GIRLS GOLF - Ayrshire draw with Lanarkshire in pre season friendly

The Ayrshire team (left) and the Lanarkshire team (right)
at Lanark Golf Club
(Photograph courtesy of the Lanarkshire Ladies County Golf Association)

An Ayrshire girls team traveled to Lanark Golf Club on Sunday 28th February to play a pre season friendly match against their counterpart from Lanarkshire.

The match, which was played in fine conditions, finished honours even, with a final score of 2 - 2.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION YEARBOOK - 13th edition launched at Ayrshire Dinner

The 13th edition of the Ayrshire Golf association Yearbook was launched at the Annual Dinner and Presentation Of Prizes.

The 40 page booklet, produced once again by Ayrshire Media Services in Troon, contains a wealth of useful information on golf in Ayrshire, including a review of the 2015 season, club contact details, championship winners and fixtures for the forthcoming 2016 season.

The yearbook will soon be available to view on line via this web page and will also be distributed, free of charge, to clubs and other golf sites throughout the county in the forthcoming weeks.

The Ayrshire Golf Association would like to take this opportunity to thank the advertisers within the yearbook for their continued support, which allows the publication to be produced and distributed to Ayrshire golfers year on year.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION ANNUAL DINNER - Full house at Loudoun to honour 2015 season winners

The Ayrshire Golf Association Annual Dinner & Presentation Of Trophies was held in the clubhouse of Loudoun Gowf Club on Friday 26th February, where the 2015 county competition winners were honoured for their achievements.



The attendees were also treated to a unique array of 'visiting' trophies this season, which Ayrshire players and teams either won or were members of the successful winning teams.

Pride of place went to the Walker Cup, won by Great Britain & Ireland against The United States Of America in 2015, with Ayrshire's Jack McDonald in the team. McDonald was also a member of the Scotland side who won the European Mens Team Championship in 2015, and the trophy was also on display at the dinner.

The successes of Ayrshire County sides in 2015 was also well represented with the magnificent Scottish Area Team Championship Trophy also on display, along with the West Of Scotland Inter County league Trophy and the Presidents Trophy which was won by the combined youths and boys team against The South Of Scotland.

President James McMurdo and Ronnie Potts
with the framed print presented to mark his
27 years of service to The Ayrshire Golf Association

After an excellent meal, the Ayrshire Golf Association President James McMurdo (Ballochmyle) gave a review of the year, which concluded with a presentation to long serving Ayrshire Golf Association Executive member and Past President, Ronnie Potts (Irvine Ravenspark), who retired from the AGA Executive in 2015 after 27 years of service. In appreciation, Ronnie was presented with a framed print of tain Golf Club, where he succesfully managed the Ayrshire team to the Scottish Area team Championship title in 2008.

The company was then very well entertained by the guest speaker of the evening, Ayrshire resident John Gilligan, with his witty after dinner offering.

The evening continued with the presentation of the trophies to the 2015 season winners, as well as commemorative medals to the winning team members in the West Of Scotland Inter County League competition.

The principal winners in 2015 were :-

SCOTTISH AREA TEAM CHAMPIONS

AYRSHIRE

Jack McDonald, Keith Hamilton, Tommy McInally, Stuart Robin, John Shanks, Scott Brown

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY A LEAGUE WINNERS

AYRSHIRE

Jack McDonald, Keith Hamilton, Tommy McInally, Stuart Robin, John Shanks  

Michael Smyth, Craig Telfer, Jim Johnstone, Seven Wallace, Scott Brown

Gordon Boyle, Craig Hamilton, Malcolm Pennycott

PRESIDENTS TROPHY

AYRSHIRE

AYRSHIRE BOYS CHAMPION

 CRAIG MCKENZIE (Troon Welbeck GC)

AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY CHAMPION

ROBBIE MUIR (Kilmarnock Barassie GC)

JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT

EUAN FERGUSON (Turnberry GC)

