Although still in Wales, 2005 saw a change of venue for the International Pairs World Final - moving just down the road in fact to the Celtic Manor resort.
The event consisted of two rounds on the Wentwood Hills course and involved 34 pairs from 25 different countries from the 7th to the 8th of June 2005 - at the end of which Pablo Hernandez and Julio Garcia Salas from Colombia raised the trophy aloft in celebration.
Pablo and Julio held a slender lead at the end of day one which they finished on 41 points, just one point ahead of the English champions Robbie Turner and Ian Ritchie and the Icelandic pair of Svanpor Laxdal and Jonas Gunnarsson.
Despite scoring 41 points themselves on the second day, Robbie and Ian from Wychwood Park Golf Club in Cheshire simply could not make up the difference on the mercurial Colombians who shot an incredible 44 points to claim the tournament by 4 clear points.
Svanpor and Jonas managed a creditable 37 points on day two but despite that slipped back to finish in 6th place - being overtaken by pairs from Scotland, South Africa and Mexico. Gary Tough and Ian Thomson from Edzell in Scotland finished very strongly to claim 3rd place outright with a total of 80 points - 2 clear of the South African pairing of Paul Adams and Wayne Nel - although Paul did claim to the first hole-in-one in International Pairs World Final history!
Despite only having two golf courses in the entire country, Israel produced the highest placed mixed pair with Cyril and Norma Kaufman finishing on 75 points to claim 7th place, just ahead of Janice Kerr and Julian Bates from England in 8th and John Munro and Jackie Brown from Scotland in 11th.
Full results
|
Position
|
Players (Handicaps)
|
Club
|
Score
|
|
1
|
Pablo Hernandez & Julio Garcia Salas
|
Colombia
|
85
|
|
2
|
Robbie Turner & Ian Ritchie
|
England
|
81
|
|
3
|
Gary Tough & Iain Thomson
|
Scotland
|
80
|
|
4
|
Paul Adams & Wayne Nel
|
South Africa
|
78
|
|
5
|
Christian Boussinot & Marvin Marchorro
|
Mexico
|
77
|
|
6
|
Svanpor Laxdal & Jonas Gunnarsson
|
Iceland
|
77
|
|
7
|
Cyril Kaufman & Norma Kaufman
|
Israel
|
75
|
|
8
|
Janice Kerr & Julian Bates
|
England
|
75
|
|
9
|
Maynard Hughes & Sergey Vorobiev
|
Russia
|
74
|
|
10
|
Kevin O'Hora & Frank Carbury
|
S. Ireland
|
74
|
|
11
|
John Munro & Jackie Brown
|
Scotland
|
74
|
|
12
|
John McGee & Daniel Jaszczyk
|
Australia
|
73
|
|
13
|
Francis Drouin & Nicolas Fournier
|
France
|
71
|
|
14
|
Frank Keasler & Brian Taylor
|
USA
|
71
|
|
15
|
Jean Tellier & Pierre Lerusse
|
Belgium
|
70
|
|
16
|
Damian Simpson & Mick Schofield
|
England
|
70
|
|
17
|
Chuck Kennedy & Sergio Hernandez
|
El Salvador
|
69
|
|
18
|
Randy Gordy & Bill Newson
|
USA
|
69
|
|
19
|
Morris Gowland & Boyd McNeil
|
N. Ireland
|
68
|
|
20
|
Peter Dani & Zsolt Feher
|
Hungary
|
67
|
|
21
|
David Ziegler & Doug Crawford
|
Costa Rica
|
66
|
|
22
|
Jayne Freeman & Kathy Reid
|
England
|
65
|
|
23
|
Bob Garcia & Luis Galindo
|
Guatemala
|
63
|
|
24
|
Eric Huysing & Roel van Veen
|
Netherlands
|
63
|
|
25
|
Pauline Bramley & Mary Annable
|
England
|
63
|
|
26
|
Dan McLarney &Bruce McKinley
|
Canada
|
61
|
|
27
|
Claus Feldt & Claus Martin
|
Germany
|
61
|
|
28
|
Ian Adams & Mark Bruford
|
Wales
|
60
|
|
29
|
Dawn Moor & Jean Lambert
|
Scotland
|
58
|
|
30
|
Jan Helge Brandsdal & Alf Lovik
|
Norway
|
53
|
|
31
|
Peter Hein & Silvia Hein
|
Austria
|
50
|
|
32
|
Gerard Matselaar & Franck Smits
|
Netherlands
|
45
|
|
33
|
Bart de Vuijst & Bart de Verr
|
Netherlands
|
NR
|
|
34
|
Billy Sim
|
Spain
|
NR
|
The third annual International Pairs World Final took place once again at the world famous Celtic Manor resort in Wales from 9th to 11th August 2006. This year 24 pairs from 15 different countries participated in a 36 hole final over the Roman Road course.
