WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Mixed fortunes in final fixtures for Ayrshire teams

The Ayrshire A team completed their final fixture in the 2019 West of Scotland Inter County League on Sunday 20^th October, beating Stirlingshire 6 – 2 at Prestwick St Cuthbert.

Ayrshire held slim hopes of the title going into their final fixture, needing a 6.5 – 1.5 win or better to have any chance of taking the title, but Stirlingshire were in pole position going into the match, looking for their first win in the West League since 1995.

Ayrshire started well, taking 2.5 points from the opening three ties before suffering their first loss of a tie with William Fleming’s defeat by 2&1.

The home side took the last three ties comfortably, leaving the match standing at 5.5 – 1.5 with only Barry O’Rourke’s tie still on course.

The final tie to be decided went all the way to the last hole where O’Rourke held a one hole lead as they approached the final green.

With O’Rourke lying six feet from the hole with a chance of a birdie, it looked good for an Ayrshire win in the tie but in a crushing blow to the home side his opponent holed a chip shot over a greenside bunker to win the hole and half the tie which, more importantly for both sides, left Stirlingshire just ahead of Ayrshire in the title chase.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Steven Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) by 2&1

Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) halved with James Donaldson (Stirling)

Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) beat Greig McLelland (Stirling) by 2&1

William Fleming (Ballochmyle) lost to Mark Hyslop (Glenbervie) by 2&1

Barry O’Rourke (Louodun) halved with Colin Mundie (Glenbervie)

Darren Mallinson (Irvine) beat Ross Kane (Glenbervie) by 3&2

Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat) Tommy Morrison (Kilsyth) by 4&3

John Shanks (Irvine) beat Richard Johnston (Glenbervie) by 3&2

AYRSHIRE A    6   STIRLINGSHIRE A   2

Ayrshire will finish mid table in the West League this year, the present positions being:-

Position   Area                           P     W    L    D    F        A         Pts

1              Renfrewshire A         4     3      1     0    20.5   11.5      6

2              Stirlingshire A           5     3      2     0    21      19         6

3              Ayrshire A                 5     2      1     2    20.5   19.5      6

4              Lanarkshire A           4     1      1     2    16     16          4

5              Glasgow A                 5     2      3     0    18.5  21.5       4

6              Dumbartonshire A   5     0      3     2    15.5  24.5       2

One final postponed match remains to be played in this year’s A League, with Renfrewshire hosting Lanarkshire at paisley on Sunday 27^th October. Only win by Lanarkshire by 6 .5 – 1.5 or better would prevent Renfrewshire retaining the title this year.

In the corresponding youths league match, played at Tulliallan GC, Ayrshire went down by 6 – 2 to their Stirlingshire hosts.

Despite being awarded a point after the home side were reduced to seven players after a late call off only Greg Cathie & Aiden Long, with half points each, added to the Ayrshire total.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) lost to Stuart irving (Falkirk) by 7&6

Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Thomas Craig (Falkikrk) by 3&2

Greg Cathie (Irvine) halved with Grank Kirkwood (Falkirk)

Rob Yorston (Loudoun) lost to Callum beauchop (Glenbervie) by 574

Ross McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Sebastian Sandin (Dunblane new) by 5&4

Aiden Long (Ayr Belleisle) halved with Drew Cummings (Grangemouth)

Ross Caddis (Kilmanrock Barassie) lost to Fraser Gardiner (Grangemouth) by 6&5

Daryll Lynch (Ayr Belleisle) W/O Peter Maxwell (Glenbervie) Scr.

AYRSHIRE Y   2    STIRLINGSHIRE Y  6

Ayrshire finished in third place overall in the Youth League this year, with Dumbartonshire winning all five fixtures to take the title for the third time in four years.

The positions after the matches this week are:-

Position   Area                         P    W    L    D    F        A        Pts

1              Dumbartonshire Y   5     5     0    0    24.5    15.5    10

2              Stirlingshire Y          5     4     1    0    23.5    16.5     8

3              Ayrshire Y                5     3     2    0    17       23        6

4              Lanarkshire Y         5    2      3    0   21.5    18.5      4

5              Glasgow Y                4    0      4    0   10.5    21.5      0

6              Renfrewshire Y        4    0      4    0   13      19          0

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - A team draw and Youths beat Lanarkshire in penultimate fixtures

The Ayrshire A team fought out a 4 – 4 draw with Lanarkshire at Strathaven on Sunday 13^th October 2019, in their penultimate fixture in this years West of Scotland inter county league matches.

