WEST OF SCOTLAND UNDER 18 INTER COUNTY LEAGUE - Second win of the year for Ayrshire as they defeat Dumbarton

(Report by David Miller)

Ayrshire’s Under 18 Team built on their recent fine win against Lanarkshire by defeating Dunbartonshire 5 – 3 in Sunday’s match at Prestwick St Cuthbert.

The match was a rollercoaster affair with Ayrshire building up a strong early position in the match before Dunbartonshire turned the tables, leaving the home team to mount a late fighback to earn an important victory.

In the opening matches, Marc Smith and David Wilson were both unable to hold onto early leads and slid to disappointing 3 &2 defeats. Fraser Kerr shrugged aside a couple of recent defeats to record a fine 2 hole victory with Jack McDonald continuing his recent good form with an excellent 3&2 win over Gary Meechan.

Scott Brown produced a blistering start by winning the first five holes in his 5&4 win before Andrew Wright tasted defeat in his encounter with Fraser McKenna. With Dunbartonshire beginning to look favourites, Colin Robinson and Adam Foley showed great character under pressure to produce crucial victories against Tom Sharkey and John Henry respectively.

Match Results:

Marc Smith(Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to D Gallacher(Clydebank) 3&2
Fraser Kerr (Kilmarnock Barassie) bt C Farrell (Cardross) 2 Holes
David Wilson (Welbeck) lost to S Thistleton (Hilton Park) 3&2
Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) bt G Meechan (Dullater) 3&2
Scott Brown (Turnberry) bt C Paterson (Hilton Park) 5&4
Colin Robinson (Largs) bt T Sharkey (Helensburgh) 1 Hole
Adam Foley (Belleisle) bt J Hendry (Douglas Park) 2&1
Andrew Wright (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to F McKenna (Balmore) 3&2

Ayrshire 5 Dumbartonshire 3

2008 AYRSHIRE BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Closing date for entries next week

Players are reminded that the closing date for entries for the 2008 Ayrshire Boys Championship, to be held at Ayr Belleisle on Thursday 7th August 2008, is

Noon on WEDNESDAY 16th JULY

There are still some spaces left in the field.

Players should be aware that there is no guarantee that late entries will be accepted and are strongly advised to have their entry forms submitted by the closing date.

Entry forms are available throgh all Ayrshire clubs, and can be downloaded from the link on the left of this page.

AYRSHIRE SUMMER LEAGUE - 3 semi finalists decided as Ballochmyle drop out of championship

At the same time as three of the four semi final places were decided, Ballochmyle dropped out of League 3 after defaulting on two matches in the qualifying competition.

In League 1, recent match results include a 5 - 1 away win at Moorpark by Troon Welbeck and a win at home by Belleisle against Annanhill by the same margin.

With all teams having played 5 matches and with only only two matches remaining to be played, present positions are :-

WELBECK - 14 Pts
BELLEISLE - 12 Pts
ANNANHILL - 10 Pts
MOORPARK - 4 Pts

In League 2, Kilmarnock (Barassie) claimed the semi final place with a 3.5 - 2.5 win away at West Kilbride.

The other two matches played recently resulted in 4 - 2 home wins by West Kilbride and Kilbirnie over Dalmilling in each case.

With all teams having completed 5 matches, with one remaining, present positions
are :-

BARASSIE - 20 Pts
WEST KILBRIDE - 12 Pts
DALMILLING - 4 Pts
KILBIRNIE - 4 Pts

Barassie now await the winners from league 1, in the semi final of this event.

In League 3, With Ballochmyle's matches, and recent results, being nullified, present positions are :-

RAVENSPARK - 12 Pts
IRVINE - 6 Pts
ARDEER - 2 Pts

Having won the section, Ravenspark now play Caprington in the semi finals.

In League 4, Caprington had a 4 - 2 at home against Tam O Shanter in their penultimate match due to a concession, whilst Loudoun were 5 - 1 winners at home against Tam O Shanter and new Cumnock beat Loudoun by 3.5 - 2.5, also at home.

With each team having played 5 fixtures, present positions are :-

CAPRINGTON - 20 Pts
LOUDOUN - 8 Pts
NEW CUMNOCK - 8 Pts
TAM O SHANTER - 4 Pts

SUTHERLAND CHALICE - McEwan third in latest SGU Order Of merit event.

Scott Henry won his second SGU Order of Merit 72-hole title of the season after taking the Sutherland Chalice at Dumfries & Galloway on Sunday 13th July.