David & George McCulloch
Brunston Castle GC

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL TROPHY

BRUNSTON CASTLE GC

Largs GC Captain Doreen McConnell

AYRSHIRE CLUB CHAMPIONS

LARGS G C

SCRATCH (SUMMER) LEAGUES

DIVISION 4

ROWALLAN CASTLE GC

Division 4 winners Rowallan Castle

DIVISION 3

TROON ST MEDDANS GC

David Power - Troon St Meddans

DIVISION 2

TURNBERRY GC

Turnberry Captain Clive Douglas

DIVISION 1

IRVINE GC

Division 1 champions Irvine GC

Seniors Champion Iain McKenzie

AYRSHIRE SENIORS CHAMPION

IAIN McKENZIE (Annanhill GC)

Matchplay winner Michael Smyth

AYRSHIRE MATCHPLAY CHAMPION

MICHAEL SMYTH (Royal Troon GC)

Strokeplay winner Tommy McInally

AYRSHIRE STROKEPLAY CHAMPION

TOMMY McINALLY (Loudoun GC)

Champion Of Champions
Paul Moultrie

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

PAUL MOULTRIE (Royal Troon GC)

Doc Thom Salver winner
John Shanks

DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT

JOHNN SHANKS (Irvine GC)

The evening concluded with a vote of thanks given by Ayrshire Golf Association Vice President John Rushbury (Royal Troon)

NEW TEAM COMPETITIONS - Only two days remain until entries close for two new events

Entries for the two new Ayrshire Golf Association team knockout events, being introduced this season, close in tow days time, at the end of February.

The response from member clubs wanting to take part in both events has been very good, with 28 entries received so far for the scratch competition and 33 entries for the handicap event.

The clubs who have entered the team scratch competition to date (27th February) are :-

Abbotsford

Ardeer

Ayr Belleisle

Ayr Dalmilling

Ayr Seafield

Ballochmyle

Brunston Castle

Caprington

Crosshouse

Girvan

Irvine

Irvine Ravenspark

Kilbirnie Place

Kilmarnock Barassie

Largs

Loudoun

Moorpark

Muirkirk

New Cumnock

Prestwick St Cuthbert

Rowallan Castle

Royal Troon

Tam 'O' Shanter

Troon Portland

Troon St Meddans

Troon Welbeck

Turnberry

West Kilbride

Entries have been received to date (27th February) from the following clubs for the team handicap competition.

Abbotsford

Ardeer

Ayr Belleisle

Ayr Dalmilling

Ayr Neptune

Ayr Seafield

Ballochmyle

Braehead

Brunston Castle

Caprington

Crosshouse

Drongan

Girvan

Irvine Ravenspark

Kilbirnie Place

Kilmarnock Barassie

Largs

Loudoun

Moorpark

Muirkirk

New Cumnock

North Beach

Prestwick St Cuthbert

Rowallan Castle

Saxone

Skelmorlie

Stewarton

Tam 'O' Shanter

Troon Merchants

Troon Portland

Troon St Meddans

Troon Welbeck

Turnberry

Any further entry forms for the events must be in the hands of the Area Secretary, by 29th February 2016.

SCRATCH & HANDICAP TEAM KNOCKOUT COMPETITIONS - Closing date rapidly approaching for two new events

The closing date for the two new Ayrshire Golf Association events being introduced to the calendar this year is fast approaching.

Entries close for both the Scratch team Knockout competition and Handicap Team Knockout competitions at the end of February

26 clubs have entered the Handicap event so far. 

Entries received to date, (23rd February) are :-

Abbotsford

Ardeer

Ayr Belleisle

Ayr Dalmilling

Ayr Neptune

Ballochmyle

Braehead

Brunston Castle

Crosshouse

Drongan

Girvan

Irvine Ravenspark

Kilmarnock Barassie

Loudoun

Moorpark

Muirkirk

New Cumnock

North Beach

Rowallan Castle

Saxone

Skelmorlie

Tam 'O' Shanter

Troon Merchants

Troon Portland

Troon St Meddans

Troon Welbeck

22 clubs have confirmed their participation in the scratch team event so far. 

