JAQUES LEGLISE TROPHY - Stewart doesn't give his opponent a 'Lokke' in

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) recorded two wins from two in the opening day of the G.B. & I. Vs. Europe match for the Jaques Leglise Trophy at Notts Golf Club, which helped the G.B. & I. side to an overnight 8.5 - 3.5 lead.

In the morning foursomes, Stewart teamed up with James Byrne to record a 1 hole win against Daniel Lokke and Nicolaj Aagaard and in the afternoon singles Stewart again found himself competing against Lokke.

In the singles format, Stewart had a more convincing win, by 3 & 2 over his continental opponent.

In the matches tomorrow, Saturday 1st September, Stewart will play alongside Fraser Fotheringham in the morning foursomes, against Sean Einhaus and Pedro Figueiredo.

Stewart is scheduled to meet Matteo Manassero in the saturday afternoon singles.

SCOTTISH SENIORS ORDER OF MERIT - Miller is top Ayrshire player in 2007 table

David Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) - pictured right - was the top placed Ayrshire player in the innaugural Scottish Seniors Order of Merit, after the final event was completed last week.

Miller finished 9th in the table, behind runaway winner Ian Hutcheon (Monifieth).

Tony Stafford (Troon St. Meddans) was joint 12th in the Order Of Merit, whilst Ronnie McLellan (Turnberry) also managed a top 20 finish, securing 14th place in the overall rankings.

LEADING PLAYERS

1 Ian Hutcheon (Monifieth) 589.

2 Gordon Brown (Vale of Leven) 320.

3 John Fraser (Royal Burgess) 292.5.

4 George Paterson (Northern) 260.

5 Jim Watt (Letham Grange) 245.

6 Patrick Tomisson (Nairn) 235.

7 Colin Christy (Kilmacolm) 231.25.

8 Robert Humble (Kilspindie) 211.5.

9 David Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) 202.5.

10 William Erskine (Kilsyth Lennox) 187.5.

11 Donald McCart (Castlerock) 186.5.

12 George Rodaks (Moffat), Tony Stafford (Troon St Meddans) 175.

14 Ronald McLellan (Turnberry) 170.5.

15 John Johnston (Royal Aberdeen) 166.

16 Robert Stewart (Tulliallan) 165.

17 Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) 157.5.

18 Iain Stewart (Curragh) 135.5.

19 Gordon Thomson (Bearsden) 130.5.

20 Alexander Pirie (Hazlehead) 129.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Brown wins Junior Order Of Merit

Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) - pictured right - is the 2007 Ayrshire Junior Order Of merit Trophy winner, after the final qualifying competition, the Beith Boys Open, was completed on Sunday 26th August.

None of the leading players gained points in the closing event at Beith.

Brown, The 2007 Ayrshire Boys Champion, won the title by 50 points, in a close run contest with the 2007 Ayrshire Boys Matchplay title holder Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay).(pictured right)

Third place went to Scott Brown (Turnberry) - pictured below - who finished just ahead of the Ayr Belleisle pairing of Adam Foley and Scott Clark, who finished 4th and 5th respectively.





The remaining prizewinners, who will be presented with their prizes at the annual Ayrshire Junior Golf League dinner in November, were Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) and Jamie Acheson (Largs Routenburn)

LEADING FINAL TOTALS :-

675 - EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock Barassie)

625 - MALCOLM PENNYCOTT (Whiting Bay)
495 - SCOTT BROWN (Turnberry)
440 - ADAM FOLEY (Ayr Belleisle)
410 - SCOTT CLARK (Ayr Belleisle)
275 - MICHAEL STEWART (Troon Welbeck)
230 - JAMIE ACHISON (Largs Routenburn)

200 - CALLUM STEWART (Ayr Belleisle)
125 - MARC SMITH (Troon Welbeck)
120 - ANDREW WRIGHT (Kilmarnock Barassie)
110 - ROBERT JAMIESON (Loudoun)
105 - CRAIG TELFER (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)
100 - CHRIS BUTLER (Irvine Ravenspark), ANDREW ABERCROMBIE (Largs), COLIN ROBINSON (Millport)

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - West Kilbride through to Wallace Thornton final

West Kilbride secured their place in the final of the 2007 Wallace Thornton Trophy competition this week, with a 4 - 0 win at Ayr Belleisle, which ensured that no other team in the qualifying group could overtake them.

In the final, at Kilmarnock (Barassie) on Sunday 9th September, West Kilbride will play holders Kilmarnock (Barassie).

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Shanks leads Doc Thom Order Of Merit

John Shanks (Irvine) leads the 2007 Doc Thom Ayrshire order Of Merit competition, with the only counting events remaining being the Welbeck Links (2nd September) and the Arroll Cup (15th september).

Leading positions, after the recent Viking Crus competition at Largs are :-

247.5 - JOHN SHANKS (Irvine)

165 - BRIAN MOORE (Largs)

155 - STEVEN MURRAY (Troon Welbeck)

145 - ROSS MILLIGAN (Troon Welbeck)

115 - STEPHEN McBLAIN (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

100 - KEVIN FERGUSSON (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

67.5 - BARRY CRAWFORD (West Kilbride), DARREN MALLINSON (Irvine Ravenspark), MICHAEL SMYTHE (Royal Troon)

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Ballochmyle on course for League Championship final

Ballochmyle all but assured themselves a place in the final of the 2007 Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship this week with a 6 - 0 win over Ardeer in the first leg of their semi final match.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Under 18 team defeated by Stirlingshire

The Ayrshire under 18 team suffered a 6 - 2 defeat at the hands of Stirlingshire at Glenbervie on Sunday 26th August, in the West Of Scotland inter county under 18 league.

A late collapse in three of the ties saw the Ayrshire boys defeated in all three after leading their ties in the latter stages, and this turned the match in favour of the home side.

Ayrshire finish the series in September with a home match at Ardeer against Glasgow.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Kilmarnock (Barassie) in Wallace Thornton final

Holders Kilmarnock (Barassie) are through to the final of the 2007 Wallace Thornton Trophy competition with a 100% record of four wins from four in their qualifying section ties.

The Barassie team secured their final place with 3.5 - 0.5 wins away to Troon Welbeck and at home to Largs Routenburn respectively.

Barassie now await the winners of Section 1 in the final.

West Kilbride and Ballochmyle are tied at the top of Section 1 on 8 points, with Ballochmyle having completed their matches and West Kilbride with a home result against Ayr Belleisle still to be posted.

Largs also still have hopes of qualifying for the final, with a match at Ayr Belleisle and a home match against Prestwick St. Cuthbert still to play. Wins in both matches would secure the final place for Largs

Present positions in Section 1 are :-

West Kilbride - played 3 - 8 pts
Ballochmyle - played 4 - 8 pts
Largs - played 2 - 6 pts
Prestwick St. Cuthbert - played 3 - 4 pts
Ayr Belleisle - played 2 - 2 pts

Matches still to be played are

Ayr Belleisle Vs. West Kilbride
Ayr Belleisle Vs. largs
Largs Vs. Prestwick St. Cuthbert

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Ravenspark in fourball competition final

The Irvine Ravenspark pairing of Joe Hobson and Brian Gibson are through to the final of the 2007 Ayrshire Fourball competition after a marathon match in the semi final against local rivals, Tom McFarlane and Tom O'Connell (NACCO).

In a match where neither side were more than one hole ahead, a 30 foot birdie putt from Joe Hobson, at the seventh extra hole, put the Ravenspark team into the final.