Henry shot a 12 under par score of 268, whilst Steven McEwan (Caprington) was two shots adrift of the winner, on 270

LEADING TOTALS
Par 280
268 - S Henry (Cardross) 67 66 66 69
269 - W Booth (Comrie) 66 67 67 69
270 - S McEwan (Caprington) 67 67 66 70
271 - L Kirton (Newmachar) 65 67 69 70
275 - K Nicol (Fraserburgh) 70 67 70 68, C Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) 66 71 70 68, P Latimer (St Andrews) 69 68 68 70
277 - M Hillson (Craigielaw) 72 66 69 70, Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) 70 69 65 73, A Culverwell (Dunbar) 69 71 66 71
279 - J Gallagher (Swanston New) 69 72 72 66, C Robinson (Wigtown & Bladnoch) 71 74 66 68, G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 71 69 70 69, S Spiers (Aus) 70 68 68 73.

NEWMACHER PRO AM - Nicoll joint second

Callum Nicoll (Prestwick) was joint second in the Newmacher Pro Am, held over the Hawkshead course last week.

Former West Kilbride Club Champion Graeme Fox (East Kilbride) was one shot behind Nicoll, on 73.

Leading Scores -
Par 72

69 - J McCreadie (Buchanan Castle)
72 - A Lockhart (Ladybank), C Nicoll (Prestwick), A Cooper (Newmachar), L Mann (Carnoustie)
73 P McKechnie (Braid Hills), M King (Kingsfield), G Fox (East Kilbride), C Gillies (Perry Golf)
74 - R Arnott (Bishopbriggs), D Orr (East Renfrewshire), M Loftus (Cowglen)
75 I Buchan (Craibstone), R Fitzpatrick (Inchmarlo)
76 S Tayor (Bothwell Castle), N Reid (Deeside)
77 E Cameron (Hamilton), M Urquhart (Inverness), G McInnes (Murcar Links)
79 A J Webster (Edzell)
81 R Cameron (McDonald Ellon)

EUROPEAN BOYS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Scotland finish in 11th place

Scotland, with Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) and Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) in the team finished in a dissapointing 11th place in teh rain shortened European Boys Team Championships, held at Bled, in Slovenia last week.

With the first days strokeplay qualifying round abandoned duue to the weather, Scotland failed to make the top flight for the matchplay stages and some indifferent results in the matchplay left Scotland in mid table after the conclusion of the championship.

SCOTTISH SENIORS TOUR - Mclellan joint third in South Of Scotland Open

Ronnie McLellan (Turnberry) was joint third in the South of Scotland Seniors Open, played at Dumfries & County on Thursday 10th and Friday 11 July.

The event was won by host club member and former internationalist Ian Brotherston with a one over par total of 139, whilst Mclellan shared third place with two others on 142.

LEADING TOTALS

Par 138

139 - I Brotherston (Dumfries & County) 70 69

141 - N Cameron (Porters Park) 71 70

142 - G Rees (Fleetwood) 74 69, B Smith (Hamilton) 72 70, R McLellan (Turnberry) 71 71, R Erskine (Kilsyth Lennox) 71 71

143 - J Johnston (Wishaw) 73 70, H Milligan (Hamilton) 71 72, R Stewart (Tulliallan) 71 72, A Donkersley (Gerrards Cross) 68 75, K Russell (Wigtown & Bladnoch) 69 74

144 - L Edmond (Haddington) 76 69, B Grieve (King James VI) 72 72, G K MacDonald (Callander) 70 74.

SCOTTISH BOYS UNDER 14 STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Wilson 4th in national event

David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) finished in a creditable fourth place in the Scottish Boys Under 14 Open Strokeplay Championship, held at The Glen in North Berwick on 11th July.

The competition was won by Nick Ward (Redbourn), who took the trophy south of the border after a play off win against Anthony Blaney (Liberton)

