PRESIDENTS TROPHY - Ayrshire lose to South Of Scotland in season opener

Ayrshire lost their Presidents Trophy match against the South Of Scotland at Stranraer on Sunday 24 March, going down by 11 - 7 in the opening match of the season.

The Ayrshire side came up against a very strong South of Scotland team which included Scottish Men’s Squad player Scott Gibson who had just returned from 6 weeks in South Africa with the Scotland team.

The opening foursomes saw victories for the three Ayr Belleisle players in the squad, including debutant Andrew Gordon, assisted by Kilmarnock Barassie's Blair Gavin, but the Ayrshire side found themselves 4 - 2 down at lunch in their bid to defend the trophy won last year at Brunston castle.

 

 

In the afternoon the youths won 2 and lost 2 with Vernon and Morrison securing victories against the players who defeated the pairing in the morning, but the Telfer brothers were unable to make any impact on their opponents.

 

The under 18s also had a 2-2 result, Jack Thomas coming from 4 down to secure victory on 17. Jordan Fraser was unfortunate to lost the last to a birdie putt from 30 feet to finish all square, whilst Blair Gavin won the last 2 holes secure the same result.

 

Andrew Gordon won 14 and 15 to go back to square in his first singles match for the county side, but lost the last to a birdie to finish 1 down.

 

The only other Ayrshire winner on the day was Jordan Sweeney who secured his victory on the 17^th.

 

MATCH DETAILS

 

Morning Foursomes

 

Jordan Sweeney (Ayr Belleisle) & Andrew Gordon (Ayr Belleisle) beat Chris Finnie & Robbie Smith

by 2 & 1

 

Ross McDonald (Irvine) & Blair Fleming (Troon Welbeck) lost to Ross Whyte & Grant Hannah

by 5 & 4

 

Jack Thomas (Irvine) & Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) lost to Duncan McNeil & Alex Chalk

by 5 & 4

 

Jordan Fraser (Ayr Belleisle) & Blair Gavin (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Rory Brunton & Jordan Magee

by 1 hole

 

Gary Morrison (Kilmarnock Barassie) & Greg Vernon (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Robert Hughan & Scott Whannel

by 3 & 2

 

Greg Telfer (Prestwick ST Cuthbert) & Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) lost to Gary Marshall & Scott Gibson

by 5 & 4

 

Foursomes result - Ayrshire 2 South Of Scotland 4

 

Afternoon Singles

 

Andrew Gordon lost to Chris Finnie by 1 hole

Jordan Sweeney beat Robbie Smith by 2 & 1

Ross McDonald lost to Ross Whyte by 2 & 1

Blair Fleming lost to Grant Hannah by 5 & 4

Shaun Hedger lost to Duncan McNeil by 2 & 1

Jack Thomas beat Alex Chalk by 2 & 1

Jordan Fraser halved with Rory Brunton

Blair Gavin halved with Jordan Magee

Gary Morrison beat Robert Hughan by 6 & 5

Greg Vernon beat Scott Whannel by 3 & 2

Greg Telfer lost to Gary marshall by 3 & 2

Craig Telfer lost to Scott Gibson by 5 & 4

 

Singles result - Ayrshire 5 South Of Scotland 7

 

MATCH RESULT - AYRSHIRE  7   SOUTH OF SCOTLAND   11

 

 

 

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION YEARBOOK - 2014 publication launched at annual dinner

The 2014 Ayrshire Golf Association Yearbook was launched at the recent annual dinner of The Association.

Produced once again by Ayrshire Media Services in Troon, the yearbook is now in its eleventh year of publication.

The 40 page booklet provides information on County championships played in 2013, along with fixtures for the forthcoming season, a club directory of contact numbers and details of past winner of events.

The yearbooks will be distributed free to member clubs and other locations in the county over the next few weeks and is also available to brows via the link on the left of this page.

The Association would like to thank the publishers, Ayrshire Media Services, and all the advertisers for their support in allowing The county association to produce a quality yearbook again this year.

The support of advertisers is essential to the success of this publication and if any readers have occasion to use the services of any of the advertisers in the yearbook, The Association would be grateful if this could be mentioned to the advertisers in any dealings.