Ravenspark await the winners of the Maybole Vs. Ballochmyle tie in the final.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Irvine derby for Summer League final

Irvine (Bogside) will meet local rivals Irvine Ravenspark in the final of the 2007 Ayrshire Summer League.

The Irvine club secured the final place with a 3 - 3 draw in their home semi final tie with Troon Welbeck, having won the away leg by 4 - 2, giving them a 7 - 5 win in the tie overall.

The final, played on a home and away basis, will take place during September.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Title destiny still at stake with one event to play

With only the Beith Boys Open remaining, the Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit title can still be won by either Euan Brown (Kilmanrock Barassie) or Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay).

At the Belleisle Boys Open, Pennycott picked up 50 points to reduce the defecit to just 50 points behind Brown.

After picking up maximum points at Belleisle, Scott Brown (Turnberry) goes into the last event in third place, 55 points ahaed of Adam Foley (Ayr Belleisle)

Leading totals are :-

675 - EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock Barasssie)
625 - MALCOLM PENNYCOTT (Whiting Bay)
495 - SCOTT BROWN (Turnberry)
440 - ADAM FOLEY (Ayr Belleisle)
410 - SCOTT CLARK (Ayr Belleisle)
275 - MICHAEL STEWART (Troon Welbeck)
230 - JAMIE ACHISON (Largs Routenburn)
200 - CALLUM STEWART (Ayr Belleisle)
120 - ANDREW WRIGHT (Kilmarnock Barassie)
110 - ROBERT JAMIESON (Loudoun)
105 - CRAIG TELFER (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)
100 - CHRIS BUTLER (Irvine Ravenspark), ANDREW ABERCROMBIE (Largs), COLIN ROBINSON (Millport)

The final qualifying event, the Beith Boys Open, will be held on Sunday 26th August 2007.

WEST OF SCOTLAND UNDER 18 LEAGUE - Ayrshire beat Dumbartonshire

The Ayrshire Under 18 team had a notable away win on Sunday 19th August, in their latest West Of Scotland Inter County League match, when they travelled to play Dumbartonshire at Vale Of leven.

Hosts Dumbartonshire were previously unbeaten in the championship ths year, but Ayrshire came out on top with a 5 - 3 win.

Ayrshire now travel to play Stirlingshire at Glenbervie on Sunday 26th August, in a rearranged match, before facing Glasgow in their final match of the campaign in September.

AYRSHIRE SUMMER LEAGUE - Ravenspark in 2007 final

Irvine Ravenspark are through to the final of the 2007 Ayrshire Summer League, with the real possibility of meeting local rivals Irvine (Bogside) to decide the 2007 champions.

In the semi final against Ballochmyle, Ravenspark narrowly lost the away leg by 3.5 - 2.5, but a 4 - 2 win in the return saw ravenspark through to the final with a 6.5 - 5.5 win overall.

In the other semi final, Irvine (Bogside) lead Troon Welbeck by 4 - 2 after the first match at Troon. The return match at Irvine is scheduled for this week.

FRASERBURGH PRO - AM - Nicoll joint winner

Callum Nicoll (Prestwick) and Northern Open champion Murray Urquhart (Inverness) tied for victory in the Fraserburgh Golf Club pro-am on Wednesday 22nd August, when they both returned four-under-par 66.

Nicoll had a bogey-free round with birdies at the first, fourth, 10th and 13th, and along with Urquhart finished two strokes clear of third-placed Alan Lockhart (Ladybank).

LEADING PROFESSIONALS

66 - M Urquhart (Inverness), C Nicoll (Prestwick)
68 - A Lockhart (Ladybank)
69 - M King (Kingsfield), C Gillies (Kingsfield), L Mann (Kings Links)
70 - G McFarlane (Clober), G Forbes (Murcar Links), C Kelly (Cawder), C Doak (unatt), G Harvey (Kinross), G McInnes (Murcar Links), R Cameron (McDonald Ellon).

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Brown takes pole position with results of only two events to come

Recent wins at Kilbirnie and Ravenspark have put Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) - pictured right - at the top of the Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit table, ahead of former leader Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay), with only the results of the Ayr Belleisle Boys Open to be added, along with the Beith Boys Open, which will be held on Sunday 26th August.

With a placing at Ballochmyle, a runners up spot at Ravenspark and a win at Caprington, Scott Clark (Ayr Belleisle) has moved up to fifth place, whilst Scott Brown (Turnberry), who won at Belleisle, looks likely to move into third place, ahead of clubmate Adam Foley, when the Belleisle results are added.

Present positions are :-

675 - EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock Barassie)

575 - MALCOLM PENNYCOTT (Whiting Bay)







440 - ADAM FOLEY (Ayr Belleisle)

395 - SCOTT BROWN (Turnberry)








335 - SCOTT CLARK (Ayr Belleisle)









275 - MICHAEL STEWART(Troon Welbeck)
230 - JAMIE ACHESON (Largs Routenburn)
190 - CALLUM STEWART (Ayr Belleisle)
120 - ANDREW WRIGHT (Kilmarnock Barassie)
110 - ROBERT JAMIESON (Loudoun)
105 - CRAIG TELFER (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)
100 - CHRIS BUTLER (Irvine Ravenspark), ANDREW ABERCROBMBIE (Largs), COLIN ROBINSON (Millport)

PRO-GUIDE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TOURNAMENT - Fox wins Shotts event

Graham Fox (West Kilbride) won the North Lanarkshire Council/Pro Guide Young Professional's 36-hole tournament at Shotts Golf Club, when he beat David Orr (East Renfrewshire) with a birdie 3 at the first hole of a sudden-death play-off.

Fox and Orr had tied on four-under-par 136, Graham with rounds of 69 and 67, David with 66 and 70.

Joint third on 137 were Lee Harper (Archerfield Links) (69-68) and Steven Taylor (Bothwell Castle) (70-67)

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

136 - G Fox (West Kilbride) 69 67, D Orr (East Renfrewshire) 66 70 (Fox bt Orr at first hole of sudden death play-off)
137 - L Harper (Archerfield Links) 69 68, S Taylor (Bothwell Castle) 70 67
138 - I Pender (Aberfoyle) 67 71
139 - K Glen (Musselburgh) 66 73, G Hardy (unatt) 72 67
141 - R Scott (Musselburgh) 71 70, G Rankin (Stirling) 70 71
142 - J McGhee (Turnhouse) 67 75
143 - C Matheson (Falkirk Tryst) 72 71
145 - G Lornie (Aspire) 73 72, J Anton (Noah's Ark) 70 75, C McCalman (unatt) 72 73
146 - F McLaughlan (Bothwell Castle) 75 71, M Sweenie (Westin Turnberry) 69 77, S Lamb (Broomieknowe) 73 73, T Buchanan (Duddingston) 74 72, J Cliff (Murrayfield) 75 71.

JAQUES LEGLISE TROPHY - Stewart in G.B. & I. team announced by R. & A.

The fine form Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) has shown throughout the year has been rewarded, with the announcement of his inclusion in the G.B. & I. team to face Europe in the Jaques Leglise Trophy later this month.

