ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON AMATEUR GOLF IN AYRSHIRE

Sunday, August 28, 2005

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Barassie secure Under 16 Final Spot

Kilmarnock Barassie will feature in both the Ayrshire Junior Golf League competition finals sheduled for Caprington on Sunday 4th September, after a 3.5 - 0.5 home win over St. Cuthbert secured a final place in the Under 16 Knockout Trophy.

In The Under 16 Knockout Trophy final, Kilmarnock Barassie will face Beith, whilst in the Wallace Thornton Trophy final, scheduled for the same day, the holders Barassie will face the challenge of West Kilbride. The two finals are scheduled to tee off at 10.00 a.m.

Thursday, August 25, 2005

AYRSHIRE GIRLS - Alex Sargent retains St. Nicholas Trophy

Alex Sargent of Skelmorlie retained the St. Nicholas Trophy at West Kilbride in poor weather conditions on Sunday 21st August. For a full report and photograph visit www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Beith reach Under 16 Knockout Trophy final.

Beith have claimed the first final place in the 2005 Under 16 Knockout Trophy, after an extremely close match at Loudoun in the semi final on Sunday 21st August.

With the match tied at 2 - 2, Beith went through to the final by virtue of a 16 - 13 countback over the individual ties.

Beith now await the winners of the Barassie Vs. St. Cuthbert match, who play off for a place in the final, which is due to take place at Caprington on Sunday 4th September.

Monday, August 22, 2005

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Ballochmyle secure semi final spot against West Kilbride

Ballochmyle have secured the semi final place, after their play off with Prestwick St. Cuthbert in section A, and now face West Kilbride in the last four.

Leading by 5.5 - 0.5 from the first leg, Ballochmyle were defeated in the return at St. Cuthbert on Sunday, but the 3.5 - 2.5 win was not sufficient for the Prestwick club, Ballochmyle going through by 8 - 4 on aggregate.
2005 Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit Trophy winner - JAMIE MACKAY (Kilmarnock Barassie) Posted by Picasa

JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Mackay secures 2005 title

Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) is the 2005 Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit Trophy winner, after the 20 qualifying events were completed this week.

Mackay's commanding lead was consolidated with a 3rd place at the Irvine Ravenspark Open, giving him a final total of 660 points, over 300 points aheaad of his nearest challenger, Stuart Robin (Prestwick St. Nicholas) who finished second with 375 points.

His win in the Scottish Boys Strokeplay helped the defending champion, Steven McEwan (Kilmarnock Barassie) to third place on 350 points, whilst a runners up place and a win in the final event at Kilbirnie helped Graeme Gimson (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) and Craig Mclaughlin (Largs) to 4th and 5th places respectively.

The final two places on the prize list went to John Shanks (Ardeer) and David Currie (Kilmarnock Barassie), Currie's total of 235 just edging malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) out of the prize list.

Prizes will be presented to the first 7 placed players at the Ayrshire Junior Golf League annual dinner in November.

Final placings in the Order Of Merit are :-


660 - JAMIE MACKAY - Kilmarnock (Barassie).
375 - STUART ROBIN - Prestwick St. Nicholas.
350 - STEVEN McEWAN - Kilmarnock (Barassie).
305 - GRAEME GIMSON - Prestwick St. Cuthbert.
275 - CRAIG McLAUGHLIN - Largs.
250 - JOHN SHANKS - Ardeer.
235 - DAVID CURRIE - Kilmarnock (Barassie).

230 - MALCOLM PENNYCOTT - Whiting Bay.
225 - CAMERON GRAY - West Kilbride.
150 - ANDREW ABERCROMBIE - Largs.
140 - EUAN BROWN - Kilmarnock (Barassie).
130 - DAVID ADDISON - Kilmarnock (Barassie).
125 - PAUL ROBINSON - Skelmorlie.
120 - CHRIS McKENZIE - Irvine Ravenspark.
110 - CHRIS TODD - Ayr Belleisle.
100 - SHAUN MANSON - Prestwick St. Nicholas, JASON BUTLER - Irvine Ravenspark,
LOYD SMITH - Kilmarnock (Barassie), RICHARD McMANUS - Ayr Belleisle.
85 - STUART HENDERSON - Kilmarnock (Barassie).
75 - JEFF BRIGHTON - Girvan, MICHAEL ROOS - West Kilbride, NICK FAULDS - Turnberry, IAIN MENZIES - Largs,
CRAIG SCOTT - Irvine Ravenspark.
60 - ADAM FOLEY - Ayr Belleisle.
55 - ANDREW CONNELL - Largs.
50 - DARREN KEAN - West Kilbride, JAMES GIBSON - Turnberry, D ROBB - Kilbirnie Place, CHRIS YOUNG - Caprington.
GRANT McILLONEY - Prestwick St. Cuthbert,
NEIL HAMILTON - Kilmarnock (Barassie), STUART MUNRO - Ayr Belleisle, M. CAMERON - Loudoun, ROBERT McKNIGHT - Kilmarnock (Barassie).
40 - NICKY SINCLAIR - Kilmarnock (Barassie), DARREN KEAN - West Kilbride.
35 - CALLUM ROBB - Irvine Ravenspark, C CROWE - Kilbirnie Place, GORDON HERCUS - Beith, DAVID McLAUGHLAN - Troon St. Meddans, JOHN COULTER - Irvine Ravenspark, LUKE FACCHINI - Ayr Belleisle, DAVID STRATFORD - Caprington, GARY HERBERTSON - Ballochmyle.
30 - CRAIG McCALL - Prestwick St. Nicholas
20 - ALLAN TODD - Ayr Belleisle, GORDON MUNRO - Caprington, DAVID HEWITSON - Beith, A ARNOTT - Kilbirnie Place, BRIAN GRIFFIN - Annanhill, CRAIG McGLYNN - Irvine Ravenspark, GREG RORISON - Turnberry.
10 - CALUM SHAW - Caprington, I FULTON - Kilbirnie Place, LIAM McLEOD - Irvine Ravenspark, SCOTT MORRISON - Ayr Belleisle, JAMIE BLACKWOOD - Beith, SCOTT BROWN - Girvan, JOSH NORDBO - Largs, COLIN ROBINSON - Skelmorlie.
5 - STEVEN JAMES - Ballochmyle, DANIEL McLEAN - Largs, MATTHEW ELRICK, Beith, GRAEME BLACK - Ardeer, ANDREW MILLER - Prestwick St. Cuthbert, D BROWN - Prestwick St. Cuthbert, FRASER LAWRIE - Largs, STEVEN MUNRO - Irvine Ravenspark,
NEIL McDONALD - Irvine Ravenspark, CRAIG HESSET - Ayr Belleisle.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Ardeer still on course for three in a row

Ardeer remain on course for a third successive AJGL Championship win after winning through against Irvine Ravenspark in the section D play off, for a semi final spot.

In the first leg of the play off, on Sunday 14th August, Ardeer took a 4.5 - 1.5 advantage from their home leg. Despite the apparently convincing winning margin, the match was close throughout with 4 of the 6 matches finishing on the 17th green, on finishing at the final hole and the other match being concluded at the 16th.

The return match at Ravenspark on Wednesday 17th August saw a stirring fighback from Ravenspark, but despite their best efforts, their 4-2 win left them just short of the points required to oust the champions, Ardeer winning through to the semi finals on a 6.5 - 5.5 aggregate. The second leg was even closer than the first, with Ardeer securing two crucial half matches from two ties that were both two down with two holes to play.