As in 2005, it was a country making its debut in the competition that walked off with the Honey Cup - the Philippines.
Having put together a simply stunning round on day one to be sitting on 46 points and a 3 point lead at the halfway stage, Felix Cortes and Gary Sales were always going to be very hard to catch as long as they could handle the pressure of playing in front of the Sky TV cameras.
In fact, their 40 point haul on day two was only bettered by Patrick Ryan and James Keane from Ireland who shot 42 points for a total of 82 and 3rd place.
The French mixed pair of Robert Foort and Celine Mex who had sat second overnight matched the Filipino pair shot for shot on day two but could not eat into the 3 point advantage - finishing the day with 40 points for a total of 83 and a very creditable 2nd place.
Another mixed pair, Les and Martha Shortreed from Peebles Golf Club in Scotland, claimed 4th just ahead of the English Champions, Mark Pavey and Colin Murphy from Vivary Golf Club in Somerset. Both finished on a total of 80 points.
Full results
|
Position
|
Players (Handicaps)
|
Club
|
Score
|
|
1
|
Felix Cortez & Gary Sales
|
Philippines
|
86
|
|
2
|
Celine Mex & Robert Foort
|
France
|
83
|
|
3
|
Patrick Ryan & James Keane
|
Ireland
|
82
|
|
4
|
Les Shortreed & Martha Shortreed
|
Scotland
|
80
|
|
5
|
Mark Pavey & Colin Murphy
|
England
|
80
|
|
6
|
Bob Dodds & Bill Fullard
|
USA
|
79
|
|
7
|
Patrick Shearer & Scott Ray
|
Canada
|
79
|
|
8
|
Adam Hayes & Reghard Neethling
|
South Africa
|
78
|
|
9
|
Michael Ball & Colin Smith
|
England
|
77
|
|
10
|
Ian Pierce & Daniel McGrath
|
Ireland
|
76
|
|
11
|
Dolf Kotze & Fann Fourie
|
South Africa
|
76
|
|
12
|
Mr D. Binda & Mr G. W. Soetendal
|
Netherlands
|
76
|
|
13
|
William Ramage & Keith Turnbull
|
Scotland
|
74
|
|
14
|
Ron Garl & Greg Wires
|
USA
|
74
|
|
15
|
Carole Mason & David Donaldson
|
Scotland
|
73
|
|
16
|
Andrew Morgan & Gary Jones
|
Wales
|
73
|
|
17
|
Jens Olsen & Jimmi Michelsen
|
Norway
|
71
|
|
18
|
Christopher Wiggins & Moira Waldron
|
England
|
66
|
|
19
|
Mrs W. Kort & Mr. W.A. Kort
|
Belgium
|
60
|
|
20
|
Kath Bridges & Aileen Stockton
|
England
|
59
|
|
21
|
Ann Foster & Sarah Harris
|
England
|
59
|
|
22
|
Gudlaugur Kristjansson & Arnar Freyr Gunnarsson
|
Iceland
|
57
|
|
23
|
Larry Bergman & Carmel Vernia
|
Israel
|
46
|
|
24
|
Mr J. Runhaar & Mr N. Braakman
|
Luxembourg
|
DQ
|
The fourth annual International Pairs World Final took place at the magnificent Fairmont St Andrews resort in Scotland. This year 28 pairs from 18 different countries participated in a 36 hole final over both the Devlin and Torrance courses.
In the tightest ever finish to an International Pairs World Final, Shaun Smith and Simon Deaves from Scarborough South Cliff Golf Club emerged victorious from a three-way play off involving teams from England, Ireland and Scotland.
On a final day that saw persistent rain and even a short suspension of play due to the danger of lightning in the vicinity, Seamus Doherty and Mark Doyle from Ireland put together the best round of the day (43 points) to post a final total of 81 points and move them up from tenth position overnight to clubhouse leaders with eight pairs to finish.
Of those eight pairs, none were able to surpass the target and it seemed that only Richard Oliver and Justin Aitchison from Eyemouth Golf Club representing the home nation were able to match it with a round of 42 points to add to their 39 from the first day. However, the Scarborough pair had other ideas and a magnificent 5 wood from 240 yards to 25 feet left Shaun Smith the chance to win the tournament outright with an eagle putt on the last hole. That putt refused to drop but a simple tap in for birdie and a second round total of 40 points secured their place in the play off which took place on the eighteenth hole of the Torrance course in front of a packed gallery on the clubhouse balcony.
To the first extra hole and after Seamus Doherty was unfortunately not able to find his tee-shot and his partner Mark Doyle could only make a bogey, the Irish were eliminated when the English made a solid par. This still left Justin Aitchison from Scotland with a six foot putt for a birdie to win the title. When that putt just slid by the edge of the hole, the English and Scots were back to the tee to play the eighteenth once more.