The full G.B. & I. team is :-

James Byrne (Banchory)

Paul Cutler (Portstewart)

Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall)

Fraser Fotheringham (Nairn)

Matthew Haines (Rochester & Cobham)

Jack Hiluta, Captain, (Chelmsford)

Andrew Johnston (North Middlesex)

Eddie Pepperell (Drayton Park)

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck)

The match will take place on 31st August and 1st September at Notts Golf Club

SANDYHILLS PRO AM - Nicol runner up to Jason McCreadie

Calum Nicoll (Prestwick) continued his run of recent good form when he shared second place in the Sandyhills Golf Club pro-am on Saturday 18th August, his 5 under par score of 65 leaving him just one shot behind the winner, Buchanan Castle tour pro Jason McCreadie, alongside Greig Hutcheon (Peterculter)

LEADING PROFESSIONALS
Par 70
64 - J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle)
65 - C Nicoll (Prestwick), G Hutcheon (Peterculter)
66 - A Hunter (Mearns Castle)

BRITISH MID AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire golfer Moultrie loses out in semi final

Paul Moultrie (Troon Portland) looked likely to overcome the challenge of Paul Simson (USA) on Sunday morning, 19th August, in the semi final of the 2007 British Mid Amateur Championship at Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds, when he was four up during the match, but the american fought back and agonisingly beat the Scot at the 20th.

In the final on Sunday afternoon, Simson plays englishman Matthew Cryer (Coventry)

BRITISH MID AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Moultrie goes into overtime to claim semi final place

Paul Moultrie (Troon Portland) is in the semi finals of the 2007 British Mid Amateir Championship, being played this week at Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds.

Moultrie required extra holes to overcome his opponents in the third and fourth round matches, both played on Saturday 18th August.

With his 12 year old son, Callum, caddying this week, Moultrie beat the top seed, Mark Wharton (John O Gaunt) at the 19th in the third round. Moultrie followed the morning success by beating Graeme Marchbank (Durham City) at the 20th in the afternoon quarter finals, to claim a place in the last four.

In the semi finals on Sunday, Moultrie faces the challenge of Paul Simson (USA) for a place in the final.

AYR BELLEISLE GOLF CLUB - Brown wins Belleisle Junior Open

Scott Brown (Turnberry) is pictured with the trophy after he topped a field of 72 to win the Belleisle Junior Open with a one over par 69 over Seafield, narrowly pipping Scott Clark (69) of the host club by virtue of a better inward half.
Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) was 3rd with a 71.

1st Class
Donald Swinley (Belleisle) 73 (11) 62
Sean Thorburn (Belleisle) 73 (10) 63 bih
Nicholas Cameron (Belleisle) 73 (10) 63

2nd Class
Cameron Paul (Ballochmyle) 83 (23) 60 best last 6
Scott Liddle (St. Nicholas) 74 (14) 60 bih
Gregor McCallum (Belleisle) 83 (23) 60

BRITISH MID AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Moultrie into last 16

Paul Moultrie (Troon Portland) is in the last 16 of the 2007 British Mid Amateur Championship where he faces top seed Mark Wharton (John O'Gaunt) on Saturday morning, 18th August, at Alwoodley in Leeds.

In round 1, Moultrie saw off the challenge of Marc lambert (France), beating him 3 & 2, and then went on to record a 2 & 1 win over Tom Woodhouse (East Devon) in the second round.

BRITISH MID AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Moultrie the only Ayrshire qualifier

Paul Moultrie (Troon Portland) is the only Ayrshire player who came through the strokeplay qualifying in the British Mid Amateur Championship, being held at Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds, this week.

Moultrie returned rounds of 76 & 74 for a 150 total, to comfortably qualify for the matchplay stages with a 5 stroke cushion.

GLENBRAE PGA FOURBALL - Nicoll runner up in qualifier

Callum Nicoll (Prestwick) and his partner Alan Lockhart (Ladybank) returned a combined total of 10 under par 61 at Mussleburgh Golf Club in the qualifying competition for the Glenbrae PGA Four-ball Championship final at Fulford Golf Club, Yorkshire from October 3 to 5.

Nicoll and Lockhart were runners up to Stephen Gray (Hayston) and Andrew Marshall (Houston Golf Range).

LEADING SCORES

60 - S Gray (Hayston) & A Marshall (Houston GR)
61 - C Nicoll (Prestwick) & A Lockhart (Ladybank)
65 - T Buchanan (Duddingston) & B Mackay (Loch Lomond), R Smith (Gleneagles Hotel) & S Syme (Dumfries & Co), E Cameron (Hamilton) & K Esson (Craigie Hill), G Harvey (Kinross) & K Lobban (Keith Lobban Golf)
66 - G Law (Uphall) & C Ronald (Carluke).

BRITISH BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Stewart bows out in round 2

Ayrshires sole representative in the second round of the British Boys Championship, Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) bowed out of the 2007 competition at the first extra hole in his second round match against Paul Fossum (France)

BRITISH BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Stewart in, Gray out

Two of Ayrshire's representatives in the British Boys Championship, being played at Royal Porthcawl this week, had mixed fortunes in their first round matches.

Former Ayrshire Boys Champion, Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) went down by 2 & 1 to J Yorke (Rowany), whilst Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) went through to round two, with a 4 & 3 win over G Wilson (Ladybank).

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Pennycott extends lead after matchplay win

Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) extended his lead over Ayrshire Boys Champion Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) in the Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit to 95 points after his win in the Ayrshire Boys matchplay at the weekend.

Runner up spot in the same event saw Adam Foley (Ayr Belleisle) close the gap on second placed Brown to just 45 points.

Results from the Caprington, Ayr Belleisle and Kilbirnie boys open events have still to be added.

Other counting events still to be played are

Ballochmyle Boys Open (Monday 13 August)
Irvine Ravenspark Boys Open (Tuesday 14 August)
Beith Boys Open (Sunday 26 August)

LEADING POINTS TOTALS ARE :-

540 - MALCOLM PENNYCOTT (Whiting Bay)
455 - EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock Barassie)
410 - ADAM FOLEY (Ayr Belleisle)
295 - SCOTT BROWN (Turnberry)
275 - MICHAEL STEWART (Troon Welbeck)
210 - JAMIE ACHESON (Largs Routenburn)
125 - SCOTT CLARK (Ayr Belleisle)
120 - ANDREW WRIGHT (Kilmarnock Barassie)
115 - CALLUM STEWART (Ayr Belleisle)
100 - CRAIG TELFER (Prestwick St. Cuthbert), CHRIS BUTLER (Irvine Ravenspark), ANDREW ABERCROMBIE (Largs), COLIN ROBINSON (Millport)

LEVEN GOLD MEDAL - McEwan slips down field as Soutar takes title

Overnight leader Steven McEwan (Caprington) could not maintain the form that saw him break the course record on Saturday, in the final two rounds of the Leven Gold Medal on Sunday 12th August.

McEwan could only manage rounds of 71 and 73, 13 shots worse than the previous day, to finish tied 10th overall, behind the winner, local member Brian Soutar.

Best of the three Ayrshire players who completed the 72 holes was Ross Dixon (Kilmarnock Barassie) who finished joint seventh on 274.

Chris Harkins (Ayr Belleisle), the other Ayrshire qualifier, finished on 280.

