SCOTTISH MEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Two Irvine players qualify for matchplay stages

The strokeplay qualifying rounds of the 2025 Scottish Men's Amateur Championship were concluded at Gullane on Wednesday the 30th of July, with irvine players taking two of the 64 qualifying places for the matchplay rounds, which begin on Thursday morning, the 31st of July and conclude with the final on Saturday the 2nd of August.

With qualifying rounds over the Gullane No. 1 and Gullane No. 2 courses, the lowest qualifying total was 132, 10 under par.

The cut for the matchplay rounds fell at 142, level par for the two rounds which saw Irvine GC pair John Shanks and Daniel Forbes into the matchplay stages.

John finished on 139, 3 under par, following rounds of 71 and 68, toqualify in 34th spot, while Daniel was 61st qualifier on 141, 1 under par, with rounds of 68 and 73.

Another Ayrshire interest in the matchplay stages remains in the person of Malcolm Pennycott, formerly of Whiting Bay GC who presently plays out of the Royal Burgess club, who was 23rd qualifier on 138, 4 under par, after rounds of 70 and 68.

Other Ayrshire scores:-

144 (+2) - Steven Stamper (Turnberry) 73/71

146 (+4) - Gregor Mackintosh (Girvan) 73/73

148 (+6) Jason Butler (Troon St Meddans) 79/69, Harvey MacDonald (Loudoun) 75/73

149 (+7) - Patrick Smiley (Prestwick St Nicholas)

150 (+8) - Drew Cleaver (Ayr Belleisle)

151 (+9) - Cameron McGarvie (Prestwick) 76/75

152 (+10) - Kevin Thomas (Troon St Meddans) 80/72, Jamie Hay (Ayr Belleisle) 72/80

Unfortunately Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon), who had an under par round on the opening day, was disquailfied after the conclusion of his round for a scorecard error.

The matchplay rounds get under way on Thursday morning, the 31st of July.

The Ayrshire interest starts at 0812 when Daniel Forbes tees off against the number 4 qualifier, Scott Spark (Newmacher).

John Shanks faces 31st qualifier George Cannon (Glenbervie) at 0924, while Malcolm Pennycott tees off at 1020 against 42nd qualifier Alexander Yuill (Gullane)

The Scottish Men's Amateur Championship was last held at Gullane in 2010 when the winner was Ayrshire's Michael Stewart from Troon Welbeck GC.

 

AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP - Semi-final places confirmed

The Ayrshire Women’s Handicap League Championship has reached the semi- final stage after the league sections were completed recently.

In SECTION A Kilmarnock Barassie won their final match away to Troon Welbeck by 3.5 – 0.5 to snatch the semi-final place from Prestwick St Cuthbert who lost their final away fixture at Caprington by 4-0.

Final placings in section A were:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
CAPRINGTON	6	3	3	0	16.0	8.0	8.0	18
KILMARNOCK BARASSIE	6	3	1	2	15.5	8.5	7.0	14
PRESTWICK ST CUTHBERT	6	2	2	2	10.0	14.0	-4.0	12
TROON WELBECK	6	0	2	4	6.5	17.5	-11.5	4

In SECTION B, the final three fixtures saw Loudoun win 3-1 at Ballochmyle, with Largs winning by 3.5-0.5 away to Ayr Belleisle Ladies, and Ballochmyle fighting out a 2-2 draw with their visitors from Ayr Belleisle Ladies

Final placings in Section B were:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
LARGS	6	5	0	1	18.5	5.5	13.0	20
LOUDOUN	6	4	1	1	14.5	9.5	5.0	18
BALLOCHMYLE	6	1	1	4	8.5	15.5	-7.0	6
AYR BELLEISLE LADIES	6	0	2	4	6.5	17.5	-11.5	4

The semi final matches, which are due to be played by the 24^th of August, sees Caprington play host to Loudoun while Largs will entertain Kilmarnock Barassie.

AYRSHIRE MEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE - Portmann book first semi final place

Portmann Golf Club are the first team through to the semi finals of the 2025 Ayrshire men's handicap League Championship following victory over Ayr Belleisle in their quarter final ties. 

A 4.5 - 1.5 win at home coupled with a 3 - 3 draw away saw Portman through to the last four with a 7.5 - 4.5 victory over the two legs.

In the other tie in the quarter finals played recently, Rowallan castle recorded a 5 - 1 away win over Ayr Seafield, with the return fixture due to take place on Thursday the 31st of July.

All the quarter final ties are due to be completed by the 3rd of August.

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUE DIVISION 3 - Troon Welbeck lead title chase

Troon Welbeck are ahead in the chase for the Ayrshire scratch league Division 3 title, following a recent 4-2 home win over Redburn in their latest fixture.

Rowallan castle also kept their title hopes on track with a 6-0 home win over Annanhill in their latest match.