Ardeer's semi final matches against Ayr Belleisle are scheduled for Sunday 4th September at Ayr, with the return at Ardeer on Sunday 11th September.

In the play off match from section A, Ballochmyle all but ensured a semi final place against West Kilbride with a first leg home win by 5.5 - 0.5 over St. Cuthbert on Monday 15th August. The result of the second leg, scheduled for Sunday 21st August is still to be notified.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Holders Kilmarnock Barassie meet West Kilbride in Wallace Thornton Trophy final

Two home wins, by 4-0 and 3-1 over Belleisle and Largs respectively, gave Kilmarnock Barassie a 100% record in the Wallace Thornton Tropy qualifying section 1, and a place in the final at Caprington on Sunday 4th September against West Kilbride.

Final placings in Section 1 were:-

TEAM/P/W/D/L/Abd./F/A/Dif./Pts.

BARASSIE/3/3/0/0/0/11/1/+10/12
LARGS/3/2/0/1/0/7/5/+2/8
BELLEISLE/3/1/0/2/0/4/8/-4/4
ROUTENBURN/3/0/0/3/0/2/10/-8/0

In Section 2, Ravenspark conceded their final match to Welbeck, whilst the Ardeer Vs. Welbeck match was abandoned. The other remaining fixture in the section resulted in a 4-0 home win by Ravenspark over Ballochmyle. Final placings in the section were :-

TEAM/P/W/D/L/Abd./F/A/Dif./Pts.

WEST KILBRIDE/4/3/0/1/0/12/4/+8/12
BALLOCHMYLE/4/2/0/2/0/7/9/-2/8
ARDEER/4/1/1/1/1/7/9/-2/7
RAVENSPARK/4/1/1/2/0/8/8/0/6
WELBECK/4/1/0/2/1/6/10/-4/5

The final between West Kilbride and Kilmarnock Barassie will be held at Caprington Golf Club on Sunday 4th September at 10.00 a.m.

Sunday, August 14, 2005

Prizewinners at the 2005 Tom Lehman Junior Open at Troon, with Provost Gordon McKenzie of South Ayrshire Council Posted by Picasa

THE TOM LEHMAN JUNIOR GOLF OPEN - 471 world beaters contest the event at Troon

The eighth annual competition for the Tom Lehman trophies, reputed to be the largest single day junior open event in the world, took place at the Troon Municipal courses on Tuesday 2nd August, with the total of 471 competitors being almost a fifth greater than the 2004 entry.

148 scratch to 12 handicapped boys contested the Tom Lehman trophy over the Darley course, an Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit qualifying event.

GRAEME GIMSON (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) took the honours, winning the Tom Lehman Trophy for the boys with a scratch 73

Leading scratch scores over Darley were :-

73 - GRAEME GIMSON (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)
74 - CRAIG SCOTT (Irvine Ravenspark)
75 - JAMIE MACKAY (Kilmarnock Barassie)
75 - CHRISTOPHER COX (Falkirk)
76 - EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Best nett return over Darley was recorded by LIAM O'KANE (Pumpherston) with 75 - 8 = 67

Nett prizewinners over Darley were :-

LIAM O'KANE (Pumpherston) 75 - 8 = 67
STUART MUNRO (Ayr Belleisle) 74 - 7 = 67
JAMES GIBSON (Turnberry) 78 - 9 = 69
STUART MUIR (Troon Welbeck) 77 - 8 = 69
CRAIG GOODWIN (Loudoun) 79 - 10 = 69

ADAM FOLEY of Ayr Belleisle had cause to celebrate, with a hole in one at the short 4th hole during his round.

Boys with handicaps from 13 to 20 played over the Lochgreen course, 138 competitors taking part.

ALLAN TODD (Ayr Belleisle) returned the best scratch score of the event with a 76, whilst the best nett return of the day was by FRANK O'ROURKE (Dullatur) with 79 - 13 = 66. Net prizewinners over Lochgreen were :-

FRANK O' ROURKE (Dullatur) 79 - 13 = 66
CAMERON FARRELL (Cardross) 84 - 18 = 66
STEPHEN LAWN (Caldwell) 79 - 13 = 66
RORY McKENZIE (Troon St. Meddans) 79 - 12 = 67
CALUM CAMERON (Royal Troon) 87 - 20 = 67

In the girls event over Lochgreen, for the scratch to 20 handicappers, 19 girls took part. 2004 winner Megan Briggs was on home international duty for the Scotland Girls team and was unable to defend her title and it was VICKI SMITH (Kilmarnock Barassie) who won the girls Tom Lehman Trophy with a best scratch score on the day of 8 over par.

Nett prize winners in the girls section were :-

JENNIFER LINKLATER (Largs) 88 - 20 = 68
HANNAH BRAWLEY (Kilmarnock Barassie) 97 - 26 = 71
KATIE MACPHERSON (Kilmarnock Barassie) 94 - 23 = 71

128 boys and girls with handicaps over 21 and 28 respectively competed over the Fullarton course, as did the pre handicap novices who played a nine hole stableford competition.

GREG SMAIL (Monktonhill) returned the best boys gross score with 72, two ahead of second placed KENNETH HOGG (Irvine Ravenpark), on 74.

Best boys nett returns were :-

STEVEN BROWN (Girvan) 79 - 32 = 47
RYAN ALEXANDER (Ayr Dalmilling) 77 - 30 = 47
JORDAN HOOD (Ayr Dalmilling) 78 - 30 = 48
CALUM NAIRN (Ayr Belleisle) 82 - 31 = 51
KYLE MENZIES (Muirkirk) 83 - 32 = 51

In the girls event over Fullarton, the leading nett scores were :-

NICOLA McLCKIE (Wishaw) 83 - 27 = 56
EMMA DUNCAN (Kilmarnock Barassie) 85 - 29 = 56
VICKY WRIGHT (Stranraer) 93 - 34 = 59

26 pre handicap novices took part in the 9 hole stableford event, HEATHER CONEJO (Williamwood), GEORGE SWANKY and FRASER McKENZIE shared first place on 27 points.

There were also a number of novelty prizes on each of the course, the winners being:-

DARLEY
Longest drive - 6th hole - CRAIG SCOTT (Irvine Ravenspark)
Longest Drive - 18th hole - GRAEME JONES (Paisley)
Nearest the pin - 4th hole - ADAM FOLEY (Ayr Belleisle) - HOLE IN ONE
Nearest the pin - 12th hole - GARY HERBERTSON (Ballochmyle) - 7'7"

LOCHGREEN
Longest drive - 3rd hole - GARETH HOPKINS (Lenzie)
Longest drive - 17th hole - MARTIN RONALD - Irvine Ravenspark
Nearest the pin - 6th hole - MICHAEL WYLIE (Whitecraigs) - 54"
Nearest the pin - 10th hole - ALASTAIR ROBERTS (Cathcart castle) - 6'3"

FULLARTON
Longest drive - 2nd - CALLUM LEE (Brighouse bay)
Longest drive - 10th - MARK YOUNG (Kirkhill)
Nearest the pin - 6th hole - MARTIN LAMONT (Stranraer) 84 cm
Nearest the pin - 18th hole - not won

Saturday, August 13, 2005

JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT -Mackay close to securing the title

Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) remains well on course to take the Junior Order Of Merit totle for the 2005 season, with only the results from Beith, Kilbirnie and Ravenspark to be processed.