LEADING SCORES
Par 70

69 - N Ward (Redbourn), A Blaney (Liberton) - Ward won at 4th play off hole
70 - E Scott (St Andrews)
72 - D Wilson (Troon Welbeck)
73 - D Flannery (Peebles), S Whannel (Newton Stewart)
74 - J Douglas (Cowdenbeath), C Linton (Dunblane New), R Gauld (Cruden Bay), R Gordon (Alford)
75 - J Black (West Lothian), A Carrell (Peterculter), R Proctor (Forres), L Allan (Alva)
76 - W Aldred (Mid-Herts), G Marchbank (Thornhill), C Cook (Caird Park), C Beveridge (Troon Welbeck), P Horsting (Royal Cinque Ports)
77 - L Birchall (Ingestre Park), S Simpson (Murrayfield), A Carrick (Douglas)
78 - J Savage (Cawder), C Howie (Peebles), E Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie)
79 - J Wilson (Hilton Park), D Black (Gourock)
80 - A Wilson (Loretto)m, M Wilson (Berwick upon Tweed), B Carnegie (Dunblane New), G Burns (Williamwood), P Reilly (Lochwinnoch), C Currie (Kilmarnock Barassie), C Deeney (Hilton Park), N Dhallu (Loretto), A Bremner (Edzell), G Liddle (West Lothian), E Bowden (Glen), R MacIntyre (Glencruitten)
81 - L Cockerill (Cleethorpes), E Robertson (Inchmarlo), C Boyd (Alloa), N McArthur (Bishopbriggs), R McArthur (Bishopbriggs)
82 - J Steven (Kirkhill), S Wilson (Greenock Whinhill), G Stewart (Crieff), B Burgess (Dumfries & Galloway), F Lauder (Paisley), S Cameron (Renfrew), F Davren (Williamwood)
83 - C Anderson (Sandyhills), D McLean (Gullane), B Neil (Blairgowrie), R Dallas (Kirriemuir Players)
84 - E Haddow (Balmore), C Hill (Tantallon), R Meechan (Dullatur), B Kinsley (St Andrews)
86 - N Marsh (Elland), A McDougall (Elderslie), J Presly (Banchory)
87 - L Morrison (Hamilton), R Stewart (Crieff)
88 - G Joss (Royal Aberdeen), G McKillop (Machrihanish), J Black (Gullane), C McKay (Grange)
89 - C Harrison (Carluke)
90 - A Boyd (Alloa), G MacMillan (Glencruitten), L Bain (Turnhouse), C Hill (Muckhart), L Murray (Troon St Meddans), C Cochrane (Marriott Dalmahoy).

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP - Lomas in final qualifying success

Jonathon Lomas (Unattached), the European Tour player who resides in Ayr, will take his place in the field for the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale from the 17th to 20th July after securing one of only four places available to the field of 96 players at the final qualifying event at the West Lancashire Golf Club on Monday and Tuesday this week.

Lomas tied for third place with three other players, on 3 over par, and was one of the two who subsequently won the right to a place in the Open Championship next week.

Best wishes go to Jonathon for a succesful and enjoyable week at Birkdale.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Irvine are 2008 Club Champions

On a breezy day that made conditions tricky, the team from the host club secured the Ayrshire Club Champions title, for the second time in three years, when 13 club sides contested the championship over the Irvine (Bogside) course on Sunday 6th July.




The winning Irvine team - (Left to Right) John Shanks, Henry Thomson, Alex Gourlay

With two scores from three counting, the early leaders were The Prestwick St. Cuthbert team of Graeme Gimson (76), Kevin Fergusson (78) and Stephen McBlain (72), who held the lead until the latter stages of the event when the host club side of Alex Gourlay (72), John Shanks (71) and Henry Thomson (79) overtook the St. Cuthbert total to take the title.

The Irvine team now travel to represent Ayrshire at the Scottish final at Windyhill on 28th September 2008.

The CSS for the competition was 74 (+2)

FINAL TOTALS

143 - IRVINE (A Gourlay 72, J Shanks 71, H Thomson 79)

148 - PRESTWICK ST. CUTHBERT (G Gimson 76, K Fergusson 78, S McBlain 72)

150 - PRESTWICK ST. NICHOLAS (G Lawrie 76, D Hawthorn 74, S King 78)

151 - KILMARNOCK BARASSIE (E Brown 78, A Wright 76, R Dixon 75)

152 - TROON WELBECK (D Chamberlain 77, B Ferguson 75, K Houston 77)

153 - LOUDOUN (T McInally 73, G. McCormack 85, P Kennedy 80)

155 - IRVINE RAVENSPARK (G Robertson N/R, J Cairney 77, D Mallinson 78)

158 - BALLOCHMYLE - (C Hamilton N/R, W Wilson 79, G Rowan 79)

158 - TROON ST. MEDDANS (T Stafford N/R, S Pennington 77, F Drum 81)

160 - AYR BELLEISLE (D Tierney 90, D Low 83, S Clark 77)

161 - WEST KILBRIDE (I Brown 77, R DeCourcy 94, M Roos 84)

177 - NEW CUMNOCK (N McCormack N/R, M Riddall 86, T Keddie 91)

N/R - TAM O SHANTER (C Merry N/R, R Gemmell 88, G McPherson N/R)

CAMERON CORBETT VASE - Addison wins 'Major' at Haggs Castle

Former Scottish Boys Under 16 Strokeplay winner David Addison (Kilmarnock Barassie) - pictured right - led from the halfway stage of the 2008 cameron Corbett Vase competition at Haggs castle this weekend, 5th & 6th July, to take the his first major 72 hole strokeplay title and SGU Order Of merit event by three shots.

Addison returned scores of 69, 71, 68 & 69 for an 11-under-par total of 277.

Scott Hendry (Cardross) was his closest challenger, with two closing rounds of 68 for a 280 total.

