Bonnybridge pair fly flag for Scotland
in International Pairs World Final

PRESS RELEASE
While the top golfers from Europe and America do battle for the Ryder Cup this weekend, amateurs from across the globe will have a different contest on their minds as they converge on St Andrews to take part in the 2008 International Pairs World Final.
Players from 30 countries will gather at the Home of Golf to take part in the competition - the largest of its kind for club golfers in the world which is run in association with VisitScotland.
This year’s final, the fifth time the event has been held, is being staged at The Duke’s, St Andrews, from September 21-23 and is set to be the biggest yet as the tournament's influence continues to spread throughout the world.
Competitors will parade across the historic links of the Old Course to St Andrews Town Hall as part of a spectacular opening ceremony involving schoolchildren from across Fife, before the winners of the 36-hole event are crowned at a glittering Champions' Dinner at the Old Course Hotel two days later.
Ross Honey, founder and chairman of International Pairs, said: “There can be few finer settings for a world final than the Home of Golf itself and we’re looking forward to a fantastic few days’ competition.
“The historic old town will provide a tremendous backdrop to some wonderful golf, entertainment and friendships being made, while the presence of the local children of Fife will help make the opening ceremony truly memorable.
“We felt it was important to involve the schools during the world final as we believe the youth of today are the key to the future of the wonderful game of golf. The game teaches honesty, integrity and friendship and these are all important elements in the brand of International Pairs.”
This month’s final will include players from America, South Africa, Nigeria, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Iceland, while pairs from Spain, Australia, Sweden and the Caribbean will all be making their debuts.
Competitors will gather near the Swilcan Bridge for a photoshoot (at 6.00 pm on Sunday Sept 21) before being led from the Old Course and up to the Town Hall by the City of St Andrews Pipe Band.
They will be joined in the parade by children from selected schools in Fife, who have won International Pairs poster, badge, letter writing and putting competitions throughout the year, before Provost of Fife Councillor Frances Melville presents them at a prize-giving ceremony and officially opens the event.
Kate Hughes, St Andrews locality manager from Fife Council, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome back this wonderful event to Fife after it was held at Fairmont St Andrews so successfully last year.
“St Andrews is a wonderful town that has so much to offer to everyone, not just golfers, and we hope the players take the chance to return to Fife in the years to come.”
Scottish champions John Maxwell and Stephen Brown, from Bonnybridge Golf Club near Falkirk, will fly the home nation’s flag and will be hoping to go one better than last year’s Scottish representatives, Richard Oliver and Justin Aitchison, who lost out to English pair Shaun Smith and Simon Deaves in a nail-biting play-off.
And the 40 pairs are certain to receive a tough examination of their golfing skills at The Duke’s, which has undergone a extensive series of changes over the last two years and staged the Scottish Amateur Championships in May.
Measuring 7,500 yards off the back tees, the majority of the bunkers have been remodelled while the addition of new tees, heather, gorse and trees and the re-design of the closing stretch of holes makes the heathland championship layout one of the ‘must play‘ courses.
Honey added: “The Duke’s will represent a fantastic challenge and test for world finalists.
“With the changes that have been made, it is one of the finest courses of its kind anywhere in the world and whoever comes out on top will be worthy winners.”
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 the end of this year.
To find out more details about International Pairs or to register a club, please call 01489 878509, or e-mail info@internationalpairs.com. Alternatively, visit the Pairs’ website at www.internationalpairs.com.

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