Dashing duo are set for golfing glory (From Stroud News and Journal)

Dashing duo are set for golfing glory

MINCH golf duo Richard Cox and Clive Mills are one step away from national glory on the golf course.

Cox, who plays off 15, and 20-handicapper Mills, beat off the challenge of 25 other pairs to win the International Pairs qualifier at Minchinhampton Golf Club.

And that success means the Stroud cricket veterans now have the chance to travel to Scotland in October - the golfing destination of the year in 2004 - to participate in the 2005 semi-finals.

The International Pairs features several Open final qualifying venues for the 2005 semi-finals including Montrose and Irvine Bogside.

Making the cut at any of the semi-final venues would see Cox and Mills progress to the grand final at the magnificent St Andrews Bay Golf Resort & Spa at the home of golf.

Now in its seventh year the International Pairs is the largest club competition of its kind in the world and is attracting support from throughout the golfing world - new partners of the tournament include the London Golf Show and the Leaderboard Group.

This is not surprising with as many as 20,000 club golfers across the UK competing this year alone - and every participant is entitled to a free Hippo lob wedge and progress to the 2006 world final.