International Pairs Open Qualifiers to include knockout rounds

To coincide with its tenth anniversary, International Pairs has devised an exciting new way to enter the world’s largest tournament for club golfers - by launching its very own knockout competition.

The 2008 International Pairs Open Qualifier will be played over a series of four knockout rounds in regions throughout the UK between June and September and is open to all club golfers with a valid CONGU affiliated handicap.

The winners from the regional qualifiers will then go forward to play in the 2008 International Pairs UK semi-finals in Scotland in October with a place in the UK grand final at Open Championship venue Carnoustie up for grabs.

Ross Honey, managing director of International Pairs, said: “International Pairs has achieved phenomenal success during the last ten years and we want to make the competition available to as many people as possible.

“While the number of clubs participating is growing all the time, it became clear to us that there were still golfers wanting to take part that couldn’t, because their clubs could not satisfy the necessary criteria or they missed out on qualification at their club.

“Knockout is one of the most exciting formats of all in golf and we’re thrilled to offer a new way to get involved in International Pairs.”

Working in tandem with the normal International Pairs competition, the new tournament costs just £30 per pair to enter with each match played using a knockout betterball Stableford format over 18 holes, with the first round starting at the beginning of June.

But unlike the regular format where teams must enter from the same club, competitors will be free to team up with friends who play at a different course to form their partnerships.

Closing date for entries is May 25 and the draw will be made shortly afterwards on a regional basis to minimise travelling for competitors.

Each round must be completed by the end of the calendar month and the winning teams will then travel to Scotland to join qualifiers from the regular International Pairs events in a series of semi-finals on October 13.

And those lucky enough to reach the UK final will then travel straight to Carnoustie and be treated to two nights’ complimentary accommodation, a champagne welcome reception and gala dinner as well as rounds on the Burnside and the legendary Championship Course.

Honey, who founded the competition in 1998, added: “There are around 1.5 million registered golfers in the UK and we really wanted to design a qualification format that gives everyone a chance to enter.

“International Pairs has always been a tournament open to everyone and we want that philosophy to continue in the years to come as the brand grows.”

Dawlish Warren duo Deen Graves and Martyn Ashcroft made history last year when they followed up their success in 2001 by winning the UK title for the second time.

Graves and Ashcroft’s reward for winning on Carnoustie’s historic links will be to join competitors from around 30 countries at the 2008 International Pairs world final - which is being held at the Duke’s Course, St Andrews.

After a momentous 2007 which saw the English and South African Golf Unions and the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) officially endorse International Pairs, teams from countries including America, China, Australia, Sweden and Nigeria are all set to compete at the event from September 21-23.

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

To find out more details about the 2008 International Pairs Open Qualifier, or to register a club, please call 01489 878509, or e-mail info@internationalpairs.com. Alternatively, visit the Pairs’ website at www.internationalpairs.com.