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 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: "I am in no doubt that this is the very best way to unlock junior golf talent in this country.

"Searching for a golf star in this way has proved to be exciting, innovative and enjoyable for everyone 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 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 very accomplished players. 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 from open auditions of more than 550 youngsters, with 66 talented young golfers progressing 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."

Full list of Talent Hunt finalists and contact details:

Phone number Parent/guardian Finalist
07931 756248 Purves Ali Harris Ali (Accrington)
07985 377990 Ian Hall Joseph Hall (Oldham)
07887 788012 Peter Bannan Joseph Bannan (Rochdale)
07899 823960 David Parkin Lewis Parkin (Wigan)
07813 021544 Laura McColgan Hannah McColgan (Stockport)
07515 718280 Gary Kempster James Kempster (Stockport)
07968 801882 Caroline Mellor Jack Mellor (Sale)
07850 885852 Andrew Fenton Miles Fenton (Macc'field)
07775 781533 Lee Stanley Katie Jane Stanley*
07787 565713 Joy Turner Jefferson Turner (Ashton-u-Lyne)
07887 710626 Gill Nono Joe Nono (Altrincham)
07936 607843 Mandy Williams Jake Williams*
07782 802758 Denise Monaghan Danielle Monaghan (Wigan)

* Denotes winner.

About Playgolf Manchester:
Playgolf Manchester is the North West's favourite golf facility, with unbeatable golf teaching and golf practice packages for golfers of all standards. It is a key part of Playgolf's mission to provide advanced public sports facilities throughout the UK. Its spectacular design has made it a local landmark loved and used by tens of thousands of golfers in the North West every year.

The Playgolf Academy at Playgolf Manchester is one of the UK's largest golf teaching centres, coaching over 1,000 pupils every month. Its luxury golf driving range has 64 golf driving bays, and 4 state-of-the-art video teaching studios. There is also a relaxing café bar there, plus meeting facilities and an american golf superstore, selling all the latest golf equipment. Playgolf Manchester is located at junction 10 of the M60, right across the road from the shops at The Trafford Centre.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Andy Hiseman, Hiseman Partners | 01780 757461 | info@hiseman.com

PLAYGOLF MANCHESTER CONTACT:
Craig Whitfield, Playgolf Manchester | 0161 749 7000 | craigwhitfield@playgolfworld.com