The Ayrshire team lost four of the first five ties, with only Scott Brown securing a win, but the last three Ayrshire players all secured victories to tie the match overall.

Match details (Lanarkshire names first):-

  

Dominic Dougan (Airdire) beat Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) by 3&2

Alan Laird (Strathaven) beat Stuart Easton (Irvine) by 2 holes

Graeme Rodger (Hamilton) lost to Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 6&5

Willie Steele (Lanark) beat Stuart Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 6&4

Garry McLetchie (Lanark) beat William Fleming (Ballochmyle) by 1 hole

Kieran McVicar East Kilbride) lost to Tommy McInally (Loudoun) by 4&3

Tommy Boyd (Bothwell Castle) lost to Barry O’Rourke (Louodun) by 3&2

Callum Connacher (Wishaw) lost to Steven Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 2&1

LANARKSHIRE A   4   AYRSHIRE  A   4

In the corresponding youths match at Troon Darley, a late call off saw Lanarkshire concede one of the eight ties to Ayrshire, with Sandy Walker being awarded a win.

Further wins from Greg Telfer in the lead tie, along with Greg Cathie and Ross Caddis, and a crucial half point won by Rob Yorston saw Ayrshire win the match 4.5 – 3.5 overall.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Scott Thomson (Drumpellier) by 2 holes

Aiden Long (Ayr Belleisle) lost to Mitchell Ronald (East Kilbride) by 1 hole

Stewart Russell (Royal Troon) lost to Alan Woodhouse (East Kilbride) by 2&1

Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) w/o Lanarkshire Scr.

Rob Yorston (Loudoun) halved with David Fail (Hamilton)

Greg Cathie (Irvine) beat Greg Andrews (East Kilbride) by 3&2

Ross Caddis (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Cameron Boomer (East Kilbride) by 1 hole

Darryl Lynch (Ayr Belleisle) lost to Ross McDonald (East Kilbride) by 2 holes

AYRSHIRE YOUTHS  4.5   LANARKSHIRE YOUTHS    3.5

The teams play their final matches in the series on Sunday 20^th October which are the rearranged contests against Stirlingshire which were postponed on Sunday 6^th October.

The Youths will travel to Tulliallan GC in their final fixture whilst the A team will be at home to

Stirlinghsire at Prestwick St Cuthbert GC, in a change of venue from the original postponed match.

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Both Ayrshire matches postponed in week 4

Both the Ayrshire A and Ayrshire Youths matches against Stirlingshire, scheduled to take place on Sunday 6th October have been postponed.

Heavy overnight rain throughout the country, which has seen the cancellation of many other golf fixtures, saw the A team match at Kilmarnock (Barassie) GC and the Youths match at Tulliallan GC being postponed due to course closures.

The youths match has been rescheduled for the same venue, Tulliallan GC, on Sunday 20th October and the venue for the resceduled A team match, on the same date, has still to be confirmed.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Ruben Lindsay regains Junior Champion of Champions title

Ruben Lindsay with the trophy
after his first title win in 2017

Ruben Lindsay (Ayr Belleisle) regained the Ayrshire Junior Champion of Champions title on Sunday 29th September when he won the 2019 final at West Kilbride.

Lindsay, who also won the title in 2017, faced Josh Davies (Troon Welbeck) in this years final and ran out the winner by 6 & 4 to take the trophy.

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Ayrshire Double over Glasgow in week three

Both the Ayrshire A and Ayrshire Youths teams enjoyed success over Glasgow in week three of the 2019 West Of Scotland Inter County league series of matches on Sunday 29th September.

The A team traveled to Cathkin Braes seeking their first win of the series, after losing to Renfrewshire on week one and drawing with Dumbartonshire last week.

Ayrshire got off to a great start with Jim Johnston, Tommy McInally and Scott brown winning the opening three ties.

Robbie Muir had the biggest win of the day to add another point and victory was clinched by Steven Wallace in the penultimate tie with a 2 hole win.