SCOTLAND BOYS GOLF - Third place for Scots in Italy

Scotland, with Ayrshire’s Stuart Easton in the side, lost 5.5-3.5 to tournament winners Sweden on the third and final day of the Under-18 Quadrangular Matches in Italy last week, finishing third overall.

(From the www.scottishgolf.org website)

After opening with a victory over host nation Italy, the young Scots lost to European champions France on day two and needed a good win over the Swedes to try and secure the title.

On the final day, hopes were raised after winning the foursomes 2-1, but Sweden hit back in the singles, with Marriott Dalmahoy’s Murray Naysmith the sole Scots winner in the 4.5-1.5 afternoon defeat. Stuart Easton (Irvine) halved his game.

Scotland met the Italians, Sweden and France in the annual fixture, this year contested at San Domenico Golf Club from Wednesday 12^th until Friday 14^th March.

St Andrews’ Ben Kinsley won both of his ties as Neil Marr’s charges claimed an opening day 5-4 win over holders Italy.

After the foursomes were drawn 1.5-1.5 each on Wednesday, with Kinsley teaming up to win with Naysmith, victor in the Paul Lawrie Foundation Junior Jug in 2013, the SGU group edged the singles to triumph.

Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten), twice a national champion last year, won his tie, with Kinsley and Calum Fyfe (Cawder) also victorious. Naysmith claimed a key half.

Boys’ Amateur champion Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden) was also among the six-player team, securing a halved match in the foursomes with MacIntyre. Easton lost his singles tie at the last.

National Under-18 coach Marr was pleased with a “very good fighting performance” against the Italians, but France just held the edge on the second day, as it proved against Sweden today.

MacIntyre and Ferguson won their foursomes tie against France, plus their singles matches, but Naysmith was the only other Scottish winner in the singles.

Stuart Easton
(Picture courtesy of SGU)

Stuart Easton, a product of the ClubGolf initiative, commented before the start of the tournament,

“It’s a great privilege to be chosen to represent Scotland in the Quadragular match and I am looking forward to competing with and against some of the best junior golfers in Europe, which will improve me as a player.

“It’s an honour to represent my country. It has been a goal of mine since I started competing and for it now to be a reality is a big step in my journey towards a career in golf.”

Having enjoyed ClubGolf coaching in previous years at SportScotland National Centre Inverclyde, in 2013 Easton was one of 16 youngsters from around the country chosen to play alongside Ryder Cup captains Paul McGinley and Tom Watson in the ‘Year to Go’ event at Gleneagles from Scotland’s crop of Development Centre students.

On his rise to the international stage, Easton added:

“ClubGolf has been a big part of my development throughout my junior years.

“My county coaching was involved with ClubGolf which helped improve my game. Also, ClubGolf nominated me and gave me the privilege of playing in the Ryder Cup Captains Day where I played with Paul McGinley and Tom Watson".

“I am looking forward to the new season. Over the winter I have done a lot of good work with my coach, Scott Garrett, and it is paying off nicely. I am feeling confident with my game and am eager for the season to begin.”

Delighted to see former ClubGolfers now performing on the international stage, ClubGolf Manager Jackie Davidson said: “ClubGolf has always been challenged on whether it is producing players that can perform on the international stage.

“In the majority of sports it takes 7-10 years for a player to come through any junior development programme, so it makes that we are now starting to see youngsters now inducted into the Scotland set-up.

“I am hopeful that year on year we will see more and more aspiring players who have had their start in the game with ClubGolf having national and international opportunities and congratulate Stuart on the progress he has made so far.”

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION DINNER - 2013 winners honoured at Irvine

The 2013 winners of the Ayrshire Golf Association county events were honoured last Friday, 14th March, when the 32nd annual dinner and presentation of trophies was held at Irvine Golf Club.

County President Milton Murray, of the host club, chaired the event which attracted a good attendance of club representatives from throughout the county.

After an opening welcome from host club Captain Keith McFeteridge, the company enjoyed an excellent meal.

Following a review by the chairman of the previous season, President Murray intoroduced the guest speaker for the evening, Superintendent Niven Rennie of The Police Service Of Scotland.

A member of Prestwick St Nicholas, Niven entertained the company with his presentation before proposing a toast to The Ayrshire Golf Association.

The Ayrshire Youths Squad

To conclude the evening, President Milton Murray presented the county silverware to the successful players and clubs from the 2013 season, culminating in the presentation of the Doc Thom Salver for the Ayrshire Order Of merit, won for the first time in 2013 by Stuart Robin of Prestwick St Nicholas.


