ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON AMATEUR GOLF IN AYRSHIRE

Monday, September 29, 2025

DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - John Shanks confirmed as 2025 winner

After completion of the final counting event of the season on Sunday the 28th of September, The Girvan Classic, John Shanks (Irvine) has been confirmed as the 2025 winner of the Ayrshire Order of Merit.

His 2025 success gives John the Doc Thom Salver for the third time, after his previous successes in 2014 and 2015.

Steven Stamper (Turnberry) took maximum points in the final event to move himself up into the top 20 while a 4th place finish for Jamie Hay (Ayr Belleisle) moved him up to fifth place overall for the season.

2024 winner Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon) was runner up in the Order of Merit with Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) taking third place.

The final placings in the Ayrshire Order of Merit in 2025 were:-



WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Ayrshire A and Ayrshire Youth teams undefeated after second series of matches

The Ayrshire A and Youths team remain undefeated after completion of the second series of matches in the 2025 West of Scotland Inter County Leagues on Sunday the 28th of September.

The A team were away to Glasgow at Pollok Golf Club and a very tight match ended with honours shared in a 4 – 4 draw.



Despite losing the two lead ties, Ayrshire fought back and wins from Alan McLean and Harvey Broadfoot by 7&5 and 4&3 squared the match before Craig telfer in the anchor tie put Ayrshire ahead. The draw was assured when Blair Morton won his tie on the final green and indeed Ayrshire were unlucky not to shade a win in the match with the other two ties being lost on the final green.

Match details (Glasgow names first):-

Clark Nelson (Glasgow) beat John Shanks (Irvine) by 4&3

Greg Telfer (Glasgow) beat Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 2&1

Blair Dalgleish (Ralston) lost to Blair Morton (Royal Troon) by 2 holes

Steven Rettie (Glasgow) lost to Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon) by 4&3

Gordon Sangster (Cathkin Braes) beat Cameron Aitken (Largs) by 1 hole

John Mathers (Haggs castle) lost to Alan McLean (Largs) by 7&5

Brendan McKenna (Pollok) beat Calum Nairn (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 1 hole

Jonny McLeish (Cathcart castle) lost to Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 2&1

GLASGOW A   4    AYRSHIRE A   4

In the other matches in the A League played on Sunday the 28th of September, Lanarkshire beat Dumbartonshire 6 – 2 at Easter Moffat, while the result of the match between Stirlingshire and Renfrewshire at Falkirk Tryst has still to be confirmed.

Present positions in the A League are:-

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

LANARKSHIRE

2

2

0

0

13.0

3.0

10.0

8

AYRSHIRE

2

1

1

0

10.5

5.5

5.0

6

RENFREWSHIRE

1

1

0

0

6.5

1.5

5.0

4

GLASGOW

2

0

1

1

5.5

10.5

-5.0

2

STIRLINGSHIRE

1

0

0

1

1.0

7.0

-6.0

0

DUMBARTONSHIRE

2

0

0

2

3.5

12.5

-9.0

0

 

In the Youths League Ayrshire entertained Glasgow at Irvine Ravenspark GC, and maintained their 100% record with a 6-2 win over their visitors. Cameron McGarvie led from the front with a 7&6 winning margin in his tie, almost matched in the penultimate tie by Rob Yorston with a 7&5 win.


Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Cameron McGarvie (Prestwick) beat Zac Fullarton (Cathkin Braes) by 7&5

Findlay Andrew (Turnberry) lost to Kyle Morrison (Cowglen) by 2&1

Euan Forrest (Turnberry) beat Rory Bogle (Cowglen) by 4&2

Jamie Robertson (Loudoun) beat Calum Morrison (Cowglen) by 1 hole

Sam Crozier (West Kilbride) lost to Chris McMillan (Bishopbriggs) by 1 hole

Mason Chisholm (Irvine) beat Josh White (Bishopbriggs) by 5&3

Rob Yorston (Loudoun) beat Reece Coil (Ralston) by 7&5

Ryan Kennedy (Irvine) beat Joel Lynch (Ralston) by 4&2

AYRSHIRE YOUTHS   6   GLASGOW YOUTHS  2

In the other matches played in the youths league on Sunday the 28th of September, Renfrewshire and Stirlingshire drew 4-4 at Renfrew GC, while Dumbartonshire lost to Lanarkshire by 5 – 3 at Hayston.