Three players tied for third place on 282, with Steven McEwan (Caprington) in 6th place on 285.

FINAL SCORES

277 - D Addison (Kilmarnock Barassie) 69 71 68 69

280 - S Henry (Cardross) 71 73 68 68

282 - S Borrowman (Dollar) 73 70 71 68, K Nicol (Fraserburgh) 68 75 69 70, G Campbell (Blairgowrie) 72 69 71 70

285 - S McEwan (Caprington) 68 77 69 71

286 - R Kellett (Colville Park) 73 72 67 74

287 - G Yates (Hilton Park) 75 69 71 72

288 - R McKnight (Caprington) 72 77 70 69, G Sangster (Cathkin Braes) 74 72 69 73

289 - L Kirton (Newmachar) 78 71 70 70

290 - C Watson (East Renfrewshire) 75 73 71 71, A Main (Thornton) 69 73 77 71

291 - C Robb (Inchmarlo) 73 76 69 73, P Ferrier (Baberton) 66 76 74 75

292 - J Findlay (Fraserburgh) 74 76 70 72, M Bookless (Sandyhills) 72 77 71 72, F Fotheringham (Nairn) 75 73 72 72, M Campbell (Renfrew) 72 73 74 73, A Wallace (Glenbervie) 73 70 76 73

293 - P McLean (Peterhead) 75 76 71 71, J Hamilton (Omanu) 72 75 73 73

294 - J White (Lundin) 74 78 73 69

295 - S Rennie (Drumpellier) 83 69 72 71, K Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) 73 74 77 71

296 - C Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) 72 78 75 71, G Paterson (St Andrews New) 75 77 72 72, D Grant (Renfrew) 72 73 78 73, P Latimer (St Andrews New) 71 77 74 74, Z Saltman (Craigielaw) 72 76 73 75, S Robertson (Sandyhills) 73 74 74 75

297 - F McKenna (Balmore) 76 76 74 71

298 - D Young (Craigie Hill) 74 78 74 72, C Gray (West Kilbride) 74 77 71 76

299 - R Graham (Hayston) 75 75 75 74, P Betty (Hayston) 71 78 72 78, S Lockhart (Bathgate) 72 73 74 80

301 - M Pennycott (Whiting Bay) 76 72 79 74

302 - S Binning (Ranfurly Castle) 77 72 75 78, R Coull (Edzell) 70 76 77 79

305 - T Blennerhassett (Dalmahoy) 75 74 75 81, A McKie (Glencruitten) 73 76 75 81

307 - S Neilson (Dunbar) 74 78 76 79

308 - C Haugh (Cathkin Braes) 78 74 79 77

309 - G Tough (Letham Grange) 74 78 81 76

MISSED THE CUT

153 - P McGhee (Bonaventure) 77 76, B Sloan (Hamilton) 76 77, J MacKay (Kilmarnock Barassie) 76 77, W Bremner (Edzell) 73 80

154 - S Maxwell (Windyhill) 79 75, M Main (Thornton) 8 76, B Anderson (Cambuslang) 77 77

155 - G Gimson (Prestwick St Cuthbert) 79 76, M Dargie (Cawder) 75 80, T Mitchell (Woodlands CC, USA) 75 80

156 - M Clark (Kilmacolm) 79 77, B Fotheringham (Forres) 78 78, S Keane (Cathkin Braes) 78 78, S Steven (Haggs Castle) 75 81

157 - G Stevenson (Whitecraigs) 83 74, N McBride (Cowglen) 78 79, R Leeds (Muckhart) 77 80, C Wedgeworth (Cowglen) 76 81

158 - B Rushford (Grangemouth) 78 80

159 - C Thomson (East Renfrewshire) 79 80

160 - G Robertson (Glenbervie) 82 78, J Duff (Newmachar) 80 80, K Shanks (Purdue University, USA) 75 85

161 - A Culverwell (Dunbar) 81 80, B Gray (Buchanan Castle) 79 82, K Duncan (McDonald Ellon) 77 84

162 - J Hendrick (Pollock) 82 80, A Weir (Montrose Mercantile) 81 81

168 - M Wilson (Westhill) 86 82

No Returns- S Carmichael (Baberton) 72 N/R, S Hume (Murrayshall) 79 N/R, J Welsh (Peninsula) 78 N/R

Withdrew after second round – M Lamb (Haddington) 79 73

Withdrew after first round - John Gallagher (Swanston New) 74, Sean Thompson (St Andrews) 79

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Summer League latest

In LEAGUE 1, Welbeck and Annanhill hold a slender lead over their challengers.
In recent fixtures, Belleisle drew 3 - 3 with Welbeck at home and had a 4 - 2 home win over Moorpark, also at Belleisle.