The presentations opened with awards to nine of the 12 strong Ayrshire youths squad present, in recognition of their achievement in winning the West Of Scotland Inter County Youth League for the first time since 2007.

The list of winners from 2013 were :-

SGU MENS ORDER OF MERIT

JACK McDONALD (Kilmarnock Barassie GC)

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY YOUTH LEAGUE

AYRSHIRE YOUTHS TEAM
Alasdair Berry, Stuart Easton, Robbie Fitzpatrick, Jordan Fraser, Shaun Hedger, Daryll Lynch,
Murray McCrone, Gary Morrison, Craig Telfer, Greg Telfer, Greg Vernon, Sandy Walker. 
Robert Wilson (Team Manager)

AYRSHIRE BOYS CHAMPION

LOUIS MURRAY (Troon Welbeck GC)
AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY CHAMPION
LOUIS MURRAY (Troon Welbeck GC)
JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT
CONNOR McKAY (Loudoun GC)

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL TROPHY

MAYBOLE GC
(Gavin Campbell & Paul Ferguson )

 



Fourball winners
Paul Ferguson & Gavin Campbell

 

 

 

AYRSHIRE CLUB CHAMPIONS

TURNBERRY G C

 

Turnberry Captain Doug Holmes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCRATCH (SUMMER) LEAGUES

DIVISION 1 - LOUDOUN GC

Loudoun Captain Bill Cook

DIVISION 2 - BALLOCHMYLE GC

Ballochmyle Vice Captain Philip Pierotti
 

DIVISION 3 - GIRVAN GC

Girvan Captain Jason Roberts
 

DIVISION 4 - TURNBERRY GC

Turnberry Captain Doug Holmes

DIVISION 5 - DOON VALLEY GC



AYRSHIRE SENIORS CHAMPION
ANDY GILCHRIST (Loudoun GC)

Seniors Champion Andy Gilchrist

 

AYRSHIRE MATCHPLAY CHAMPION

MICHAEL SMYTH (Royal Troon GC)

AYRSHIRE STROKEPLAY CHAMPION

STUART ROBIN (Prestwick St Nicholas GC)

Strokeplay winner Stuart Robin

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS
STEVEN McEWAN (Caprington)



DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT
STUART ROBIN (Prestwick St Nicholas GC)

Order Of Merit winner Stuart Robin
with the Doc Thom Salver

The evening concluded with a vote of thanks, proposed by The Association's Vice President James McMurdo of Ballochmyle GC.

SCOTTISH BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Draw published for West Kilbride

The draw for the 2014 Scottish Boys Championship, to be played at West Kilbride Golf Club from 7th to 12th April, has been published by the Scottish Golf Union.

The field of 256 players includes 18 players from Ayrshire clubs, hoping to become the ninth player from the county to win the title since the championship began in 1935.

Previous winners from Ayrshire were:-

1950 - A. Miller (Marr College)

1961 -  K. Thomson (Ayr Academy)

1964 - W.R. Lockie (Marr College)

1985 - A. McQueen (Troon Welbeck)

1986 - A. Tait (Irvine)

1992 - A.E. Reid (Kilmarnock Barassie)
2008 - M. Stewart (Troon Welbeck)
2011 - D. Wilson (Troon Welbeck)

Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) starts off the Ayrshire challenge at 0717 on Monday 7 April in his first round match against Ross Robertson (Old Ranfurly)

Ayr Belleisle provide the largest representation from local clubs with five players whilst Irvine provide three and Loudoun, Barassie and Troon Welbeck have two players each involved.

West Kilbride, Prestwick St Nicholas and Largs all have one entrant in the competition.

The other Ayrshire interest is provided by Hamish Mills who is playing from Cardross GC although he is also a member at Largs.