FINAL TOTALSPar 284 (4 x 71)

266 - B Soutar (Leven GS) 66 67 66 67
269 - J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 71 65 65 68, J White jun (Lundin) 65 67 66 71
272 - M Hillson (Craigielaw) 68 70 68 66, G Tough (Letham Grange) 68 69 70 65, G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 67 69 68 68
274 - R McCarthy (The Island, Dublin) 70 66 69 69, S Mann (Carnoustie) 68 67 68 71, R Dixon (Kilmarnock Barassie) 68 66 69 71
275 - L Miller (Cawder) 68 70 70 67, S McEwan (Caprington) 62 69 71 73
276 - G Paterson (St Andrews New) 72 67 68 69, M Main (Thornton) 74 65 65 72
277 - W Booth (Comrie) 70 71 71 65, S Rennie (Airdire) 70 66 71 70, K Nicoll (Fraserburgh) 67 68 71 71
278 - R Kellett (Colville Park) 69 72 71 66, S Robertson (Sandyhills) 72 65 68 73
279 - R McKenzie (Easter Moffat) 72 71 69 67, D Martin (Longniddry) 71 70 68 70, A Main (Thornton) 68 71 69 71
280 - P O’Hara (Colville Park) 69 68 69 74.281 C Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) 66 74 69 72
283 - B Fotheringham (Forres) 70 73 73 67, G Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 73 70 71 69, A Howard (Murrayshall) 69 73 69 72
284 - S Graham (Blairgowrie) 66 73 72 73
285 - M Lawrence (Newmachar) 70 73 68 74, J Welsh(Australia) 72 71 72 70, E Polson (Inverness) 69 73 70 73, G Robertson (Silverknowes) 69 69 72 75, Z Saltman (Craigielaw) 67 72 74 72
286 - J Laurie (Cowglen) 71 73 69 73, D Downie (Sutton, Dublin) 72 72 70 72, S Machin (Cowglen) 72 71 71 72
287 - S Hume (Murrayshall) 69 72 77 69
289 - B Heggie (Leven GS) 70 74 74 71, S McAllister (Craigielaw) 69 72 74 74
291 - S Michie (Thornton) 71 71 71 78.292 G Turner (West Linton) 69 70 74 79.293 D Yeats (Newmachar) 73 69 76 75
296 - C Mundie (Falkirk) 72 70 78 76

AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Pennycott foils Foley fightback to claim title

Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) -pictured left - won the 2007 Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship at a wet Prestwick Golf Club on Saturday 11th August in an intriguing final against Adam Foley (Ayr Belleisle) - pictured right.

The handful of hardy spectators who followed the final match throughout were treated to an excellent final which enhanced Prestwick's reputation as a premier matchplay venue.

Pennycott took an early lead at the first when Foley three putted for a bogey five, and the next three hoes were halved in pars before Pennycott increased his lead with a par three at the fifth, after both players missed the green from the tee.

When Pennycott missed his approach to the 6th green on the right, Foley grasped the opportunity to reduce the defecit, holing from 35 feet for a birdie three.

Pennycott restored his two hole lead with a par at the seventh, when Foley could only make bogey after missing the green with his approach, and Pennycott's lead was further increased at the eighth, in the worst of the rain, when he holed a twisting put from 20 feet for a birdie three.

The ninth was halved, and the players turned for home with Pennycott returning excellent figures of level par 35 for a three hole advantage.

At the 10th hole, Pennycott found trouble in the rough on the left and could manage no better than a double bogey 6, which allowed Foley to reduce the defecit to two holes once again.

The trials of the tenth seemed to sting Pennycott ack into action and with successive birdies at the 11th and 12th, Pennycott increased his lead to four holes with six to play.

Foley had an opportunity to reduce the defecit again at the 13th, but his 3 foot putt for the hole lipped out, leaving him four behind with five to play.

Pennycott gave Foley a little hope, a three putt at the 14th letting his opponent reduce the defecit to three holes, but as the players entered the famous loop of closing holes at Prestwick, Pennycott was still clear favourite.

The final four holes at Prestwick are widely regarded as one of the finest and most unpredictable closing holes in matchplay golf, and so it was again to prove during this final.

With the 15th hole halved in Par, Pennycott remained three ahead with three to play, but Foley produced a magnificent tee shot at the 288 yard, par four, 16th which came to rest in the centre of the green. Pennycott missed the green of the right from the tee and like his semi final match found himself in the Cardinal bunker. Despite a fine effort, Pennycott could not reproduce the shot that led to a birdie in the semi final, and a bogey five from Pennycott elicited a conceded birdie three for Foley.

At the penultimate hole, Foley played a superb iron for his second shot which soared over The Alps and came to rest only 10 feet from the hole. Penycott's approach fell short and into the bunker and despite an excellent bunker shot, he could score no better than a bogey five, giving Foley two putts for the hole, which he duly took.

Both players missed the fairway from the tee at the 18th, Foley in the rough on the right and Pennycott bunkered on the left, but both played fine approach shots to reach the front quarter of the green.

Pennycott putted first and saw his effort pull up two and a half feet short of the hole.

Despite a good line, Foley also saw his effort pull up short. Foley holed his fianl putt for a par, leaving Pennycott facing a nerve jangling two and a half footer for a one hole win and the title.

To his credit, and despite the pressure on him from his opponents fightback, Pennycott bravely holed the putt to win by one hole.

The Captain of Prestwick Golf Club, Donald Turner, presented prizes to both players at the conclusion of the the final.

LEVEN GOLD MEDAL - McEwan leads after course record round

Steven McEwan (Caprington) leads the Leven Gold Medal after setting a new course record in the first round on Saturday 11th August, reducing the record by a shot with a superb round of nine-under-par 62.


McEwan, winner of the Scottish boys' stroke-play championship at Monifieth in 2005, had a run of five successive 3s from the fifth to the ninth, including an eagle at the sixth and a birdie at the eighth, to be out in four-under-par 30.


McEwan held his score together in showery weather to come in 32 for 62, to give him a three stroke lead over James White (Lundin), after round one of the 72 hole event.

McEwan followed his course record score with a second round 69 for an 11 under par halfway total of 131.


This gave McEwan a one stroke lead over former Scottish boys’ match-play champion White.


The cut for the final 36 holes on Sunday fell at 144. The other two Ayrshire players in the field, Ross Dixon (Kilmarnock Barassie) and Chris Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) both survived the cut.


QUALIFIERS FOR FINAL 36 HOLES


131 S McEwan 62 69
132 J White jun 65 67
133 B Soutar 66 67
134 R Dixon 68 66
135 S Mann 68 67, K Nicol 67 68
136 J Findlay 71 65, S Rennie 70 66, R McCarthy 70 66, G Campbell 67 69
137 S Robertson 72 65, P O’Hara 69 68, G Tough 68 69
138 G Robertson 69 69, M Hillson 68 70, L Miller 68 70
139 M Main 74 65, G Paterson 72 67, G Turner 69 70, A Main 68 71, Z Saltman 67 72, S Graham 66 73
140 C Harkins 66 74
141 D Martin 71 70, W Booth 70 71, S Hume 69 72, R Kellett 69 72, S McAllister 692 72
142 D Yeats 73 69, C Mundie 72 70, S Michie 71 71, A Howard 69 73, E Polson 69 73
143 G Stevenson 73 70, R McKenzie 72 71, J Welsh 72 71, S Machin 72 71, M Lawrence 70 73, B Fotheringham 70 73
144 D Downie 72 72, J Laurie 71 73, B Heggie 70 74.

HILVERSUM OPEN - McKnight well down field in professional event

Ayrshire's Scotland youth cap Robert McKnight (Kilmarnock Barassie) was lying tied 86th after the second round of the Hilversum Open professional golf tournament at Hilversum Golf Club in the Netherlands.

McKnight had rounds of 77 and 78 for 155.

Fellow Scotlandf youth cap, Philip McLean (Peterhead) is lying joint 63rd after rounds of 75 and 77 for 152.

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY - Cairney edges out McLean in classic final

John Cairney (Irvine Ravenspark) is the 2007 Ayrshire Champion Of Champions Trophy winner, after he edged out Alan McLean (Kilbirnie Place) by one hole in the final at Royal Troon on Friday 10th August.

