ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON AMATEUR GOLF IN AYRSHIRE

Friday, June 28, 2024

AYRSHIRE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP - Sixteen clubs contest the 2024 event

Sixteen clubs will contest the 2024 Ayrshire Club Championship, for the R.L Crawford Trophy, when the championship takes place at Caprington Golf Club on Sunday the 7th of July. 

Teams of three players will represent member clubs in the competition, with the best two scratch scores from the three comprising the team score, with the third score being taken into account in the event of a tie.

Kilmarnock (Barassie) return to defend the trophy they won last year at Prestwick Golf Club.

The draw for order of play for the 2024 championship is:-




AYRSHIRE SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP - Limited number of places still available

A limited number of spaces are still available for the 2024 Ayrshire Senior Men's Championship, which takes place at Girvan golf course on Tuesday the 9th of July.

The player returning the best nett score of the day will win the Sandy provan Trophy while there will also be a scratch prize, other nett prizes in three age categories, and two nearest the hole prizes.

The players returning the best eight scratch scores in the championship will go forward to contest the Ayrshire Senior Men's Matchplay Championship.

Entry is £10 and copies of the entry form can be downloaded via the liink below.


Ayrshire Senior mens Championship Entry Form


The remaining spaces in the field will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

The draw for order of play is:-




Thursday, June 27, 2024

GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL SALVER - two more clubs through to last eight

Two more clubs have booked their places in the last eight of the 2024 Ayrshire men's scratch club team knockout competition for the Gary Bryden Memorial Salver.

Kilmarnock Barassie had a 3-0 home win over Redburn in their second round encounter and will now host either Troon St Meddans or Largs in the quarter finals, while Royal Troon had a home win over Irvine Ravenspark by the same 3-0 scoreline  to move into the last eight where they will play host to Kilbirnie Place for a place in the semi finals.

The remaining quarter final matches are due to be completed by the 30th of June.

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Golf South Ayrshire pair through to last eight

The Golf South Ayrshire GC pairing of Kieron Gallagher & Bruce Harris are though to the quarter finals of the 2024 Ayrshire Fourball Championship.

At home to Stevie Hay & Brian Robertson (Auchenharvie 88) in the third round, the Golf South Ayrshire pairing recorded a 3&2 victory over the Troon darley course to move on to the quarter finals, where they will be at home again, to Alan Miller and Daniel Ross (Portmann).

The result of one third round tie, due to be played by the 30th of June, is awaited to confirm the quarter final line up.


AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY - Semi final line up confirmed

The semi final line up for the 2024 Ayrshire Women's Champion of Champions Trophy competition hads been confirmed.

Liz keohone (Loudoun) won her quarter final tie away to Jennifer Bell (West Kilbride) at the first extra hole and will now travel to meet the defending champion Debbie Watt (Ayr Belleisle Ladies) in the semi final.

The other semi final features the new Ayrshire Women's Matchplay Championship winner Audrey Thompson (Loudoun) who plays host to Pauleen Patrick (Irvine).

The semi final matches are due to be completed by the 28th of July, with the final scheduled to take place at Royal Troon on Friday the 9th of August.   

AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Audrey Thompson wins inaugural title

Audrey Thompson (Loudoun GC) is the inaugural Ayrshire Women's Matchplay Championship winner following a 5& 3 win over Rachel McCready (Largs) in the final of the Lomond Property sponsored event, at Rowallan Castle GC on Wednesday the 26th of June.

After halving the first hole it was rachel who took the early lead at the 142 yard par three second hole. While Audrey found a bunker from the tee, Rachel succcesfully found the green and after putting up to within five feet of the hole succesfully holed her next putt for a winning par three, after Audrey failed with her 20 foot par attempt.

The lead was short lived however, Audrey winning the third after rachel's approach found a greenside bunker and she failed to get up and down from the hazard.

At the next two holes, which were both halved, Rachel had opportunities from around 12 feet on both holes to win the hole, but on each occasion just failed to hole her putts, and the match score remained all square after five.

At the sixth both players found the back of the green in two but while Audrey succesfully negotiated the green in two putts, rachels second putt from five feet for a par lipped out on the left and Audrey took the lead in the match. Again the lead was short lived, Rachel winning the seventh to square the match with a  regulation par four after Audrel's thinned approach found the front greenside bunker, from which she was unable to get up and down to salvage her par.

The eighth hole was halved in fours after both players wrere unable to find the green from the tee, which preceded a run of three holes in which Audrey took control of the match.

At the par five ninth hole both players found the large green in three. Putting first from around 60 feet, rachel made a good attempt, her putt finishing two feet from the hole, but this was to no avail when Audrey, facing a testing downhill putt from around fifty feet, saw her excellent putt roll down the green and disappear into the hole for a winning birdie four.

