Spain pip England to International Pairs spoils

Spain reigned in the 2013 International Pairs World Finals at Scotland’s stunning Machrihanish Dunes links with Manuel Hernandez Gonzalez and Manuel Sanchez Varela of Team Spain emerging victorious.

With a Stableford score of 41, the team from Spain won in a nailbiting play-off against Marcus Law and Stuart Stamps of England. South Africa’s team of Johann Strauss and Pierre van Graan came third with a score of 39.

The 2013 International Pairs World Final, hosted at The Village at Machrihanish Dunes, brought together finalists from across the globe in what event organizer Patrick Mulcrone called the ultimate test of golf.

“All in attendance described the setting and course for this final as perfect,” Mulcrone said, “with many holes hugging the rugged and picturesque shores of the Mull of Kintyre. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff in attendance and the testing links course was in absolutely perfect condition for the competitors, who prepared for battle in Scotland, the home of golf.”

The tournament kicked off with a procession through Main Street, Campbeltown with the Machrihanish Dunes Sound of Kintyre Pipe Band, which was joined in the town square by the James McCorkindale School of Dancing’s highland-style dancers.

There were no clearcut favourites and the final scores underlined just how competitive the event was. At the end, there were two teams left, Spain and England on 41 points apiece.

With a tie score, the teams were looking at a two-hole, sudden death play-off, playing down the short, but very challenging Par 4, 10th hole and the longer Par 4 11th hole, with the Atlantic wind pressing from the right and danger all along the left.

After the tenth hole was halved when Law called a penalty on himself because his ball had moved on the green, the excitement and tension level of the match only grew higher. On the second playoff hole, both Spaniards drove to within chipping distance of the hole on the lower level of the green and went on to clinch the tournament by putting out for par.

Now in its 16th year, the International Pairs World Finals competition is comprised of more than 120 club golfers who have surpassed regional and country finals to represent their country in the final matches at Machrihanish Dunes. Since its inception in 2004, thousands of golfers representing more than 35 countries have competed in the event.