POPULAR Meridian sports presenter Andy Steggall has joined the International Pairs golf tournament.

Steggall stunned viewers recently by announcing live on air that he was quitting ITV's Meridian Tonight news and sports programme to join the world-wide International Pairs event as sponsorship director.

The recent TV sports journalist of the year winner explained: "I was first alerted to the potential of the event a few years ago when it was launched in Hampshire.

"It expanded and became a national event within 12 months and with more than 125,000 weekend warriors playing in the event, it has gone worldwide within five years.

"In fact, International Pairs is well on its way to becoming the largest club golfers' tournament in the world. In the inaugural world final less than six months ago, 17 countries competed, with teams travelling from as far away as Russia, Australia and the USA."

Steggall outlined the appeal of the tournament when he added: "The chance for any golfer to fulfil his or her sporting dreams is pretty powerful stuff. But now I've seen with my own eyes.

"From the thousands and thousands who start out each year, some will leap straight from their club event to a UK semi-final and then a possible final at one of the best courses in the land. Not only that, a world final could be just around the corner.

"I've worked on and witnessed the Ryder Cup and The Open first hand and now with the International Pairs I've seen club players looking just as proud."

Steggall will still be seen on TV screens in the south. He remains Meridian's top sports anchor hosting the weekly Soccer Night programme and will also anchor the Meridian Tonight news programme for the south-east once a week.

Steggall's background in golf goes back a long way. He's worked on the European Tour and has produced special film insights with Jack Nicklaus and Seve Ballesteros.

He's been a club player for many years and even has a hole in one to his name.

He says: "Though the golf tournament is an extraordinary change in direction away from TV I couldn't miss the opportunity, especially when the venture has been backed by Leaderboard, one of the most prestigious companies in golf who own many top courses."