“The reaction of the clubs has been brilliant,” he said.

“At first they may have been shocked to see a couple of people turn up on their doorstep with 6ft of pear tree – but it certainly ‘breaks the ice’ in conversation.

“Some asked if they could have another tree to pair them up – an international pair of pears – while Hessle and Leeds golf clubs took four each.

“It’s a symbolic gesture: pears from the Pairs. We like to be innovative when marketing the event and this seemed an ideal opportunity to visit golf courses and talk about the event, while making a gesture and improving the environment.”

“We decided to start in Yorkshire and Lancashire because there are so many golf courses in this region.”

“One thing’s for sure no one in those areas is going to be short of pears now. It won’t be long before pear trees are dominating the skyline across the north of the country.”

Following the success of this initial campaign, International Pairs officials are considering rolling out the initiative across other counties.

The pear trees were supplied by Huddersfield-based horticultural stockist S Lockwood & Son, which, for a short while at least, saw its entire stock taken by the worldwide golf competition.

The International Pairs event is the largest golf tournament of its kind in the world with tens of thousands of golfers participating each year in the UK alone.

The competition is based around a simple concept. A club hosts an International Pairs event, which costs just £5 per person to enter, and the winning pair qualify for a semi-final on a championship course in Scotland – the official golfing destination of the year - with overnight accommodation and a welcome reception thrown in.

Those who make the cut at the semi-finals, stay on in Scotland at the luxurious, five-star St Andrews Bay resort for two rounds of televised championship golf with two nights in the fabulous hotel and a gala dinner included.

Fittingly, the winners of the 2004 event were a Yorkshire duo: Damien Simpson and Mick Schofield, who represented Lofthouse Hill Golf Club.

They now progress to represent England at the world final in June at Celtic Manor, home of the 2010 Ryder Cup – and all still for their initial £5 entry fee.

● Clubs interested in learning more about the International Pairs should either phone 0870 033 0633, email info@internationalpairs.com or visit a href="http://www.internationalpairs.com%20" target="_blank">www.internationalpairs.com

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