The first round matches involving Ayrshire players are :-

MONDAY 7 APRIL
07.17 - Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) Vs. Ross Robertson (Old Ranfurly)
07.33 - Keith Bowman (St Andrews New) Vs. Jordan Fraser (Ayr Belleisle)
10.01 - Robert Meddings (Ayr Belleisle) Vs. Ryan Lumsden (Royal Wimbledon)
10.09 - Dylan Burt (Bellshill) Vs. Jack Thomas (Irvine)
10.33 - Stuart Lavelle (Dumbarton) Vs. Andrew Gordon (Ayr Belleisle)
11.01 - Andrew Webber (Lenzie) Vs Luke Murdoch (Loudoun)
11.41 - David McKinnon (Peterhead) Vs. Jordan Sweeney (Ayr Belleisle)
12.29 - Blair Gavin (Kilmarnock Barassie) Vs. Jack Williams (Sandyhills)
13.37 - Adam Wilson (Ayr Belleisle) Vs. Daragh Cuddihy (Gourock)
14.01 - Josh Beatt (Fereneze) Vs. Murray McCrone (Troon Welbeck)
14.25 - Nathan Watson (Kirkcudbright) Vs. Ross McDonald (Irvine)
14.49 - Stuart Easton (Irvine) Vs. Lewis Black (Bruntsfield Links)
15.57 - Campbell Mathieson (Troon Welbeck) Vs. Luke Ralston (Cawder)

TUESDAY 8 APRIL
07.09 - Connor Brooke (Prestwick St Nicholas) Vs. Conor Harkness (Dumfries & Galloway)
07.49 - Jack Purdie (Largs) Vs. Pierce Whelan (Bathgate)
08.21 - Conor Toal (Old Ranfurly) Vs. Connor McKay (Loudoun)
12.45 - Sean Cook (Kilmarnock Barassie) Vs. Gregor MacIntosh (Mannings Heath)
13.05 - Hamish Mills (Cardross / Largs) Vs. Marc Reid (Royal Musselburgh)

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Brunston Castle return as leagues are confirmed for 2014

The Ayrshire Scratch League competition has been boosted this year with the return of Brunston Castle to the event, bringing the total number of competing clubs to 26.

Information has been distributed to all club representatives this week, and all clubs must now arrange their fixture dates with their opponents as soon as possible. The tournament administrator, John Rushbury, must be notified of the dates for all ties by the date notified in the information sent to club representatives.

Should any competing club not be in receipt of the relevant information they should make contact with John Rushbury or the area secretary as soon as possible.

There will be five leagues in operation again in 2014 which will involve the following clubs :-

DIVISION 1
Loudoun, Troon Welbeck, Irvine, Kilmarnock Barassie, Irvine Ravenspark & Ballochmyle.

DIVISION 2
West Kilbride, Prestwick St Cuthbert, Caprington, Ayr Belleisle, Ardeer & Girvan.

DIVISION 3
Largs, Kilbirnie Place, New Cumnock, Prestwick St Nicholas & Turnberry.

DIVISION 4
Troon St Meddans, Ayr Dalmilling, Rowallan castle, Tam O Shanter & Doon Valley.

DIVISION 5
Maybole, Moorpark, Abbotsford & Brunston Castle

SCOTTISH CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - 3 Ayrshire challengers at Leven

The Scottish Champion Of Champions competition takes place at Leven GC on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th April, with three Ayrshire players in the event.

Jack McDonald

Steven McEwan

The Ayrshire hopes in the field of 48 competitors are led by Scottish Order Of Merit title holder Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) who is joined by Ayrshire Champion Of Champions winner Steven McEwan (Loudoun) and the reigning Ayrshire Strokeplay champion and Doc Thom Ayrshire Order Of Merit title holder Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Nicholas).

Stuart Robin

SCOTTISH JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - 3 boys bid for national title

Stuart Easton

3 Ayrshire boys will play in the rescheduled Scottish Junior Champion Of Champions tournament at The Dukes, St Andrews on Sunday 23 March, in a bid to bring the title to Ayrshire for the second successive occasion.

Murray McCrone

The 2012 event was won by Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) and a postponement of the 2013 event late last year led to the rescheduled event this week.

Louis Murray

Boys international Stuart Easton (Irvine) leads the Ayrshire challenge along with Ayrshire Junior Champion Of Champions Murray McCrone (Troon Welbeck) and his clubmate, Ayrshire Boys Strokeplay and Matchplay champion Louis Murray.

TEAM NEWS - Ayrshire bid to defend Presidents trophy at Stranraer

Ayrshire open their season on Sunday 23 March when a team of 12 players travel to Stranraer to meet a South Of Scotland team in the annual challenge match for the Presidents Trophy.