Present positions in the West of Scotland Inter County Youths league are:-

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

AYRSHIRE

2

2

0

0

10.5

5.5

5.0

8

LANARKSHIRE

2

2

0

0

9.5

6.5

3.0

8

GLASGOW

2

1

0

1

7.0

9.0

-2.0

4

STIRLINGSHIRE

2

0

1

1

7.5

8.5

-1.0

2

RENFREWSHIRE

2

0

1

1

7.0

9.0

-2.0

2

DUMBARTONSHIRE

2

0

0

2

6.5

9.5

-3.0

0

In the third series of matches, scheduled to be played on Sunday the 5th of October, the Ayrshire A team host Stirlingshire at Prestwick St Nicholas while the youth team play the Stirlingshire youth team at Grangemouth GC.

Friday, September 26, 2025

DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - John Shanks leads with one event to play

With just this weekends Girvan Classic to play, John Shanks (irvine) still leads the Ayrshire Order of Merit for the Doc Thom Salver.

With the points available at the Girvan Classic, the players occupying the top three places at the conclusion of all the qualifying events in 2025 are confirmed as John Shanks (Irvine) , Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon) and Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert).

Present positions with one event remaining are:-



Tuesday, September 23, 2025

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Irvine win secures 2025 title for Findlay Andrew

The 2025 Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit title chase went right to the wire on Monday the 22nd of September, with Findlay Andrew (Turnberry) taking the title after returning the best scratch score of the day over the Bogside course.

A scratch score of 74, two better that his closest challenger in the filed, gave Findlay maximum points in the competition which edged him ahead just ahead of clubmate Euan Forrest at the top of the final order of merit table by a mere 10 points.

A second place finish at irvine, with a scratch score of 76, ensured that Gregor Hay (Turnberry) finished in third place in the Order of Merit, giving Turnberry a clean sweep of the top spots in 2025.

The final Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit table for 2025 is:-






Monday, September 22, 2025

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Wins for Ayrshire A and Youth teams on opening day of 2025 campaigns

The Ayrshire A and Ayrshire Youth teams both recorded wins against Dumbartonshire on the opening day of the 2025 West of Scotland Inter County League campaigns on Sunday the 21st of September.

The A team hosted their Dumbartonshire counterparts at Annanhill golf course in Kilmarnockand recorded a 6.5 - 1.5 win over their visitors. Harvey broadfoot narrowly lost the lead tie on the final green whil Dumbartonshire's other half point came when Calum Nairn shared the honours with a half match in his tie.


Match Details (Ayrshire names first) :-

Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon) lost to Ian McCalman (Clober) by 1 hole

John Haggarty (Loudoun) beat Stewart Brown (Clydebank & District) by 2&1

Blair Morton (Royal Troon) beat Chris Clark (Bearsden) by 3&2

Colin Goudie (Ayr Belleisle) beat Eoin Brown (Balmore) by 5&3

Calum Nairn (Prestwick St Cuthbert) halved with Greig Halkett (Kirkintilloch) 

Alan McLean (Largs) beat Neil Stewart (Clober) by 2&1

Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Angus McKay (Clydebank & District) by 1 hole

Steven Stamper (Turnberry) beat Jim Devaney (Clydebank & District) by 3&2

AYRSHIRE A   6.5   DUMBARTONSHIRE A  1.5

In the other two matches played on the opening weekend, Renfrewshire had a 6.5 - 1.5 home win over Glasgow at Kilmacolm while Lanarkshire hosted defending champions Stirlingshire at Wishaw and defeated their visitors by 7 - 1.

The Ayrshire Youth team opened the defence of the trophy they won last year with a visit to play Dumbartonshire Youth team at Milngavie, and recorded a good 4.5 - 3.5 away win.



Aidan Hay put Ayrshire's first point on the board with a 5&4 win. A 2&1 win by Findlay Andrew and a half point from Aidan hay in the lead tie put Ayrshire 2.5-0.5 ahead in the match but final green defeats for Sam Crozier and Jamie Robertson levelled the match score. Wins by Rob Yorston and Maso Chisholm secure the necessary points for a match win for Ayrshire and the final score was confirmed when Ryan Kennedy lost on the final green in the anchor tie of the day.

Match details (Dumbartonshire names first) :-

Sam Somerville (Bearsden) halved with Jamie Hay (Ayr Belleisle)

Max McBride (Lenzie) lost to Findlay Andrew (Tunrberry) by 2&1

Ronnie Craig (Lenzie) beat Jamie Robertson (Louodun) by 1 hole

Liam McGrogan (Dumnarton) lost to Aidan hay (Irvine) by 5&4

Stuart Forrest (Hayston) beat Sam Crozier (West Kilbride) by 2 holes

Lewis Mcglinchey (Clober) lost to Mason Chisholm (Irvine) by 2 holes

Adam McGarry (Clydebank & District) lost to Rob Yorston (Loudoun) by 2&1

David Gilmour (The Carrick) beat Ryan Kennedy (Irvine) by 2 holes

DUMBARTONSHIRE YOUTH   3.5   AYRSHIRE YOUTH   4.5

In the other two opening day matches, Glasgow beat their visitors from renfrewshire by 5 - 3 at Cowglen while Lanarkshire recorded a 4.5 - 3.5 away win against Stirlingshire at Kilsyth.

