Two Scarborough golfers have been crowned 2006 International Pairs English men's champions.

Shaun Smith and Simon Deaves, of Scarborough South Cliff Golf Club, inched home with 76 stableford points to secure the English title at the UK final staged in Scotland at the St Andrews spiritual home of golf - ahead of tens of thousands of golfers who entered the hundreds of qualifying events this year.

But with nine pairs finishing within five points of victory, it wasn't until the final pairs had returned to the clubhouse that the duo knew they had won.

They sat in second place overnight, one point behind the overall leaders, having recorded 40 points on Carnoustie's Championship course.

Smith said: "We were in a good position after the first day, although we were disappointed not to have scored on the last hole at Carnoustie and we also failed to score on the first hole of the Torrance course but just managed to hang in there.

"It has been superb and the hospitality has been brilliant."

Deaves echoed his partner's sentiments, adding: "Everyone we've played with have been great. We've met some really nice people."

Now the duo will go on to represent their club and country in next year's International Pairs world final - again at St Andrews.

Smith said: "It feels great, you can't beat representing your own country and we're already looking forward to it."

The Scarborough pair missed out on the overall UK title by one point, beaten by Welshmen Paul Johnson and Neil White, of Llanwern Golf Club, who scored 77 points over the two days.

Meanwhile, Kilnwick Percy GC's Allun Williams and Paul Anderson totalled 61 points to finish in 33rd place.

HIGH scores blazed through the early mist in the final summer handicap qualifying competition at Aldwark Manor.

The first division prize for 0-15 handicaps was won by Steve Manby with 42 points playing off a handicap of 11. He pipped eight-handicapper Paul Thompson on 40 points with John Timmis (six handicap) third on 39.

Thompson's dad, John Thompson, won the second division (16-20) with 39 points, playing off 18 ahead of Bob Wells (19) on 37 and Simon Evans (18) on 36.

In division three (21-28), honours went to Andre Sacre with 40 points playing off 22, followed by Alan Daniels and Tony Aldam - both 25-handicappers - who totalled 37 points. Daniels took second place on count-back.

FULFORD GC's annual medal was won by John Bolam with a five-under-par 67, four clear of nearest rival Gary Ratcliffe. Janet Lawn won the ladies section's event with a one-over 75, one ahead of Dot Elliott, whose 84 was the lowest gross.

PIKE Hills pairing A Lee and J Martindale finished fourth as Brough won the East Yorkshire Ladies Winter Golf Association's October Alliance with a level-par 73 at Flamborough Head. Filey GC hosts the next event on November 9.

FOREST of Galtres GC's Tim Wood scored a hole in one at the 146-yard par-three 13th hole using a five-iron in an EGGS competition which he subsequently won with 47 stableford points.