In one of the best, and closest, finals seenin recent years, there was never more than one hole in it throughout the round, which appropriately was concluded on the final green of the regulation round.

Cairney was the first to gain advantage after a birdie 3 at the second hole. A birdie at the par 5 fourth hole saw Mclean level the match but Cairney immediately restored his lead with a birdie two at the fifth.

With successive birdies at the sixth and seventh, McLean overturned Cairney's, to go one up for the first time, but par was good enough for cairney to take the ninth hole and square the match at the turn.

Scoring at the start of the inward half was more scrappy than the excellent outward nine and fives were good enough to win the opening three holes of the inward nine, cairney taking a one hole lead over the space of the three holes.

A par three was good enough for McLean to square the match at the 14th, but he slipped to a bogey at the following hole to let Cairney restore his advantage.

McLean was not finished however, and a birdie 2 at the penultimate hole levelled the match once more.

With both players well placed in the fairway at the 18th, the approach shots were crucial and it was cairney who took the advantage, his effort coming to rest 10 feet to ther left of the hole whilst McLean's ball pulled up some distance short of the flag.

McLean made a valliant attempt which just missed the hole leaving cairney with a tricky left to right put for the trophy. Cairney struck a good put which disappeard into the hole for a birdie three and a one hole victory.

Presentations were made to both players at the conclusion of the match by Ayrshire Golf Association President, Ricky Magee (Caprington)

AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY - Foley Vs. Pennycott in Saturdays final

Adam Foley (Ayr Belleisle) and Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) will meet on Saturday 11th August, at Prestwick Golf Club, in the final of the 2007 Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship, after they won through from the semi final matches played on Friday evening.

In the first semi final Adam Foley played the new Ayrshire Boys Champion Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) - pictured right - who was bidding to be the first player to win both trophies in the same year.

Brown got off to the perfect start, winning the first two holes and extending his lead to three holes after 5. Foley recovered well from his slow start and took successive holes from the 6th to square the match after 8.

Turning for home all square, Foley went ahead for the first time when he won the 10th but Brown levelled the match once again with a birdie at the par five 12th.

Willie Campbells Grave, the fairway bunker between the 13th and 16th holes claimed another victim when Brown drove into the trap on his way to losing the hole, which restored Foley's one hole advantage.

Foley struck a decisive blow by taking the 15th after brown saw his putt for par lip out, and Foley went two ahead with three to play.

Foley's tee shot at the 16th was just short of the green whilst Brown went right and found a grass lie in the cardinal bunker.

Like the great James Braid did before him, in the Open Championship of 1908, Brown fell victim to the sleepered face of The cardinal bunker. After seeing his next two shots rebound from the sleepers, Brown conceded the hole and a 3 & 2 victory to Foley.


The second semi final featured Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) and Colin Robinson (Millport) - pictured right.

In a match where there was never more than one hole in it, until the 17th, Robinson had the best of the opening half, turning for home with a one hole advantage.

Pennycott, currently the leader of the Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit, squared the match at the 10th hole and edged ahead when he won the 13th.

A superb second shot to the treacherous 15th green, which came to rest 4 feet from the hole, allowed Robinson to square the match again, but Pennycott again restored his lead in spectacular fashion at the 16th. Whilst Robinson had driven through the 16th green and into a shallow bunker, Pennycott missed the green on the right and caught the Cardinal bunker.

Whilst Robinson was unable to get up and down, Pennycott produced a superb shot fron the cavernous Cardinal which pulled up only 5 feet from the hole. Pennycott completed the job by holing the putt for a superb birdie three.

A poor tee shot, pulled left, at the 17th proved costly for Robinson when he required a penalty drop from an unplayable lie. Pennycott subsequently completed the hole in one less than his opponent for a 2 & 1 victory and a place in the final.

The final match, on Saturday 11th August, will tee off at 4.00 p.m.

SCOTTISH PROFESSIONAL GOLF - Meldrum House win for Fox

Graham Fox (West Kilbride) won the top prize in the Meldrum House Young Professionals' pro-am on Friday 10th August.
Birdies at the first, second, fifth, 11th, 13th and 18th, and a single bogey at the seventh gave Fox a five-under-par 65.

Fox finished two strokes clear of his nearest challengers, James McGhee (Turnhouse) and David Orr (East Renfrewshire).

BRITISH BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - 3 Ayrshire boys join chase for title

Ayrshire will have three players in the field for the British Boys Championship, being held at Royal Porthcawl from Monday 13th to Saturday 18th August 2007.

First to play from the local representatives will be Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) who tees off at 0719 on Monday 13th, against Jonathon Corke (Rowany).

Also playing on Monday is Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) who starts his bid at 1445 hrs against Jesse Chudnofsky (USA).

Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) does not begin his championship until Tuesday 14th August, when he plays his first round match at 0851 hrs against Chris Bradshaw (Whittington Heath)

AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Brown still on course for double

Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) remains on course for the Strokeplay and Matchplay double as the Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship got under way at Prestwick on Thursday evening, 9th August.

Brown, who won the Ayrshire Boys title last week at Ballochmyle, faced his namesake Scott Brown (Turnberry) in the first round and edged into the semi finals with a one hole victory.

In the semi finals, Brown will meet Adam Foley (Ayr Belleisle), who had a victory by the same margin over former Ayrshire Boys Champion, and Boys Internationalist, Cameron Gray (West Kilbride), in round one.

Leader in the Junior Order Of Merit, Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) had a 5 & 3 victory over Jamie Acheson (Largs Routenburn) to claim a semi final place, where he will face Colin Robinson (Millport) who required extra holes to overcome the challenge of Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie), with the match finishing at the 21st.

The schedule for the semi finals, on Friday 10th August, is :-

1630 hrs
Euan Brown (Kilamnrock Barassie) Vs. Adam Foley (Ayr Belleisle)

1640 hrs
Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) Vs. Colin Robinson (Millport)

BOYS HOME INTERNATIONALS - England take title with victory over Scotland

England regained the Boys Home International crown with a 11.5 - 3.5 win over Scotland in Wales on Thursday.

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) suffered two defeats , both morning and afternoon, as Scotland lost their grip on the title won last year.

Partnered with Scott Fraser in the morning foursomes, Stewart lost by one hole to Matt haines & Tommy Fleetwood and in the afternoon lost his first sinlges tie of the week, going down by 2 & 1 against Jack Hiluta.

In the other match, Ireland beat Wales by 10.5 - 4.5.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Final arrangements confirmed

Confirmation has been received that the finals of the four main Ayrshire Junior Golf League competitions will be held at KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE) on the undernoted dates

SUNDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER
at 1400 hrs

Under 16 and Wallace Thornton Trophy finals

(semi finals/fixtures to be completed by 2nd September 2007)

SUNDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER
at 1400 hrs

Champion Of Champions and
League Championship finals

(semi finals to be completed by 9th September 2007)

BOYS HOME INTERNATIONALS - Scotland crash to Ireland whilst England make it 2 from 2

Scotland lost 5.5 - 9.5 to Ireland on day 2 of the Boys Home Internationals in Wales on Wednesday 8th August, whilst England crushed the host nation Wales by 14.5 - 0.5 in the other match.

Ayrshire golfer Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) was again paired with Paul Shields in the morning foursomes and again tasted defeat, by 2 & 1, at the hands of Luke Lennox and Alan Dunbar.

Scotland trailed ireland by 3 - 2 after the morning foursomes.

In the afternoon singles, Stewart had a second successive singles win, this time by 5 & 3 over garth Boyd but could not prevent Scotland losing the singles by 3.5 - 6.5 to lose the match by 5.5 - 9.5.