Match details (Glasgow names first):-

Brendan McKenna (Pollok) lost to Jim Johnston (Ayr Belleisle) by 4&2
Jim McKinnon (Cathkin Braes) lost to Tommy McInally (Louodun) by 3&2
Andy Fairbairn (Cawder) lost to Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 5&4
Greg Brown (Cathkin Braes) beat John Shanks (Irvine) by 4&2
Fraser Grant (Ralston) lost to Robbie Muir (Kilmarnock Barassie)by 6&5
Alan Waugh (Pollok) beat Darren Mallinson (Irvine) by 1 hole
Blair Dalgleish (Ralston) lost to Steven Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 2 holes
Stephen Machin (Cowglen) beat Stuart Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 2&1

GLASGOW A   3    AYRSHIRE  A   5

In the corresponding youths match, Ayrshire played host to Glasgow at Western Gailes, and were boosted when a late call off from a member of the Glasgow team gave Ayrshire a walkover in one of the ties.

Blair Morton got Ayrshire off to a great start with the biggest win of the day in the lead tie and Shaun Hedger added what would prove to be a crucial half point in the second tie on the course.

Defeats in the middle order for Stewart Russell, Greg Cathie and Kerr Brooks gave Glasgow renewed hope but a single hole victory for Ross Caddis and a comfortable win for sandy walker in the anchor tie gave Ayrshire the match win.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Blair Morton (Royal Troon) beat Chris Grant (Ralston) by 5&4
Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) halved with Martin Friel (Sandyhills)
Stewart Russell (Royal Troon) lost to Stuart McLean (Ralston) by 2&1
Greg Cathie (Irvine) lost to Jack Williams (Sandyhills) by 2&1
Kerr Brooks (Irvine) lost to Chris McMillan (Bishopbriggs) by 1 hole
Ross Caddis (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Andrew Forbes (Haggs Castle) by 1 hole
Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Thomas Rankin (Haggs Castle) by 4&3
Daryll Lynch (Ayr Belleisle) W/O Josh White (Bishopbriggs) Scr.

AYRSHIRE Y      4.5    GLASGOW Y   3.5

Next Sunday, 6th October, the A Team play host to Stirlingshire at Kilmarnock (Barassie) whilst the youths team travel to play the Stirlingshire youths side at Tulliallan.

DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - Michael Smyth takes 2019 title in photo finish at Prestwick St Nicholas

Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) is the 2019 winner of the Ayrshire Order of Merit, for the Doc Thom Salver following the closest of finishes at the final qualifying event, The Arrol Cup at Prestwick St Nicholas.

Trailing Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) going into the final event, Michael Smyth managed to secure points for equal third in the final event with rounds of 68 and 74 for a 142 total to match clubmate Blair Morton (69/73) and edge past Brown into first place by the margin of just 7.5 points.

The Arrol Cup was won this year by Ricky Gray (Cathkin Braes) with rounds of 68 and 69 for a 137 total.

A fifth place finish for Steven Stamper (Turnberry) was not enough for him to overtake Scott Brown in second place but confirmed his third place finish in this years title chase, just 12.92 points adrift of Michael Smyth's winning total.