In the second series of matches, scheduled to take place on Sunday the 28th of September, the Ayrshire A team travel to play Glasgow at Pollok while the Ayrshire Youth team entertain Glasgow Youth at Irvine Ravenspark

SCOTTISH GOLF - Club representatives reminder to register for 2025 Autumn Regional Golf Day forum

Ayrshire and South of Scotland club representatives are reminded that the 2025 Scottish Golf Autumn South West Regional forum and golf day takes place at irvine Golf Club on Thursday the 2nd of October.

Details were circulated in a recent Scottish Golf Club Bulletin, and are summarised in the image below.

A link to the registration page is included below



Scottish Golf Regional Golf Day Registration Link 

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - Euan Forrest takes the trophy for 2025

The 2025 Ayrshire Junior Champion of Champions Trophy winner is Euan Forrest (Turnberry) following his victory in the final against Orla Moran (Irvine) recently.

In the final Euan stormed to a 5&4 win to take the trophy, a fitting reward after a couple of near misses in other county championships in 2025.





AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - 2025 title winners confirmed as all three leagues are concluded

The three Ayrshire Scratch Leagues were concluded recently with the three league championship titles decided and the positions in the reconstructed four league arrangement for next season clarified.

In Division 1, Prestwick St Cuthbert retained the championship title ahead of Ayr Belleisle.

The final table in Division 1 is:-

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

PRESTWICK ST CUTHBERT

12

9

0

3

46.5

25.5

21

36

AYR BELLEISLE

12

7

1

4

43.5

28.5

15

30

LARGS

12

7

1

4

41

31

10

30

IRVINE

12

5

2

5

36.5

35.5

1

24

ROYAL TROON

12

5

0

7

34

38

-4

20

KILMARNOCK BARASSIE

12

3

2

7

26.5

45.5

-19

16

TURNBERRY

12

2

2

8

24

48

-24

12

 

In DIVISION 2, Caprington won the title ahead of Loudoun and are promoted to contest Division 1 next year.

Final placings in Division 2 are:-

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

CAPRINGTON

12

8

2

2

46

26

20

36

LOUDOUN

12

8

0

4

44.5

27.5

17

32

WEST KILBRIDE

12

6

1

5

39.5

32.5

7

26

PRESTWICK ST NICHOLAS

12

5

2

5

32.5

39.5

-7

24

BALLOCHMYLE

12

4

3

5

39.5

32.5

7

22

TROON PORTLAND

12

3

3

6

30.5

41.5

-11

18

IRVINE RAVENSPARK

12

1

3

8

19.5

52.5

-33

10

 

In DIVISION 3 the title winners are Troon St Meddans who finished ahead of Rowallan Castle in the title chase.

Unfortunately Redburn defaulted on two fixtures during the campaign  resulting, under the competition rules, in all their results being declared null and void.

Final placings in Division 3 are:- 

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

TROON ST MEDDANS

10

7

2

1

38.5

21.5

17

32

ROWALLAN CASTLE

10

5

2

3

32.5

27.5

5

24

GIRVAN

10

3

3

4

32

28

4

18

ANNANHILL

10

3

3

4

25

35

-10

18

TROON WELBECK

10

3

2

5

26

34

-8

16

ARDEER

10

2

2

6

26

34

-8

12

REDBURN

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

At the start of the 2025 season all competing clubs were informed that teams would be playing for their places in a reconstructed four league arrangement for the 2026 season, with each league section being reduced to five teams where possible, with two promoted and two relegated from the leagues each season.

As a result of the conclusion of the 2025 league competitions, and assuming the same clubs enter the competition in 2026, the teams in the four leagues will be as follows:-

2026 AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES

DIVISION 1 – Prestwick St Cuthbert, Ayr Belleisle, Largs, Irvine & Caprington

DIVISION 2 – Royal Troon, Kilmarnock Barassie, Turnberry, Loudoun & West Kilbride

DIVISION 3 – Prestwick St Nicholas, Ballochmyle, Troon Portland, Troon St Meddans & Rowallan Castle.

DIVISION 4 – Irvine Ravenspark, Girvan, Annanhill, Troon Welbeck, Ardeer & Redburn