On the final day, on Thursday 9th August, Scotland face England whilst Wales play Ireland.

BOYS HOME INTERNATIONALS - Stewart helps Scotland to opening day win

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) helped Scotland overturn a morning foursomes defeat to beat Wales by 10.5 - 4.5 on the first day of the Boys Home Internationals at Machynys Peninsula, Wales on Tueday 7th August.

Trailing 3.5 - 1.5 in the morning, Scotland won the afternoon singles 9 - 1.

Stewart partnered Paul Shields in the morning foursomes and was defeated 3 & 1 by Rhodri Harston & Luke Jackson, but made amends in the afternoon with a crushing 7 & 6 victory over Joshua Green.

In the other match on day 1, England narrowly defeated Ireland by 8 - 7.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Pennycott moves to the top after Tom Lehman event

Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) - pictured right - moved to the top of the Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit table after his second place in the Tom Lehman Trophy competition at Troon Darley on Tuesday 7th August 2007.



With the only outstanding results still to be received being the Caprington Boys Open, Pennycott moved clear of Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) after Brown came in fourth in the same event.

Adam Foley (Ayr Belleisle) - pictured right - moved into third place after winning the Tom Lehman competition, for his second success in two weeks following on from his win at Prestwick St. Nicholas.

Leading totals are :-

465 - MALCOLM PENNYCOTT (Whiting Bay)
430 - EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock Barassie)
360 - ADAM FOLEY (Ayr Belleisle)
295 - SCOTT BROWN (Turnberry)
275 - MICHAEL STEWART (Troon Welbeck)
210 - JAMIE ACHESON (Largs Routenburn)
125 - SCOTT CLARK (Ayr Belleisle)
120 - ANDREW WRIGHT (Kilmarnock Barassie)
115 - CALLUM STEWART (Ayr Belleisle)
100 - CRAIG TELFER (Prestwick St. Cuthbert), CHRIS BUTLER (Irvine Ravenspark), ANDREW ABERCROMBIE (Largs)

The remaining counting events to be played are :-



Ayrshire Boys Matchplay at Prestwick (9 - 11 August)
Ayr Belleisle Boys Open at Ayr Belleisle (9th August)
Kilbirnie Junior Open at Kilbirnie Place (12th August)
Ballochmyle Junior Open at Ballochmyle (13th August)
Irvine Boys Open at Irvine Ravenspark (14th August)
Beith Boys Open at Beith (26th August)

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Semi Final draws

The draws have been made for three of the Ayrshire Junior Golf League competitions which will signal the end of the season with their completion in September.

In the CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY, the new Ayrshire Boys Champion, Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie), will play host to Gary Paterson (Ballochmyle) in the first semi final.

In the second semi final, Largs will be the venue when Craig McLaughlin (Largs) meets Jared Williams (Troon St. Meddans) for a place in the final.

Ties are due for completion by 26th August 2007.

In the UNDER 16 KNOCKOUT TROPHY, Ardeer are at home to New Cumnock in one of the semi final matches whilst the other features Ayr Belleisle and Kilmarnock (Barassie) who will clash at Ayr to decide who goes through.

Ties are due for completion by 2nd September 2007.

In the AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP, Ballochmyle will be at home to Ardeer in the first leg of their semi final match, with the return at Ardeer thereafter.

In the other semi final, Largs are at home first against Prestwick St. Nicholas in their two leg match.

At this stage, matches are due for completion by 26th August 2007.

The finals are presently scheduled for Sunday 2nd and Sunday 16th September, although there mayb be slight alterations to these dates, which will be advise as soon as possible if this is the case. Should the dates change, there may be some alteration to the 'due by' dates for the semi final ties to be concluded.

SCOTTISH GOLF UNION - McKnight on SGU mission to the Netherlands

Robert McKnight (Kilmarnock Barassie) will join fellow Scotland youth cap Philip McLean (Peterhead) at Hilversum Golf Club on Thursday.

The two players have been chosen by the Scottish Golf Union to represent the national body in the Hilversum Open, which is a 72 hole event on the Netherlands PGA domestic circuit.

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL - NACCO win through to semi final derby clash

The NACCO team of Tom Mcfarlane & Tom McConnell beat A. Linwood & I. McKinlay (Drongan) by 3 & 1 in the quarter final of the 2007 Ayrshire Fourball championship this week, to set up a real local derby in the semi final.

NACCO are hosts to the Irvine Ravenspark pairing of Tom McFarlane and Joe Hobson in the last four. Brian Gibson works at NACCO whilst Joe Hobson is a former employee.

In the other semi final, Scott McCahill & David Wallace (Maybole) are hosts to Billy Andrew & James McMurdo (Ballochmyle).

Semi final ties are due to be played by 9th September 2007

AYR BELLEISLE BOYS OPEN - Still time to enter this weeks competition

Scott Mitchell, Junior Convenor at Ayr Belleisle Golf Club has advised that there are still places available in the Ayr Belleisle Junior Open on Thursday 9th August.

This competition is one of the remaining Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit counting events this season.

As there have been a number of postal strikes in the area in recent days, any junior who has posted an entry to Belleisle or is looking for a late entry are asked to contact Scott Mitchell on 07894 636 743.

SCOTTISH AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire lose to Lanarkshire in rain shortened tie

In extremely wet weather on Sunday 5th August, Ayrshire lost their second Area Team match of the season, by 3 - 0 to lanarkshire at Ballochmyle.

With the three morning foursomes lost by 2&1, 2&1 & 3&2, after a major effort by officials to get the three ties completed, the 3 - 0 result stood as the course was closed at lunchtime due to the excessively wet underfoot conditions and flooded greens.

KILBIRNIE JUNIOR OPEN - places in order of merit event still available

David Allan, Junior Convenor at Kilbirnie Place Golf Club has advised that there are still places available in the Kilbirnie Place Junior Open on Sunday 12th August.

This competition is one of the few remaining Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit counting events this season.

As there have been a number of postal strikes in the area in recent days, any junior who has posted an entry to Kilbirnie but has not yet heard from David Allan regarding tee times is asked to contact Kilbirnie Place Golf Club on 01505 684444

David J. Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie), pictured right, was again the best placed Ayrshire player in the latest event on the Scottish Seniors tour when he took the runners up spot in the East Of Scotland Seniors Open at Monifieth this week.

In an event which was dominated from start to finish by former Scottish Amateur Champion Ian Hutcheon of the host club, there was only ever going to be one winner and with two rounds of 66 Hutcheon was a distant thirteen shots ahead of the field.

Whilst the championship was belonged to Ian Hutcheon, Miller could lay claim to winning the tournament for the remaining competitors in the field, his rounds of 70 and 75 for a 145 total puting him two strokes ahead of his nearest rival.

Fellow Ayrshire player, Ronnie McLellan (Turnberry), pictured right, was also well placed, with round of 76 and 72 for a 148 total and share of fourth place.

FINAL TOTALS

CSS 72/73

132 - I C Hutcheon (Monifieth) 66 66

145 - D.J. Miller (Kilmarnock) 70 75

147 - J Watt (Letham Grange) 70 77

148 - R Smethurst (Crewe) 76 72, R McLellan (Turnberry) 76 72

149 - S Pond (Worksop) 77 72, H Anderson (Callendar) 76 73

150 R Stewart (Tulliallan) 77 73, A K Pirie (Hazlehead) 77 73, D McCart (Castlerock) 76 74, J S Macdonald (Dunfermline) 74 76, G Rodaks (Moffat) 73 77, C Cairnie (Monifieth) 72 78

Other Ayrshire scores :-

155 - K Howie (West Kilbride) 80 75

156 - D McKinnon (Ballochmyle) 79 77

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Brown & Pennycott neck and neck at top

With the results of the Caprington Boys Open still to be added, and with seven further counting events to be completed, only five points separate Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie), pictured right, and Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay), pictured below, at the top of the Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit table.

