Sunday, November 05, 2023

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION A.G.M. - Andrew Gilligan elected president of The Association

President
Andrew Gilligan
Andrew Gilligan (Royal Troon) is the new President of the Ayrshire Golf Association, following his election at the recent Annual General Meeting of The Association.

At the A.G.M., held at Loudoun Gowf Club  on Tuesday the 17th of October, Royal Troon member Andrew, a former Club Captain and Club Champion of the Troon St. Meddans club, was elected to the presidency for the period 2023 - 2025,  following the retiral of immediate Past president Scott Gilchrist (Loudoun).

Barry O'Rourke (Caprington) was elected Vice president for the next two year period, and Alasdair J Malcolm (Prestwick St Cuthbert) was re-elected as Secretary/Treasurer of The Association.

Vice President
Barry O'Rourke

Kirk Ramsay (Redburn), Mike Hazlewood (Golf South Ayrshire) John Rushbury (Royal Troon) and John W Watt (Prestwick St Cuthbert) were all re-elected to the executive Committee.

In presenting his President's Report, before demitting office, Scott Gilchrist paid tribute to all that had been achieved during his two year of Presidency, making The Association a more diverse and inclusive organisation than ever before, and thanked the individuals, clubs and club members who have supported the work of improving all aspects of golf in Ayrshire.

Scott highlighted the introduction of competitions for women members of member clubs, which will be further expanded and enhanced in 2024, as well as the successes of individuals and teams including the win by the youths team in the West of Scotland inter County Championship and the runner up place by the men's team in the Scottish Men's Area Team Championship.

Scott also highlighted the decision to confer the title of Honorary President on the serving Secretary, Alasdair J Malcolm, during the year, for his services to golf in Ayrshire, as well as thanking all the clubs for providing facilities and taking part in the various events administered by The Association during the season.

The minutes of the 2022 A.G.M were circulated prior to the meeting along with reports in relation to Finance, Coaching, Course Rating and The Ayrshire Junior Golf League, and an update on the Governance of The Association, which were all discussed and approved at the meeting.

The proposal to retain the Ayrshire Golf Association per capita sum at £2.50, with no rise for the forthcoming year, was passed with a show of hands, while President Gilligan advised the meeting that the Scottish Golf per capita level would remain at £14.50, pending any forthcoming EGM set by Scottish Golf prior to next year's AGM.

Under any other competent business, in response to a question regarding handicapping and course rating, it was confirmed to members that the very successful and well supported Ayrshire Course Rating team, developed under the auspices of The Ayrshire Golf Association and with the excellent work of Mike Hazlewood and Kirk Ramsay, would cease to exist following the A.G.M.. This was a direct result of Scottish Golf directing that all course rating arrangements in Scotland would now be governed centrally, including course visit schedules and organisation and employment of volunteer raters.

 Mike Hazlewood confirmed that he was standing down as a Team Leader as a result, which left no team Leader's in the Ayrshire area after the retiral of the two other long standing post holders and the failure of Scottish Golf to progress the appointment of several other individuals suggested as potential post holders.

Mike stated that he would be happy to advise any clubs going forward on course rating matters, in an unofficial capacity, though all enquiries in relation to all course rating and handicapping matters should now be sent directly to Scottish Golf for any advice or decision.  

The meeting closed at 20.04 p.m., with a vote of thanks to The Chair.

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