AYRSHIRE MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Holder Brown marches on as Strokeplay Champion Mackay is defeated

The first round matches in the 2011 Ayrshire Matchplay Championship were played on Monday 2nd May at Troon Portland golf course.

Stephen Murray

Alex Gourlay

The first scheduled tie was between the new Ayrshire Strokeplay Champion Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) and three time former matchplay title holder Alex Gourlay (Irvine).

In a close match it was Gourlay who won through by 2 & 1 to claim a place in the quarter finals.

In the quarter finals, Gourlay will face 2007 Matchplay title winner Stephen Murray (Troon Welbeck) who defeated Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 3 & 2 in thier first round encounter.

Euan Brown

Gary Bryden

2010 Strokeplay winner Tommy McInally (Loudoun) faced a first round match against the defending champion Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) and it was the holder who marched on to the quarter finals, beating McInally by 5 & 4.

In the quarter finals Euan Brown will play 2001 Strokeplay title winner Gary Bryden (Girvan) after the Turnberry greenkeeper beat 2009 semi finalist Stephen Spence (Irvine) at the 19th to progress.

Michael Smyth

Keith Hamilton

Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) used local knowledge to good effect with a comfortable 6 & 5 win over Colin Gray (Irvine) in round 1 and now faces a tie against 2009 Doc Thom Order Of Merit winner Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) who booked his place in the second round with a 3 & 1 victory over Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay).

Marc Smith

David Wilson

Marc Smith (Troon Welbeck) was a late replacement in the championship as first reserve, and he took full advantage of his opportunity, beating John Haggarty (Loudoun) by 4 & 2 to book his place in the last eight.

In the quarter finals Smith will play his clubmate and new Scottish Boys Champion David Wilson (Troon Welbeck), who edged into the second round of matches with a 19th hole victory over David McLellan (Largs).


 The quarter final matches take place on Tuesday evening, again at Troon Portland, with the semi finals on Wednesday and the final match on Thursday.

QUARTER FINAL MATCHES

1700 - ALEX GOURLAY (Irvine) Vs. STEPHEN MURRAY (Troon Welbeck)
1710 - EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock Barassie) Vs. GARY BRYDEN (Girvan)
1720 - MICHAEL SMYTH (Royal Troon) Vs. KEITH HAMILTON (Ayr Belleisle)
1730 - MARC SMITH (Troon Welbeck) Vs. DAVID WILSON (Troon Welbeck)