Mackay is over 2oo points better off than his nearest challenger, whith a win at Ballochmyle boosting his points for the season.

Present position of all the participants in the Order Of Merit are :-

610 - JAMIE MACKAY Kilmarnock (Barassie)
375 - STUART ROBIN Prestwick St. Nicholas
350 - STEVEN McEWAN Kilmarnock (Barassie)
235 - DAVID CURRIE Kilmarnock (Barassie)
230 - GRAEME GIMSON Prestwick St. Cuthbert
225 - CAMERON GRAY West Kilbride
220 - MALCOLM PENNYCOTT Whiting Bay
175 - CRAIG McLAUGHLIN Largs
175 - JOHN SHANKS Ardeer
150 - ANDREW ABERCROMBIE Largs
140 - EUAN BROWN Kilmarnock (Barassie)
130 - DAVID ADDISON Kilmarnock (Barassie)
125 - PAUL ROBINSON Skelmorlie
120 - CHRIS McKENZIE Irvine Ravenspark
110 - CHRIS TODD Ayr Belleisle
100 - LLOYD SMITH Kilmarnock (Barassie)
100 - RICHARD McMANUS Ayr Belleisle
85 - STUART HENDERSON Kilmarnock (Barassie)
75 - JEFF BRIGHTON Girvan
75 - MICHAEL ROOS West Kilbride
75 - IAIN MENZIES Largs
75 - CRAIG SCOTT Irvine Ravenspark
60 - ADAM FOLEY Ayr Belleisle
55 - ANDREW CONNELL Largs
50 - DARREN KEAN West Kilbride
50 - CHRIS YOUNG Caprington
50 - GRANT McILLONEY Prestwick St. Cuthbert
50 - NEIL HAMILTON Kilmarnock (Barassie)
50 - STUART MUNRO Ayr Belleisle
50 - M. CAMERON Loudoun
50 - ROBERT McKNIGHT Kilmarnock (Barassie)
40 - NICKY SINCLAIR Kilmarnock (Barassie)
40 - DARREN KEAN West Kilbride
35 - DAVID McLAUGHLAN Troon St. Meddans
35 - JOHN COULTER Irvine Ravenspark
35 - LUKE FACCHINI Ayr Belleisle
35 - DAVID STRATFORD Caprington
35 - GARY HERBERTSON Ballochmyle
30 - CRAIG McCALL Prestwick St. Nicholas

20 - ALLAN TODD Ayr Belleisle
20 - GORDON MUNRO Caprington
20 - BRIAN GRIFFIN Annanhill
20 - GREG RORISON Turnberry
10 - CALUM SHAW Caprington
10 - LAIM McLEOD Irvine Ravenspark
10 - SCOTT MORRISON Ayr Belleisle
10 - SCOTT BROWN Girvan
10 - JOSH NORDBO Largs
10 - COLIN ROBINSON Skelmorlie
5 - STEVEN JAMES Ballochmyle
5 - DANIEL McLEAN Largs
5 - GRAEME BLACK Ardeer
5 - ANDREW MILLER Prestwick St. Cuthbert
5 - FRASER LAWRIE Largs
5 - NEIL McDONALD Irvine Ravenspark
5 - CRAIG HESSET Ayr Belleisle
2005 Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Champion EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock Barassie) Posted by Picasa

AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY - Euan Brown takes 2005 title at Prestwick

Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) is the 2005 Ayrshire Boys Matchplay champion, after edging out Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) by 2 & 1 in a close final, at a breezy Prestwick Golf Club on Saturday 13th August.

Brown got off to a great start, holing from 6 feet at the first for birdie and getting up and down from off the green at the par 3 second hole, to secure a two hole lead after 2.

At the third, Brown found rough on the right from the tee, and a poor lie contributed to a second shot which fell short, landing in the Pow Burn and out of bounds. With Gray safely near the green in 2, Brown conceded the hole and the match returned to one hole in Brown's favour.

The 4th was halved in par, and at the 5th, Brown struch his tee shot well, coming to rest some 30 feet right of the hole. With Gray looking likely to secure a par 3, Brown judged a severe right to left borrow to perfection, holing his putt for a birdie 2 to rerstore his two hole lead.

The 6th and 7th were halved in par, Gray in particular having a chance to win the 7th, but being thwarted by a fine recovery putt for par by Brown. Aty the 8th hole, brown found the rough on the left from the tee, and struggled make the putting surface in three. Gray on the other hand hit a superb drive which was duly rewarded when he secured his par 4 to reduce the deficit in the match to 1 again.

Despite leaving himself a testing 5 foot putt for par at the 9th, Gray matches Brown on the final hole of the outward half, to turn for home one hole behind.

Despite the difficult conditions, with a stiff south westerly breeze, Gray turned in level par figures, whilst Brown, with the exception of the 3rd hole, was one under par on the way out.

With Brown on the 10th green in 2, some 15 feet left of the hole, and Gray struggling after finding rough on the left from the tee, and his approach shots, Brown looked likely to extend his lead. Gray however had other ideas, playing a good chip to reach the green, from heavy rough, before securing an unlikely par 4 with a severely swinging left to right put from 30 feet which he holed. Brown's agonies were compounded when he struck his birdie putt 3 feet past the hole before his par putt struck the hole and spun out, giving Gray the hole and levelling the match for the first time since the opening tee shots.

Both players found sand from the tee at the short 11th, but whilst Brown took 2 to extricate his ball from the front bunker, Gray got up and down in two for a winning par, to go one up in the match for the first, and as it was later to prove, the only time in the match.

Despite the turn around in the match, Brown kept his cool, and immediately leveled the match with a birdie 4 at the 12th, after Gray bunkered his second shot and could only manage par. The status quo remained when both players did well to get up and down for par from off the green at the 13th.

Despite finding the rough on the right at the 14th from the tee, whilst his opponent found the fairway, brown got the better of the approach shots, hitting it to within 10 feet of theb hole whilst Gray was unfortunate to see his approach check and pull up 15 feet short of the hole.
Gray narrowly missed his birdie attempt, but Brown regained his lead in the match when he confidently holed his effort for 3.

Wit a wayward tee shot and a bunkered second, Brown struggled at the 15th, whilst Gray safely made the green in 2. The best Brown could do was a bogey 5, leaving Gray with two putts from 25 feet to level the match. Despite a good putt, on a tricky down slope, Gray saw his birdie effort run 3 feet past, and his return putt struck the hole and spun out, leaving the match still one hole in Brown's favour.

At the 16th, both players hit excellent approach shots, Gray finishing 12 feet from the hole with Brown a mere 4 feet away. Another good put from Gray just stayed above ground, whilst Brown confidently secured his birdie 3 to go dormie.

Gray continued to battle, and two excellent shots at the long 17th saw him safely on the green, some 15 feet from the hole. Brown meanwhile had been slightly bold with his approach, leaving him just off the back of the green, some 60 feet from the hole, with an extremely difficult shot to negotiate, to get the ball close. Despite his best efforts, brown could only get to within 12 feet from the hole in three shots. Gray's birdie putt shaved the hole and ran a little past, but he had no opportunity to putt for par, Brown stepping forward and holing another excellent putt, from around 12 feet, for par and a 2 & 1 victory.

With a better ball of around 5 under par, both players produced some excellent form in the final, and Grays figures in defeat, of 1 over par for 17 holes, were commendable and indicated the standard of the match, and the players involved.