Entries received to date (23rd February), are :- 

Abbotsford

Ardeer

Ayr Belleisle

Ayr Dalmilling

Ballochmyle

Brunston Castle

Crosshouse

Girvan

Irvine

Irvine Ravenspark

Kilmarnock Barassie

Loudoun

Moorpark

Muirkirk

New Cumnock

Rowallan Castle

Royal Troon

Tam 'O' Shanter

Troon Portland

Troon St Meddans

Troon Welbeck

West Kilbride

Entry forms for both competitions must be in the hands of the Area Secretary by the closing date.

NEW AYRSHIRE COMPETITIONS - Good support for two new club team events introduced this year

The two new Ayrshire Golf Association club team events which are being introduced this year are proving popular, with an ever increasing entry in both the scratch and handicap events.

The events, which will be played on a straight home or away knockout basis will feature teams of four players representing each competing club, with the match consisting of two singles and one foursomes tie. All ties will be played to a finish, with extra holes as necessary, on a sudden death basis.

The entry letters and outline of the format were sent to all member clubs by email a few weeks ago. Should any club not have received the documentation, they should contact the Area Secretary by email to have further copies sent.

Closing date for entries to both competitions is 29th February, and in this first year of the event, entry will be free to all competing clubs.

21 have entered the handicap competition so far, with 19 entries received for the scratch event.

To date (16th February) the entries to the two events are as follows :-

SCRATCH TEAM KNOCKOUT ENTRIES

Ardeer

Ayr Belleisle

Ayr Dalmilling

Ballochmyle

Brunston Castle

Crosshouse

Girvan

Irvine

Irvine Ravenspark

Kilmarnock Barassie

Loudoun

Moorpark

Muirkirk

Rowallan Castle

Royal Troon

Troon Portland

Troon St Meddans

Troon Welbeck

West Kilbride

HANDICAP TEAM KNOCKOUT ENTRIES

Ardeer

Ayr Belleisle

Ayr Dalmilling

Ayr Neptune

Ballochmyle

Braehead

Brunston Castle

Crosshouse

Drongan

Girvan

Irvine Ravenspark

Kilmarnock Barassie

Loudoun

Moorpark

Muirkirk

Rowallan Castle

Skelmorlie

Troon Merchants

Troon Portland

Troon St Meddans

Troon Welbeck

URGENT APPEAL FOR SUPPORT TO SAVE HISTORIC GOLF SITE - Letters of objection needed by today

THIS ARTICLE IS COPIED FROM THE SOCIETY OF HICKORY GOLFERS WEBSITE

The famous pub adjacent to the Old Course at Musselburgh, Mrs Foremans, is in real and imminent danger of being swept from the landscape, as a result of an imminent planning application. The proposed development is also likely to have a severe effect on the course itself.

In a local context, the proposed development would be akin to someone wanting to demolish the Red Lion Hotel in Prestwick to build a house on the site, sweeping away with it all the historical connections with early golf and the early Open Golf Championships.

Objections need to be with the relevant department TODAY (17th February)

Should anyone wish to support the attempts to save Mrs Foremans they can simply copy the text below, add their details and sign and email to environment@eastlothian.gov.uk and copying to planning@eastlothian.gov.uk

HELP SAVE MRS. FORMAN'S PUB!!

by SoHG

February 15, 2016

It is one of the oldest and most historic of golf pubs in the world and it is threatened by a developer who wants to turn it into a private home. There is scant time to act. The following letter was sent by Mungo Park, descendant of the famous Park family of Musselburgh, to members of the British Golf Collectors Society. He is doing his best to rally support to save the historic pub. So, please, have a read and follow Mr. Park's suggestion of emailing the suggested form letter to the email address that is given at the start of the suggested letter, below Mr. Park's letter. Be sure to add your name and address to the letter.

If you Google Mrs. Forman's Pub you will see other articles on the threatened historic pub.

You might also want to copy the letter, email, to  planning@eastlothian.gov.uk

Please read and act swiftly!!

