PINEHURST, NC – Paul Piro of PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions and Jim Smith of JPS Group teamed for 43 points to win the ING/International Pairs World Qualifier at the 20th Annual ING Spring Conference at Pinehurst Resort last week.
The best-ball modified Stableford qualifying event on the highly ranked Pinehurst No 4 is part of the annual networking and educational gathering conducted by the non-profit International Network of Golf.
GameBook, Razor Golf, International Pairs USA and Jackets Required served as sponsors of the event.
The victory earned for Piro and Smith a trip Loch Lomond in Scotland to represent the USA and the ING in the seventh International Pairs World Finals Oct. 6-9. Most expenses are covered for the two in the sponsorship arrangement between International Pairs and ING. Ed Travis and Jane Dally finished second by one point.
The International Network Of Golf, a 20-year-old non-profit, media-based networking organization whose mission is to bring together members of the media and business communities to enhance communication in golf, conducts the conference. ING is open to anyone in the golf industry or media.
Both Piro and Smith will be making their first trips to Scotland, and both were pleased with their ability to team together.
“Jim and I both played great; we gave it our best,” said Piro. “The course definitely played to all of my strengths. I was making putts from everywhere. I am extremely excited for this incredible opportunity, as I’ve never been to Scotland.”
Piro, an 8 handicapper, is Sales Executive for the PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions. This was his first attempt in the ING/International Pairs Qualifier, and his first trip to ING. He did not know Smith before the tournament.
Smith, a 9-handicapper, is the chairman of the ING Golf Committee, and a longtime ING member. He is owner of JPS Group, an Event Management and Consulting Company.
“I am so thrilled to have won the qualifying event at Pinehurst and I still get chills every time I tell people that I will be representing the U.S. in the World Finals,” said Smith. “I am so proud to be able to represent no only the U.S. but the ING family as well. Paul and I didn’t play spectacular golf, but we played well together and picked each other up at the right time. The key was scoring points on every hole.”
Piro and Smith each will carry USA/ING logo’d golf bags provided by Razor Golf, and they will wear blazers from Jackets Required.
For more on the International Pairs event, visit www.internationalpairs.com.
For more information on ING, call 407-328-0500 or visit www.inggolf.com.
Contact:
Mike Jamison
407-328-0500
mike@jamisongolf.com
