By Andy Hiseman, Hiseman Partners

SKYCADDIE WELCOMES EGU RANGEFINDER DECISION

SkyCaddie, the number one rangefinder in golf, has welcomed the decision by the English Golf Union to allow distance measuring devices to be used in all its championships in 2009.

The move, which was agreed by the EGU’s board of directors following the recommendation of the Championship Committee at its recent meeting at Woodhall Spa, follows a decision earlier in 2008 by the PGA to allow the use rangefinders at its championships.

Jackie Hitchcock, UK managing director of SkyCaddie, said: “This is great news. The EGU should be applauded for accepting that distance measuring devices are now part and parcel of a golfer’s equipment and only add to the enjoyment of the game.

“Increasing numbers of golfers use SkyCaddie to give them precise distance information and this decision gives golfers at the very top of the amateur game access to technology that can only help them improve.”

Only DMDs that calculate distance will be permitted in the EGU championships. Those providing other information such as wind speed, temperature and elevation, will not be allowed. Any player found using such a DMD will be in breach of Rule 14-3 for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.

EGU officials have contacted the R&A and the other Home Unions to inform them of the move and the change is being written into the conditions of each of next year’s events.

SkyCaddie – the official rangefinder of the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland – is the ultimate golf rangefinder. The IntelliGreen technology enables golfers to measure the full depth and shape of the green from any angle of approach (even the wrong fairway!) and shows distances for all targets and hazards.

And with 95% of courses in England, Scotland and Wales now mapped – along with thousands of other courses worldwide – demand in the UK for the innovative hand-held units has been soaring. SkyCaddie GPS rangefinders appeal to golfers on two levels – playing better, and playing faster!

They give instant and accurate information via satellite, which includes exact yardages to the front of hazards and to carry them, and precise distances to the green.

The yardages have been physically measured on foot by SkyCaddie’s UK team of ‘course mappers’. So unlike other rangefinders, who used outdated aerial photography, the on-course detail has been verified by golfers, for golfers. This really is like having a Tour caddy on your shoulder.

SkyCaddie conforms to USGA/R&A rulings and golfers are able to download the courses they want to play via a range of annual SkyPlayer Membership schemes.

For more information golfers can call SkyCaddie on 0870 112 0513 or visit the web site: www.skycaddiegps.co.uk
  
     
Company Contact: Jackie Hitchcock, SkyCaddie
Tel: +44 (0)1865 876469, Email: jackie@skycaddiegps.co.uk
Web: www.skycaddiegps.co.uk

  
     
Media Contact: Andy Hiseman, Hiseman Partners
Tel: +44 (0)1780 757461, Email: media@hiseman.com
 

By Andy Hiseman, Hiseman Partners 

GOLF’S X FACTOR-STYLE ‘TALENT HUNT’ PICKS WINNERS: KATIE-JANE & JAKE ARE GOLF STARS OF THE FUTURE

A nine-year old girl from Oldham and a 12-year-old boy from Lymm, Cheshire, have won the world’s first ever X Factor-style search for young golf stars.

Katie-Jane Stanley and Jake Williams wowed a panel of celebrity judges at the Playgolf Manchester complex as 13 youngsters competed in the grand final of ‘Talent Hunt’ – a competition which had scoured the North West for the most promising natural golf talent in the region.

Just as in the TV talent show ‘X Factor’, the finalists went through a nerve-wracking audition in front of judges, hitting golf balls and explaining what they’d learned during four weeks of intensive ‘boot camp’ golf training with the Professional instructors at Playgolf Manchester.

Judges including Setanta Sports TV presenter, Charlotte Jackson; Chairman of Selectors for GB&I junior golf Peter McEvoy OBE; Playgolf Manchester General Manager, Craig Whitfield; and event organiser, Andy Hiseman, then had the difficult job of picking two winners – finally opting for St Mary’s RC School, Failsworth, pupil, Katie-Jane and Lymm High school pupil, Jake.

The winners each received a year’s scholarship to Playgolf Manchester awarded under R&A amateur status guidelines, plus the opportunity to play regularly at local golf clubs.

Said Andy Hiseman: “It was a stunning event. We have proved that this is a magical formula to unlock junior golf talent, wherever you are in the world.

“Searching for a golf star in this way has proved to be an innovative and highly emotional experience for all concerned. Competitions like X Factor, Pop Idol and Britain’s Got Talent are ingrained in modern society and ‘Talent Hunt’ has proved to be a great way to make golf contemporary with young people.”

Playgolf Manchester, the North West’s favourite golf facility, played host to ‘Talent Hunt’ from initial auditions right through to the final. General Manager Craig Whitfield said: “’Talent Hunt’ has been an incredible success and we’re delighted for the two winners.

“Katie-Jane and Jake not only showed great ball-striking ability, they also had to demonstrate character and ambition. Both youngsters have fantastic potential and we’ll now be working to unlock that promise and see how far they can go in the game.”

Head judge Peter McEvoy, OBE, who has enormous experience of the junior game through his work with GB & I and his patronage of the Peter McEvoy Trophy, said: “I was hugely impressed with all of the finalists – but Katie-Jane and Jake each had a spark about them which convinced us that they could develop into potential world-beaters. They certainly have the talent.

“This initiative was all about spotting raw golf talent at an early age and giving it the opportunity and resources to blossom. ‘Talent Hunt’ at Playgolf Manchester has certainly proved that this can be done in a very entertaining and dynamic way.”

McEvoy will be monitoring the winning young golfers’ progress during 2009, to see if they show the potential to break through onto the international stage.

‘Talent Hunt’ began with open auditions when more than 550 youngsters faced the judges in September. 66 talented young golfers progressed to ‘Boot Camp’ – four weeks of intensive tuition at the Playgolf Academy, based at Playgolf Manchester, during October and early November.

A delighted Jake Williams said afterwards: “I’m ecstatic. I used to play squash but I swapped it for golf a year ago. I’ve never won anything like this before, it’s amazing.”

Meanwhile, Katie-Jane added: “I’m really pleased. I was the third person to be interviewed right at the start of the competition and I got through to the end. It’s brilliant.”
  
     
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

Claire Burns, Hiseman Partners
Tel: +44 (0)7738 207133, Email: info@hiseman.com