Scarborough duo Shaun Smith and Simon Deaves fought off a strong challenge from the Auld enemy to claim a dramatic victory at the Home of Golf and win the 2007 International Pairs World Final.

In a thrilling finale to the event – the largest of its kind in the world for club golfers - Smith and Deaves, from Scarborough South Cliff Golf Club, beat the Scotland’s Richard Oliver and Justin Aitchison at the second play-off hole to be crowned world champions at Fairmont St Andrews.
Smith earned his team’s place in the three-way play-off, which also featured Ireland, with a birdie at the final hole and held his nerve to sink a three-foot putt in extra time to finally defeat their rivals from Eyemouth.

“It’s an amazing feeling and doesn’t get much better than this,” said Smith, who plays off a handicap of one.

“It was hard work but we got there in the end. I thought we’d left it too late and needed to hole my eagle putt at the last to get into the play-off but the birdie was good enough in the end.”
Five-handicapper Deaves added: “Winning is everything. We came here to have fun but also to win and that’s what we’ve done.

“But I feel sorry for the Scottish guys. They played some great golf and had their chances to win as well.”

Competitors from 22 countries including China, South Africa, Nigeria, Thailand and Iceland gathered at Fairmont from July 1-4 to take part in the 36-hole competition’s fourth world final – which is backed by VisitScotland.

Irish pair Seamus Doherty and Mark Doyle looked set to battle it for the major honours with Oliver and Aitchison after both teams had finished level on 81 Stableford points on Fairmont’s Devlin and Torrance courses.

But Smith had other ideas as he struck an impressive 240-yard five wood to 25 feet from the pin at the 553-yard par-five 18th before getting down in two putts.

The Irish were eliminated at the first hurdle in extra time when they failed to par the final hole again and Smith and Deaves were crowned the fourth International Pairs world champions when the Scots suffered a similar fate 20 minutes later.

But Aitchison, who plays off a handicap of four, was left to reflect on missing a six-foot birdie putt at the first play-off hole that would have clinched a famous victory for the Scots on home soil.

He said: “I’m absolutely gutted. It was the only putt I missed all day but the pressure of the play-off got to me and I just pushed it.”

Five-handicapper Oliver added: “We’re devastated but the English were great competitors and proved too good in the end.

“It’s been a fantastic experience and we gave it our best shot, but we probably paid for not holing enough putts on the first day.”

The global tournament, which costs just £5 to enter in the UK and features the national champions from the countries taking part, began in spectacular fashion on Sunday on St Andrews’ world-famous Old Course.

Competitors gathered by the Swilcan Bridge before being led off the historic links by the City of St Andrews Pipe Band and marching up the town to St Andrews University’s Lower College Hall for the opening ceremony.

Ross Honey, founder and managing director of International Pairs, said: “This was the most exciting final we’ve had in the competition’s history and the English were worthy winners.
“It was a tremendous climax to a tournament that continues to grow and grow with the likes of China, Nigeria and Thailand taking part for the first time.

“Many friendships have been made during the course of the event and it was fitting that we should have such a truly unforgettable final at Fairmont St Andrews, which has been the spiritual home of the International Pairs since we first held the UK final there in 2003.”

International Pairs has been backed by VisitScotland for the last five years – and the national Scottish tourist body has committed to be the tournament’s main sponsor until at least next year.

To enter the world of International Pairs, for further information or to register a club, please call 0870 0330633 or 01730 711900, or e-mail info@internationalpairs.com. Alternatively, visit the Pairs’ website at www.internationalpairs.com.

2007 International Pairs World Final

Smith/ Deaves (England) – 81 (won at second play-off hole)
Oliver/Aitchison (Scotland) – 81
Doherty/Doyle (Ireland) – 81
Johnson/White (Wales) – 79
Ruane/Smith (Ireland) – 79
Carr/Shearer (S.Africa) – 79
Bredenkamp Van Kan (South Africa) – 79
Palisoc/DeFiesta (Philippines) – 75
Crane/Miskelly (Wales) – 75
Murray/Murray (Ireland) – 74
Clayson/Clayson (England) – 74
Murphy/Wratten (Canada) – 73
Neilsen/Leknes (Norway) – 73
Mastrigt/Cheng (Benelux) – 72
Taylor/Frost (Wales) – 72
Gainer/Lemp (USA) – 70
Ayleat/Dennis (Israel) – 69
Schaffer/Hagens (Benelux) – 69
Santos/Baptista (Portugal) – 68
Bjornhaug/Olsen (Norway) – 68
Harks/Ronde (Benelux) – 68
Hui/Dan (China) – 66
Apichattanapath/Sakwit (Thailand) – 66
Thorkelsdottir/Palsdottir (Iceland) – 66
Olukoya/Venter (Nigeria) – 62
Spitalny/Collins (USA) – 55
Chao/Wen (China) – 41
Supaporn/Tiyatcharaphong - 11

Information for media: Issued by the International Pairs press office. For more details, please contact Andy Tremlett on 07775 842716 or Pete Simm on 07747 012539, or e-mail ip.media@internationalpairs.com