At the conclusion of the match, prizes were awarded to both finalists, by Prestwick Golf Club Secretary, Ian Bunch, and the trophy was passed into the custody of the winner Euan Brown, for the next 12 months.
Euan Brown being presented with the trophy and keepsake, by Ian Bunch, Secretary of the Prestwick Golf Club Posted by Picasa
Cameron Gray putting on the 8th in the final Posted by Picasa
3 times a champion - TOMMY McINALLY (Loudoun) with the Champion Of Champions Trophy, after his third successive triumph. Posted by Picasa

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - hat trick of wins for McInally in Champion Of Champions event

Tommy McInally (Loudoun) gained a trio of successive wins in the Champion Of Champions Trophy competition defeating 2002 champion Tony Fraser (Annanhill) in the final at Royal Troon on Friday 12th August 2005.

In a perfect evening for golf, the players faced the challenge of the Championship tees for the final.

McInally made the first move, gaining a winning birdie 3 at the opening hole. A birdie 3 at the third hole levelled the match for Fraserbut a birdie 4 at the 4th immediately restored McInally's advantage.

Both players played poor third shots at the 6th hole, but it was McInally who recovered better, increasing his advantage to 2 holes.

A par 4 was enough for Fraser to reduce the defecit to one after 8 holes, and with the notorious postage stamp yielding birdie 2's to both players, the difference between the finalists was one hole.

Fraser maintained his pressure on McInally towards the turn, and when McInally lost the first of two balls during the match, on the 9th hole, the match result remained tied as the players turned for home.

As in the opening nine, McInally secured a birdie 3 at the 10th hole to go 1 up, but a second lost ball of the match, this time at the canteen area, resulted in the match being levelled again.

At the 14th, Fraser bunkered his tee shot giving McInally the task of securing a par 3, which he did.

Par was sufficient to hold a 2 hole advantage, and when the next two holes were halved, McInally emerged the winner by 4 & 3.

Friday, August 12, 2005

AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY - Brown and Gray ease through to meet in the final

Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) and Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) will contest the 2005 Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship final on Saturday 13 August 2005, with a 4.00 p.m. start.

Gray eased through in his semi final match, winning by 4 & 3 against Craig McLaughlin (Largs) whilst Brown won the tussle between clubmates from Kilmarnock Barassie, Stuart Henderson and himself, with a comfortable 6 & 4 victory.

Gray and Brown meet in the final, which tees of at 4.00 p.m.. Spectators are welcome to come and support the finalists and watch what should prove an interesting match.

Boys Matchplay semi finalists STUART HENDERSON & EUAN BROWN (both Kilmarnock Barassie) Posted by Picasa
Boys Matchplay semi finalists, CAMERON GRAY (West KIlbride) & CRAIG McLAUGHLIN (Largs) Posted by Picasa

Thursday, August 11, 2005

AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Henderson ensures Barassie finalist, after first round win

The Ayrshire Boys matchplay Championship began on Thursday 11th August with the first round ties over the links of Prestwick Golf Club.

In the first tie, the recently crowned Ayrshire Boys Champion, Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) raced to a 4 hole lead after 4 against clubmate Euan Brown. Brown however founght back, securing a halved match with a birdie 3 at the final hole. The match proceeded to extra holes and it was Euan Brown who secured a notable comeback with victory at the second extra hole.

In the semi final Brown faces another Kilmarnock Barassie member, Stuart Henderson, who ensured a Barassie representation in the final with a 1 hole victory over Graeme Gimson (Prestwick St. Cuthbert).

With Stuart Robin (Prestwick St. Nicholas) still competing in the British Boys Championship at Hunstanton, Craig McLaughlin (Largs) came in as a late replacement to play Craig McCall (Prestwick St. Nicholas). All square playing the last, McCall bunkered his tee shot, efore playing out and chipping to witnin 10 feet of the hole in 3. Safely on the green in 2, McLaughlin had a brave putt, from around 40 feet, for birdie, which just narrowly missed going in. McCall showed his mettle by bravely holing his par putt to take the match into extra holes, however at the first extra hole it was McLaughlin who secured a semi final spot.

In the semi final, Craig McLaughlin faces former Ayrshire Boys Champion and under 16 internationalist, Cameron Gray (West Kilbride), who had a comfortable 5 & 4 victory over the 2003 Ayrshire Boys Matchplay winner Nicky Sinclair (Kilmarnock Barassie).

The semi finals take place on Friday night, 12th August, at 5 p.m. with the final on Saturday 13th at 4 p.m.

FIRST ROUND RESULTS - Thursday 11 August

Jamie Mackay (Barassie) lost to Euan Brown (Barassie) at the 20th
Stuart Henderson (Barassie) beat Graeme Gimson (St. Cuthbert) 1 hole
Craig Mclaughlin (Largs) beat Craig McCall (St. Nicholas) at the 19th
Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) beat Nicky Sinclair (Barassie) 5 & 4

SEMI FINALS - Friday 12 August

1700 hrs - Brown Vs. Henderson
1710 hrs - McLaughlin Vs. Gray

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE Draws made for the semi finals

The draws have been made for the semi finals of three Ayrshire Junior Golf League competitions, at the League Execuitve meeting on Monday 8th August.

The LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP prompted much discussion, after the failure of Largs Routenburn to honour their commitment, the 4 matches in the qualifying sections having a significant bearing on the result.

Ballochmyle topped section A having been awarded two matches by Routenburn, whilst Prestwick St. Cuthbert matched Ballochmyle's points total, having completed all their matches, which included a defeat at Routenburn.

In an outstandingly sporting gesture, in the best traditions of the Ayrshire Junior Golf League, Ballochmyle were in full agreement with the proposal from some member clubs that Ballochmyle and St. Cuthbert play off in Section A to decide who proceeds to the semi finals.

The semi final draw was subsequently made by League Chairman, Ricky magee (Caprington)

In the first semi final, AYR BELLEISLE will meet the winners of the section D play off between ARDEER and IRVINE RAVENSPARK.

The second semi final pairs the winners of the BALLOCHMYLE versus PRESTWICK ST. CUTHBERT tie with WEST KILBRIDE.

The play off ties have to be completed, on a home and away basis, by 21st August 2005, with the semi finals due for completion, again on a home and away basis, by Sunday 11th September.

The League Championship final will be held at Caprington Golf Club on Sunday 18th September 2005.

In the UNDER 16 KNOCKOUT TROPHY semi finals, KILMARNOCK BARASSIE play host to PRESTWICK ST. CUTHBERT, whilst LOUDOUN entertain BEITH.

The semi finals are due for completion by Sunday 28th August, with the final due to take place at Caprington on Sunday 4th September.

In the CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY copmpetition semi finals, MICHAEL STEWART (Troon Welbeck) is at home to STUART ROBIN (Prestwick St. Nicholas) whilst GORDON MUNRO (Caprington) entertains Scottish Boys Strokeplay Champion, STEVEN McEWAN (Kilmarnock Barassie).

Semi final ties are due for completion by Sunday 11th September, with the final scheduled for Caprington on Sunday 18th September.

JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Mackay storms back to the top after wins in Ayrshire Boys and at Ballochmyle

Wins at Ballochmyle and in the Ayrshire Boys, along with 4th spot at the Tom Lehman tournament have given Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) a clear lead in the Order Of Merit, with only 6 events remaining to be recorded.