Welbeck maintained a share of the lead with a 4.5 - 1.5 home win over Annanhill, who had travelled to Moorpark in their ptrevious match and recorded a 6 - 0 win.

Present positions in the section are :-

TROON WELBECK - played 4 - 10 pts
ANNANHILL - played 4 - 10 pts
BELLEISLE - played 4 - 8 pts
MOORPARK - played 4 - 4 pts

In LEAGUE 2, Barassie had a convincing 5 - 1 win over Dalmilling to remain at the top of the tablewhilst West Kilbride maintained second place with a 4 - 2 win away from home, at Kilbirnie. Present positions are :-

KILMARNOCK BARASSIE - played 4 - 16 pts
WEST KILBRIDE - Played 3 - 8 pts
DALMILLING - Played 3 - 4 pts
KILBIRNIE PLACE - played 4 - 0 pts

The only two results recently from LEAGUE 3 saw Ardeer winning by 4 - 2 at Ballochmyle, whilst they were edged out by 3.5 - 2.5 by the visitors, Irvine (Bogside).

Present positions in the section are :-

RAVENSPARK - played 4 - 10 pts
IRVINE (BOGSIDE) - played 4 - 10 pts
ARDEER - played 4 - 6 pts
BALLOCHMYLE - played 4 - 6 pts

In LEAGUE 4, home advantage is proving decisive, with each of the four results posted recently showing comfortable wins for the host club.

In two home games, Caprington have recorded wins by 6 - 0 and 4 - 2 against New Cumnock and Tam O Shanter recpectively. In the other match played recently, new Cumnock were 5 - 1 winners, at home against Tam O Shanter.

Present positions in LEAGUE 4 are :-

CAPRINGTON - played 5 - 20 pts
LOUDOUN - played 4 - 8 pts
NEW CUMNOCK - played 4 - 4pts
TAM O SHANTER - played 5 - 4 pts

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Moultrie storms into Champion Of Champions semi finals

Paul Moultrie (Troon Portland) is the first player through to the semi finals of the 2008 Ayrshire Champion Of Champions Trophy competition.

Moultrie secured his place in the last four with a 5 & 4 quarter final win, over the Portland course, against Stuart Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie).

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Kilmarnock Barassie book Championship Semi Final place

Kilmarnock (Barassie) are the first team through to the semi finals of the 2008 Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship, after the SECTION C matches were completed last month.

The Barassie side edged out Caprington on points difference after both teams tied on 14 points at the top of the table. The final two matches in the section involved Kilmarnock (Barassie) and Ayr Dalmilling with the Barassie home match being conceded to the hosts, whilst the return match at Ayr saw Dalmilling run out as 4 - 2 winners.

Final placings in SECTION C were :-

Kilmarnock Barassie - 14 pts (+5)
Caprington - 14 pts (+ 1)
Ballochmyle - 12 pts
Ayr Dalmilling - 8 pts

Matches in the other three sections are due for completion by the end of July, with the teams qualifying for the semi finals still undecided.

In SECTION A, West Kilbride moved into joint top spot with a 5 - 1 home win over Troon St. Meddans. Present positions in the section are :-

West Kilbride - played 5 - 16 pts (+12)
Kilbirnie - Played 5 - 16 pts (+11)
Troon Welbeck - played 6 - 12 pts
New Cumnock p played 3 - 2 pts
Troon St. Meddans - played 5 - 2 pts

Prestwick St. Nicholas lead the way in SECTION B, although Ayr belleisle have still to play their first match of the campaign. St. Nicholas edged into the lead with a 4.5 - 1.5 away win at irvine Ravenspark.

Routenburn played three matches recently, which resulted in draws against Ravenspark and Largs and a heavy 5 - 1 defeat at Ravenspark. Largs maintained their hopes with a narrow 3.5 - 2.5 win away at Ravenspark.

Present positions in SECTION B are :-

Prestwick St. Nicholas - played 4 - 12 pts
Largs - played 4 - 10 pts
Largs Routenburn - played 5 - 8 pts
Irvine Ravenspark - played 5 - 6 pts
Ayr Belleisle - played 0 - 0 pts

In SECTION D, Prestwick St. Cuthbert lead fron Ardeer, a 3 - 3 draw at Loudoun being followed by a 3.5 - 2.5 win over Ardeer at Prestwick, although in the return match the St. Cuthbert side crashed to their first defeat of the campaign, by 5.5 - 0.5, at Ardeer.

Loudoun maintained their hopes with wins by 3.5 - 2.5 and 4 - 2 at home against Ardeer & Annanhill respectively.

With only three matches remaining in the section, Ardeer must win their final home match against Annanhill to put pressure on St. Cuthbert. Loudoun have two away matches remaining, firstly at Annanhill, with the crunch match looking likely to be their final fixture at Prestwick St. Cuthbert.