The final placings in the 2019 Ayrshire order of Merit were:-

450 - MICHAEL SMYTH Royal Troon
442.5 - SCOTT BROWN Prestwick St Cuthbert
437.08 -  STEVEN STAMPER Turnberry
270 - STEVEN WALLACE Prestwick St Cuthbert
178.75 - SANDY WALKER Kilmarnock Barassie
175 - EUAN WALKER Kilmarnock Barassie
150 - JIM JOHNSTON Ayr Belleisle
150 - TOMMY McINALLY Loudoun
150 - ALAN McLEAN Kilbirnie Place
137.5 - DARREN MALLINSON Irvine
125 - JACK BROUN Turnberry
120 - GEORGE HIGGINS West Kilbride
112.5 - BLAIR MORTON Royal Troon
100 - STEWART RUSSELL Royal Troon
100 - PAUL GIFFNEY Ardeer
100 - ADAM CAMBERS Ayr Dalmilling
100 - JACK WHENT Largs
75 - STEVEN McEWAN Caprington
75 - JOE McSORLEY Prestwick St Cuthbert
75 - DAVID LONGAIR Troon St Meddans
75 - MARK WATT Prestwick St Cuthbert
75 - SCOTT DAVIDSON Largs
70.83 - ROSS CADDIS Kilmarnock Barassie
65 - BARRY O'ROURKE Loudoun
62.5 - ANDREW IRVINE Troon Welbeck
62.5 - GEORGE ROBERTSON Irvine
53.33 - PETER CROMBIE Caprington
50 - STEVEN McCREADIE Ayr Belleisle
50 - SEAN ADDIE Ayr Belleisle
50 - JOHNY STEVENSON Troon Welbeck
50 - GREGOR MACKINTOSH Girvan
50 - ALAN McNEIL Routenburn
48.75 - JAMES McINTYRE Moorpark
45 - GRAHAM McKENZIE West Kilbride
42.5 - KEITH HAMILTON Ayr Belleisle
42.5 - CRAIG TELFER Prestwick St Cuthbert
42.5 - STUART EASTON Irvine
35 - WILLIAM FLEMING Ballochmyle
35 - ROBERT McMASTER Girvan
35 - GREG VERNON Kilmarnock Barassie
28.75 - PETER HUME Ardeer
27.5 - PAUL DENIM Loudoun
27.5 - COLIN HUME Ayr Belleisle
21.67 - SAM McGIVERN Largs
21.67 - CAMERON SIMMONS Routenburn
21.67 - WILLIAM McGILL Irvine Ravenspark
20 - CAMERON AITKEN Largs
20 - GARY HOLLAND Ballochmyle
17.5 - SHAUN HEDGER West Kilbride
10 - STUART WHITE Girvan
7.5 - STUART PENNINGTON Troon St Meddans
7.5 - SANDY BUCHANAN Prestwick S Nicholas
7.5 - KEVIN THOMAS Troon Welbeck
7.5 - ALAN SMEETON The Chase
7.5 - JAMIE McCORMACK Irvine
7.5 - AIDAN LONG Ayr Belleisle
5 - KEVIN DOYLE Turnberry
5 - CRAIG HAMILTON Ballochmyle
5 - COLIN BERRY Prestwick St Cuthbert
5 - KEVIN McGACHY Routenburn
3.33 - ROBBIE MACINNES Rowallan Castle
3.33 - BLAIR TAYLOR Rowallan Castle
2.5 - SCOTT AINSWORTH Ardeer
2.5 - CHRIS BONE Loudoun
2.5 - CHARLES ALLAN Ardeer
2.5 - BRUCE CALDOW  Kilmarnock Barassie

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Ruben Lindsay moves up to second as Ross McDonald is confirmed as 2019 winner

The final counting event of the 2019 Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit took place at Irvine GC on Monday 23rd September, with the final two prize placings being decided.

Ross McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) was confirmed as the 2019 Junior Order of Merit winner before the final counting event took place, but second and third places were still up for grabs by up to seven players, depending on the results at Irvine.

Scottish Boys Champion Ruben Lindsay (Ayr Belleisle) moved up to second place overall after a scratch score of 72 gave him maximum points at Irvine, whilst Harvey Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck) added points for a joint seventh place at Irvine to confirm third place overall for the season.

Final placings in the Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit for 2019 are:- 

462.5		ROSS McDONALD	Kilmarnock Barassie
350		RUBEN LINDSAY	Ayr Belleisle
322.5		HARVEY BROADFOOT	Troon Welbeck
290		DYLAN CAIRNS	Prestwick St Nicholas
277.5		KERR BROOKS	Irvine
270		PATRICK SMILEY	Prestwick St Nicholas
227.5		FREYA RUSSELL	Royal Troon
215		ALEX DEAN	Irvine
175		BEN WATSON	Kilmarnock Barassie
167.5		CAMERON SHANKS	Caprington
155		FRASER RUSSELL	Royal Troon
147.5		JACK ALLAN	Ballochmyle
112.5		CAMERON McGARVIE	Prestwick St Nicholas
110		LUISA GIBSON	Irvine
107.5		JAMIE McKINNON	Caprington
107.5		MAX BARCLAY	Ayr Belleisle
100		RACHEL FOSTER	Prestwick St Nicholas
97.5		HARVEY McDONALD	Ayr Belleisle
85		JOHN McCRACKEN	Kilmarnock Barassie
75		ALYX MURRAY	Prestwick St Nicholas
75		JOHN KELLY	Ayr Belleisle
62.5		LIAM KIRKHAM	Troon Welbeck
57.5		RYAN KENNEDY	Loudoun
50		CALLUM BYERS	Ayr Belleisle
45		CAMERON JOHNSTONE	Kilmarnock Barassie
42.5		CONNOR WILLS	Prestwick St Nicholas
42.5		GLENN WILSON	Ayr Dalmilling
35		QUINTIN DUNLOP	Troon Welbeck
20		ROB YORSTON	Loudoun
20		JAMIE ROBERTSON	Loudoun
17.5		ELLIOT O'BRIEN	Irvine
10		CHRISTOPHER HUNTER	Ballochmyle
7.5		BEN WATT	Prestwick St Nicholas
7.5		JACK BROADFOOT	Troon Welbeck
7.5		RYAN KENNEDY	Loudoun
5		CALLUM BLACK	Irvine
2.5		EUAN RAMSAY	Prestwick St Nicholas
2.5		JOSH DAVIES	Troon Welbeck
2.5		KYLE REID	Irvine

AYRSHIRE SENIORS LEAGUE - three in a row for largs GC

Largs GC have retained the Ayrshire seniors League for the third successive season after a storming finish to this years competition.

Trailing the eventual runners up Ballochmyle, Large needed to win their final three matches to ensure victory again in 2019.

A 5-0 home win over Kilbirnie was followed by a narrow 3-2 win away to Prestwick St Cuthbert and a 4 – 1 win in their final fixture away to Troon Welbeck ensured that largs retained the title.

The final league placings were:-

The annual meeting of the Ayrshire Seniors League will take place at Kilbirnie Place GC on Wednesday 9^th October, and details will be forwarded to member clubs by the League Secretary in due course

SENIOR MEN'S HOME INTERNATIONALS - Scotland finish third at Alnmouth

Paul Moultrie

With Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) in the side, Scotland finished in third place in the 2019 Senior Men’s Home International series, played at Alnmouth Golf Club in England from 17^th to 19^th September. 

Scotland Started the championship well with a 5.5 – 3.5 victory over wales in their opening fixture.

Paul Moultrie sat out the morning foursomes against wales but earned a half point against Nigel evans in the afternoon singles.

On the second day Scotland faced Ireland but, after only gaining a half point in the three morning foursomes, lost out by 6 – 3 overall.

Paul Moultrie was paired with Robert Smith in the morning foursomes, losing out to John Mitchell & Barry O’Leary by 4&3, but secured a second successive half point in the singles, playing in the anchor tie against Karl Bornemann.

On the final day Scotland played the eventual winners, England and succeeded in stopping a third successive win for the hosts, eventually drawing the match 4.5 – 4.5.

Paul Moultrie again teamed up with Robert Smith in the morning foursomes, earning a half point against Paul Wharton & Richard Norton, but in the afternoon singles he was soundly beaten 6&5 by Rich Jones.

SCOTTISH SENIORS AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Eighth place finish for Ayrshire at Stirling

Ayrshire finished in eighth place in the Scottish Seniors Area Team Championship, played at Stirling Golf Club on Thursday 26th September.

The team score of 378 left Ayrshire fifteen shots adrift of the winning Lothians team, and five shots behind Fife in third place.

Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) and Paul Denim (Louodun) had the best individual returns for Ayrshire with scores of 73, with a 76 from John Rushbury (Royal Troon) and 78’s from Robbie Stewart (Troon Portland) and Ian Walker (Royal Troon) completing the Ayrshire team total of 378, an 81 from Stevie McKnight (Royal Troon) being the non counting score.

The final team totals were:-

363 – Lothians

369 – Glasgow

373 – Fife

376 – Angus

377 - Argyll & Bute

378 – Dumbarton, North East, Ayrshire, Stirling

379 - Perth & Kinross

383 – South

384 - Clackmannanshire

EUROPRO TOUR - Victory for Jack McDonald at Newmachar

Former Ayrshire county player Jack McDonald of Kilmarnock Barassie won The Newmachar Golf Club Challenge in Aberdeen, played between 18th and 20th September, after a phenomenal final round in scorching conditions to close off the regular PGA EuroPro Tour season.

(Report courtesy of the europrotour.com website)

McDonald posted rounds of 69, 65 and 66 to rise above Jonathan Caldwell who had led the opening two rounds of play. The Kilmarnock (Barassie) golfer was bogey-free for the final day putting pressure on Caldwell going birdie, birdie, birdie on 11, 12 and 13. It’s his first professional victory since turning professional.

On victory, he said: “I played great right through today so I knew I just had to keep it going. Just delighted to get the win. It feels amazing. The professional game is definitely different from the amateur game and I am just delighted to get the win. I am just going to enjoy it.” 

Making it to Desert Springs: “One box was ticked when I made the cut. All I was thinking today as I had nothing to lose and I was just aggressive and I am glad it paid off.”

Caldwell (Clandeboye Golf Club) didn’t really do much wrong on the last day going round in 64, 67 and 70 with the latter proving not to be enough to clinch a win. 

Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills Golf Centre) finished outright third with a final round of 67 (-5) that included six birdies and only one blotch to his card. 

John Parry (Harrogate Golf Club) signed for rounds of 65, 68 and 70 to tie for fourth with Will Enefer (Retail Furniture Ltd) and Tim Rice (Limerick Golf Club) who shot the best round of the week for 63 (-9) finishing with a flurry of birdies and an eagle.

Calum Fyfe (Golfing4Life) also motored along on the last day going eight under to finish tied for seventh on twelve under with Tom Gandy (Rowany Golf Club) and Billy Spooner (Boston West Golf Club).

Joe Brooks (Hanbury Manor Golf Club) rounded off the top ten 67, 70 and 68 to secure his place at Desert Springs Resort. 

COLLEGE GOLF - Addie & McLaughlin make impressive starts in the USA.

Sean Addie (Ayr Belleisle) had a winning start to his collegiate golf career in the USA when he helped his Davis & Elkins College team to victory in the Wally Edgell Collegiate Championship over the Cannan Valley resort course in West Virginia.

Sean Addie (2nd right) with his winning college team 

Rounds of 73 & 70 saw Addie finish in sixth place overall in the individual standings and contributed to a team score in the event of 575, which took the team title by seven shots, ahead of the other nine competing colleges.

Claire McLaughlin

Claire McLaughlin (West Kilbride) who is also in the USA, at the Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky, was selected as the Mid-South Conference Women's Golfer of the Week recently following a second place finish at the Blue Raider Classic. 

After leading the event with a two-day total of 149 she eventually finished just one shot behind the eventual winner.

During the competition Mclaughlin recorded the best round of the tournament with a one-under-par 71 to help boost the Lindsey Wilson team to an 18-stroke tournament win.

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Ayrshire teams record a draw and a loss against Dumbartonshire

The Ayrshire A team drew 4 – 4 at Turnberry, over the King Robert The Bruce course, on Sunday 22^nd September, in their second West Of Scotland Inter County League fixture of the series.

The first three ties were lost but crushing wins by Michael Smyth and Steven Stamper reduced the deficit before Stephen Spence and Stuart Miller ensured a draw for the home team.

Despite losing his tie on the final green, the day was a memorable one for Darren Mallinson who recorded his first ever hole in one, at the tenth hole, during his tie.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) lost to Ian McCalman by 6&5

Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) lost to George Duncan by 2&1

Robbie Muir (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Craig Bissett by 2&1

Stephen Spence (Royal Troon) beat Angus McKay by 1 hole

Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) beat Davie Wylie by 6&5

Darren Mallinson (Irvine) lost to Dave Lindsay by 1 hole

Stuart Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Niall Lamond by 2&1

Steven Stamper (Turnberry) beat Jim Devaney by 6&4

AYRSHIRE A    4    DUMBARTONSHIRE A   4

In the corresponding youths match at Lenzie, Ayrshire went down 5 – 3 to the hosts.

