SAFE GOLF - Ayrshire Golf Association attain Safe Golf Accreditation

The Ayrshire Golf Association has recently been awarded Safe Golf Accreditation by Scottish Golf.

SafeGolf is a partnership of UK golf bodies committed to promoting a safe and positive environment for all those participating, working and volunteering in the sport.

Scottish Golf has launched a SafeGolf Accreditation programme, which will enable all affiliated clubs and facilities to complete a self-evaluation of their current safeguarding practices through an online self-assessment tool to support them with implementing the standards set out by Scottish Golf.

The process covers three topic areas essential to delivering a safe environment where children and young people can enjoy the game:

1. Junior Workforce

2. Safeguarding Policies

3. Safeguarding Procedures

The Ayrshire Golf Association undertook a comprehensive review of policies and procedures which resulted in the awarding of SafeGolf Accreditation in early May 2026.

The Safeguarding Policies and Safeguarding Procedures will be reviewed and updated every three years.

The implemented policies and procedures and Safe Golf Accreditation are designed to help The Ayrshire Golf Association provide a welcoming and safe environment for all juniors.

All Executive members who are involved in junior coaching and junior team matches are registered with the PVG scheme and, where appropriate, have attended suitable training events.

All the relevant policies and information are available in the Safeguarding section of the Ayrshire Golf Association website at 

www.ayrshiregolf.org

Link To A.G.A. Safeguarding Policies

 

AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY - Two more players through to quarter finals

Two more players have booked their places in the quarter finals of the 2026 Ayrshire Women's Champion of Champions Trophy competition.

Orla Moran (Irvine), the title holder, had a 4&3 home win over Kema Genda (Troon Bentinck Ladies)  and will play clubmate Pauline Patrick (Irvine), who won her first round tie at home to Sandi Rogerson (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 2 holes, in the quarter finals.

The remaining first round tie is due to be played by the 31st of May.

AYRSHIRE MENS CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY - Round two completed

All of the second round matches in the 2026 Ayrshire Mens Champion of Champions Trophy competition were completed this week, with the last sixteen competitors in this years event identified.

The full list of second round results , and the line up for the third round is:-

 

HILLHOUSE CUP - Entries now being taken for 2026 event

Entries are now being taken for the 2026 Hillhouse Cup competition at Royal Troon, which takes place on Sunday the 28th of June.

The 18 hole Doc Thom Ayrshire Order of Merit counting competition Is open to amateur golfers aged 16 and over who are playing members pof a recognised Ayrshire golf club, with a handicap index of 5 or less on the date of entry.

Entry fee is £0.00 and entries can be submitted via Howdidido.

LINK TO HILLHOUSE CUP ENTRY FORM

The full list of rules and entry details are included on the documentation below

 

WEST OF SCOTLAND JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP - Entries now being accepted for Falkirk (Carmuirs)

Entries are now being accepted for the 2026 West of Scotland Junior Championship which takes place at Falkirk (Carmuirs) Golf Club on Monday the 27th of July.

Administered this year by the Stirlingshire Golf Union the 18 hole strokeplay event is open to players with a handicap of 36 or less who are members of clubs in Ayrshire, Dumbartonshire, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Stirlingshire and Argyll & Bute Area Associations.

The entry fee is £10.

The boys returning the eight best scratch scores will go forward to contest the West of Scotland Boys Matchplay Championship at the same venue on the 29th and 30th of July.

Entries can be submitted through the Scottish Golf App, as per the poster below. 

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Competition updates

All the Ayrshire Junior Golf League competitions are well under way, with several fixtures being completed recently.

In the LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP, three fixtures have been completed in each of the two qualifying sections.

In Section A Turnberry had a narrow 3.5-2.5 home win over Troon Welbeck while Ayr Belleisle opened with a 5-1 home win over Irvine, who recorded the first away win of the campaign with a 4-2 win at Troon Welbeck.

Present postions in Section A are:-

In Section B Kilmarnock Barassie edged out their visitors from Prestwick St Cuthbert by 3.5-2.5 while there were away wins for Kilmarnock Barassie and West Kilbride over Ballochmyle by 4-2 and 5-1 respectively.

Present positions in section B are:-

In round one of the UNDER 16 KNOCKOUT TROPHY competition Troon Welbeck received a walkover from Ballochmyle while Ayr Belleisle beat their visitors from Prestwick St Nicholas by 4-0 and Prestwick St Cuthbert recorded a 2.5-1.5 away win at Kilmarnock Barassie.