Present positions in SECTION D are :-

Prestwick St. Cuthbert - played 5 - 14 pts
Ardeer - played 5 - 12 pts
Loudoun - played 4 - 10 pts
Annanhill - played 4 - 0 pts

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Draw for Ayrshire Seniors Championship

The Draw for the Ayrshire Seniors Championship, to be played at Kilmarnock (Barassie) on Tuesday 22nd July, has been published.

The player returning the best nett score of the day will win the Sandy Provan Trophy. there will also be a number of nett prizes in age group categories.

The full draw is :-

0920 - Ray Bruce (Kilmarnock Barassie) & Douglas McKinnon (Ballochmyle)

0930 - Len Anderson (Ballochmyle) & David Bruce (Irvine Ravenspark)

0940 S. Buchert (West Kilbride), L. Burke (Largs) & J. Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie)

0950 - Jim Waddell (Kilmarnock Barassie), Jim McFarlane (Irvine Ravenspark) & George Harrison (Caprinton)

1000 - Ron Harrison (Caprington), George Lindsay (Kilmarnock Barassie) & Houston Sim (Annanhill)

1010 - John Richardson (Caprington), William Houston (Wallacetown) & David Pitman (Troon Welbeck)

1020 - John Houston (Wallacetown), Ian Cowell (Annanhill) & John Johnstone (Caprington)

1030 - Alan Muir (Caprington), Cameron Greer (West Kilbride) & James Gourlay (Ayr Belleisle)

1040 - Doug Hollingsworth (Ayr Belleisle), Danny Mullan (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) & Allan Blackwood (Troon Welbeck)

1050 - A. Blackhall (Troon Welbeck), Thomas Moore (Irvine Bogside) & Neil Black (Annanhill)

1100 - Ronnie Potts (Irvine Ravenspark), George Robertson (West Kilbride) & Charlie McGregor (Irvine Ravenspark)

1110 - Thomas Denham (Annanhill), Leslie Crawford (Kilmarnock Barassie) & Andy McAllister (Annanhill)

1120 - Thomas McKay (Annanhill), Donald Love (West Kilbride) & Alistair Kerr (Kilmarnock Barassie)

1130 - David McMahon (Troon Welbeck), John Beattie (Brodick) & Charlie McMurtrie (Annanhill)

EUROPEAN TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Scotland beaten by France

Despite their top seeding, Scotland's hopes for the 2008 European Team championship title were dashed at the hands of defending champions France on Thursday at Royal Park Golf & Country Club, Turin, Italy.

Scotland looked well on their way to the semi-finals when they led France 2-0 in the morning foursomes, Calum Macaulay (Tulliallan) and Wallace Booth (Comrie) beating Alex Kaleka and Benjamin Hebert by 2 holes whilst Gavin Dear (Murrayshall) and Paul O'Hara (Colville Park) crushed Jean-Jacques Wolff and Eduardo Dubois 6 and 5

Despite the good start, the Scottish team collapsed in the singles. Macaulay was beaten by 3 and 2 by Victor Dubuisson in the opening singles whilst Dear lost by 2 holes to Hebert.

Keir McNicoll was hammered 7 and 6 by Dubois whilst Ayrshire's Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) lost by one hole to Antoneli. Scotland's only gain from the afternoon singles came when Booth halved with Kaleka

Losing 4.5 points from a possible 5 in the singles saw Scotland defeated by 4.5 - 2.5 overall.

France now play England in the first semi final with Germany and Ireland contesting the other match.

EUROPEAN MENS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Stewart helps Scots to top seeding place

Scotland secured first seed position on Wednesday 2nd July in the 2008 European Mens Team Championship at The Royal Park Golf & Country Club, Turin, Italy, with Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) playing his part with a two under par round of 70 in the second round of strokeplay, a six shot improvement for him on his first day effort.

Scotland returned a team total of 698 shots, five ahead of Sweden & Germany.

In the matchplay which begins on Thursday, Scotland will face the defending champions, France, who struggled to make the top flite for the matchplay stages, after a poor second day performance.

LEADING TEAM TOTALS -

698 - SCOTLAND
703 - SWEDEN, GERMANY
705 - ENGLAND
708 - ITALY
709 - SPAIN
719 - IRELAND
722 - FRANCE

The Opening matchplay ties on Thursday are :-

SCOTLAND Vs. FRANCE

ENGLAND Vs. ITALY

SPAIN Vs. GERMANY

IRELAND Vs. SWEDEN

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire Boys Back on Form

(Report courtesy of David Miller)

The Ayrshire Under 18 Team bounced back from their opening defeat to Stirlingshire in the West Of Scotland Area Championship to record an excellent 5 ½ - 2 ½ victory over a strong Lanarkshire side at Drumpellier on Sunday 29th June 2008.