Ayrshire started well, taking 2.5 points from the first three ties but only Greg Telfer in the anchor tie could add any further points to the Ayrshire total.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Blair Morton (Royal Troon) beat Euan McBride (Lenzie by 3&2

Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) beat Gavin Roger (Clober) by 4&3

Stewart Russell (Royal Troon) halved with Rhys Thomson (Dullatur)

Callum Irvine (Ayr Belleisle) lost to Cameron Black (Cardross) by 1 hole

Ross Caddis (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Jack Pike (Clober) by 5&4

Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Hamish Mills (Cardross) by 2&1

Kerr Brooks (Irvine) lost to Stuart Boyd (Hayston) by 4&2

Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) halved with Callum McTear (Clydebank & District)

AYRSHIRE Y    3    DUMBARTONSHIRE Y   5

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Kilmarnock Barassie take 2019 title

Kilmarnock Barassie are the 2019 Ayrshire Junior Golf League champions.

In the final, played at West Kilbride on Sunday 22nd September, the Kilmarnock Barassie team faced Ayr Belleisle and won the title with a comprehensive 6 - 0 victory

The winning Kilmarnock Barassie team at West Kilbride

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Kilmarnock Barassie and Irvine win first two finals of 2019

The first two finals of the 2019 Ayrshire Junior Golf League competitions took place at West Kilbride Golf Club on Sunday 15th September with Kilmarnock (Barassie) and Irvine toasting success.

In the final of the Wallace Thornton Trophy the Kilmarnock (Barasie) team beat Prestwick St Nicholas 3.5 - 0.5.

Wallace Thornton Trophy winners
Kilmarnock Barassie GC

In the final of the Under 16 Knockout Trophy Irvine faced Ayr Belleisle and won the 2019 title with a 3 - 1 victory.

Under 16 Knockout Trophy winners
Irvine GC

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Ayrshire A crash to defeat at Bonnyton

The Ayrshire A team crashed to a 6.5 - 1.5 defeat to Renfrewshire at Bonnyton on Sunday 15th September in their opening fixture in the 2019 West of Scotland Inter County league Championship.

With only two of the six players who finished runners up in the recent Scottish Area team Championship available at the weekend, there were a number of changes in the Ayrshire team, with Barry O'Rourke (Louodun) making his debut.

Although the match looked close at the half way stage, the Renfrewshire players pulled ahead in a number of matches mid way through the inward half and ultimately only Steven Spence was a winner for Ayrshire whilst Craig Hamilton won the final hole in the his tie to secure a half point.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) halved with David Sibbald (Bonnyton)  
Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) lost to Alex Ferguson (Paisley) by 5&4
Stephen Spence (Royal Troon) beat Willie McMillan (Bonnyton) by 3&2
Steven Stamper (Turnberry) lost to David Dickson (Bonnyton) by 4&3
Barry O'Rourke (Loudoun) lost to Craig Thomson (Paisley) by 3&1
Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting bay) lost to Alan Johnston (Bonnyton) by 4&3
Greg Telfer (Prestwick S Cuthbert) lost to Paul Dorrian (Greenock) by 3&2
Steven Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert) lost to Andy jamieson (Paisley) by 2&1

AYRSHIRE  1.5   RENFREWSHIRE   6.5

The corresponding youths match was scheduled to take place at Loudoun but after a number of late call offs the Renfrewshire team officials decided to forfeit the match to Ayrshire, with the result being recorded as a 5 - 3 win to Ayrshire, per the championship rules.

Next Sunday, 22nd September, the A team host Dumbartonshire over the King Robert The Bruce course at Turnberry whilst the youths team travel to play the Dumbartonshire youths side at Lenzie.

PGA EUROPEAN TOUR - Inpressive professional debut for Euan Walker in KLM open

Euan Walker made an impressive start to his professional career in his first tournament, the KLM Open at The International, Amsterdam, which was played between 12^th and 15^th September.

Having turned professional immediately after the recent Walker Cup match at Royal Liverpool GC, Walker opened his first professional event with rounds of 72 69 and 69 for a six under par total after 36 holes, to comfortably make the cut for the final round.

In the final round Walker had a one over par score of 73 which left him in joint 40^th place overall on 283, five under par, behind the winner Sergio Garcia who finished eighteen under par on 270.

Walker’s debut finish earned him 11,600 euros in prize money for his efforts.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Ross McDonald secures title with one event remaining.

Ross McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) has secured the 2019 Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit title, with just one counting event remaining to be played this season.

