Economies across the globe may be slowing, but International Pairs, the world's largest and fastest-growing tournament for club golfers, shows no sign of following the trend after announcing the addition of the Caribbean among its list of countries where the tournament is staged.

Zorol Barthley, who runs Golf Experience Caribbean, based in Antigua, has been granted the inaugural national licence for the area as the reputation of International Pairs - which is staged in association with Visit Scotland - continues to spread worldwide.

Barthley has quite a name to live up to having been chief of cricket operations at the West Indies Cricket Board between 2003-2006 while he also currently serves as chairman of three bodies in Antigua; an insurance company, a publishing company and the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.

But the former West Indies under-19 cricket captain can’t wait to get started on his new challenge and believes International Pairs has the potential to become a major part of the Caribbean sporting calendar.

Barthley said: “Having become a golf addict, this was an opportunity that was too good to be missed.

“My entrepreneurial spirit recognised the business value and benefits and, having worked in the international sporting field before, the global playing field was an added attraction.”

The Caribbean already boasts more than 100 courses - some of them the most beautiful and challenging in the world - and Barthley anticipates up to 20 countries from the region will be playing in International Pairs next year, as well as others from Central America.

But the 42-year-old is aiming to involve all 30 countries within the Caribbean and all of Central America in the competition in the next few years and use it as a stepping stone towards international amateur tournaments between clubs and regions.

Barthley added: “I’m very excited about the challenge ahead. Interest in golf in the region is growing, as it is viewed as the sport of commerce and new courses are being built all the time.

“I’m also very keen to see how we can get golf widows involved in the game as well as their husbands.

“The one thing I can promise is that it will certainly not be boring and gives me the opportunity to keep thousands of amateurs dreaming about playing in Scotland - the Home of Golf.”

Ross Honey, chairman and founder of International Pairs, said: “It is tremendous news that someone of Zorol’s standing in the region has joined International Pairs.

“These are very exciting times and he can only help the competition go from strength to strength. Golf in the Caribbean is growing rapidly and his appointment demonstrates the vision we have for the future of the International Pairs on a national and international scale.”

Barthley will join pairs from around 30 countries including South Africa, Malaysia, Nigeria, Iceland and the USA later this year when they assemble at The Duke’s, St Andrews, and do battle at the 2008 International Pairs World Final from September 21-23.

International Pairs has been backed by VisitScotland for the last six years, and has been endorsed by the English Golf Union and International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) in the last 12 months.

Golf clubs, golfers and sponsors who want to learn more about International Pairs are invited to visit www.internationalpairs.com or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .