ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON AMATEUR GOLF IN AYRSHIRE

Friday, April 19, 2024

AYRSHIRE MEN'S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - Scott Campbell is first round winner

Scott Campbell (Turnberry) is the first player to win in the first round of the 2024 Ayrshire Men's Champion of Champions Trophy competition.

With an opening tie away from home against Gavin Chesney (Kilbirnie Place), Campbell recoorded a 2&1 win to book a trip to face either Kenny Doherty (Routenburn) or Jamie Ralston (Moorpark) in round two.

There are fourteen other first round ties in this year's competition, which are due to be completed by the 28th of April.  

WEST OF SCOTLAND JUNIOR STROKEPLAY - Entries now open for Wishaw

The Lanarkshire Golf Association are now accepting entries for the 2024 West of Scotland Junior Strokeplay Championship which whill be held at Wishaw Golf Club on Sunday 7th July.

The championship is open to boys and girls under 18 years of age on 1st January 2024 with a handicap of no more than 36. 

The competition will be over 18 holes and scratch and handicap prizes will be presented.  

The entry fee is £10, and all entries must be made on the Scottish Golf App under “Events” and at “Club”, Lanarkshire Golf Association should be entered.

The boys returning the 8 best scratch scores will return to Wishaw on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16th July to contest the West of Scotland Boys Matchplay Championship.

Entry details are on the championship poster below, and are also available on the link on the left of this page, under the 'Juniors' heading.



AYRSHIRE STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Capacity field to contend 2024 event at Largs

A capacity field will contest the 2024 Ayrshire Men's Strokeplay Championship at Largs on Sunday the 28th of April.

A World Golf Rankings counting event, the 36 hole championship will be defended by Colin Goudie (Ayr Belleisle) who won his first Ayrshire title at Western Gailes last year.

The players returning the sixteen best 36 hole totals on the day will progress to contest the 2024 Ayrshire Men's Matchplay Championship at Rowallan castle GC from the 6th to the 9th of May.

If any player needs to withdraw from the championship they should email the Area Secretary as soon as possible at 

ayrshire.golf@btinternet.com

The draw for order of play at Largs on the 28th of April is:-




HILLHOUSE CUP - Entries now invited for Doc Thom Ayrshire Order of Merit event at Royal Troon

Entries are now invited for the 2024 Hillhouse Cup competition, which takes place at Royal Troon on Sunday the 19th of May.

The 18 hole strokeplay competition, a counting event for the Doc Thom Ayrshire Order of Merit, is open to amateur golfers aged 16 years and over who are members of recognised Ayrshire golf clubs, with a handicap index of 5 or less.

Entry is £25.00 and closing date for entry is the 10th of May.

The entry form is available via the link below, or via the link on the left of this page, under the 'Mens Golf' heading.

Hillhouse Cup Entry Form & Conditions

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

WEST OF SCOTLAND MEN'S STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Entry reminder for Hilton Park

 Players are reminded that entries are still being taken for the 2024 West of Scotland Men's Strokeplay Championship, being held this year by Dumbartonshire Golf Union at Hilton Park Golf Club on Sunday the 19th of May.

Details of how to enter the 18 hole championship are included on the championship poster below

 


PRESIDENT'S PUTTER - Holders defeated in opening match of title defence.

As the 2024 Ayrshire Golf Association extended competitions get under way for 2024, the opening match in the handicap club team knockout competitoion for the President's Putter has provided a notable result.

Facing an away tie in their opening fixture in round two against Auchenharvie 88, who won the championship in 2023, the team from Ardeer recorded a 2-1 victory to progress to the third round of the competition, where they will be away to either Annanhill or Troon St Meddans.

The three first round ties in the championship, which are due to be completed by Sunder the 28th of April, are:-

North Beach Vs Ballochmyle

Ayr Belleisle Vs Wallacetown

Redburn Vs Kilbirnie Place


AYRSHIRE JUNIOR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - 9 clubs to contest opening event at Kilbirnie Place GC

Teams from 9 member clubs will contest the traditional opening event of the 2024 Ayrshire Golf Association season, The Ayrshire Junior Team Championship, which takes place at Kilbirnie Place Golf Club on Sunday the 21st of April.


West Kilbride and Loudoun defend the Matt Lygate and Andrew D Nimmo team trophies respectively, while individual scratch and handicap trophies are also being contested during the event.

The draw for order of play is:-





Monday, April 15, 2024

PRESIDENT'S TROPHY - Ayrshire Boys & Youths team storm to victory over South of Scotland at Wigtownshire County

The combined Ayrshire Boys and Youths team stormed to victory over their hosts from the South of Scotland at Wigtownshire County Golf Club on Sunday the 14th of April as they retained the Presidents Troiphy in the annual match, the traditional opening fixture of the season.

The team of four under 16's, four under 18's and four under 23's played six foursomes ties in the morning and twelve singles ties in the afternoon.

The Ayrshire side, who won the trophy in 2023 at Girvan, overwhelmed their hosts in the morning foursomes to take a 5.5 - 0.5 lead into the afternoon singles, with only the anchor youths match ending with honours even.

Looking for a strong start in the afternoon singles, the Under 16 and under 18 players dfelivered, taking alleight of their ties without reply before the South of Scotland team rallied a little by winning the four youths ties by 3 - 1.

The outstanding team display, particularly by the under 16 and under 18 players who recorded a 100% win record over the foursomes and singles ties, saw Ayrshire retain the president's Trophy with a 14.5 - 3.5 overall match score in their favour.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Foursomes

Finlay Watt (West Kilbride) & Ollie Kane (Royal Troon) beat Scott gardiner (Portpatrick) & Riley Gratton (Stranraer) by 6&5

Aiden Hay (Irvine) & Liam Moran (Irvine) beat ZakStankovic (Lochmaben) & Brennan henry (Dalbeattie) by 3&1

Dylan Scally (West Kilbride) & Harris Fleming (Royal Troon) beat Carla Morris (Dumfries & County) & Joe Clark (Dumfries & County) by 5&3

Quinton Dunlop (Turnberry) & Scott newman (Royal Troon) beat Murray paterson (Dumfries & County) & Matt Mcfarlane (Lochmaben) by 4&3

Ryan Kennedy (Irvine) & Jamie Hay (Ayr Belleisle) beat Colin McKenzie (Lochmaben) & Cieran Howit (Dumfries & County) by 6&4

Harvey McDonald (Turnberry) & Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon) halved with Adam Scott (Lochmaben) & Rogan McGraw (Dumfries & County) 

Singles

Watt beat Gardner by 5&4

Moran beat Henry by 2&1

Kane beat Stankovic by 5&4

A. Hay beat Gratten by 6&5

Newman beat Morris by 8&6

Fleming beat Paterson by 2&1

Dunlop beat McFarlane by 1 hole

Scally beat Clark by 1 hole

Broadfoot beat McKenzie by 6&5

McDonald lost to Howit by 5&4

kennedy lost to McGraw by 3&2

J. Hay lost to Scott by 4&3 

AYRSHIRE   14.5   SOUTH OF SCOTLAND   3.5

SCOTTISH JUNIOR OPEN STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIPS - Boys and Girls events concluded at irvine and Powfoot

The Scottish Junior Open Strokeplay Championships concluded on Friday in very testing conditions at Irvine and Powfoot golf clubs.

The Boys' Championship at Irvine was won by Louka Morin from France with a three over par total of 287 for the four rounds.

Scott Newman (Royal Troon), the only Ayrshire player to make the cut, closed with rounds of 77 and 80 for a total of 308, 24 over par, to finish in joint 40th place.

The Girls' Championship at Powfoot was won by England's Chloe Tarbard with a four over par total of 223 for three rounds.

Freya Russell (Royal Troon) finished top Scot with a nine over par total of 228 after a closing round of 85 left her in joint eighth place overall.


Friday, April 12, 2024

SCOTTISH JUNIOR OPEN STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIPS - Freya Russell leads the field in the Girls championship at the halfway stage after course record.


Freya Russell (Royal Troon) is the leader of the Scottish Girls' Open Strokeplay Championship after day two, which is being held at Powfoot Golf Club from the 10th to the 12th of April, following a superb six under par second round on Thursday.

Russell's score of 67 is a new course record for the composite course being used in the championship. Freya started the record round bogey, par, eagle, bogey before settling into sub par figures for the remainder of the round where she did not drop another shot to par and recorded birdies at the 5th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 15th and 16th holes.

Added to her opening round score of 76, the two round total of 143, three under par, leaves Freya four ahead of the chasing pack going into the final day's play.

The cut for the final day fell at 160, with the only other Ayrshire player in the field, Jodie Graham (Royal Troon) missing out by 11 shots after rounds of 84 and 86 for a 25 over par total of 171.

In the corresponding boys event being held at Irvine Golf Club, Alexandre Godin (France) holds a single shot lead going into the final day with a one under par total of 141.

Scott Newman (Royal Troon) carded a seven over par second round of 78 for a nine over par total of 151, to make the cut for the final day by a single shot.

Scott's second round  looked likely to be better than what transpired, a bogey, birdie start being followed by bogeys at the 6th, 9th and 12th giving him a three over par total with two holes to play, before he finnished with successive double bogeys on the closing two holes.

The other two Ayrshire players in the field missed the cut for the final days play.

Connor Wills (Royal Troon) bettered his opening round by two shots, his second round 77, six over par, giving him a fourteen over par total of 156, while Sean Hillis (Kilmarnock Barassie) was eight shots better in his second round, a six over par score of 77 giving him a two round total of 162, twenty over par.

Both the Boys' and Girls' championshoips are scheduled to conclude on Friday the 12th of April.  

Thursday, April 11, 2024

PRESIDENT'S TROPHY - Ayrshire team to defend title at Wigtownshire County named

The combined Ayrshire Boys and Youths team who will defend the President's Trophy in the annual match against the South of Scotland, to be held this year on Sunday the 14th of April at Wigtownshire County Golf Club, has been announced.

The team of twelve comprises four Under 16's, four Under 18's and four Under 23's who will play foursomes matchplay against the South of Scotland team in the morning and singles in the afternoon.

The Ayrshire team hoping to defend the trophy won last year at Girvan is:-

Under 16's

Finlay Watt (West Kilbride)

Oliver Kane (Royal Troon)

Aidan Hay (Irvine)

Liam Moran (Irvine)


Under 18's

Scott Newman (Royal Troon) 

Harris Fleming (Royal Troon)

Dylan Scally (West Kilbride)

Quintin Dunlop (Turnberry)


Youths 

Harvey McDonald (Turnberry) 

Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon)

Jamie Hay (Ayr Belleisle)

Ryan Kennedy (Irvine)

SCOTTISH BOYS' OPEN STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Scott Newman leads Scottish challenge at Irvine after day 1

Reigning Ayrshire Boys Champion Scott Newman (Royal Troon) leads the Scottish challenge after day one of the Scottish Boys' Open Strokeplay championship, being held from the 10th to the 12th of April at Irvine Golf Club.

A two over par opening round of 73 gave Newman a joint third finish on the opening day, alongside fellow Scot Jamie McDonald (St Andrews New), three shots behind tournament leader William Partner from England.

In difficult conditions, Newman birdied the fifth and bogeyed the sixth in a level par outward half, but a run of three successive bogeys from the tenth put him three over par before he finished in style with a birdie three at the closing hole for his two over par total.

Two other Ayrshire players are in the field for this weeks event. Connor Wills (Royal Troon) opened with an eight over par score of 79 while Sean Hillis (Kilmarnock Barassie carded a fourteen over par score of 85 on day one.

The cahmpionship continues on thursday and concludes on Friday.

Wednesday, April 03, 2024

CARRICK SPEAKERS GOLF CLUB - Maybole based club disbands after 35 years

The Ayrshire Golf Association are sorry to learn that the Carrick Speakers Golf Club, a member club of The Association for around 35 years, is folding and disbanding.

This is the second setback to the sport in the carrick area in recent years, following the demise of the Maybole Golf Club a couple of years ago.

In advising The Association of the decision, Club Secretary Hugh McKay commented

"We have persevered and tried to keep going but our numbers have not been sustainable for some time. This together with increased costs, the changes in administration and the technical changes introduced by Scottish Golf, means we have decided to call it a day. We will look to join other stronger clubs and hopefully continue to enjoy the game for many years to come. 

