Llanwern Golf Club's Paul Johnson and Neil White carded two excellent rounds to win the Grand Final of the International Pairs UK 2006 in Scotland.

After shooting a round of 38 points on Carnoustie's Championship course, the venue of the Open Championship in 2007, the Welsh duo battled the wind and rain on the second day over the Torrance course at Fairmont St Andrews to card 39 points for a 36-hole total of 77 and a one-point victory.

Scarborough South Cliff's Shaun Smith and Simon Deaves came so close with rounds of 40 & 36 for a total of 76 points, but were rewarded for their efforts by being crowned the English Mens' champions.

Wales made it a very memorable tournament by also taking third place, Wernduu's Neil Taylor and Julian Frost coming a further shot behind in third and taking the Welsh Mens' title.

Richard Oliver and Justin Aitchison (Eyemouth) were the top Scots at the event in eighth place with 72 points and, therefore, took the Scottish Mens' title, while the Mixed title went to Simon and Denise Clayson (Tewkesbury Park) who finished with 70 points.

The 2006 final, sponsored by VisitScotland, was a huge success a brought to an end a great year for the competition that has seen tens-of-thousands of golfers vying for the titles on offer.

Jim Callaghan and Mark Gregory (Dunscar) and Kristian Crane and Alan Miskelly (Greenmeadow) filled the remaining qualifying places for the International Pairs World Final 2007 and can now look forward, along with the five championship winning pairs, to a return visit to Fairmont St Andrews in July 2007 when they will take on the national champions from all other countries that compete in the International Pairs.

 

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