Audrey's lead was extended to two holes at the par three tenth hole whe n rachel failed to get up and down from off the left of the green, while Audrey secured a winning regulation par, having found the front right part of the green from the tee.

As pressure mounted on Rachel, Audrey, with a fine two putt birdie four at the eleventh, extended her lead to three holes after rachel was unable to matgch her following a fluffed chip on her approach to the green.

An uncharecteristic quick hook off the twelfth tee by Audrey, which led to a lost ball, gave Rachel a glimmer of hope and she took the opportunity by winnning the hole to reduce the match score to two down with six holes to play, but at the par five thirteenth a great putt from 25 feet by Audrey was enough to win the hole and restore her three hole advantage with five holes to play.

At the fourteenth both players missed the green to the right with their approach shots. Playing first from light rough and a downhill lie, Rachel did well to get her chip to within ten feet of the hole, while Audrey's chip from just off the green finished a mere six inches from the hole, with her par four being conceded. Despite a great effort, rachel's par putt attempt to halve the hole pulled up six inches short of the cup, and Audrey moved to the fifteenth tee dormie four.

Needing to win all the remaining holes, Rachel was unfortunate to find both a fairway bunker from the tee and a greenside bunker with her approach, while Audrey capitalised on a perfectly positioned tee shot to hit her second onto the right apron of the green. From a distance of around forty five feet, Audrey rolled her third down the green five feet past the hole, and when Rachel failed to hole her putt for a five from fifteen feet, the hole was conceded and Audrey Thompson won the 2024 title and trophy with a 5&3 winning margin in the match.

At the conclusion of the championship final, Ayrshire Golf Association Vice President Barry O'Rourke presented prize vouchers to both finalists and handed the championship trophy to the 2024 winner Audrey Thompson.

The Ayrshire Golf Association would like to express thanks to Rowallan Castle GC for hosting the championship, and the championship sponsors Lomond Property for their support.   

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Audrey Thompson and Rachel McCready to contest inaugural final.

The final of the inaugural competition for the Ayrshire Women's Matchplay Championship will be contested on Wednesday the 26th of June at Rowallan Castle GC between Audrey Thompson (Loudoun) and Rachel McCready (Largs), following completion of the semi final matches on Tuesday evening.

The first semi final matches Audrey Thompson with Lynsie Bulloch (Irvine). Thompson forged a three hole lead after seven but was pegged back at the eighth by Bulloch who kept in te match during the inward half but never quite managed to get back on to level terms, despite winning an eventful thirteenth hole to reduce the defecit again to two holes with five to play, and further reducing Thompson's lead to a single hole after the sixteenth. Despite the fightback, Thompson held her nerve and a fine tee shot at the seventeenth to the centre of the green set up a winning par three for Thompson after Bulloch just failed to hole her par putt, and ultimately it was Audrey Thompson who saw out the tie and booked her place in the final with a 2&1 win.


In the second semi final, featuring Debbie Watt (Ayr Belleisle Ladies) and Rachel McCready (Largs), it was McCready who took the early lead by winning the first and by the fifth she had extended her lead to two holes. Watt however fought back to square the match at the turn and took the lead after an excellent wedge shot from the left of the green set up a winning par three, when McCready failed to get up and down from the right greenside bunker.

McCready then edged in front by one hole after thirteen holes and also won the fourteenth to go two up with four holes to play. after halving the fifteenth, McCready closed out the match by winning the sixteenth for a 3&2 victory.

The championship final on Wednesday evening, the 26th of June, tees off at Rowallan Castle GC at 5.00 p.m.

AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE - Kilmarnock Barassie reclaim lead in Section A

Kilmarnock Barassie have reclaimed top spot in qualifying Section A of the 2024 Ayrshire Women's Handicap League Championship.

A 2.5 - 1.5 away win at Ballochmyle moved the barassie team ahead of largs, though largs have played four fixtures less that the section leaders.

Kilmarnock Barassie have only one fixture remaining to be played, which is a crucial home match against Largs.

With ten fixtures still to be completed in the section, present positions in Section A are:-

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

KILMARNOCK BARASSIE

7

3

1

3

13.0

15.0

-2.0

14

LARGS

3

3

0

0

9.5

2.5

7.0

12

LOUDOUN

4

2

1

1

10.0

6.0

4.0

10

PR. ST CUTHBERT

2

1

0

1

2.5

5.5

-3.0

4

BALLOCHMYLE

4

0

0

4

5.0

11.0

-6.0

0

In Section B, defending champions Caprington lead the way with five fixtures remaining to be completed. Present positions in Section B are:-

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

CAPRINGTON

3

3

0

0

9.0

3.0

6.0

12

TROON WELBECK

4

2

0

2

8.5

7.5

1.0

8

ROYAL TROON

4

2

0

2

8.0

8.0

0.0

8

AYR BELLEISLE

3

0

0

3

2.5

9.5

-7.0

0

 

AYRSHIRE MEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP - Golf South Ayrshire book first quarter final place after winning League 2.