Its a sad day for us all. I would like to express our thanks to the Ayrshire Golf Association for the work you have done over the years and I’m sure we will continue to enjoy the rights, privileges and protections that you offer with our new clubs".

For several years the Carrick Speakers Golf Club staged a succesful open competition over the Girvan golf course alongside several club events and championships.

The Ayrshire Golf Association are sorry to see the demise of one of our member clubs, which now takes the total membership to 63 clubs, and send all former members of the Carrick Speakers Golf Club best wishes, and hope they continue their involvement and enjoyment of the sport within other member clubs in the county. 

Tuesday, April 02, 2024

AYRSHIRE MEN'S STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Entry closing date reminder

Players are reminded that entries for the 2024 Ayrshire Men's Strokeplay Championship, sponsored by Lomond Property, close on Saturday the 13th of April.

The 2024 championship takes place at Largs GC on Sunday the 28th of April. 

Handicap limit for the 36 hole competition, a World Amateur Gof Rankings counting event, is 3 and the entry fee is £25.

In the event that the competition is over subscribed, there will be a ballot on handicap.

Entry forms should be available through member clubs, and can be downloaded via the link on the left of the Ayrshire Golf Association web page (desktop view).

If any players have issues obtaining the entry form they should contact the Area Secretary by email at ayrshire.golf@btinternet.com

Entries received to date are:-

AYRSHIRE MENS STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

SPONSORED BY LOMOND PROPERTY

LARGS GC - SUNDAY 28 APRIL  

ENTRIES RECEIVED


PLAYER

CLUB

H/Cap

FORM

PAYMENT

Andrew Gordon

Ayr Belleisle

-0.6

Y

Y

Cameron Aitken

Largs

-1.5

Y

Y

J Mark Robertson

Western Gailes

1.6

Y

 

Andrew McDonald

Largs

1.6

Y

Y

Drew Cleaver

Ayr Belleisle

0.3

Y

Y

Gavin Chesney

Kilbirnie Place

-0.7

Y

Y

Jamie Murchie

Largs

-0.9

Y

Y

John G T Robertson

Largs

0.2

Y

Y

Stuart Miller

Kilmarnock Barassie

-0.6

Y

Y

Sandy Walker

Kilmarnock Barassie

-0.7

Y

Y

Kris Kirk

Troon Portland

-0.8

Y

Y

Euan Lindsay

Largs

-0.3

Y

Y

Aidan Long

Ayr Belleisle

-3.7

Y

Y

Thomas Pace

Prestwick St Nicholas

1.1

Y

Y

Neil  Clapperton

Ballochmyle

1.1

Y

Y

Scott Hannah

Prestwick St Cuthbert

-0.6

Y

Y

Matthew Allan

Western Gailes

-5.3

Y

Y

Finlay Watt

West Kilbride

1.9

Y

Y

Harvey Broadfoot

Royal Troon

-2.4

Y

 

Jack Broadfoot

Troon Welbeck

3.6

Y

 

Jamie Hay

Ayr Belleisle

-3.5

Y

Y

Craig Telfer

 

 

 

Y

Scott Brown

Prestwick St Cuthbert

-0.5

Y

Y

William Fleming

Ballochmyle

0.8

Y

Y

Scott Davidson

Largs

0.4

Y

Y

Jonny Andrews

Largs

-1.1

Y

Y

Joe McSorley

Prestwick St Cuthbert

-1.3

Y

Y

Adrian Orton

Kilmarnock Barassie

0.8

Y

Y

Harvey McDonald

Turnberry

-1.8

Y

 

Alan Watson

Ballochmyle

1.1

Y

Y

David Macdonald

Largs

-1.5

Y

Y

Elliot Masterson

Ayr Belleisle

-1.7

Y

Y

Colin Goudie

Ayr Belleisle

-0.6

Y

Y

Scott Chesney

Kilbirnie Place

1.2

Y

Y

Mark Watt

Prestwick St Cuthbert

-1.3

Y

Y

Scott Gilchrist

Loudoun

1.5

Y

Y

Colin Hume

Ayr Belleisle

2.1

Y

Y