The result of the fixture between West Kilbride and Turnberry has still to be confirmed before the quarter final line up is confirmed.

In the WALLACE THORNTON TROPHY the two first round ties resulted in an away win for Turnberry by 3-1 over Ayr Belleisle and a home win for Kilmarnock Barassie over irvine by 2.5-1.5

The quarter final line up is

West Kilbride Vs Ballochmyle

Turnberry Vs Prestwick St Nicholas

Kilmarnock Barassie vs East Ayrshire 

Prestwick St Cuthbert Vs Troon Welbeck. 

In the JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY competition, Jenson Fergusson (Prestwick St Cuthbert) had a 4&3 home win over Alyssa Gillies (Ballochmyle), while Harris Vennard (Ayr Belleisle) received a walkover from Finlay Vallely (Prestwick st Nicholas)

Sandi Rogerson (Kilmarnock Barassi) had a 5&4 away win over Jake davis (Caprington) while Adam Balfour (Troon Welbeck) progressed to round 2 with a 7&5 home win over Connor Molloy (Annanhill)

The results of the remaining three outstanding first round ties have still to be confirmed.

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Ayr Belleisle take early lead in Division 1

Ayr Belleisle are the early leaders in Scratch League Division 1 after recent results. 

A 4.5-1.5 home win over Largs in their opening fixture put the Belleisle team at the top of the table, while Largs bounced back in their next match with a 5-1 home win over title holders Prestwick St Cuthbert.

Present positions in Scratch League Division 1 after three fixtures have been completed is

AYRSHIRE MEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP - Qualifying section updates

Several matches have been played in the last week in the eight qualifying sections for the 2026 Ayrshire Handicap League Championship competition.

In Group 2 Irvine Ravenspark had a 5-1 home win over Moorpark while Loudoun drew 3-3 with their visitors from Prestwick St Cuthbert.

Group 3 saw a 3-5-2.5 awat win for wallacetown at Ayr Seafield while irvine and Seafield drew 3-3 over the Bogside course.

In Group 4 honours were shared in a 3-3 draw when Tam O Shanter hosted Portmann.

In Group 6 prestwick St nicholas travelled to Royal Troon and recorded a 3.5-2.5 away win.

Three fixtures in Group 7 saw Drongan win 5-1 at home to Royutenburn while Routenburn also had a 4-5.1-5 away win over Troon Welbeck, who themselves recorded an away win at Rowallan Castle by 3.5- 2.5

In Group 8, Troon Portland won away to North beach by 4-2.

Present positions in the eight qualifying sections are:-

  

AYRSHIRE SENIOR MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP - Spaces still available for 2026 championship

There are still a few spaces available for the 2026 Ayrshire Senior men's Championship which takes place at Prestwick St Cuthbert GC on Tuesday the 7th of July.

The Sandy provan Trophy goes to the player returning the best nett score on the day while there will also be a scratch prize and handicap prizes in three age categories, as well as a couple of nearest the hole prizes.

Entry is £10 and is open to male golfers over the age of 50 who are members of clubs affiliated to The Ayrshire Golf Association.

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

Entry forms should be available through club secretaries or can be down loade via the Ayrshire Golf Association web log. Players can also enter via the open competition option on the Scottish Golf App

How to enter on the Scottish Golf App

Go to the Events tab. Change the club to Ayrshire Golf Association on the drop down menu and select ‘OPEN’ on the right hands side. Chose your competition then click on the basket on the top right-hand side. Then select your preferred zone and continue to payment.

The current order of Play is

PRESIDENT'S PUTTER - prestwick St Nicholas book third round place

Prestwick St Nicholas have booked their place in round three of the handicap club team knockout competition for The President's Putter.

a 2-1 home win over Rowallan Castle put the St Nicholas team through to the last sixteen, where they will travel to play either Drongan or Chase.

There were also 2-1 home wins for Moorpark and Ardeer over Largs and Braehead respectively.

Moorpark are now at home to Skelmorlie in round three while Ardeer travel to Troon Portland.

Four second round ties remain to be concluded by the 24th of May.Four

GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL SALVER - Irvine book place in Round 2

Irvine are the latest club to book their place in round two of the scratch club team knockout competition for The Gary Bryden Memorial Salver.

A 3-0 home win over Rowallan Castle sets up an away tie against either Skelmorlie or Girvan in round two.

The remaining three first round ties are due to be completed by the 31st of May.

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Prestwick St Nicholas and Troon Welbeck record wins

Prestwick St Nicholas and Troon Welbeck are the latest winners in the Ayrshire Scratch Leagues.

The St Nicholas team had a 4-2 home win over Ballochmyle recently in Division three, while Troon Welbeck edged out their visitors from Ardeer by 3.5-2.5 in their Division 4 clash.

Current scratch league positions are:-

 

AYRSHIRE MEN'S FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Two more clubs through to round three

Two more clubs have booked their places in round three of the 2026 Ayrshire Men's Fourball Championship.

John Rawlings & Matthew Purvis (Malletsheugh) had a 6&5 home win over their visitors Alan Rae & Paul Storrie (Troon Merchants) and will be at home to either Auchenharvie 88 or Drongan in the third round.

John Tully & Colin Neil (Rowallan Castle) beat their visitors Lee Dixon & Calvin Anderson (North Beach) by a single hole in their second round clash and will now travel to either Irvine Ravenspark or beith in round three.

The remaining second round ties are due to be completed by the 31st of May. 

AYRSHIRE MEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUES - Eight qualifying sections under way

The eight qualifying sections in the 2026 Ayrshire Men's Handicap League Championship are under way as clubs bid to top the sections and qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.

In GROUP 1  largs followed their opening defeat away at West Kilbride with a 3-3 home draw with Ardeer, while West Kilbride remain unbeaten after  home wins against Kilmarnock Barassie and Stewarton by 5.5-0.5 and 5-1 respectively, and an away win against Stewarton by 3.5-2.5

In GROUP 2, The four fixtuires played so far have resulted in home wins, Beith beating Loudoun by 6-0 and Moorpark by 5-1, while Moorpark beat irvine ravenspark by 6-0 and Prestwick St Cuthbert beat irvine ravenspark by 4-2.

In GROUP 3 Golf South Ayrshire bounced back from a 5-1 away defeat to Troon St Meddans with a 4-2 home win over Wallacetown, while Ayr Seafield had an opening home win by 4.5-1.5 against Irvine.

In GROUP 4 Auchenharvie 88 maintained their unbeaten opening with a 3.5-2.5 win at home to Crosshouse and a home 3-3 draw with Tam O Shanter.

In GROUP 5 Girvan's opening away win at Kilbirnie was followed by a 5.5-0.5 home win over Redburn.

In GROUP 6, Ayr Belleisle opened with a 4-2 home win over Prestwick St Nicholas  and a 3-3 draw away to Annanhill, while Royal Troon won 4-2 away to prestwick St Nicholas.

GROUP 7 opened with a 4-2 home win for Routenburn over Rowallan Castle.

In GROUP 8 Ballochmyle opened with a narrow 3.5-2.5 away defeat to North Beach but bounced back with a 4.5 - 1.5 away win over Troon Portland.

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - All four leagues under way

All four of the 2026 Ayrshire Scratch leagues are now under way, with the opening games being played recently in all four leagues.

In DIVISION 1 the title holders Prestwick St Cuthbert opened their defence with a 3-3 away draw at newly promoted Caprington.

In DIVISION 2 Royal Troon opened with a 6-0 home win over Loudoun while West Kilbride had a 3-3 draw with Loudoun in their oipening home fixture.

In DIVISION 3 Prestwick St Nicholas opened with a 3.5-2.5 away win against Rowallan castle but lost their second fixture at home to Troon St Meddans by 4-2.

With the previously reported 4-2 home win for Golf South Ayrshire against Troon Welbeck in DIVISION 4, the current league tables are:-

GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL SALVER - Two first round ties completed

The first two opening round ties in the 2026 scratch club team knockout competition for The Gary Bryden Memorial Salver have been completed recently.

Troon St Meddans had a notable 2-1 home win over the trophy holders Prestwick St Cuthbert to set up an away tie in round two against either Turnberry or West Kilbride.

Redburn had a 2-1 away win on their  visit to play Troon Welbeck, and will be at home to Ardeer or Prestwick St Nicholas in round two.

The remaining four opening round matches are due to be completed by the 31st of May. 

AYR SEAFIELD OPEN - Entries still being taken

Entries are still being taken for the forthcoming Ayr Seafield Open which takes place on Saturday the 30th of May.

Entry to the 18 hole competition is £15 and prizes will be played for on a scratch an handicap basis, the latter in two classes.

Details of how to enter are available on the poster below.

 

PRESIDENT'S PUTTER - two more clubs book places in round three

Two more clubs have booked their places in round three of the handicap club team knockout competition for The President's Putter. 

