GORDON STOBBART and Jeremy Thompson have qualified for next week's International Pairs tournament in Ireland.

The two Blackburn golf club members won the trip - to the largest competition for club golfers in the world - by winning their club's qualifier on July 7.

A total of 42 pairs from clubs across the country will travel to the event to compete against each other in the fourball betterball format and receive free travel, accommodation and their championship round of golf in Ireland.

Gordon, who plays off six, and Jeremy, with a handicap of nine, will play at the magnificent Citywest complex just outside Dublin which was designed by Christy O'Connor Jnr and has played host to the Irish Masters.

If they make the cut they will then travel to the stunning Mount Wolseley golf resort in County Carlow for another two nights to compete in the televised grand final.

Gordon, who is the Competitions Secretary at Blackburn, said: "We are going on Sunday, playing a practice round on Monday and playing on Tuesday.

"We will be back on Wednesday unless we make the cut! And if we make the cut we will be on TV."

Gordon said the qualifier was a popular event at the club.

"It's the first thing of its kind put up by the club, for a prize like this. Everyone is very excited and they all want to play in it next year."

Gordon and Jeremy's achievement has been recognised by one of the great names in golf.

Former Open champion John Daly said: "The Blackburn pair have done magnificently well to qualify for the finals and I wish them all the best when they travel to Ireland. They will have a fantastic time playing on one of Ireland's best golf courses and if they play well they could be back and playing in the competition on TV."