Fraser Kerr was always behind in the opening match and eventually lost out by 3&2, but this was followed a string of fine victories by a relatively inexperienced Ayrshire side. David Wilson set the tone by recording a comfortable 3&2 win before Mark Smith and Jack McDonald put the away side in a strong position with fine 4&3 and 2&1 victories respectively.

Colin Robinson had to battle hard to fight off a spirited comeback by Ian Anderson to record a one hole win before Michael Roos just failed to hang on to his hard earned lead to undeservedly taste defeat on the last green. Andrew Wright, fresh from his triumph in The Troon Links Championship, sealed the win for Ayrshire with an excellent 2&1 win over Ben Sloan. Boy’s Internationalist, Kyle Smith, completed a fine afternoon for the visitors with a halved match in his battle with Paul Shields.

Match Results:

C Ross (Kirkhill) beat Fraser Kerr (Kilmarnock Barassie) 3&2
E Bradley (Mt Ellen) lost to David Wilson (Welbeck) 3&2
S Wylie (Crow Wood( lost to Marc Smith (Kilmarnock) Barassie 4&3
G Duncan (Shotts) lost to Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock) Barassie 2&1
I Anderson (Colville Park) lost to Colin Robinson (Largs) 1 Hole
C Baird (Bothwell Castle) beat Michael Roos (West Kilbride) 1 Hole
B Sloan (Hamilton) lost to Andrew Wright (Kilmarnock Barassie) 2&1
P Shields (Kirkhill) halved with Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Lanarkshire 2 ½ - Ayrshire 5 ½

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Quarter final line up completed

All the third round matches in the 2008 Ayrshire Fourball Championship were completed last weekend, with the eight remaining teams now due to complete their quarter final matches by 10th August.

In the outstanding third round ties, John Campbell and Robin Paton (West Kilbride) had a one hole win over Campbell and Ross McCluskie (Crosshouse) and now face a home match against Archie McKie and Archie McKie Jr. (Ravenspark) for a place in the semi finals.

Craig Murdoch and Andy Reid (Ayr Carrick) got the better of Alan Hayes & Chris Rimmer (Belleisle) in round 3, and now face another local derby against Charlie Bell and Andy paton (Braehead) in the last eight.

In the other outstanding third round tie, Chris & Alan Bone (Loudoun) beat Graham McLaughlan & and David Munro (Troon Portland), at Troon, to secure a home match against Mark Hyslop & Steven Bolland (Tam O Shanter) in the quarter finals.

The full quarter final draw is :-

WEST KILBRIDE Vs. IRVINE RAVENSPARK

BRAEHEAD Vs. AYR CARRICK

IRVINE Vs. BALLOCHMYLE

LOUDOUN Vs. TAM O SHANTER

All ties to be completed by 10th August 2008

EAST OF SCOTLAND AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - McEwan pipped for play off place

Steven McEwan (Caprington) came within 2 shots of a play off spot in the 2008 East Of Scotland Open Amateur Championship, played at Lundin Golf Club last week.

The championship was won, after a three way play off, by Rohan Blizard (Australia).

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

Par 284 (4 x 71)

283 - R Blizard (Aus) 72 72 67 72, P Latimer (St Andrews New) 73 72 69 69, C Watson (East Renfrewshire) 74 70 70 69 (Blizard won three-way play-off at third extra hole)

285 - S McEwan (Caprington) 72 71 68 74

286 - J Turner (SAf) 69 72 71 74

287 - J White (Lundin) 73 71 73 70, J Gallagher (Swanston New) 72 72 73 70

DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - Cairney leads with five events to go

With no counting events in July, John Cairney (Irvine Ravenspark) - pictured right - leads the race for the Ayrshire Order of Merit and the Doc Thom Salver, with five counting competitions still to be completed throughout August and September.

A top placing at the Seafiled Open pushed Cairney to the top of the table, ahaed of Strokeplay winner Steven Wallace (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) - pictured below.

Leading totals :-

205 - J. Cairney

157.5 - S. Wallace

145 - P. Moultrie

137.5 - C. Hamilton

102.5 - M. Smyth

100 - J. Mackay, G. Rowan, J. Shanks

78 - S. McEwan

75 - D. Taylor, T. McInally, I. Walker

70 - A. Walker

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Stewart & Brown lead the way

With 5 of the 23 counting events completed, Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) - pictured right - remains in the lead in the 2008 Ayrshire Junior Order Of merit, courtesy of his Scottish Boys Championship win, with Scott Brown (Turnberry) - pictured below - leading the chasing pack.

present positions are :-

250 - Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck)

187.5- Scott Brown (Turnberry)

102.5 - Callum Stewart (Ayr Belleisle)

100 - Sam Findlater (Troon Welbeck)

62.5 - Scott Clark (Ayr Belleisle), Ciar Porciani (Turnberry)

50 - Ciaran Byrne (New Cumnock)

42.5 - Scott Johnston (St. Cuthbert), David Wilson (Ayr Belleisle)

35 - Alan Bruce (Kilmarnock Barassie), Craig Telfer (St. Cuthbert)

15 - Sean Thorburn (Ayr Belleisle)

10 - Declan Flood (Caprington)

5 - David Brown (St. Cuthbert)

July sees a further 10 counting events taking place, with the remaining 8 scheduled for August.