Ayr Belleisle had a 2-1 home win over Abbotsford to set up a local derby clash in the last sixteen against Ayr Seafield, while North Beach had a 2-1 home win over Stewarton in their second round clash and will now host Auchenharvie 88 in the third round.

The remaining second round ties are due to be completed by the 24th of May.

AYRSHIRE MEN'S FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - first round matches completed and two pairs through to round three

The 2026 Ayrshire Men's Fourball Championship is well under way, with all the first round matches completed and two pairings alreadty through to the third round.

The first round results are:- 

1st Round

Played By:- 3rd May 2026

Tam O'Shanter (John Frame & Jim McCorkell)

Troon St Meddans (Allan Clark & Kyle Finnie) 3&2

Kilbirnie Place (Scott Chesney & Ross Chesney) 3&1

Portmann (Garry Bole & Mark Hunter)

Wallacetown (Scott Anderson & Stuart Bowman) w/o

Troon Welbeck (Ian Banks & Derek Barclay)

Golf South Ayrshire (Leigh Gray & Andrew Coley) 4&3

Moorpark (Arthur Bruce & Paul Payne)

New Cumnock (Joe Jolly & Alex Dunsmuir)

Skelmorlie (Ian Cameron & Gary Munro) 1 hole

Prestwick Centre (Gareth Dowse & Mark Haldane) 3&2

Routenburn (Alan Peddie & Blair Reid)

Irvine (Darren Mallinson & Jason Stevenson) 4&3

Braehead (Gavin Stuart & J P McLaughlin)

Chase (Alan Muir & Gordon Christie) 2&1

Girvan (Malcolm Swan & Jim Fairbairn)

Ardeer (Ewan Sloan & Graham Iley)

Malletsheugh (Iain Rawlings & Mathew Purvis) 2 holes

Troon Merchants (Alan Rae & Paul Storrie) 5&3

Annanhill (Stuart Young & Robbie McDonald)

Auchenharvie 88 (Paul Martin & William Hughes) 5&3

Ayr Carrick (John Cowan & Gary Blane)

Drongan (Daniel Carroll & Stuart Wightman) 2&1

Ayr Belleisle (Don Campbell & Alan Stewart)

Two second round matches have been completed recently.

Neil Slooves & Jim Logan (Prestwick St Cuthbert) had a single hole win on their visit to play Hamish Gaffney & Jum Hunter (Redburn) and will have a home match in the third round against the representatives from ewither Stewarton or Glacier.

Ben Cooney & Steven Johnston (Abbotsford) were given a walkover by Iain Findlay & Bruce Hogan (Royal Troon) and will now travel to either Ayrf Seafield or largs in round three.

The remaining second round matches are due to be completed by the 31st of May. 

BELLEISLE CUP - organisers appeal for more entries for forthcoming Doc Thom Ayrshire order of merit counting event

Ayr Belleisle Golf Club are appealing for more entries for the forthcoming Belleisle Cup competition, a counting event for the Doc Thom Ayrshire Order of Merit.

Entries for the 36 hole scratch strokeplay competition, which takes place on Sunday the 31st of May have been slow in coming in so far, and organisers are hoping to boost the entry over the next few days.

The handicap limit is 6 and entry fee is £25.

Entry details for late entries are included on the poster below

 

AYRSHIRE JUG - Latest results in mixed greensomes competition

The 2026 mixed greensomes knockoutcompetition for The Ayrshire Jug is progressing well, with all the first round matches completed and several pairings through to the third round

The results posted so far in rounds one and two are:-

1st Round

Played By:- 3rd May 2026

Helen Slane & Nick Slane (Ayr Belleisle Ladies/Ayr Belleisle)

Douglas & Fay Alexander (Prestwick Centre/Ayr Belleisle Ladies) 2&1

Graham & Alyson Hutton (Skelmorlie) 6&5

Liz Keohone & Ross Hannah (Loudoun)

Gillian Bell & Robin McClory (West Kilbride/Largs)

Iain & Shirley Campbell (Prestwick St Cuthbert) 1 hole

Lori Darroch & Jim Hood (Rowallan Castle) 1 hole

Neil B M & Carol Scott (Prestwick St Nicholas)

Sarah Harding & Brian McCrone (Rowallan Castle) 1 hole

Bob Cameron & Pauleen Cameron (Ayr Belleisle/Ayr Belleisle Ladies)

Scott Singleton & Shirley Anne Stevens (Irvine Ravenspark/Irvine) w/o

Brian Fulton & Jean Capes (Largs)

