AYRSHIRE STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - mackay edges title from Smyth after marathon play off

The new Ayrshire Strokeplay Champion is Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) who won the title for the first time, after a marathon play off against Michael Smyth (Royal Troon), when the 2011 championship took place at West Kilbride Golf Club on Sunday 24th April.

A capacity field of 60 players contested the 36 hole event, with the cut being set at an all time low of 1.9 of a handicap.

Jamie Mackay, the 2005 Ayrshire Boys Champion, led the field from the off, posting the best score of the morning round with a three under par 68.

2010 Scottish Mid Amateur Champion Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) trailed by only one shot at the halfway stage whilst John Haggarty (Loudoun), defending champion Tommy McInally (Loudoun), Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) and Darren Mallinson (Irvine Ravenspark) trailed Mackay by two shots, all posting one under par scores of 70 in the morning.

After a 72 in the morning, Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) recorded one of the best rounds of the afternoon with a two under par 69 to set the clubhouse target on 141, one under par, for 36 holes.

The morning leader Jamie Mackay was in the following group and, although he couldn't quite match his morning form, his two over par score of 73 in the afternoon was enough to match Michael Smyth's leading score.

Two under par returns of 69 in the afternoon gave David McLellan (Largs) and Gary Bryden (Girvan) totals of 144 which put them on the prize list at sixth and fifth places respectively, by virtue of the better inward half of the second round.

John Haggarty (Loudoun) followed his sub par morning round with a one over par 72 for a level par total of 142 and overall third place, whilst defending champion Tommy McInally put up a spirited defence with a second round 73 for a 143 total and fourth spot overall.

Michael Smyth & Jamie Mackay

With no other challengers emerging, the winner of the title was to be decided by a four hole play off over the 1st, 16th, 17th and 18th holes between Jamie Mackay and Michael Smyth.

It was Michael Smyth who took the early lead after Jamie mackay three putted the opening play off hole for a bogey five, and despit both players having opportunities, pars at the 16th and 17th saw the players move to the final tee with Michael Smyth still one ahead.

Jamie mackay produced a superb drive to within a few yards of the green at the 18th, and although Michael Smyth secured a solid par four, it was to jamie mackay's real credit that he chipped up and holed an excellent 10 feet putt for a birdie three to take the play off into extra holes.

Both players recorded solid par fours at the first play off hole, and again moved the the final tee to do battle for the county crown.

At what was to prove the final hole of the contest, Jamie Mackay cut his tee shot right, leaving him a difficult approach to the green over a bunker whilst Michael Smyth found a testing lie in the rough just off the right side of the fairway.

Jamie Mackay hit his approach a little heavy and his ball came to rest in the greenside bunker and  Michael Smyth, although coming from testing rough, managed to reach the front of the green, leaving him a putt of around 30 feet for his birdie three.

Jamie Mackay played a good bunker shot to around 10 feet past the hole, leaving him a chance of a par, and then watched as Michael Smyth's bidie effort pulled up 4 feet short of the hole.

The destiny of the title now lay with two putts and Jamie Mackay took the initiative, striking a firm putt which circled the hole before dropping into the cup for a superb up and down from the bunker under the circumstances, and a hard fought par four.

David Miller and Jamie Mackay

The spotlight then fell on Michael Smyth who faced a  four foot putt for his par to take the match further. Despite hitting a good putt which caught the hole, Michael Smyth saw his ball agonisingly horseshoe round the hole and spin out, leaving him with a closing bogey 5 and giving the title to his opponent Jamie Mackay.

At the conclusion of the epic final, Ayrshire Golf Association President David MIller (Kilmarnock Barassie) praised both players before presenting prizes to the succesful competitors and passing the Ayrshire Strokeplay Championship Trophy to the 2011 winner Jamie Mackay.

PRIZEWINNERS :-
Strokeplay Champion - Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) 68 - 73 = 141 (won at 6th play off hole)
Runner up - Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) 72 - 69 = 141
3rd - John Haggarty (Loudoun) 70 - 72 = 142
4th - Tommy McInally (Loudoun) 70 - 73 = 143
5th - Gary Bryden (Girvan) 75 - 69 = 144 (better inward half of second round)
6th - David McLellan (Largs) 75 - 69 = 144

The CSS for the morning round was 72 (+1) and for the afternoon round was 71 (no change)

A full list of scores is available to view via the link on the left of this page under the 'mens info' heading