Stuart Robin (Prestwick St. Nicholas) regained second spot after his second placing in the Ayrshire Boys Championship, whilst Graeme Gimson (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) moved into 4th after his win at the Tom Lehman event, and points gained at the Ayrshire Boys.

Results are still awaited from the opens at Beith and Loudoun, whilst the next qualifying events are the Ayr Belleisle Open on Thursday 11th August and the Ayrshire Boys Matchplay from 11 to 13 August. The last two events will be the Kilbirnie Place and Irvine Ravenspark events on Sunday 14th and Tuesday 16th August respectively.

Leading placings, after 14 events, with 6 remaining are :-

610 - JAMIE MACKAY - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
375 - STUART ROBIN - Prestwick St. Nicholas
350 - STEVEN McEWAN - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
230 - GRAEME GIMSON - Prestwick St. Cuthbert
225 - DAVID CURRIE - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
175 - CAMERON GRAY - West Kilbride
175 - CRAIG McLAUGHLIN - Largs
175 - JOHN SHANKS - Ardeer
150 - ANDREW ABERCROMBIE - Largs
130 - DAVID ADDISON - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
100 - LLOYD SMITH - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
90 - MALCOLM PENNYCOTT - Whiting Bay
75 - JEFF BRIGHTON - Girvan
75 - MICHAEL ROOS - West Kilbride
75 - IAIN MENZIES - Largs
75 - CRAIG SCOTT - Irvine Ravenspark
65 - EUAN BROWN - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
60 - STUART HENDERSON - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
55 - ANDREW CONNELL - Largs
50 - DARREN KEAN - West Kilbride
50 - CHRIS YOUNG - Caprington
50 - GRANT McILLONEY - Prestwick St. Cuthbert
50 - NEIL HAMILTON - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
50 - PAUL ROBINSON - Skelmorlie
50 - CURTIS TODD - Ayr Belleisle
50 - STUART MUNRO - Ayr Belleisle
50 - ROBERT McKNIGHT - Kilmarnock (Barassie)

Monday, August 08, 2005

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Barassie through to semi final meeting with Troon Welbeck in Summer League

Kilmarnock Barassie secured a semi final place against Troon Welbeck on Sunday, despite a 4-2 defeat at Irvine Ravenspark in the second leg of their play off matches, on Sunday.

Leading 4.5 - 1.5 from the first leg, barassie struggled to gain the points required to progress, and with only two half points gained by a young Barassie team in the return match, it was left to Euan Brown to secure a win over Kenny Whitfield to give Barassie a 6.5 - 5.5 win overall.

In the other semi final, Loudoun meet Annanhill.

Saturday, August 06, 2005

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Loudoun win nailbiting play off for Summer League semi final place.

The play off between section 1 leaders, West Kilbride and Loudoun, for a place in the semi finals of the Summer League, took place at West Kilbride on Thursday 4th August. Both teams agreed to a single match play off, with the clubs tossing a coin for home advantage, with West Kilbride the successful hosts.

In keeping with the seasons results, the match was close throughout, resulting in a 3-3 draw.

The clubs agreed prior to the match that, in the event of a draw, the first player in each team woulf play off on a sudden death basis for a place in the semi final, and so the pressure fell upon Tommy McInally (Loudoun) and Ian Brown (West Kilbride).

With a 5 & 4 win in the match proper, and with home advantage, circumstances appeared to favour Brown, but McInally rose to the occasion , smashing his drive at the first play off hole onto the second tee before chipping down to 6 feet and holing the birdie putt to win his club a place in the semi final.

In the semi finals, Loudoun face Annanhill, whilst the other semi final features Troon Welbeck and the winner of the Kilmarnock Barassie Vs. Irvine Ravenspark play off. In the latter match, which should be concluded this week, Barassie take a 4.5 - 1.5 advantage to the second leg at Ravenspark.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - McInally still on course for third successive Champion Of Champions title

Tommy McInally (Loudoun) remains on course for a third successive win in the Ayrshire Champion Of Champions competition after he defeated David Glass (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) by 4 & 3 in the semi final over Royal Troon on the evening of Friday 5th August.

In the final, McInally will meet Tony Fraser (Annanhill) after Fraser edged out Ian Walker (Brunston Castle) in the other semi final. Despite Walker taking an early three hole lead, Fraser squared the match by the 15th before Walker edged in front again with a fine birdie 3 at 16. A par was good enough for Fraser to square the match with one hole to play, and when Walker bunkered his approach at the last, and was unable to save par, Fraser two putted for a one hole victory.

The final will be played at Royal Troon on Friday 12th August, teeing off at 5.00 p.m., and spectators are welcome to attend what looks likely to be a match of the highest standard, as McInally bids for his hat trick of Championship victories.
CHAMPIONS ALL - 2005 Club Champions at Prestwick St. Cuthbert :- (L to R) - Jim Gillies ( gents 2nd class), Lorna Batchelor (ladies bronze), Stephen McBlain (gents ), Catherine Malcolm (ladies)and Graeme Gimson (junior) Posted by Picasa

PRESTWICK ST. CUTHBERT GOLF CLUB - McBlain creates family record with championship victory

Prestwick St. Cuthbert Golf Club held their annual Club Championship finals night on Friday 5th August, with the finals of the Junior, Ladies Bronze, Gents 2nd Class, Ladies Championship and Gents Championship all being completed.

In the Junior Championship Graeme Gimson, fresh from his 5th place in the Ayrshire Boys Championship on Thursday and victory in the Tom Lehman event at Troon on Tuesday, faced the challenge of Blair Caddis. Caddis was under pressure from the start against the form player, losing the first hole and never really recovering as Gimson secured a 6 & 5 win, with figures of level par over the holes played.

The Ladies Bronze Championship featured the Lady Captain, Lorna Batchelor, who faced former Ladies Captain Maureen Gillies.
The match was close over the early stages, but when Gillies found trees at the 8th, 9th, 12th and 13th holes, Batchelor gained the advantage, eventually running out the winner by 3 & 2

The Gents 2nd Class Championship featured James Dodds against Past Captain Jim Gillies. Jim Gillies appeared to have the trophy tightly in his grasp, going 5 holes up with 6 remaining, but Dodds staged an amazing fightback, taking five successive holes, including two birdie 2's, from the 13th to square the match with one hole to play.

With nerves playing a part, both players reached the final green in 4 shots before Dodds missed his putt for par. Gillies also missed his par putt and was conceded a bogey, and Dodds then holed his putt for a halved hole. Both players proceeded to the 19th hole, before it was pointed out to the referee by spectators that Dodds had incorrectly replaced his ball onbefore his final putt. Dodds immediately realised his mistake, and consequently the final hole, the match and the trophy was won by Jim Gillies, by one hole.

In the Ladies Championship, Marie White faced a difficult task against defending champion, and 17 times winner of the title, Catherine Malcolm. Despite figurs of 2 over par 38 to the turn, White found herself 3 holes down. Malcolm extended her lead with a birdie 3 at the 400 yard 11th hole, before winning the match, and securing her 18th title, by 6 & 4 on the 14th green. The standard of play was illustrated by the 7 birdies the finalists shared over the 14 holes played.

In the Gents Championship, former Junior Club Champions, Stephen McBlain and Kevin Fergusson met, with McBlain bidding to match his father Ian's win in the event in 1982.

A 20' birdie putt at the first hole gave McBlain the lead before Fergusson levelled at the second, only to see McBlain birdie the third to regain the lead. The match remained close, with McBlain edging further ahead, turning for home with a 2 hole lead. Despite his best efforts, Fergusson never levelled with McBlain again, and it was Stephen McBlain who won the Championship with a 4 & 3 victory.

