The rapidly-spreading global reputation of the International Pairs golf tournament has taken another significant step forward – with the appointment of an inaugural licence holder in Portugal.
VIQ Golf, an event organiser based in north Portugal, has taken on the national licence and will oversee and monitor the growth of the International Pairs in the country. The licence holder is Jose Manuel Cordeiro, a 45-year-old from Porto.
Portugal has long been a key player in the European golfing market, with its sublime golf courses and convivial climate, and the introduction of another new licensee represents a significant boost for the International Pairs, which is run in association with VisitScotland and already encompasses more than 25 countries across Europe.
Cees Chevalier, who was appointed the master licence holder for the International Pairs in Europe earlier this year to oversee the competition’s progress on the Continent, was delighted with the Portuguese signing. The 45-year-old from Maarn, Holland, said, “Portugal has always been a popular destination for visiting golfers but the number of domestic players there has always been relatively low.
“That is now changing and the appointment of new licence holder Jose Manuel Cordeiro means the potential for International Pairs in Portugal has grown significantly, and we expect involvement from 3,000 to 4,000 players every year.”
Six qualifying events will take place in Portugal this year, culminating in a national final at Campo Real on 24th June from which the winning pair will take their place in the 2007 International Pairs world final at Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland.
The 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 2008.
International Pairs www.internationalpairs.com