TWO pairs from Harrogate were among the prize-winners in the Millennium International Pairs Golf Classic at Slieve Russell Golf and Country Club Cavan, Ireland.

Gordon and Hazel Cushing, from Pannal Golf Club, were third in the mixed pairs event, just being edged out of second place on a countback over the last nine by Paul Gabriel and Anne Lowrey (Orton Mead-ows).

Both pairs finished on 37 stableford points behind winners Martin Park and Suzanne Cooper (Wycombe).

Michelle Lunt and Karen Leake (Oakdale) were third in the women's pairs with 32 points behind Pat Toothill and Debbie Tapply (Rowlands Castle) 37, and Brenda Northin and Cynthia Merchant (Matlock) 35.

All 40 pairs who competed in the final 18 holes came through regional qualifying events on their own courses, followed by semi-finals in which 1,000 golfers took part last week on eight courses in the Republic of Ireland.

Players from North Yorkshire clubs who reached the semi-finals but failed to reach the final were: David Simpson and Graham Lee (Wetherby), Danny Glaves and Alex Treloar (Scarborough North Cliff), Lee Clarkson and Mick Johnson (Kilnwich Percy), David and John Porter (Garforth), Kathreen Bridges and Dawn Warren (Drax), Chris Richardson and William Scott (Drax), and Howard Marshall and Alex Johnson (Boothferry Park).

The Millennium Pairs Classic, with entries from 321 clubs - though there were none from York - is the biggest amateur tournament in the United Kingdom.

Next year's tournament was launched at Golf Expo at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, this week. York is one of 36 cities where a giant, 15-foot high golf ball will be sent to publicise the tournament.

Players interested in entering the event can obtain details from their club or by ringing the helpline (02392 827000).