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
 

By Andy Hiseman, Hiseman Partners

Online Teetimes bookings 140% up in third quarter 2008

Booking tee times is the UK’s fastest-growing online golf activity, according to new figures released today by Online Teetimes Ltd (OTL).

The worldwide traffic ranking for the company’s internet booking engine – which powers several of the leading green fee websites in the UK – has increased by 58% in the last three months.

The success is partly due to a 106% rise in the number of golfers making online tee time bookings in the same period. OTL also reports that the number of rounds booked online in the third quarter of this year has increased by 140% compared to May-June 2008.

Paul Heeney, MD of Online Teetimes Ltd, said: “The rapid growth in bookers and bookings demonstrates that golfers are enjoying the ease with which they can now buy a green fee online.

“This growth is itself creating a clear demand for us to deliver a greater choice of clubs and tee times. This is why we have a target of bringing 100 new clubs online this winter to sit alongside the 260 clubs we currently work with.

“Online tee time booking is on a very steep upwards curve and there has never been a better time for clubs to benefit from this.

“We have always maintained that the two compelling reasons for a golfer to go online will be to buy equipment and book a game.”

OTL’s booking engine powers its own consumer website – TeeTimes.co.uk – and also partner sites such as Direct-teetimes.co.uk, golfbidderteetimes.co.uk and the tee times service on many other sites including Golfmagic.com and Golfalot.com.

Increasing numbers of clubs now see the online tee time market as a more effective marketing option than 2for1 style voucher schemes, and are attracted by the simplicity of the administration and the pricing flexibility it allows.

To assess golfers’ online activity, OTL used Alexa.com traffic rankings to compare 14 of the UK’s leading golf websites.

OTL’s traffic rankings went up by 58% in the last three months. Traffic rankings in the online golf retail market continue to grow, but at a much slower rate of 11% and 21% for two of the UK’s best-known online golf retailers. The websites for the UK’s most popular golf magazines were also up, but only by 12% and 33%.

A key strategy for OTL is to help golf clubs capitalise on this rapid rise by putting more of their tee times in front of an ever-growing customer-base and the company is set to open up another four new distribution channels this winter.

To learn more about OTL’s growing UK business, contact Pat Stanford at pat.stanford@onlineteetimes.co.uk, tel 01400 230113.
  
     
Company Contacts: PAT STANFORD, Online Teetimes Ltd
Tel: 01400 230113, Email: pat.stanford@onlineteetimes.co.uk
  
     
Media Contact: ANDY HISEMAN, Hiseman Limited
Tel: 07795 360112
Email: andy@hiseman.com
 

By Andy Hiseman, Hiseman Partners 

#1 GPS rangefinder adds extras worth £70 including Marriott green fee

SkyCaddie – the No.1 rangefinder in golf – has released a special 2008 Christmas Gift Pack which includes the top-of-the-range SkyCaddie SG5 and added extras worth at least £70.

In the Gift Pack, the best-selling, colour screen SG5 comes bundled with a voucher for a free green fee at nine selected Marriott golf courses in the UK, plus a free SkyCaddie Travel Case and travel pack worth £24.95, and an LCD Screen Guard worth £6.95.

The SkyCaddie Christmas 2008 Gift Pack enables golfers to protect the most sought-after handheld GPS device in golf on its travels. With an RRP of £299 and available in limited-edition packaging, the Gift Pack is the perfect Christmas present for all golfers.

The Marriott Golf Hotel & Country Clubs in the promotion, including Dalmahoy, the Forest Of Arden, St. Pierre, Hollins Hall, Sprowston Manor, Tudor Park, Worsley Park, Breadsall Priory and Meon Valley, have all been measured by SkyCaddie’s course mappers. In the SkyCaddie Gift Pack, golfers get a free green fee voucher valid until 31st March 2009.

The SkyCaddie SG5 – the official rangefinder of the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland – is the ultimate golf rangefinder. Golfers get a 220 x 176 resolution colour screen, automatic backlighting, 14-hours of rechargeable battery life, a mini-USB port, four-way scroll pad and a water-resistant body.

The colour screen really brings the golf course to life and this, combined with SkyCaddie’s IntelliGreen function, gives the golfer unbeatable information about what shot to play next wherever they are on the course.