Dear Member,

Mrs Forman’s the Musselburgh pub is under threat of development. Neil Laird, David Hamilton, and I have been putting together a case to oppose its change of use to residential. We feel that it should remain as a pub, or another public facility that will tell the story of Musselburgh, and its place in the history of men’s and women’s golf.

Two planning Applications are being submitted. They are as follows: -

15/01035/P Simple conversion from pub / restaurant to residential use. Letters of opposition are needed by the 17th February.

16/00059/P Conversion of pub, plus construction of two new houses in the garden. (just submitted programme to follow)

Our opposition is based on three concerns: -

If the change of use is permitted it will open the way to the second application. From what we have seen this will involve the partial or total demolition of the garden wall. The historic view of Mrs Forman’s and its boundary wall, which has featured in so many pictures of the Links, will be lost.

It is likely that the safety risk posed by the golf course to a private dwelling will require East Lothian District Council either to modify the course, or to put up a large protective netting, with detrimental effects on two holes of the Old Course, ‘Mrs Forman’s’ and possibly the ‘Sea Hole’.

Mrs Forman’s itself will no longer be accessible to the public, and the opportunity for a public visitor centre, or pub / museum telling the story of Musselburgh’s golf history will be lost.

We are hoping to get as many letters of opposition to the planners before 17th February (this Wednesday), to prevent the Change of Use application from being permitted. If it is, then the principle or residential use is established, making it more difficult to argue against the construction of 3 houses on the site.

If anyone wishes to oppose this application, please do so before the 17th February. Mungo Park has been through the Local Plan and made a detailed case for opposing Conversion and Change of Use, based on specific policies. Neil Laird has prepared a more prosaic case based on his own historical research. What is needed is a large number of letters opposing this application No 15/01035/P (please refer to the number).

Below is a template letter for you to adapt or modify as you wish...or simply sign and send. We hope you do not mind this mass mailing; we feel that it is a matter about which most members will want to be informed.

Regards

Mungo Park, Neil Laird, David Hamilton


*** LETTER START ***

environment@eastlothian.gov.uk  

Planning Department, John Muir House
Brewery Park
Haddington
East Lothian
EH41 3HA.

Attn Ms Stephanie McQueen

Dear Ms McQueen,

PLANNING APPLICATION No. 15/01035/P

‘Change of Use and Conversion of Mrs Forman’s, 2 Ravensheugh Road, Musselburgh from

I write to oppose the above application for the following reasons: -

I believe that the application contravenes the following Planning Policies, as set out in the Local Plan: -

C8 Damage to Musselburgh Old Golf Course and its setting
DP4 Requirement for a Design Statement on sensitive sites
ENV1 & DP7 Section 3, retention of boundary features and Section 4 retention of important physical features
DP14 Trees on and near development sites
DP16 Development in areas at risk of flooding (as shown on SEPA Floodmap)
DP22 On-street parking is discouraged, but no parking is shown on the site.

A number of general policies and vision statements also apply to this proposal, in particular those relating to tourism, historical sites and local natural and built environment and heritage.

Musselburgh Links and Mrs Forman’s are historically significant for the following reasons: -

1) Musselburgh Links is the oldest golf course in the world in continuous use.
2) It was the scene of Open Championships in 1874, 1877, 1880, 1883, 1886 and 1889
3) The town was one of the two most important centres in the history of early golf before the first world war.
4) Mrs. Forman’s is of the oldest golf pub in the world
5) It has been central to the history of golf for the 194 years since it was built.
6) It is important to the continued reputation of the Old Course and Musselburgh.
7) It is known and valued by golfers throughout the world.
8) The application is incomplete and further modifications are needed which could impact adversely on the character and viability of the Old Course. No alteration of use should be allowed until the complete plan is available for the entire plot and the Council can be certain that there will be no adverse impact to the look of the Old Course or its viability.

No change of use should be allowed until all avenues to retain Mrs Forman’s use as a heritage centre or public house of some sort have been pursued.

I urge the Committee to refuse this application, so that the opportunity to celebrate Musselburgh’s remarkable golfing history is not lost.

Yours,