| International Pairs Set For Banner Year |
 The Number Of Committed Courses This Year Is Double 2009 2010 is proving to a year of significant growth for International Pairs across Western Canada. Almost 40 courses have committed to holding events that will see two-person teams start in a club level tournament, then compete at a Regional Final and, ultimately, represent Canada at the World Championships held in Scotland carrying our country's flag. Over the past eight years, The International Pairs Presented By WestJet has become the largest handicap oriented amateur golf tournament both in Canada and in more than 30 other countries around the world. With the opportunity and value for clubs and golfers, it's easy to see why.  Bear Mountain GR Holds Two Tournaments During The Year And Sends Two Pairs To Crown Isle - Shown Is the Mother / Daughter Team of Glenna and Brie Sharratt From Victoria - The tournament can be run on its own or overlaid on any existing event from a member-guest to a men’s night. - As it includes handicaps, events and even individual teams may include both men, women or even juniors. - Even the scoring format chosen at the club level is entirely up to the facility... match play, net medal, stableford, it does not matter. For example, Sirocco Golf Club in Calgary in 2008 held a one-day net medal event that had mix of pairs: 15 Men’s, 1-Ladies' and 9 Mixed. Other courses use it as a grand prize for season-long leagues. There are also options where the course can pay a flat fee and use this as a revenue generator or even a sponsorship program where a facility can run an event at no cost whatsoever. A number of facilities successfully used this approach in 2008.  The Crown Isle Resort with easy WestJet Access, top quality accommoadtions, a superb clubhouse and a fair but challenging golf course is the perfect location to contest the International Pairs One two-person team will earn an all expense paid trip (airfare, accommodations and meals included) to represent their club in the Canadian Finals presented by WestJet to be held at Crown Isle Golf Resort on Vancouver Island. Win there and they travel to Scotland to represent Canada in The World Finals. The winners from 2009, Mike Knight and Brent Ashley representing Strathmore GC in Strathmore, AB, will be traveling to Scotland to compete against teams from 35 other countries around the world. Knight was ecstatic about the tournament, "I think it is a great event you guys are running and I think this thing is going to blow up and be huge... GREAT EVENT!!!" 
2009 Canadian Final Winners Mike Knight and Brent Ashley
For more information about competing, click HERE
The response from the rest of the 2009 International Pairs competitors has been equally positive.  The First Class Accommodations Right Along Crown Isle's First Fairway - 9 in 10 competitors rated the accommodations at Crown Isle as "Excellent" - 9 in 10 rated their overall experience at the 2008 International Pairs Western Final as "Very Good" or "Excellent". - 8 in 10 said they would plan another trip to Crown Isle and/or would recommend vacationing at Crown Isle to a friend. - Every competitor who traveled to the Finals via WestJet rated their travel experience as "Very Good" or "Excellent". - 1 in 3 would be willing to pay the entire cost for the opportunity to compete again in 2010. Western Canadian International Pairs Licensee, Jeff Sutherland, echo's their favourable sentiments, "While we have been involved with The International Pairs for four years, this was only our second year as the Western Canada Licensee and we are very gratified to have had many of the competitors call it one of the better experiences of their golf careers." (see more competitor comments below). Sutherland continues, "Crown Isle was a dream as a host facility. Graham Cooke's design offered great challenge not to mention superb manicure while at the same time being fair to all handicap levels. The accommodations were of the highest quality, the clubhouse is certainly among the finest in Western Canada and the staff were simply outstanding." (Click HERE for more about Crown Isle). At just $30 per person, this is guaranteed to be one of the most memorable events of your club's entire year.  'As my first real taste of tournament golf was very I was impressed with the whole experience. Everyone was very freindly and it didn't matter if you were a 16 or a 2 handicap' - Dave Jessey, Speargrass GC, Calgary, AB "Great Event!" - Harold Walters, Goose Hummock GR "The creation of the friendships is great; the people we met from Alberta, Saskatchewan, it made for a great experience." - Brad Chudiak, Quesnel GC "Great event. As my first real taste of tournament golf was very impressed with the whole experience. Everyone was very freindly and it didn't matter if you were a 16 or a 2 handicap. A very good experience and hopefully will be back next year. Thank you to everyone involved to make this something I won't soon forget." - Dave Jessey, Speargrass GC, Calgary, AB " It was a well run, fun event, at a wonderful facility." - Don Keatch, Niakwa G&CC, Winnipeg, MB "Had a great time, made some friends. The whole event was thoroughly enjoyable and an unforgettable experience. Hope to qualify next year." - Chris Ware, Twin Willows GC, Edmonton, AB "Deb did a great job on registration and providing other information. Crown Isle guest services (Randi) were great in providing extra bookings for accommodation and tee times. We checked in two days early and enjoyed the extra golf. Jeff, thanks for the great organization of this tournament and your continued support. I certainly have lots of positives to pass on to our Club and I sincerely hope that Kelowna Springs Golf Club will participate again next year, because I'm looking forward to the local competition." - Harry Osachoff, Kelowna Springs GC, Kelowna, BC "Was a great weekend. Much appreciated." -Dick Longpre, Riverside GC &CC Saskatoon, SK "Overall a very well run event and I really enjoyed it thoroughly." - Scott Wetherill, Sunset Ranch G&CC, Kelowna, BC "We had a great time, a great experience and really enjoyed the trip." -Ken Treasure, Swan River GC, Regina, SK "A fun experience and a very well run event... Thank you again!" Doug MacLean, Myrtle Point GC, Powell River, BC "Very well run event." - Michelle Coe, Shannon Lake GC, Kekowna, BC "Great - first class event - talking it up big at my club for next year." - Mark Vokey, Niakwa G&CC, Winnipeg, MB "Thanks for hosting a first class event." - Clint Lozinksi, Red Tail Landing GC, Edmonton, AB "Overall it was a great event and a great experience. Thanks for all your effort." - Kim Reid, Pinebrook G&CC, Calgary, AB "The event was great. We truly enjoyed the golf course the staff was great. The accommodations were also exceptional." - Greg Rondeau, Innisfail Golf Club, Innisfail, AB "Great Job. Being from the prairies, We love B.C. golf." - Reg Wilson, Elmwood G&CC, Calgary, AB "I highly recommend the tournament!!" - Eric Prehofer, Sunset Ranch, Kelowna, BC " Thanks, it was great fun at your tournament!" - Doug Forbes-King, Crown Isle, Comox, BC 
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