MACHRIHANISH DUNES GOLF CLUB TO HOST THE INTERNATIONAL PAIRS WORLD FINALS

15^th Annual Tournament Brings Golfers from Around the Globe to Argyll
October 7 – 10, 2013

Argyll, Scotland – October 9,  2013 - Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club announced today that play for the 2013 International Pairs World Finals from October 7 – October 10, 2013 has begun.  The International Pairs World Finals, a global championship, has teams from more than 30 different countries, including the Czech Repulic, Romania, Spain, Portugal, Wales, Nigeria, Trinidad & Tobago, Egypt, South

Africa, Ireland, UK, USA and the United Arab Emirates to name a few.   The tournament kicked off with a procession through Main Street, Campbeltown with the Machrihanish Dunes Sound of Kintyre Pipe Band, and met in the Square by the James McCorkindale School of Dancing.   

View the procession: http://youtu.be/fZ0EtNhPNyY

Now in its 15th 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.  The title of International Pairs World Champion has been held by pairs from three different continents, with the 2012 winners hailing from Portugal. 

“Scotland is the birthplace of golf, and we’re pleased to host the World Pairs International Championship this fall.  The teams will appreciate the nuances of this championship links course, and experience golf the way it began,” said David Southworth, President and CEO of Southworth Development, owners of Machrihanish Dunes. 

The tournament format will include a practice round and two competition rounds over the 3-day period.  To participate, players first have to compete in a Club Qualifier event at their home club. Clubs can register at GolfFrontiers.com.  The local Club Qualifier can be a medal, charity or other tournament.  Winners of the local qualifiers then proceed to Regional Finals, the winners of which then have the opportunity to participate in the International Pairs World Finals at Machrihanish Dunes.  Clubs that want to participate in the International Pairs World Championship are encouraged to get more information by visiting www.golfrontiers.com, where they can also register for the tournament. 

The vision of the Village at Machrihanish Dunes was to create a world-class seaside resort, including a U.K. Top-100 links golf course, four-star accommodations, dining and other facilities in one of Scotland’s most beautiful regions.  The course was the first 18-hole course in the U.K. to earn certification from the Golf Environmental Organization, and was named the most ecologically-friendly course in the world by ABTA Golf Magazine in 2012.  The course was designed by David McLay-Kidd, who as a child played in the same dunes where he ultimately laid out the Machrihanish Dunes golf course.  The course opened in 2009 on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the first course ever to be built on such a site and also the first to be built on the west coast of Scotland in over 100 years.  At Machrihanish Dunes, golfers can experience an award-winning seaside links course, firm in the knowledge that its fragile and pristine setting will be carefully conserved for years to come.  Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club was ranked #38 out of 100 links course in Great Britain by National Club Golfer, and has been consistently ranked in the Top 100 courses in the U.K. since its opening.   

The resort’s two hotels are newly restored historic structures, and between them offer five dining outlets, a spa and fitness facility.  The Ugadale Hotel, located in Machrihanish near the golf course, earned the 2012 “Golf Hotel of the Year” Award from the Scottish Hotel Awards.  The Ugadale offers 22 luxurious rooms and suites at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, overlooking the famed first tee of neighbouring Machrihanish Golf Club (Ranked No. 40 on National Club Golfer’s list of Britain’s best).  The Ugadale is also home to The Kintyre Club restaurant and The Serenity Spa. Just steps away lie The Old Clubhouse Pub and the award-winning, two-bedroom,, Ugadale Cottages, which offer luxurious and comfortable and self-catering accommodation for families, travelling business executives or groups of golfers.  Built in 2009, they have received Trip Advisor’s “Certificate of Excellence” for three years running and were also named “Hotel of the Year” in the small hotels category by Golf Tourism Scotland.  The Royal Hotel is a listed historic site, located overlooking picturesque Campbeltown Harbour.  The renovations of The Royal included retaining the original stained glass windows as well as the fireplace mantel pieces. The Royal features 23 marvellously-appointed rooms, each with harbour views, and is home to the spirited good times of The Black Sheep Pub and fine-dining of The Harbourview Grille.  

As the most ambitious resort development ever created in Argyll, The Village at Machrihanish Dunes is hosting visitors from around the globe, as well as a variety of international competitions in 2013, including:  Men’s and Ladies’ Champion of Champions Tournaments to be held in April, the Machrihanish Dunes Hickory Open to be held in September, and the 15^th Annual International Pairs Competition scheduled for October, 2013.