William Fleming & Joan McMurdo (Ballochmyle) 4&3

Andrew Gilligan & Alison Malcolm (Royal Troon/Ayr Belleisle Ladies)

Neil Kennedy & Sheila Kennedy (Loudoun)

Alyssa Gillies & Andrew Orr (Ballochmyle/Loudoun) 1 hole

Debbie Watt & Michael Malone(Ayr Belleisle Ladies/Golf South Ayrshire) 3&2

Jean Phillips & Thomas Woods (Ballochmyle)

2nd Round

Played By:- 31st May 2026

Douglas & Fay Alexander (Prestwick Centre/Ayr Belleisle Ladies)

Graham & Alyson Hutton (Skelmorlie)

Iain & Shirley Campbell (Prestwick St Cuthbert)

Lori Darroch & Jim Hood (Rowallan Castle)

Sarah Harding & Brian McCrone (Rowallan Castle)

Scott Singleton & Shirley Anne Stevens (Irvine Ravenspark/Irvine)

William Fleming & Joan McMurdo (Ballochmyle)

Alyssa Gillies & Andrew Orr (Ballochmyle/Loudoun)

Debbie Watt & Michael Malone (Ayr Belleisle Ladies/Golf South Ayrshire)

Patricia Harris & Neil Wilson (Ballochmyle)

David & Margaret Crookston (Skelmorlie) 7/5

Keith & Anne Ross (Beith/West Kilbride)

Elizabeth McConnell & Derek MacPherson (Rowallan Castle)

Lynn Callaghan & Jordan Callaghan (Loudoun)

Jamie Wilson & Mya Wilson (Troon Portland/Royal Troon)

Kevin Flack & Janet Harkness (Skelmorlie)

Alistair McKinnon & Carol Moffat (Caprington)

Calum Nairn & Linda Nairn (Prestwick St Cuthbert/Prestwick St Nicholas)

David & Fran Hadden (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Susan Smith & Roddie Middleton (Loudoun) 1 hole

Andrew Reid & Orla Moran (Irvine)

Stephen McCutcheon & Jacqui McDevitt (Ballochmyle)

Ronald Smith & Susan Mallon (Troon Welbeck)

David Hodge & Irene Hodge (Largs) 3/1

Alistair & Jane Belford (Prestwick St Nicholas)

Scott Gilchrist & Shona Malcolm (Loudoun/Prestwick St Cuthbert) w/o

George Meikle & Grace Meikle (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Catherine & Alasdair J. Malcolm (Ayr Belleisle Ladies/Golf South Ayrshire)

Kevin Hamilton & Karen Millar (Rowallan Castle) 6&5

Gail Aitken & Kevin Aitken (Ayr Belleisle Ladies/Ayr Belleisle)

Andrew Conkie & Alison Craig (Prestwick St Cuthbert)

Stuart Dunlop & Sandra Dunlop (Kilmarnock Barassie)

PRESIDENT'S PUTTER - First round completed and seven clubs through to round three

The first round matches in the 2026 handicap club team knockout competition for The Presidents Putter have been completed and seven teans have already secured their places in round three.

In the first round ties in April, Portmann had a 2-1 away win over Loudoun and play Tam O Shanter in round two, who beeat their first round visitors Royal Troon by 2.5 - 0.5.

Caprington had a 2-1 home win over Redburn in the first round and face Alton in Round two, who booked their place with a 2.5-0.5 away win over Kilmarnock Barassie. 

2-1 home wins in round two saw Caprington and Prestwick St Cuthbert through to round three against Golf South Ayrshire and Beith respectively, while Skelmorlie and Troon Portland also progressed to round three courtesty of  2-1 home wins over Troon Welbeck and West Kilbride.

Auchenharvie 88 beat their visitors from Ballochmyle by 2.5-0.5 to progress to round three.

Annanhill had a 2-1 home win over Kilbirnie Place in round two and now have a home match against Troon St Meddans who won their home second round match by 2-1 against the title holders Irvine Ravenspark, in a rematch of the 2025 competition final.

The remaining second round ties are due to be completed by the 24th of May.

DAVID SMITH - Funeral arrangements confirmed

The funeral arrangements for the late David Smith of Troon Welbeck Golf Club, a former Ayrshire Golf Association Vice President have been confirmed.  

The funeral will take place on Tuesday the 26th of May with the service commencing at 10.15 am at the funeral parlour of Peter Wilson & Son, 79 Prestwick Road, Ayr, and thereafter to Ayr Cemetery at 11.00 am for the burial service.

An invitation is extended all who knew David to attend and pay their last respects.