This time, it was the Scots that were only able to make a bogey and Shaun Smith held his nerve to sink a three footer for par and the title of International Pairs World Champions 2007.
"It's an amazing feeling and doesn't get much better than this," said Shaun, who plays off a handicap of one. "It was hard work but we got there in the end. I thought we'd left it too late and needed to hole my eagle putt at the last to get into the play-off but the birdie was good enough in the end."
Five-handicapper Simon added: "Winning is everything. We came here to have fun but also to win and that's what we've done. But I feel sorry for the Scottish guys. They played some great golf and had their chances to win as well."
Justin, who plays off a handicap of four, was left to reflect on missing that six-foot birdie putt at the first play-off hole that would have clinched a famous victory for the Scots on home soil. He said: "I'm absolutely gutted. It was the only putt I missed all day but the pressure of the play-off got to me and I just pushed it."
Five-handicapper Richard added: "We're devastated but the English were great competitors and proved too good in the end. It's been a fantastic experience and we gave it our best shot, but we probably paid for not holing enough putts on the first day."
It was a similar story for Paul Johnson and Neil White from Llanwern Golf Club in Wales (the overall UK champions in 2006) who finished with 79 points alongside the two pairs from South Africa (Mike Carr & Budgie Shearer and Larry Bredenkamp & John Van Kan) and the second Irish team of Pat Ruane and Bernard Smith.
Defending champions, the Philippines, put up a creditable defence of their title to claim eighth place with a total of 75 points and the top ten was completed by the second Welsh pair of Kristian Crane and Alan Miskelly from Greenmeadow Golf Club and the final Irish pair of John Murray Jnr and Sean-Paul Murray
Full results
|
Position
|
Players (Handicaps)
|
Country
|
Score
|
|
1
|
Shaun Smith (1) & Simon Deaves (5)
|
England
|
81
|
|
2
|
Richard Oliver (6) & Justin Aitchison (4)
|
Scotland
|
81
|
|
3
|
Seamus Doherty (9) & Mark Doyle (9)
|
Ireland
|
81
|
|
4
|
Paul Johnson (5) & Neil White (9)
|
Wales
|
79
|
|
5
|
Mike Carr (8) & Budgie Shearer (13)
|
South Africa
|
79
|
|
6
|
Larry Bredenkamp (11) & John Van Kan (5)
|
South Africa
|
79
|
|
7
|
Pat Ruane (3) & Bernard Smith (8)
|
Ireland
|
79
|
|
8
|
Augusto Palisoc (10) & Augusto de Fiesta (11)
|
Philippines
|
75
|
|
9
|
Kristian Crane (5) & Alan Miskelly (10)
|
Wales
|
75
|
|
10
|
John Murray Jnr (3) & Sean-Paul Murray (11)
|
Ireland
|
74
|
|
11
|
Simon Clayson (14) & Denise Clayson (18)
|
England
|
74
|
|
12
|
Don Murphy (13) & Jack Wratten (2)
|
Canada
|
73
|
|
13
|
Tommy Nilsen (6) & Geir Leknes (16)
|
Norway
|
73
|
|
14
|
Neil Taylor (5) & Julian Frost (17)
|
Wales
|
72
|
|
15
|
Rob van Mastrigt (5) & Winston Cheng (24)
|
Benelux
|
72
|
|
16
|
Roy Gainer (24) & Tim Lemp (24)
|
USA
|
70
|
|
17
|
Halfon Ayelet (22) & Leonov Denis (1)
|
Israel
|
69
|
|
18
|
Chris Schaffer (4) & Jacques Hagens (11)
|
Benelux
|
69
|
|
19
|
Kjetil Bjornhaug (19) & Cato Olsen (24)
|
Norway
|
68
|
|
20
|
Marco Santos (19) & Pedro Baptista (24)
|
Portugal
|
68
|
|
21
|
Harry Harks (16) & Tom Ronde (18)
|
Benelux
|
68
|
|
22
|
Chen Zhao Hui (17) & Wang Dan (13)
|
China
|
66
|
|
23
|
Udomsakdi Apichattanapath (18) & Ayuwat Sakwit (20)
|
Thailand
|
66
|
|
24
|
Hansina Thorkelsdottir (14) & Jonina Palsdottir (14)
|
Iceland
|
66
|
|
25
|
Oluremi Olukoya (5) & Hercules Venter (Marker)
|
Nigeria
|
62
|
|
26
|
Gloria Spitalny (22) & Jim Collins (13)
|
USA
|
55
|
|
27
|
Jiang da Chao (24) & Tan Jain Wen (24)
|
China
|
41
|
|
28
|
Supavit Supaporn (22) & Sathaporn Titwatcharaphong (22)
|
Thailand
|
11
|
History 
24 pairs from 17 countries competed to be the first ever to raise the Honey Cup with the English pair of Mark Phillips and Darren Bradford from Deangate Ridge Golf Club in Kent emerging victorious.