Golf South Ayrshire are the first club to book their place in the quarter finals of the 2024 Ayrshire Men’s Handicap League Championship following several fixtures played across the eight qualifying sections recently.

In LEAGUE 1, Alton boosted their hopes with a 3.5 – 2.5 home win over Routenburn in their latest fixture while Tam O Shanter remained in contention following a 4.5 – 1.5 away win over Troon Portland.

With three fixtures remaining to be played, present positions in league 1 are:-

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

ALTON

5

3

0

2

16.5

13.5

3.0

12

TAM O SHANTER

4

2

0

2

14.0

10.0

4.0

8

TROON PORTLAND

4

2

0

2

10.5

13.5

-3.0

8

ROUTENBURN

5

2

0

3

13.0

17.0

-4.0

8

 

In LEAGUE 2, the Golf South Ayrshire team had a 3.5 - 2.5 home win over Ayr Dalmilling and followed this with a 4 – 2 home win over Kilmarnock Barassie to take an uncatchable lead in the qualifying league, and they now await the winner of league 6 in the knockout quarter final stage.. With just the Golf South Ayrshire home tie against Irvine still to be played, present positions in League 2 are:-  

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

GOLF SOUTH AYRSHIRE

5

4

1

0

18.0

12.0

6.0

18

KILMARNOCK BARASSIE

6

3

1

2

19.5

16.5

3.0

14

IRVINE

5

2

0

3

14.0

16.0

-2.0

8

AYR DALMILLING

6

1

0

5

14.5

21.5

-7.0

4

 

In LEAGUE 3, Ayr Seafield consolidated top spot with a 4.5 – 1.5 win away to Wallacetown. With six fixtures still to be played, the present positions in League 3 are:-

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

TROON ST MEDDANS

3

2

1

0

12.0

6.0

6.0

10

ARDEER

2

1

1

0

6.5

5.5

1.0

6

AYR SEAFIELD

3

1

0

2

8.0

10.0

-2.0

4

WALLACETOWN

4

1

0

3

9.5

14.5

-5.0

4

 

In LEAGUE 4, four fixtures remain, with present positions in the league being:-

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

MOORPARK

5

4

0

1

21.0

9.0

12.0

16

ROYAL TROON

4

2

0

2

10.0

14.0

-4.0

8

BALLOCHMYLE

3

1

1

1

9.0

9.0

0.0

6

ANNANHILL

4

0

1

3

8.0

16.0

-8.0

2

 

In LEAGUE 5, Redburn remain clear at the top of the table after a 4 – 2 home win over North beach, while Caprington remain in second spot following a 3.5 – 2.5 win away to Prestwick St Cuthbert. Present positions in League 5, with four fixtures remaining, are:-

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

REDBURN

4

3

0

1

12.0

12.0

0.0

12

CAPRINGTON

3

2

0

1

9.5

8.5

1.0

8

NORTH BEACH

5

2

0

3

14.5

15.5

-1.0

8

PR ST CUTHBERT

4

1

0

3

12.0

12.0

0.0

4

 

In LEAGUE 6, West Kilbride had a 3.5 – 2.5 home win over Largs, which keeps the league as the tightest of all eight, with four fixtures remaining to be completed. Present positions in League 6 are:-

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

KILBIRNIE PLACE

3

2

0

1

12.5

5.5

7.0

8

LARGS

4

2

0

2

14.0

10.0

4.0

8

PR ST NICHOLAS

4

2

0

2

10.0

14.0

-4.0

8

WEST KILBRIDE

5

2

0

3

11.5

18.5

-7.0

8

 

In LEAGUE 7, a 3 – 3 draw between Stewarton and Troon Welbeck leaves just three fixtures to complete. Present positions in League 7 are:-

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

AUCHENHARVIE 88

5

3

2

0

20.5

9.5

11.0

16

ROWALLAN CASTLE

3

2

0

1

10.0

8.0

2.0

8

TROON WELBECK

5

1

2

2

13.5

16.5

-3.0

8

STEWARTON

5

0

2

3

10.0

20.0

-10.0

4

 

In LEAGUE 8, six fixtures remain to be played. Loudoun hold a slim lead after a 5 – 1 home win over Ayr Belleisle, though their hopes suffered a setback when they lost by 3.5 – 2.5 at home to Portmann, who didn’t fare so well in their other recent away tie, losing out to Irvine Ravenspark by  5 – 1. Present positions in League 8 are:-

 

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

LOUDOUN

3

2

0

1

12.5

5.5

7.0

8

AYR BELLEISLE

3

1

1

1

8.5

9.5

-1.0

6

PORTMANN

3

1

1

1

7.5

10.5

-3.0

6

IRVINE RAVENSPARK

3

1

0

2

7.5

10.5

-3.0

4