Following the success of its first-ever knockout event this summer, the world’s largest competition of its kind for club golfers is giving players an early chance to qualify for the final stages of the 2009 International Pairs tournament.
Played over a series of four knockout rounds in regions throughout the UK between November and February next year, the event is open to all club golfers with a valid CONGU affiliated handicap and will help players in their quest to keep their games sharp for the start of next season.
Like the Summer Matchplay, the new tournament works in tandem with the normal International Pairs competition and costs £30 per pair to enter, with each match played using a knockout matchplay format over 18 holes and the first round starting at the beginning of November.
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 26th October 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 move forward to the 2009 finals – with the chance to progress to represent club and country against pairs from across the globe in the 2009 International Pairs World Final.
International Pairs will stage its fifth world final at The Duke’s, St Andrews, from 21-23 September when competitors from 30 countries including America, South Africa, Malaysia, Iceland, Ireland and Nigeria will battle for the chance to become 2008 world champion.
The event, which has been backed by Visit Scotland for the last six years, is poised to get even bigger as it is set to expand into 52 countries.
Australia, Sweden, Russia and the Caribbean have all joined International Pairs this year while it has also signed agreements with the English Golf Union and International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) in the last 12 months.
International Pairs www.internationalpairs.com