McBlain's win proved something of a historical moment in the club, as he is though to be the first son of a former winner to win the Championship in the club's 106 year history.

In a match which was played in the best spirit of friendly competition, Fergusson, who is due to be Stephen McBlain's best man at his wedding next year, joked at the conclusion of play that the trophy was an early wedding present to his friend and rival.

The full list of results, and winners are :-

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Graeme Gimson beat Blair Caddis 6 & 5

LADIES BRONZE CHAMPIONSHIP
Lorna Batchelor beat Maureen Gillies 3 & 2

GENTS 2ND CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP
Leading Qualifier - Jim Smith
Beaten Semi Finalists - John Swiatek & Ronnie Doig
Final - Jim Gillies beat James Dodds 1 hole

LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP
Catherine Malcolm beat Marie White 6 & 4

GENTS CHAMPIONSHIP
Leading Qualifier - Kevin Fergusson
Beaten Semi Finalists - Elliot Braddock & Brian Yates
Final - Stephen McBlain beat Kevin Fergusson 4 & 3

Friday, August 05, 2005

Order Of Merit leader, JAMIE MACKAY (Kilmarnock Barassie) Posted by Picasa

JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Mackay back on top after Ayrshire Boys win

Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) is back at the top of the Junior Order Of Merit table after his performance in the Ayrshire Boys Championship this week.

Stuart Robin (Prestwick St. Nicholas), runner up to Mackay in the Ayrshire Boys, has also edged ahead of Steven McEwan (Kilmarnock Barassie), the previous leader.

The best placed players after 12 events, with 8 remaining, are :-

475 - JAMIE MACKAY - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
375 - STUART ROBIN - Prestwick St. Nicholas
350 -STEVEN McEWAN - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
225 - DAVID CURRIE - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
175 - CAMERON GRAY - West Kilbride
175 - JOHN SHANKS - Ardeer
150 - ANDREW ABERCROMBIE - Largs
130 - GRAEME GIMSON - Prestwick St. Cuthbert
130 - DAVID ADDISON - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
100 - LLOYD SMITH - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
100 - CRAIG McLAUGHLIN - Largs
90 - MALCOLM PENNYCOTT - Whiting Bay
75 - JEFF BRIGHTON - Girvan
75 - MICHAEL ROOS - West Kilbride
75 - IAIN MENZIES - Largs


Still to be recorded are returns from Beith, Loudoun and the Tom Lehman event.

Next week sees the Ballochmyle and Ayr Belleisle boys opens, with the Ayrshire Boys Matchplay concluding next weekend. The final two qualifying events are the Kilbirnie Place and Irvine Ravenspark events, the following week.

AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Sinclair qualifies for third successive year.

The Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship will be held at Prestwick Golf Club from Thursday 11th to Saturday 13th August 2005, with the players returning the 8 best scratch totals in the Ayrshire Boys Championship at Prestwick St. Nicholas on Thursday 4th August, qualifying to contest the Matchplay title.

Nicky Sinclair (Kilmarnock Barassie), the winner of the Innaugural event in 2003, qualified for the third successive time, and is hoping to improve on his semi final appearance last year.

The draw for the order of play in the first round, on Thursday 11th August is :-

1600 hrs
Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie)
Vs.
Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie)

1610 hrs
Stuart Henderson (Kilmarnock Barassie)
Vs.
Grame Gimson (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

1620 hrs
Stuart Robin (Prestwick St. Nicholas)
Vs.
Craig McCall (Prestwick St. Nicholas)

1630 hrs
Cameron Gray (West Kilbride)
Vs.
Nicky Sinclair (Kilmarnock Barassie)
2005 Ayrshire Boys Golf Champion JAMIE MACKAY, being presented with the trophy by Prestwick St. Nicholas Vice Captain, Stan Stevenson. Posted by Picasa

AYRSHIRE BOYS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP - Jamie Mackay grabs 2005 title in dramatic finish

Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) took the 2005 Ayrshire Boys Championship at Prestwick St. Nicholas on Thursday 4th August, edging out local member, Stuart Robin, in dramatic fashion.

On a difficult day for scoring, with blustery wind and rain showers, the capacity field of 71 players served up some excellent returns and notable performances in the 55th annual championship, played over 36 holes of strokeplay.

Craig McCall (Prestwick St. Nicholas) set the early pace, with a 3 over par 72 giving him an excellent nett score of 65.

Former Champion Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) remained in the hunt after an opening round of 74, which was marred only by a quadriple bogey 8 at the 8th hole, where Gray found the water of the Bellrock Quarry twice.

Stuart Robin (Prestwick St. Nicholas) with 72 and Stuart Henderson (Kilmarnock Barassie) with 73 were the only players in the middle of the field who challenged for the lead, before the eventual winner, Jamie Mackay returned the best score of the morning, his one over par 70 including an inward half of 33, one under par, courtesy of 3 birdies in the last 5 holes.

Graeme Gimson (Prestwick St. Cuthbert), fresh from his victory in the Tom Lehman event at Troon onTuesday, kept up his good recent form with a 2 over par 71 in the morning round.

With the rain holding off well, but an increasingly strong south westerly breeze, the players commenced their afternoon round, and it was former Ayrshire Boys matchplay champion, Nicky Sinclair (Kilmarnock Barassie) who set the early target, adding a 70 to his morning round of 75 for a 145 total.

7 handicapper Craig McCall (Prestwick St. Nicholas) maintained his form, which saw him return the best nett score in the morning, adding a 74, nett 67, to his morning round to give him a total of 146 and a nett score of 132, which ultimately won him the honour of returning the best nett score of the day by a clear 5 shots.

Nicky Sinclair's lead in the championship was short lived, lasting only 3 games before Cameron Gray edged ahead by one stroke. In his afternoon round, Gray maintained the unusual scoring exploits from his morning round. A ball out of bounds from the first tee saw Gray run up a triple bogey 7 at the first in the afternoon, although he recovered well to reach the turn in 40. With a following wind for the last 6 holes, Gray took full advantage, returning in an excellent 5 under par score of 29, which included 5 birdies in 6 holes from the 13th, for a best of the day round of 69 and a 143 overall total.

Stuart Robin, who won the St. Nicholas Boys Open over the same course 10 days ago had 6 threes in an inward half of 31, 4 under par, for a second round return of 70 and a championship total of 142, to take the lead from Cameron Gray.

With only three players looking likely to challenge Robin for the title, the first opportunity fell to Stuart Henderson (Kilmarnock Barassie). After a first round 73, Henderson reached the turn in the afternoon in 36, one over par. Birdies at three successive holes from the 15th took Henderson to one under par for his afternoon round, with one hole to play. The 203 yard par 3 final hole, which had caused problems for many players throughout the day, proved to be Hendersons downfall, with the Barassie boy unable to do better that a double bogey 5 for an afternoon return of one over par 70, leaving him one off the pace in the race for the title, on 143.

Despite his lead after the morning round, Jamie Mackay's challenge looked to faulter early in the second round when he bogeyed two of the forst four holes. Despite these setbacks, mackay reached the turn in 38 to maintain his hopes as he turned for home. 4 pars from the turn were followed by a bogey 5 at the long par 4, 14th hole to put Mackay4 over par with 4 holes remaining. Needing to complete the final 4 holes in one under par to tie Stuart Robin's score, Mackay had a par at the short par 4 15th, before getting the all important birdie three at the 16th hole. a par at the penultimate hole took Mackay to the final tee with the knowledge, relayed to him by fellow competitors, that he required a par three to tie Stuart Robin.