Ayrshire will be bidding to defend the trophy won last year at Brunston Castle.

The players will compete in six foursomes matches in the morning with 12 singles in the afternoon. First tee off in the morning is 09.15

The Ayrshire team selected is :-

Youths

Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert)

Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert)

Gary Morrison (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Greg Vernon (Kilmarnock Barassie)

 

Under 18s

Jack Thomas (Irvine)

Blair Gavin (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Jordan Fraser (Ayr Belleisle)

Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride)

 

Under 16s

Ross MacDonald (Irvine)

Blair Fleming (Troon Welbeck)

Jordan Sweeney (Ayr Belleisle)

Andrew Gordon (Ayr Belleisle)

AYRSHIRE WINTER ALLIANCE - Four in a row sees Gay to Order Of Merit title

Stephen Gray (Hayston) won his fourth title in a row in  Ayrshire Winter Golf Association fixture at Prestwick GC on Wednesday 12 March 2014, and with it also secured the Order Of Merit crown for 2013 - 2014  

Following on from victories at West Kilbride , Barassie and Royal Troon, his round at Prestwick consisted of a front and back nine of 34's in a bogey free round of 68.

This victory gave him the inevitable Order of Merit title with 51 points  from Graham Fox in second place with 34 points.

The J.R.McKAY Amateur Trophy was won by Scott Miller (Royal Troon) with a net 74.
Peter Boyd (Glasgow G.C.) won the Amateur Order of Merit by one point from Colin Peddie (Kirkintilloch).
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

	A.W.G.A.
OLD PRESTWICK		12/03/2014
		PAR 71
PRO/ASS	CLUB	ASST/PROF	SCORE
S.GRAY	Hayston	PROF	68
P.MCKECHNIE	Braid Hills	PROF	71
S.RONALD	Carluke	PROF	73
S.ELLIOTT	Haggs Castle	PROF	75
A.BROWN	Archerfield	PROF	75
M.PATTERSON	Kilmacolm G. C.	PROF	75
P.ROBINSON	Largs	ASST	75
F.THOMSON	Turnberry Resort	ASST	75
I.McNAB	Dundonald	ASST	76
G.FORBES	Bob Torrance Sch	ASST	76
D.FLEMING	Prestwick	PROF	76
R.ARNOTT	Bishopbriggs D R	PROF	77
N.SINCLAIR	Prestwick	PROF	77
C.BEVERiDGE	West Kilbride	ASST	77
N.WALTON	Glasgow GC	PROF	79
B.HARVEY	The Scottish Golf Academy	ASST	79
A.FORROW	Whitecraigs	PROF	80
S.MCALLISTER	Unattached	PROF	81
C.MCMANUS	Barassie	ASST	81
M.LOFTUS	Mearns Castle	PROF	82
D.ROSS-NICOL	Dundonald	PROF	82
J.McBREARTY	Haggs Castle	ASST	83
C.PORCIANI	Turnberry Resort	ASST	90
G.FOX	Rowallan	PROF	NR
	J.R. MACKAY TROPHY
AMATEURS	CLUB	NET	HCAP
S.MILLER	Royal Troon	74	8	ACB
G.CREE	Troon Welbeck	74	4
P.J.BOYD	Glasgow G C	75	5
D.COOPER	Cowal G.C	75	11
P.MOULTRIE	Royal Troon/Western Gailes	75	-3
J.d'AGUILAR	Glasgow G C	76	7
G.HIGGINS	West Kilbride	76	2
J.FREW	Irvine G.C. / Glasgow G.C.	77	10
S.MCINTOSH	Cowglen	77	4
J.RUSHBURY	Barassie	77	3
G.SMITH	Royal Troon / Glasgow G. C.	77	3
R.SLATER	Abbotsford	77	11
D.WORDSWORTH	Irvine G. C.	78	7
T.ROGERS	Caldwell Golf Club	78	13
J.CAMERON	Cathkin Braes	79	13
A.KERR	Barassie	80	14
D.ROBERTSON	Cochrane Castle	80	6
B.LYLE	Western G/ West Kil	81	12
MATTHEWMAN	Barassie	81	12
I.McLARTY	Royal Troon	81	7
I.WALLACE	Royal Troon	81	6
Full results on www.ayrshirewintergolfassociation.webs.com