A win at Ardeer and second at Troon Welbeck boosted Pennycott's position whilst his win at the Ayrshire Boys Championship let Brown overtake Michael Stewart at the top of the table.

In third place at present is Scott Brown (Turnberry), pictured right, courtesy of his win at Kilmarnock Barassie and good placings at both Troon Welbeck and Ardeer.

Andrew Wright (Kilmarnock Barassie), pictured below, also moved well up the table after his win at Troon Welbeck, whilst top placing for Adam Foley (Ayr Belleisle) at Prestwick St. Nicholas boosted his chances of a top seven finish again this year.

Leading totals are :-

395 - EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock Barassie)

390 - MALCOLM PENNYCOTT (Whiting Bay)

295 - SCOTT BROWN (Turnberry)

275 - MICHAEL STEWART (Troon Welbeck)

260 - ADAM FOLEY (Ayr Belleisle)

210 - JAMIE ACHISON (Largs Routenburn)

120 - SCOTT CLARK (Ayr Belleisle), ANDREW WRIGHT (Kilmarnock Barassie)

100 - CRAIG TELFER (Prestwick St. Cuthbert), CHRIS BUTLER (Irvine Ravenspark), ANDREW ABERCROMBIE (Largs)

SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Thomson creates history as he bows out in semi finals

The last Ayrshire player in the 2007 Scottish Amateur Championship being played at Prestwick this week, bowed out of the championship on Friday afternoon in the semi finals.

Allan Thomson (Ayr Belleisle) lost to John Gallagher (Swanston New) at the 19th hole to end local interest, but created a bit of history by picking up his seventh Scottish Amateur Championship medal in the process to become the holder of the most championship medals in the 85 year history of the event.

Thomson (49), who is also a member of Prestwick and Western Gailes and still holds a handicap of + 2, beat Scott Borrowman (Dollar) by 3 & 2 in the morning quarter finals to ensure that he would add at least a bronze medal to his previous 6 championship awards.

Thomson, whose participation in the championship stretches over 30 years since his first appearance in 1977, won the championship, and a gold medal, in 1989 when he defeated fellow Ayrshireman Alan Tait (Irvine) by 1 hole in the final at Moray. This complemented his two silver medals as beaten finalist at Western Gailes in 1981 and Monifieth in 1986, and his three previous bronze medals, collected at Gullane in 1983, Kilmarnock (Barassie) in 1988 and at Prestwick, when the championship was last played there, in 1998.

Thomson's latest medal allowed him to overtake the tally of one bronze and five gold medals gathered by Ronnie Shade from 1962 to 1967.

In the final of the 2007 championship, on Saturday 4th August, John Gallagher will play Kier McNicholl (Carnoustie) for the title.

AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Draw for 2007 competition

The competition for the 2007 Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship takes place next week over the historic links of Prestwick Golf Club, with the best 8 players in the Ayrshire Boys Championship playing off for the matchplay title from 9th to 11th August.

The draw for the opening round on Thursday 9th August is :-

1630 hrs - EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock Barassie) Vs. SCOTT BROWN (Turnberry)

1640 hrs - ADAM FOLEY (Ayr Belleisle) Vs. CAMERON GRAY (West Kilbride)

1650 hrs - JAMIE ACHESON (Largs Routenburn) Vs. MALCOLM PENNYCOTT (Whiting Bay)

1700 hrs - COLIN ROBINSON (Millport) Vs. JACK McDONALD (Kilmarnock Barassie)


Reserves :- Rory Acheson (Largs Routenburn), Fraser Kerr (Kilmarnock Barassie), Alan Bruce (Kilmarnock Barassie)

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY - McLean Vs. Cairney in final

The final of the 2007 Ayrshire Champion Of Champions Trophy at Royal Troon on Friday 10th August will be between John Cairney (Irvine Ravenspark) and Alan McLean (Kilbirnie Place), after the two players won their respective semi finals at Royal Troon on Friday 3rd August.

In the first match, McLean beat Andrew Kent (Troon Welbeck) by 1 hole. The close match ended with a strange incident on the final hole when Kent's approach chip struck the end of a rake protruding from a greenside bunker, in mid air, and the ball came to rest in the bunker as a result. Kent was unable to get up and down from the bunker for his par and a four was good enough to give McLean the match by the narrowest of margins.

The other semi final was equally as close, with Cairney being all square with Billy Campbell (Ballochmyle) after 18 holes. In the gathering darkness, Cairney managed a par four at the first extra hole to win the hole and go through to the final.

The final next Friday has a scheduled start time of 5.00 p.m.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Wallace Thornton latest

Matches in Section 2 of the Wallace Thornton Trophy are now under way.

With four matches played, Troon Welbeck lead the way with a 3-1 win at home to Ravenspark and a 2.5-1.5 win at Routenburn.

Kilmarnock (Barassie) opened in style with a 4-0 win at Ravenspark whilst the other match played so far resulted in a 2-2 draw between Ravenspark & Routenburn at Irvine.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Win at Ravenspark puts Ballochmyle into last four.

A 4 - 2 win at Irvine Ravenspark last weekend was enough to see Ballochmyle through to the last four of the 2007 Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship, as winners of section A.

Also through to the last four, from section D, are Largs after the North Ayrshire club won their three remaining home games, by 5-1 against Kilbirnie and 4.5-1.5 against Largs Routenburn and Ayr Belleisle respectively.

The last result was crucial, allowing Largs to snatch the semi final place from Belleisle.

Largs, Ballochmyle, Prestwick St. Nicholas & Ardeer now await the draw for the semi finals which will be made next week.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - defending champions Ballochmyle into last four of Summer League

Defending Champions Ballochmyle eased into the last four of the 2007 Ayrshire Summer League competition with a 6 - 0 victory at home to Moorpark in their final qualifying section game.

Ballochmyle now play Irvine Ravenspark in the two leg semi final.

The other semi final features Troon Welbeck and Irvine (Bogside)

AYRSHIRE BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Brown bounces back to take boys title

Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) bounced back in spectacular style from the disappointment of losing in the last 32 of the Scottish Amateur Championship on Thursday morning, when he won the Ayrshire Boys Championship at Ballochmyle in the late evening, in a marathon effort which saw him play a total of 48 holes of golf on Thursday.

Brown, who was beaten by 7 & 6 at Prestwick in the national championship made a dash to Ballochmyle for the boys event and, with the help of competition organisers and other competitors who agreed to move to other groupings within the competition, a space in the last match out was made available to Brown, which he arrived for with only 10 minutes to spare.

In the morning round it ws Rory Acheson (Largs Routenburn) who set the early pace with a 2 over par 72, with Andrew Wright (Kilmarnock Barassie) one further back on 73.

Acheson's score of 72 was soon matched by his brother, Jamie, and remained the best of the morning until Euan Brown, obviously unaffected by his dash to the course, returned a level par 70 to lead the field.

In the afternoon, the early target was set by Colin Robinson (Millport) with 76 - 70 for a 146 total,which was ultimately only bettered by two others in the field.

First to overtake Robinson was Jamie Acheson (Largs Routenburn) who added a tweo under par 68 to his morning 72 for a level par score of 140.