The final hole, a 203 yard par three, playing into the teeth of the wind, was far from a certain par finish, but Mackay rose to the challenge, striking his tee shot to within 15 feet of the hole. Despite the pressure, mackay took great care to prepare before dispatching his birdie put for a superb birdie two at the last and a championship total of 141 to take the outright lead.

Only Graeme Gimson (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) looked likely to provide a challenge to mackays return, but an outward half of four over par (39) proved too much to recover from. Despite a fine level par inward half of 34, Gimson's 73 left him three of the pace on 144.

Notable performances were also recorded by two 10 handicappers, Jonathon Martin (Kilmarnock Barassie) with 68-69 and Scott Clark (Ayr Belleisle) with 66-71 returning nett totals of 143 to take second and third nett prizes respectively.

The biggest improvement of the day between the two rounds was a massive 22 shots by Shaun Fallows (Troon Welbeck). The 6 handicapper had a nightmare round in the morning with a 28 over par return of 97. Despite his morning return, Fallows remained upbeat and was rewarded with a fine score of 75 in the afternoon.

The final prize of the day, a nearest the hole prize at the 18th hole in the afternoon round, was won by Gary Herbertson (Ballochmyle) who hit his tee shot to an impressive 8' 7" from the hole.

The Competition Scratch Scores for the two rounds were 70 (+1) in the morning and 69 (0) in the afternoon.

At the conclusion of the days play, Prestwick St. Nicholas G.C. Vice Captain, Stan Sstevenson presented prizes to the succesful competitors, before handing the trophy to the 2005 Ayrshire Boys Golf Champion, Jamie Mackay.

AYRSHIRE
CHAMPION JAMIE MACKAY (Kilmarnock Barassie) 70-71 = 141

2nd SCRATCH STUART ROBIN (Prestwick St. Nicholas) 72-70 = 142

3rd SCRATCH CAMERON GRAY (West Kilbride) 74-69 = 143
4th SCRATCH STUART HENDERSON (Kilmarnock Barassie) 73-70 = 143

5th SCRATCH GRAEME GIMSON (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) 71-73 = 144

1st NETT CRAIG McCALL (Prestwick St. Nicholas) (7) 65-67 = 132

2nd NETT JONATHON MARTIN (Kilmarnock Barassie) (10) 68-69 = 137
3rd NETT SCOTT CLARK (Ayr Belleisle) 66-71 = 137

Nearest the pin at the 18th (afternoon round) - Gary Herbertson (Ballochmyle) – 8’ 7”
Prizewinners at the 2005 Ayrshire Boys Championship, with Prestwick St. Nicholas Vice Captain, Stan Stevenson. Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Championship qualifying sections completed

Fixtures in the 4 Ayrshire Junior Golf League League Championship qualifying sections have been completed this week.

In Section A, the first section completed, final positions are :-

TEAM P/W/D/L/F/A/Dif/Pts
BALLOCHMYLE 8/5/2/1/32.5/15.5/+17/24
ST. CUTHBERT 8/5/2/1/29.5/18.5/+11/24
ANNANHILL 8/2/3/3/21/27/-6/14
ROUTENBURN 8/2/1/5/22/26/-4/10
NEW CUMNOCK 8/1/2/5/15/33/-18/6

In the final match in Section B, Kilmarnock Barassie beat their visitors Largs by 4.5 - 1.5. Final positions in the section are :-

TEAM/P/W/D/L/F/A/Dif/Pts
WEST KILBRIDE 8/6/1/1/30/18/+12/26
LARGS 8/4/1/3/26/22/+4/18
BEITH 8/4/1/3/24.5/23.5/+1/18
BARASSIE 8/3/1/4/27/21/+6/14
ST. MEDDANS 8/1/0/7/12.5/35.5/-23/4

In Section C, Troon Welbeck beat visitors, Loudoun, by 5.5 - 0.5 in the final match in the section, to avenge their earlier defeat by the same score in the corrsponding match at Loudoun. Final positions in the section are :-

TEAM P/W/D/L/F/A/Dif/Pts
AYR BELLEISLE 8/5/2/1/29.5/18.5/+11/24
TROON WELBECK 8/4/2/2/28.5/19.5/+9/20
KILBIRNIE PLACE 8/5/0/3/26/22/+4/20
LOUDOUN 8/3/0/5/22.5/25.5/-3/12
ST. NICHOLAS 8/1/0/7/13.5/34.5/-21/4

In Section D, the two matches between Caprington & Skelmorlie resulted in 5 - 1 home wins for each club, whilst Ardeer and Ravenspark will require to play off for the one semi final place on offer. Final positions in the section are:-

TEAM/P/W/D/L/F/A/Dif/Pts
ARDEER 6/4/0/2/21.5/14.5/+7/16
RAVENSPARK 6/4/0/2/21.5/14.5/+7/16
CAPRINGTON 6/3/0/3/15.5/20.5/-5/12
SKELMORLIE 6/1/0/5/13.5/22.5/-9/4

JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - McEwan moves back to the top after victory at Caprington

Steven McEwan (Kilmarnock Barassie) has regained top spot in the Junior Order Of Merit after a scratch 67 in the Caprington Boys Open gave him the best return of the day. Early leader in the Order Of Merit, Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie), resurrected his challenge with a second place on 75, edging out Chris Young and David Stratford of the host club on the inward half.
Gary Herbertson (Ballochmyle), Callum Shaw (Caprington) and Neil McDonald (Ravenspark) all gained their first points of the season, with placings from 5th to 7th respectively.

The events which have taken place to date, but have yet to be recorded in the Order Of Merit table are the Beith and Loudoun Boys Opens and the Tom Lehman event at Troon.

Despite leading the event, McEwan is on International duty with the Scotland Boys Team this week, and consequently will miss out on the opportunity to gain further points during the Ayrshire Boys Championship and the subsequent Match Play event later in the month.

The current Order Of Merit placings, after 11 events with 9 remaining, are :-


350 - STEVEN McEWAN - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
325 - JAMIE MACKAY - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
275 - STUART ROBIN - Prestwick St. Nicholas
225 - DAVID CURRIE - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
175 - JOHN SHANKS - Ardeer
150 - ANDREW ABERCROMBIE - Largs
130 - DAVID ADDISON - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
100 - LLOYD SMITH - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
100 - CRAIG McLAUGHLIN - Largs
100 - CAMERON GRAY - West Kilbride
95 - GRAEME GIMSON - Prestwick St. Cuthbert
90 - MALCOLM PENNYCOTT - Whiting Bay
75 - JEFF BRIGHTON - Girvan
75 - MICHAEL ROOS - West Kilbride
75 - IAIN MENZIES - Largs
60 - EUAN BROWN - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
55 - ANDREW CONNELL - Largs
50 - DARREN KEAN - West Kilbride
50 - CHRIS YOUNG - Caprington
50 - GRANT McILLONEY - Prestwick St. Cuthbert
50 - NEIL HAMILTON - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
50 - PAUL ROBINSON - Skelmorlie
50 - ROBERT McKNIGHT - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
40 - DARREN KEAN - West Kilbride
40 - ADAM FOLEY - Ayr Belleisle
35 - DAVID STRATFORD - Caprington
35 - D McLAUGHLAN - Troon St. Meddans
35 - JOHN COULTER - Irvine Ravenspark
20 - GORDON MUNRO - Caprington
20 - GARY HERBERTSON - Ballochmyle
20 - CHRIS McKENZIE - Irvine Ravenspark
20 - CRAIG McCALL - Prestwick St. Nicholas
20 - GREG RORISON - Turnberry
20 - NICKY SINCLAIR - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
10 - CALUM SHAW - Caprington
10 - LIAM McLEOD - Irvine Ravenspark
10 - JOSH NORDBO - Largs
10 - COLIN ROBINSON - Skelmorlie
10 - SCOTT BROWN - Girvan
10 - STUART HENDERSON - Kilmarnock (Barassie)
5 - DANIEL McLEAN - Largs
5 - GRAEME BLACK - Ardeer
5 - ANDREW MILLER - Prestwick St. Cuthbert
5 - FRASER LAWRIE - Largs
5 - NEIL McDONALD - Irvine Ravenspar
k

