The International Pairs Golf

This years Tournament was won by golfers from the South West of England, the Midlands and Scotland.

Almost 60,000 people entered this year's competition with the finals held under a blazing Irish sky at the Christy O'Connor Jnr. designed Mount Wolseley course.

Victorious in the men's category were Deen Graves and Martyn Ashcroft from Teign Valley Golf Club near Torquay. Deen, who plays off 11 and is a former professional footballer with Manchester United, Plymouth Argyll, Exeter and QPR, said it was one of the most memorable experiences of his life. He said: "Walking up the 18th with the massive crowd watching and the TV cameras from Sky focusing in on every shot was superb. "My partner Martyn was talking to his ball to calm his nerves and it seemed to work. "The whole experience has been fantastic and I can't believe we won."

The Winning Pair

The new ladies champions are Diane Brian (Hcap 9) and Jayne Freeman (Hcap 18) from Redditch GC in the Midlands. They won by five points in the betterball stableford final, which was played over two days and 36 holes. Diane said: "Just to get to the final at Mount Wolseley was an achievement, but to go on and win it is fantastic. "We are very proud for our club and look forward to defending our title next year."

Solheim Cup player Trish Johnson and Christy O'Connor Jnr. were on hand to watch the final and Trish handed over the Waterford Crystal trophies to the winners.

Mixed pair champions are John Munro (Hcap 10) and Jackie Brown (Hcap 14) from Whitemoss GC near Perth in Scotland.

All the champions paid just £5 to enter the competition at their home club. As long as 25 pairs enter the club event the winners are guaranteed a trip to Ireland for the semi-finals. This year almost 800 golfers headed across to Ireland for the semi-finals held at nine championship courses. The top 80 made the cut and travelled straight to Mount Wolseley.

For the first time this year the International Pairs crowned national champions who were also presented with Waterford Crystal trophies.

ROLL OF HONOUR 2001 INTERNATIONAL PAIRS OVERALL CHAMPIONS MEN - Deen Graves and Martyn Ashcroft - Teign Valley GC, near Torquay - 84pts

LADIES - Diane Brian and Jayne Freeman - Redditch GC, - 72pts

MIXED - John Munro and Jackie Brown - Whitemoss GC, Perth - 79pts ENGLISH CHAMPIONS MEN - Sam Humpston and Julian Salt - Matlock GC, Derbyshire - 81pts

LADIES - Nova Dawe and Sheila Baker - Taunton Vale GC, Somerset - 67pts

MIXED - Martin Park and Susan Cooper - Wycombe Heights GC, Bucks - 77pts

SCOTTISH CHAMPIONS MEN - Martin Gannon and Robin Porteous - Lochgilphead GC, Argyll - 60pts

MIXED - Angus and Kathleen Sutherland - Stromness GC, Orkney - 68pts

IRISH CHAMPIONS MEN - Michael Barr and Michael Stewart - Portstewart GC - 63pts

LADIES - Thelma Smith and Alison Bann - Portstewart GC - 60 pts

WELSH CHAMPIONS MEN - Ricky Jones and Ray Slocombe - Lakeside GC, near Port Talbot - 70pts

Six of the winners holding their trophies

Notes: Format - Betterball stableford - final played over 36 holes at Mount Wolseley. Trophies not award for countries with no representatives reaching the final eg Welsh ladies, Irish mixed and Scottish ladies.