Despite bouts of food poisoning, a car crash and having a set of clubs stolen before the finals, former professional footballer Deen Graves and his partner Martyn Ashcroft from the Teign Valley GC near Torquay emerged as the International pairs champions at Mount Wolseley GC recently. Graves, who played with Manchester United, Plymouth Argyle and Queens Park Rangers, and Ashcroft shot 84 points to win by three from another England pair, Sam Humpston and Julian Salt (Matlock GC).
Their troubles began just a few days before the final when Ashcroft had his clubs stolen, and then his wife, Marie, and six-month-old daughter Jade were involved in a car crash. Luckily, both were uninjured and it all ended happily at Mount Wolseley with a win. Michael Barr and Michael Stewart from Portstewart were best of the Irish challengers, while Portstewart also took the women's award with Thelma Smith and Alison Bann best on 60 points.
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