Monday, August 01, 2005

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Belleisle book their place in the League Championship semi finals

Three of the four qualifying sections have now been completed in this seasons Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship, with Ayr Bellesile becoming the latest club into the last four.

In Section 1, the first section complete, final positions are :-

TEAM P/W/D/L/F/A/Dif/Pts
BALLOCHMYLE 8/5/2/1/32.5/15.5/+17/24
ST. CUTHBERT 8/5/2/1/29.5/18.5/+11/24
ANNANHILL 8/2/3/3/21/27/-6/14
ROUTENBURN 8/2/1/5/22/26/-4/10
NEW CUMNOCK 8/1/2/5/15/33/-18/6

In Section B, West Kilbride have qualified for the semi finals. With only the Kilmarnock Barassie Vs. largs match remaining to be recorded, Present positions are :-

TEAM/P/W/D/L/F/A/Dif/Pts
WEST KILBRIDE 8/6/1/1/30/18/+12/26
LARGS 7/4/1/2/24.5/16.5/+8/18
BEITH 8/4/1/3/24.5/23.5/+1/18
BARASSIE 7/2/1/4/22.5/19.5/+3/10
ST. MEDDANS 8/1/0/7/12.5/35.5/-23/4

In Section C, Ayr Belleisle are through to the semi finals, as none of their challengers were able to gain sufficient positive results to reach the points target set by the Ayr club. Kilbirnie ended Troon Welbeck's hopes with a 5.5 - 0.5 win at home in both clubs' penultimate match. The slim hopes that Kilbirnie fostered after such a comprehensive victory were soon shattered when St. Nicholas travelled to Kilbirnie in their final match, seeking their first positive result of the season, and stunned their hosts with a 3.5 - 2.5 win to end Kilbirnie's slim hopes of a semi final place. With only the Troon Welbeck Vs. Loudoun game still to be recorded, present positions in the section are :-

TEAM P/W/D/L/F/A/Dif/Pts
AYR BELLEISLE 8/5/2/1/29.5/18.5/+11/24
KILBIRNIE PLACE 8/5/0/3/26/22/+4/20
TROON WELBECK 7/3/2/2/23/19/+4/16
LOUDOUN 7/3/0/4/22/20/+2/12
ST. NICHOLAS 8/1/0/7/13.5/34.5/-21/4

In Section D, the two matches between Caprington & Skelmorlie remaining to be recorded, however only 6 - 0 wins in both ties by Caprington will affect the present position. Should Caprington not attain the required results, there will be a play off between Ardeer and Ravenspark for the semi final place from Section D. Present positions are:-

TEAM/P/W/D/L/F/A/Dif/Pts
ARDEER 6/4/0/2/21.5/14.5/+7/16
RAVENSPARK 6/4/0/2/21.5/14.5/+7/16
CAPRINGTON 4/2/0/2/9.5/14.5/-5/8
SKELMORLIE 4/0/0/4/7.5/16.5/-9/0


The draw for the semi final pairings will take place at the next AJGL Executive meeting on Monday 8th August.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Under 16 Semi final line up decided.

Loudoun became the 4th and final team to reach the semi final of the Under 16 Knockout Trophy competition this season, by virtue of a walkover against Largs Routenburn who scratched from the event this week.

Loudoun now line up alongside Beith, Prestwick St. Cuthbert and Kilmarnock Barassie in the draw for the semi finals which will be made at the next AJGL Executive meeting on Monday 8th August.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - West Kilbride secure Wallace Thornton Trophy final spot

There have been no recent matches in Section 1. Present positions in the section are:-

TEAM/P/W/D/L/F/A/Diff./Pts
LARGS/2/2/0/0/6/2/+4/8
BARASSIE/1/1/0/0/4/0/+4/4
BELLEISLE/2/1/0/1/4/4/0/4
ROUTENBURN/3/0/0/3/2/10/-8/0

Defending champions, Kilmarnock Barassie are due to face Largs this week, with Largs needing a win to ensure qualification for a second successive final. Victory for Barassie would leave the holders requiring a draw at Belleisle in their final match to make the final once again.

In Section 2, West Kilbride suffered their first defeat of the competition, with a 3-1 reverse away to Ardeer. Despite this defeat, West Kilbride's single point, secured by Grant Weir with a final hole victory over Callum Ainsworth, was sufficient to ensure a place in the final of the competition, with none of the other teams able surpass their record, despit their being 3 matches in the section to complete. Present positions in the section are:-

TEAM/P/W/D/L/F/A/Diff./Pts
W.KILBRIDE/4/3/0/1/12/4/+8/12
BALLOCHMYLE/3/2/0/1/7/5/+2/8
RAVENSPARK/2/0/1/1/3/5/-2/2
ARDEER/3/1/1/1/5/7/-2/6
WELBECK/2/0/0/2/1/7/-6/0

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - West Kilbride and Loudoun play off for semi final spot

All the qualifying section matches have now been completed in the AGA Summer League competition, with Section 1 going into overtime to decide the semi final qualifier.

In the final match of the section, Loudoun suffered a 4-2 defeat at Turnberry, which left West Kilbride, Loudoun and Turnberry all on 16 points. At this stage Turnberry were eliminated, by virtue of a poorer points differential, however West Kilbirde and Loudoun could not be seperated on this basis, and as a result will play off for the right to meet Annanhill in the semi final. The final placings in Section 1 were :-

TEAM/P/W/D/L/F/A/Dif/Pts
LOUDOUN/6/4/0/2/24/12/+12/16
WEST KILBRIDE/6/4/0/2/24/12/+12/16
TURNBERRY/6/4/0/2/19.5/16.5/+3/16
MOORPARK6/0/0/6/4.5/31.5/-27/0

In Section 2, Annanhill claimed the semi final spot with a comprehensive 5-1 win at Troon Portland in their final section match. Final positions in the section are :-

TEAM/P/W/D/L/F/A/Dif/Pts
ANNANHILL/6/5/0/1/23.5/12.5/+11/20
KILBIRNIE/6/3/2/1/20.5/15.5/+5/16
PORTLAND/6/0/3/3/14/22/-8/6
NACCO/6/1/1/4/13/23/-10/6

In the play off between Kilmarnock Barassie and Irvine Ravenspark, for the right to meet Troon Welbeck in the semi final, Barassie take a 4.5 - 1.5 advantage to the away leg at Ravenspark this week, after victory in the first leg at home.