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.

The new SkyCaddie SG5 GPS rangefinder appeals to golfers on two levels – playing better, and playing faster!

It gives 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.

The SkyCaddie SG5 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 

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

By Pete Richardson, Azalea 

STEWART GOLF TARGETS USA

Stewart Golf, the award-winning electric trolley manufacturer, has officially launched its super-stylish X3R in the States.

The X3R success in Canada has led the UK-based company to take the trolley into the American market.

The company has recognised the US market as a core target area where discerning golfers are eager to see the luxury, powered trolley and employed father-and-son golf-marketing specialists Daniel and Joshua Sellers to promote the X3R to the market.

Daniel Sellers, founder of Golf Sellers Direct, said: “The American golf market for motorized golf trolleys is still in its infancy, we feel that this is a particularly good market for Stewart Golf to target as they provide the highest quality and most innovative line of products.“We are confident that the X3R will be well received into the American market due its innovative design and visually appealing looks, which will make it hard to ignore.

“We are excited and honored that Stewart Golf has chosen to put their trust in Golf Sellers Direct, and allow us to represent their products in the US.”

The X3R has been so well received in the UK the company has developed a second model, the F1 Lithium. This new model has already exceeded its first year’s sales predictions in the UK, and will be introduced to American and Japanese audiences at the start of 2009.

Mark Stewart, managing director of Stewart Golf, said: “The reaction the X3R received in Europe and Canada has been amazing and far exceeded our expectations.

“Because of this success we have decide to introduce the X3R into the US, and we intend to introduce the F1 Lithium to the rest of the world at the start of 2009.

“We are confident that Golf Sellers Direct will prove to be an excellent choice of distributors and we look forward to a long and profitable relationship.”

ENDS

Information for journalists:

• X3R prices start from £1,049. More information on the X3R can be found at www.stewartgolf.com
• F1 Lithium prices start from £2,500 and can be pre ordered by emailing sales@stewartgolf.com.
• More information on the F1 Lithium can be found at www.stewartgolf.com

Written by The Azalea Group
For more information contact Henry Alliss on 08700 330550 or email henry@theazaleagroup.com

By Pete Richardson, Azalea

The best golfers from across the South of England will be heading to Dale Hill Hotel & Golf Club this October to take part in the 56th PGA Southern Professional Championship.

This year’s plethora of professionals will be aiming to stake their place in golfing history by etching their name on the coveted trophy, alongside previous winners such as: Carl Mason, European Seniors Tour order of merit winner 2003 ad 2004; Peter Oosterhuis, six-time Ryder Cup player and former Ryder Cup Captains, Bernard Hunt and Bernard Gallagher.

First played in 1952, the PGA Southern Professional Championship is one of the oldest and most prestigious tournaments in the golfing calendar.

This year’s 54-hole professional strokeplay tournament is sponsored by the CK Group – a specialist cleaning company – and will be played over the Ian Woosnam-designed course at Dale Hill Hotel & Golf Club, part of the Leaderboard Group.

 The event is the finale of the MPI Financial Series Order of Merit and will be televised on Sportnation and Sky Sports 3, attracting professionals from across the South, all hoping to be crowned champion and take home a share of the £25,000 prize fund.

Dale Hill’s director of golf, John Tolliday, said: “We are delighted to be working with the PGA South Region to host this event.

“The decision to hold the PGA Southern Professional Championship at Dale Hill is testimony to the program of course development that has taken place since becoming part of the Leaderboard Group.

“The Ian Woosnam Course will undoubtedly provide a challenging test for all those participating.”

CK Group’s managing director, Ian Pether, said: “We are proud to be title sponsors of the 2008 PGA Southern Professional Championship and look forward to being part of a great event.

“This is a unique opportunity for us to support professional golf in the region and to introduce the CK Group to a brand new audience.”

■ A limited number of places are still available for the Pro Am on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 for more information, or to book a team contact Liam Greasley on 01483 224200 or email liam.greasley@pga.org.uk. 
 
Written by The Azalea Group
For more information contact Henry Alliss on 08700 330550 or email henry@theazaleagroup.com