Over 500 children faced the judges this weekend, as golfs first X-Factor
style auditions kicked off in spectacular fashion at Playgolf Manchester.
And with their families looking on the Tiger Hunt auditionees didnt
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, Tiger 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.
Tiger Hunt is an initiative to unearth a single 7-14 year old in the North
West who has what it takes to succeed in golfs professional ranks.
The winning child will receive a years free golf lessons, a new set of golf
clubs and golf clothing, plus a years 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.
Tiger Hunt judge Peter McEvoy will be monitoring the winning young
golfers 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. Im very
excited about the future of Tiger 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 Tiger 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
werent 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 Wests #1 place to improve
your golf. We are all going into the autumn on a real high.
From the weekends 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, Playgolfs 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 Tiger Hunt Grand Final in November 2008, again
at Playgolf Manchester.
http://www.ingolfwetrust.com/
Duration : 0:0:53
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Over 500 children faced the judges this weekend, as golfs first X-Factor