Present positions based on reported results are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
TROON WELBECK	7	4	2	1	23	19	4	20
ROWALLAN CASTLE	6	3	1	2	19	17	2	14
GIRVAN	4	2	1	1	17	7	10	10
ARDEER	7	2	1	4	21	21	0	10
REDBURN	6	2	1	3	16.5	19.5	-3	10
TROON ST MEDDANS	2	1	1	0	7	5	2	6
ANNANHILL	6	1	1	4	10.5	25.5	-15	6

It is believed that there are some results that have not as yet been reported to the league administrator.

The full list of results received, and outstanding fixtures, are listed below.

Club representatives are asked to check this list and confirm any outstanding results to the league administrator as soon as possible.

PRESIDENT'S PUTTER - Troon St Meddans through to semi finals

Troon St Meddans are the final club to secure a place in the 2025 handicap club team knockout competition for the President's Putter.

At home to Skelmorlie in the quarter finals, the St Meddans team recorded a 2-1 win to progress.

The semi final line up, with the ties due to be played by the 24th of August, is:-

Kilbirnie Place vs Irvine Ravenspark

Troon St Meddans vs Alton

 

AYRSHIRE MEN'S FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Beith pair secure remaining semi final place

The Beith Golf Club pairing of Paul Kytzia & Joe McSorley have secured the last remaining semi final spot in the 2025 Ayrshire Men's Fourball Championship.

Playing at home against Cormac Wright & John Bruce (Rowallan Castle) in the quarter finals, the beith duo won through by two holes to reach the last four.

The semi final line up, to be played by the 24th of August, is:-

Paul Kytzia & Joe McSorley (Beith) Vs Kyle Hood & Dale Cowan (Portmann)

Alan & Stuart Pole (Abbotsford) Vs. Hugh Welsh & David Murray (West Kilbride)

RAYMOND CONNAL - Respected Routenburn golf administrator passes away

Ayrshire lost one of its longest serving golf club administrators recently with the sudden passing of former Routenburn club secretary Raymond Connal earlier this month, in his 93rd year. 

A well-known enthusiast and renowned authority on the works of Robert Burns, and a former manager at IBM in Greenock where he served for 26 years and represented the company at home and abroad, Ray was born in Greenock and was educated in the High School in the town before becoming a draughtsman in the shipbuilding industry and serving in the RAF during his national service.

In his leisure time golf was Ray’s passion and he served his home club at Routenburn in Largs as secretary for many years and was also a Past Captain of the club. 

Even into his 90’s Ray represented Routenburn on the executive committee of the Associated Clubs of Clyde golfing body.

Ray enjoyed 33 years in retirement, and although he was pre-deceased by his wife Betty in 2021, after over 50 years of marriage, he remained independent and active until is sudden, unexpected, passing.

Ray’s funeral at the Clyde Coast & Garnock Valley Crematorium was one of the largest services ever held there, and was a fitting tribute to a well-loved man, known for his great humour & integrity.

All at The Ayrshire Golf Association extend sincere condolences to Ray’s daughter Jill and family, and Ray’s close friends, on his sad passing.

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Division 2 title closely contested

The title destination in the Ayrshire Scratch League Division 2 is still closely contested with just 13 fixtures in total still to be completed this season. 

A 5-1 home win over Prestwick St Nicholas keeps Loudoun clear at the top of the table at present, but Caprington, having played two games less to date, remain very much in contention after their latest two home wins against Prestwick St Nicholas, by 4.5-1.5, and Troon Portland, by 5-1.

The scheduled fixture between Irvine Ravenspark and Troon Portland was conceded to the home side, as Troon Portland could not field a team, and in line with the competition rules a 4-2 win was recorded in favour of Irvine Ravenspark.

With 13 fixtures still to be completed, present positions in League Division 2 are:-

 

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
LOUDOUN	11	8	0	3	42	24	18	32
CAPRINGTON	9	5	2	2	31.5	22.5	9	24
BALLOCHMYLE	8	3	2	3	27	21	6	16
PRESTWICK ST NICHOLAS	8	3	2	3	23	25	-2	16
TROON PORTLAND	10	3	2	5	27	33	-6	16
IRVINE RAVENSPARK	8	1	3	4	17	31	-14	10
WEST KILBRIDE	4	0	1	3	6.5	17.5	-11	2

The remaining fixtures in Division 2 this season are:-

Ballochmyle Vs West Kilbride

Ballochmyle Vs Irvine Ravenspark 

West Kilbride Vs Loudoun

West Kilbride Vs Troon Portland

West Kilbride vs Prestwick St Nicholas

West Kilbride vs Irvine Ravenspark 

Caprington Vs West Kilbride

Caprington vs Irvine Ravenspark 

Prestwick St Nicholas Vs Ballochmyle

Prestwick St Nicholas vs Caprington

Prestwick St Nicholas vs West Kilbride 

Irvine Ravenspark Vs West Kilbride 

Troon Portland vs Ballochmyle