Working out Doubles pairings

Question
Hi, I hope you can help please.
Our golf club is holding a doubles competition.  We have 17 pairs.  How do we get it down to 2 pairs in the final?

Answer
Hi Sue,

since you have an odd number of pairs, you'll need to give one pair a bye into the 2nd round. Make up a draw with 18 pairs, and place of the pairs in a pairing without another pair. They automatically get into the 2nd round. You could select that pair by using some criteria (previous record, etc) or just randomly draw them from a hat.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,
Ken Tannar