At the penultimate counting event, The Prestwick St Nicholas Junior Open, which was won by Dylan Cairns (Prestwick St Nicholas) ahead of clubmate Cameron McGarvie, Ross McDonald shared third place with two other players which gave him enough points to ensure him an unassailable lead going into the final counting event, the Irvine GC Junior Open, which takes place on Monday 23rd September.

With prizes presented to the first three places in the Junior Order of merit each year, there is still plenty to play for in the final event with any one of seven players still in a position to secure second or third place in the table.

The present positions in the Junior Order of Merit, with one counting event to be played, are:-

462.5		ROSS McDONALD	Kilmarnock Barassie
315		HARVEY BROADFOOT	Troon Welbeck
290		DYLAN CAIRNS	Prestwick St Nicholas
250		PATRICK SMILEY	Prestwick St Nicholas
250		RUBEN LINDSAY	Ayr Belleisle
227.5		FREYA RUSSELL	Royal Troon
227.5		KERR BROOKS	Irvine
215		ALEX DEAN	Irvine
175		BEN WATSON	Kilmarnock Barassie
160		CAMERON SHANKS	Caprington
155		FRASER RUSSELL	Royal Troon
147.5		JACK ALLAN	Ballochmyle
107.5		JAMIE McKINNON	Caprington
107.5		MAX BARCLAY	Ayr Belleisle
100		RACHEL FOSTER	Prestwick St Nicholas
97.5		HARVEY McDONALD	Ayr Belleisle
85		JOHN McCRACKEN	Kilmarnock Barassie
77.5		CAMERON McGARVIE	Prestwick St Nicholas
75		ALYX MURRAY	Prestwick St Nicholas
75		JOHN KELLY	Ayr Belleisle
62.5		LIAM KIRKHAM	Troon Welbeck
57.5		RYAN KENNEDY	Loudoun
50		CALLUM BYERS	Ayr Belleisle
45		CAMERON JOHNSTONE	Kilmarnock Barassie
42.5		CONNOR WILLS	Prestwick St Nicholas
42.5		GLENN WILSON	Ayr Dalmilling
35		LUISA GIBSON	Irvine
35		QUINTIN DUNLOP	Troon Welbeck
20		ROB YORSTON	Loudoun
20		JAMIE ROBERTSON	Loudoun
17.5		ELLIOT O'BRIEN	Irvine
10		CHRISTOPHER HUNTER	Ballochmyle
7.5		BEN WATT	Prestwick St Nicholas
7.5		JACK BROADFOOT	Troon Welbeck
7.5		RYAN KENNEDY	Loudoun
5		CALLUM BLACK	Irvine
2.5		EUAN RAMSAY	Prestwick St Nicholas
2.5		JOSH DAVIES	Troon Welbeck
2.5		KYLE REID	Irvine

MEN'S HOME INTERNATIONALS - Stuart Easton shines for Scotland as they finish runners up in ireland

Stuart Easton (Irvine GC) made a major contribution as Scotland just failed to win the Home Internationals in a final match showdown with England at Lahinch GC in Ireland, which was played from 11^th to 13^th September.

Scotland opened on day one with an 8.5 – 6.5 win over the hosts, Ireland, with Stuart Easton teaming up with Lewis Irvine in the foursomes to secure a half match with Colin Canmpbell & Tom McKibbin before Easton then secured a further half point against Tarnan McLarnon in the afternoon singles.

On day two against Wales, Easton and Irvine were again paired together in the foursomes and  beat Connor Jones & George Bryant by 2 & 1. In the afternoon singles, playing in the anchor tie, Stuart Easton had a single hole victory over Gaelen Trew as Scotland ran out winners by 9.5 – 5.5.

On the final day Scotland faced England, who were also unbeaten, in a winner takes all showdown for the 2019 Home Internationals title.

Stuart Easton and Lewis Irvine secured another half point together, in their morning foursomes tie against bailey Gill & Joshua McMahon, to remain unbeaten in their three outings together as the morning foursomes were shared 2.5 – 2.5 but in the afternoon singles England powered to a 9 – 6 victory overall, with Stuart Easton suffering his only defeat of the week, going down 3&2 to bailey Gill in the anchor tie, as England won the series leaving Scotland in second place, ahead of Ireland and Wales.