Despite good scoring, none of the other competitors could challenge Robnson's total until the last match where Euan Brown managed to better his morning effort by one stroke, returning a one under par 69 for a 139 total which gave him the 2007 Ayrshire Boys Championship by a single stroke.

The best nett return of the day belonged to 9 handicapper Michael Mullen, of the host club. a morning score of 71 nett was eclipsed in the afternoon when Mullen scored 65 for a 136 total.

LEADING SCORES
Scratch

EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock Barassie) - 70/69 = 139
JAMIE ACHESON (Largs Routenburn) - 72/68 = 140
COLIN ROBINSON (Millport) - 76/70 = 146
ADAM FOLEY (Ayr Belleisle) - 74/75 = 149
CAMERON GRAY (West Kilbride) - 75/75 = 150

Nett

MICHAEL MULLEN (Ballochmyle) (9) - 71/65 = 136
MARTIN RONALD (Irvine Ravenspark) (8) - 72/66 = 138
JACK McDONALD (Kilmarnock Barassie) (6) - 69/70 = 139

Prizes were presented by Ayrshire Golf Association President, Ricky magee (Caprington).

The players returning the top eight scratch aggregate scores will contest the Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship at Prestwick next week. The draw for the matchplay will be published at the weekend.

SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Thomson is lone Ayrshire representative in quarter finals

Former champion Allan Thomson (Ayr Belleisle) is the last remaining Ayrshire player in the 2007 Scottish Amateur Championship, being held at Prestwick this week.

Thomson beat 6th seed Jonathon King (Glasgow) by 2 & 1 in the morning 4th round match on Thursday and secured his place in the last eight with a win at the 21st hole in the afternoon against Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh).

The other four Ayrshire players through to the Thursday matches all lost in the morning.

Steven McEwan (Caprington) lost to Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) by 6 & 4, Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost by 7 & 6 to Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie), Ross Dixon (Kilmarnock Barassie) was beaten 4 & 2 by Wilson Bryson (Drumpellier) and John Shanks (Irvine) went down by 4 & 3 to Chris Heslip (Monifieth).

Thomson tees of in his quarter final, againstScott Borrowman (Dollar) at 0830 on Friday morning.

SCOTTISH SENIORS TOUR - Miller lying joint second at Monifieth

David Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) is joint second after the first round of the inaugural East of Scotland Seniors Open.

Scottish seniors champion Ian Hutcheon leads, over his home course at Monifieth, with an outstanding round of 5 under par 66, putting him four strokes ahesd of Miller, Brian Grieve (King James VI) & James Watt (Letham Grange)

LEADING SCORES

Par 71. CSS 72
66 - I C Hutcheon (Monifieth).
70 - B Grieve (King James VI), J Watt (Letham Grange), D Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie).
72 - C Cairney (Monifieth).
73 - G Rodaks (Moffat), W Brown (Strathaven), A William Wallace (Strathaven).
74 - J S Macdonald (Dunfermline), I Stewart (Curragh), D Murphy (Kinross), I Dickson (Lundin Links), G MacDonald (Callander).
75 - P Tomisson (Nairn), P Lamb (Biggar), P Kinloch (Cardross), D Millar (St Andrews New), A Fiddes (Murcar Links).
76 - D Sim (Moor Hall), B Griffiths (Llanynynech), R Gill (Gerards Cross), A Ferguson (Drumpellier), R Smethurst (Crewe), J W Johnston (Royal Aberdeen), D McCart (Castlerock), R McLellan (Turnberry), S Herd (Leven Thistle), D Mitchell (Monifieth), J Aman (Grangemouth).

BOYS HOME INTERNATIONALS - Stewart named in Scottish side

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) -pictured right -is the sole Ayrshire player in the recently announced Scottish Boys team for the boys' home internationals at Machynys Peninsula from August 7 to 9

The Scotland team is:

Non-playing captain: Barrie Douglas

James Byrne, Banchory

Andrew Campbell, Dumbarton

Paul Ferrier, Baberton

Fraser Fotheringham, Nairn

Scott Fraser, Royal Aberdeen

Christopher Gaittens, Fortrose & Rosemarkie

Neil Henderson, Glen

Sam McLaren, King James VI

Paul Shields, Kirkhill

Michael Stewart, Troon Welbeck

Andrew Wallace, Glenbervie

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Ballochmyle through to fourball semi finals.

The Ballochmyle team of Billy Andrew & James McMurdo are through to meet maybole in the semi finals of the 2007 Ayrshire Fourball competition.

The Ballochmyle pair beat Alan Poole & Gary Tierney (Prestwick St. Nicholas) by 6 & 5 to book a trip to Maybole to face Scott McCahill and David Wallace in the semi finals

SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - 5 Ayrshire players in last 32 of national championship

Ayrshire have five representatives remaining in the last 32 of the 2007 Scottish Amateur Championship, being played at Prestwick this week.

In the first quarter matches played on Wednesday, James Bunch (Prestwick) bowed out in round 3, beaten at the 19th by Paul O'Hara (Colville Park).

Steven McEwan (Caprington) - pictured right - is the sole surviving Ayrshire representative in the first quarter, after an exciting victory over Wallace Booth (Comrie). McEwan was two holes behind with two to play before he produced a birdie 3, eagle 2 finish to take the match into extra holes and ultimately winning a tthe 20th. McEwan now plays Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) in the last 32 on Thursday.

In the second quarter, Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) - pictured left - won the all Ayrshire third round tie against Kevin Fergusson (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) by 2 & 1 and will now play one of the seeds, Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie), in the last 32.

Also through to the final 32 is Brown's clubmate, Ross Dixon who defeated another Prestwick St. Cuthbert member, Graeme Gimson, by 4 & 3 in round 3. Gimson had earlier beaten Craig Haugh (Cathkin Braes) by 2& 1 whilst Dixon beat Matthew Burt (Helensburgh) by one hole. Dixon now plays Wilson Bryson (Drumpellier) in the last 32.

The third Ayrshire player remaining in the second quarter is Ayrshire Strokeplay Champion John Shanks (Irvine) - pictured right - whose morning victory by 3 & 1 over Allan Johnston (Bonnyton) was followed with a 3 & 2 win over Fraser McKenna (Balmore) in round 3.

Shanks now faces Chris Heslip (Monifieth) for a place in the last 16.

In the third quarter Robert McKnight (Kilmarnock Barassie) was overwhelmed by Jonathan King (Glasgow) by 5 & 4 in round 2 to end his hopes. McKnight had earlier beaten Greg Paterson (St. Andrews New) by 3 & 1 in round 2.

Also out in the third quarter went Warren Blair (Troon Portland). After a morning win over Stuart Roberts (Gullane), Blair was defeated 3 & 2 in the afternoon in round 3 by Robert Carson (Dalmahoy).

Steven McBlain (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) won his morning second round match against Barry Scott (Dumfries & Galloway) but in the afternoon he was overwhelmed by Scott Borrowman (Dollar). The Ayrshire player turned after 9 on level par but found himself five down. McBlain delayed the end for a few holes before losing by 6 & 5.

The remaining Ayrshire interest in the third quarter comes from former champion Allan Thomson (Ayr Belleisle) who defeated fellow Ayrshireman Paul Moultrie (Troon Portland) by 3 & 2 to book a place in the las 32 against Jonathan King (Glasgow).

Thomson beat Lewis Kirkton (Newmacher) by 1 hole in the morning whilst Moultrie beat Steven Maxwell (Cardross) by 4 & 3 to set up the all Ayrshire third round match.

The third and fourth round matches will be played on Thursday.