Now in its fifth year, Golf Factor, the junior golf talent search, has gone from strength to strength and 2013 has seen a record number of participants across three different regions; East Anglia, Midlands and Yorkshire.
The brainchild of Class AA PGA Professional John Andrew, Golf Factor is a competition with the goal of identifying talented youngsters in the region and helping them become the best they can be in the sport.
With support up for grabs for the winners in each region, including elite equipment from Direct Golf UK, coaching from the expert staff at the John Letters Golf Academy and personal development at the highest level form the likes of renowned sports psychologist Karl Morris, the events, which are held at each of John Letters Golf Academies, attract interest far and wide.
The free-to-enter competition is open to all junior golfers aged 6-16 irrespective of their level of playing experience: beginner, improver or advanced player.
Players must hit a variety of shots in front of a panel of expert judges who score the candidates performance. Successful applicants progress through to a “boot camp” which is a more intensive set of skills tests and the final is played on a golf course.
Midlands
The Midlands bootcamp and final took place on 6th and 7th July and was judged by PGA Professionals Jamie Cundy and Andi Boulton while Mark James looked after the juniors who took part in Future Stars.
The final was held at Fulford Heath Golf Club over 9 holes and the eventual winner was 11-year-old Harry Hart from Robin Hood Golf Club. Jamie Cundy, Academy Director, said: “There was some fantastic golf played and some real quality golf swings. The event was a great success and all that entered had a great time.”
Yorkshire
Put through their paces by PGA professional and academy director Neil Reeves and PGA professional and junior coordinator Lee Shepherd,a record number of 6-16 year olds took part in Golf Factor in at the Stadium Driving Range Huddersfield.
After a boot camp skills test on putting, chipping, pitching, iron play and woods a final 12 were picked to play in the grand final at Elland golf club in Yorkshire. The final was played over nine holes and the combined scores of the boot camp test and the stableford score on the course resulted in 13-year-old Jacob Orley winning the title. In second place was 11-year-old Joel Rushworth and in third place was 13-year-old Joe Foster, son of European Tour caddie Billy.
East Anglia
A record number of junior golfers played a variety of different shots in front of a panel of 3 judges headed by Darren Scholes, Academy Director at The John Letters Golf Academy in Cambridge.
East Anglia’s Bootcamp and Final took place on the 4th August and were played at both JLGA Cambridge and Brampton Park GC. The winner of the final was Zach Peters, aged 9 years, from Cranfield in Bedfordshire.
“There were some awesome swings and talent on show. Everyone had a great time and the juniors are already looking forward to next year,” said Darren.
For further information on Golf Factor please visit at www.johnletters.com or email golffactor@johnletters.com