HAMPSHIRE golfers experienced a mixed day at the office during the finals of the 2000 Millennium International Pairs Golf Classic in Southern Ireland.

While Rowlands Castle pair Pat Toothill and Debbie Tapply won the ladies title at the impressive Slieve Russell Golf Club in County Cavan, Southampton Golf Club pair Paul Mico and Trevor Broom and Lee-on-Solent's Jason Dymott and Colin Green came so close in the men's final.

The event began nearly 12 months ago with over 40,000 pairs vying for just 40 places in the final. Nearly 1000 players - 500 pairs - played in the semi-finals also in Ireland, hoping to make through to the grand final.

And Rowlands Castle clinched their crown in grand style - holing a 96ft putt on the 18th green for four Stableford points and a two-shot victory.

Pat, a 22-handicapper and Debbie, 17, won through their semi-final at St Helen's Bay on the South East tip of Ireland to qualify for Slieve Russell, home of the Buzzgolf.com North West of Ireland Open Championship on the European Tour earlier this year.

And the pair saved the best to last. Having scored 32 points in the practice round they shot 37 to clinch victory and they were over the moon with their achievement: "It's been an unbelievable week of golf," said Debbie. "We really have enjoyed it and thankfully in the final that was the best golf we played all week."

There was disappointment though for the Southampton and Lee-on-Solent men.

With the practice round scores determining which order the teams went out on the final day, Mico and Broom and Dymott and Green were in the last two groups with 41 points apiece.

And although practice round scores didn't count for the final total they were two of the fancied pairs to lift the title.

But Mico, a 14-handicapper, and Broom, 11, didn't quite get it together on finals day, scoring 33 points. "We just didn't gel and couldn't get into any sort of rhythm all day," said Broom, who qualified for the final from Waterford Castle.

And it was a similar story for Lee-on-Solent's Jason Dymott (4) and Colin Green (5), who also qualified from Waterford Castle by winning their semi-final with an impressive 44 points. They too finished on 33 points and blamed their poor showing on the way they played the par threes. "We really mucked up the short holes," said Green. "We couldn't seem to get a score going and the wind was much worse than on practice day. But we've had a great few days playing golf in Ireland," he added.

The event, in only it's second year, ended in drama when two pairs finished tied on 40 points. Carholme pair Matthew Laws and Paul Lomax triumphed but not on a countback. Their opponents on the day, Henry Smith and David Rogers from Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland were disqualified after it transpired they dropped an unplayable ball three times instead of placing it after a second drop.

Martin Park (2) and Suzanne Cooper (12) from Wycombe Golf Club had the best score on finals day, winning the mixed pairs title with 41 points.

Brainchild of the event Ross Honey, Managing Director of Portsmouth-based Worldwide Leisure Marketing, was delighted with the support for the tournament. "It's unfortunate it finished the way it did but overall the response from the players, clubs and many sponsors has been encouraging.

"We are already looking forward to next year when we hope the event will grow internationally and go from strength to strength," he added.