WEST OF SCOTLAND LADIES INTER COUNTY JAMBOUREE - Ayrshire pipped for final place after rain shortens final day

Renfrewshire pipped Ayrshire for a place in the finals of the Scottish Womans County Golf Championship at Inchmarlo later this year, after rained caused play to be abandoned on the afternoon of the final day of the West Jambouree, held at Hilton Park from 23rd to 25th June.

Both Ayrshire and Renfrewshire won the foursomes on the final day, against Lanarkshire and Dumbarton & Argyll respectively, but the afternoon singles were abandoned after torrential rain flooded the greens, and Renfrewshire were declared the winners as a result, with two wins and a draw against Ayrshire's two wins and one defeat.

Ayrshire did provided the best performing player of the tournament in Debbie Watt (Belleisle Ladies) who recorded five wins from five.

Final Placings :-

5 pts - Renfrewshire
4 pts - Ayrshire
2 pts - Dumbarton & Argyll
1 pt - Lanarkshire

WEST OF SCOTLAND BOYS MATCHPLAY - Ayrshire challenge ended in semi finals.

The West Of Scotland Boys Matchplay Championship was held at Ardeer on Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th June 2008, with two Ayrshire boys reaching the semi finals before bowing out of the championship.

The 16 qualifiers from the Strokeplay event, held on the Tuesday, included a total of 6 players from Ayrshire, with Alan Bruce (Kilmarnock Barassie) and Scott Brown (Turnberry) both reaching the last four.

The Championship was eventually won by Gavin Hay (Whitecraigs) who beat Bryan Robertson (Renfrew) by one hole in the final.

RESULTS :-

FIRST ROUND
James Hendrick (Pollock) beat Jamie Binning (Ranfurly Castle) by 2 & 1
Alan Bruce (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Marc Smith (Troon Welbeck) by 4 & 3
Ciaran Byrne (New Cumnock) beat Michael Howie (Ardeer) by 3 & 2
Gavin Hay (Whitecraigs) beat David Aitken (Williamwood) at the 20th
Bryan Robertson (Renfrew) beat Scott Clark (Ayr Belleisle) at the 22nd
Peter Scanlan (Hamilton) beat Neil Cameron (Renfrew) by 3 & 2
Scott Brown (Turnberry) beat Jamie savage (Cawder) by 4 & 3
Ross Pearson (Greenock Whinhill) beat Andrew Reid (Paisley) by 4 & 3

QUARTER FINALS
Hendrick lost to Bruce by 2 & 1
Byrne lost to Hay by 5 & 4
Robertson beat Scanlan by 1 hole
Brown beat Pearson by 2 holes

SEMI FINALS
Bruce lost to Hay by 5 & 4
Robertson beat Brown by 1 hole

FINAL
Hay beat Robertson by 1 hole

WEST OF SCOTLAND BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - four local players on prizelist

The West Off Scotland Boys Championship for 2008 was hosted by The Ayrshire Golf Association recently, and played over the Ardeer course.

The Strokeplay rounds, on Tuesday 24th June attrached a capacity field with competitors encountering testing conditions which were reflected in the CSS for the two rounds which increased on both occasions by 1 stroke, to 72.

Winner of the Championship was James Hendrick (Pollock) with a total of 144 (75-69) which left him four shots clear of his nearest rival, Brian Robertson (Renfrew) on 148 (71 - 77)

The best placed Ayrshire player was Scott Brown (Turnberry) in third place, with 149 (72 - 77).

In the handicap event, 9 handicapper Cieran Byrne (New Cumnock) had the best nett aggregate of the day with 66 - 66 for 132.

Host club players Michael Howie (141) and Joseph Howie (143) also featured in the prize list.

LEADING SCORES

SCRATCH
144 - James Hendrick (Pollock)
148 - Brian Robertson (Renfrew)
149 - Scott Brown (Turnberry)
151 - Gavin Hay (Whitecraigs)

NETT
132 - Ciaran Byrne (New Cumnock)
139 - Ross Pearson (Greenock Whinhill)
141 - Michael Howie (Ardeer)
142 - Jamie Savage (Cawder)
143 - Joseph Howie (Ardeer)