Things are beginning to take shape for the International Pairs World Final which is being held at The Duke's, St Andrews, in September - a week ahead of the Dunhill Championship.

Final preparations are being put in place for what is going to be the biggest amateur golfing event in International Pairs history.

Recent developments for the world final, which is being staged from September 21-23, have included a schools competition that has been running across the Fife region encouraging local pupils to get involved - with prizes to be awarded at the opening ceremony.

Kingsbarns Primary School and Canongate Primary School in St Andrews have already held putting competitions at Kingsbarns Golf Links and St Andrews' Himalayas Putting Green.

And the winners - Aaron Coleman and Anna Kirby from Kingsbarns and Cain Cronin and India Butler from Canongate - will be presented with their prizes by Frances Melville, Provost of Fife.

Ross Honey, founder and chairman of International Pairs said: "The help and support we have received in organising this year’s world final, from the schools in the region who recognise what we are trying to achieve to local bodies like Fife Council, has been marvellous.

"We believe the youth of today is the heartbeat for the growth of the game nationally and internationally. And we couldn’t have grown so big without the support of the tourist board, VisitScotland, either.”

In addition to the schools initiative, the St Andrews Photographic Society, which was founded more than 50 years ago, will be on hand to cover the event from a variety of angles.

The whole event will start at 6.30pm on Sunday 21st September with a procession of the competitors with their national flags being led by the St Andrews Pipe Band through the historic old town.

And with road blocks and St Andrews Town Hall waiting to receive all the competitors, it promises to be quite an opening ceremony for all those that attend.

Honey said: “We are anticipating a fantastic turnout for the finals at the Home of Golf. I know I am getting excited and I know the competitors are as well."

More than 50 countries worldwide have now signed up as International Pairs licencees and opportunities for getting involved in the world's largest competition for club golfers have never been better.

Competitors from as far afield as Malaysia, Canada, Nigeria, America and South Africa  will be vying for the ultimate honour of winning the world title and representing their country for the first time ever in a golfing event.

This is a unique opportunity for amateur golfers from all over the world to taste what it's like to be the focus of attention in front of the TV cameras and international media.

Honey added: “This is the tenth year for International Pairs and the event seems to have really struck a chord with people in the last 18 months.

 

"We have had enormous interest from countries wanting to get involved and, judging by the feedback we have had from our network of partners, I believe the whole tournament is going to keep growing and growing.”