keep up with the progress of the championship at john.woosey@thejrwgroup.co.uk

ENDS

Issued by the Azalea Group on behalf of The Matchplay Championship.

For more information contact:

David Connor on 01730 711 920 or email david.connor@theazaleagroup.com or Steve Bailey on 01730 711 927 or email steve.bailey@theazaleagroup.com

By Pete Richardson, Azalea 

Intelligent golf marketing specialist Azalea has announced a number of high-profile additions to its burgeoning portfolio of clients.

Among those signed by Azalea in the past quarter are exclusive French resort Les Bordes, major Spanish operator Aymerich Golf, Rewards4Golf and, most recently, Swan Golf Design, Your Golf Travel and the breathtaking Legends Resort in South Africa. The company has also been employed on a special project basis by the Algarve Promotion Bureau and the European Golf Business Conference 2008.

Pete Richardson, managing director of Azalea said: “It’s extremely gratifying that the hard work of all the staff is being recognised across the golf industry. During hard economic times such as these the value of good relationships is paramount to business success and we continue to forge great affiliations across our industry.

“The most pleasing aspect is that Azalea continues to grow into new markets and help drive tangible revenues. One of our clients has taken bookings worth in excess of £50,000 as a direct result of our activities in just four months.”

With an existing stable of clients which includes the Golf Show Group, The Leaderboard Group and Golf Son Gual, these new business developments underline Azalea’s position as a market leader in providing effective PR, communications and marketing solutions right across the golf industry.

Richardson added: “We are determined to continue driving golfers to the projects we are involved in and this will continue as we expand our horizons into the rest of Europe, Asia and Africa.

“We’ve got the right team, with the right skills sets, and we deliver a quality public relations and marketing service which drives genuine business growth for our clients and long may that continue.”

For more information, visit www.theazaleagroup.com or contact sean@theazaleagroup.com

ENDS