WEST KILBRIDE LINKS TROPHY - Ayrshire club establish new open winter event

The details of the new West Kilbride Links Trophy event, being innaugurated this year at the Ayrshire venue are listed below. This is an open event and the entry form can be downloaded via the link on the left of this page.

This is a great opportunity to play competitive links golf throughout the winter and keep the swing from going rusty over the closed season.

THE WEST KILBRIDE GOLF CLUB
33-35 Fullerton Drive
Seamill
West Kilbride
KA23 9HT golf@westkilbridegolfclub.com
01294 823 911

West Kilbride Links Trophy 2009 – 2010:

Winter Stableford Competition (Visiting Gents)

1. The Competition will be a Stableford Competition commencing on Monday 12th Oct 2009 and ending on Thursday 21st March 2010. The competition will be played over the West Kilbride Links with local rules applying.
2. Play will be from the Yellow tees and will not qualify for handicap purposes.
3. West Kilbride Golf Club reserves the right to pair competitors into tee times.
4. The Competition will be open to members of recognised Golf Clubs who have passed their 18th Birthday.
5. The competition is open to all handicaps but a maximum 18 strokes will apply to all rounds.
6. The Entry fee for the competition is £30 per competitor payable by cheque or cash (Cheques payable “The West Kilbride Golf Club”)
7. The entry form should be signed by your Club Secretary or Handicap Convenor.
8. A passport sized photo must be provided with entry forms.
9. Green Fees are £15 per round for both weekdays and weekends
10. To book a starting time telephone 01294 823 042 within 6 days of play.
11. The competitor with the lowest aggregate of their four best Stableford scores over the period, will hold the West Kilbride Links Trophy for one year. There will be no limit on the amount of times each competitor can play the links.
12. Prize vouchers will be awarded as follows: 1st - £125 2nd - £75 3rd - £50 4th - £25
13. Competitors must report to the Professional Shop before commencing each round and sign the Competition Book. At the end of each round the number of stableford points achieved must be recorded in the same book. The completed card signed by both the competitor and marker must be handed into the Professional Shop / Clubhouse at the end of each round. Scorecards submitted without a competitor number will not be processed.
14. There will be an extra one day competition held on Sunday 21st March 2010. The format and timings of the event will be available nearer the time of the competition. All competitors will be invited to enter the competition for an additional cost.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - McDonald takes 2009 award

Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) - pictured right - is the winner of the 2009 Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit with a lead that cannot be surpassed, with only one counting event remaining.

A win at Ballochmyle and a share of first place at Kilmarnock (Barassie) has already secured 703.75 points for McDonald, over 300 points ahead of his nearest rival.

With only the rearranged Ardeer Boys Open to be played on 6th September, McDonald has ensured that 2009 will be a memorable year for him, winning the Order Of Merit alongside the Scottish Boys Open Strokeplay Championship earlier this season.

Vouchers will be awarded to the first three places in the Junior Order Of merit this season and there are still six players who could make a last ditch bid for a prize slot at the Ardeer Boys Open early next month.

Present leading positions, including all those who could still finish in the top three in the Junior Order Of Merit, are :-

703.75 - JACK McDONALD (Kilmarnock Barassie)

391.25 - SCOTT JOHNSTON (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

353.75 - CRAIG TELFER (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

347.50 - DAVID WILSON (Troon Welbeck)

300.00 - ANDREW WRIGHT (Kilmarnock Barassie)

267.50 - MARC SMITH (Troon Welbeck)

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Semi Finals under way

The semi final stages of the 2009 Ayrshire Junior Golf League competitions are underway, as teams bid for a place in the finals of the events in September.

In the Under 16 Knockout Trophy, Ardeer had a 3 - 1 home win over Largs Routenburn to book a place in the final against either Ballochmyle or Kilmarnock (Barassie).

In the League Championship, home advantage was telling in the first leg semi final matches.

Irvine Ravenspark, bidding for their first final appearance for many years, secured a 4 - 2 win in ther opening tie against defending League Champions Largs, whilst 2008 runners up West Kilbride took a step closer to a second successive final with a 4.5 - 1.5 win over Loudoun.

DOC THOM ORDER OF MERIT - Largs counting event cancelled

The Viking Krus, due to be played at Largs on Sunday 23rd August was cancelled due to the weather conditions during the week leading up to the event. No decision has yett been taken as to whether this seasons event will be rescheduled.

There are now only three remaining counting events to be completed this year. First is the Welbeck Links on 30th August, followed by the Largs & Millport Trophy at Largs Routenburn on 5th September and the order of merit closes with The Arroll Cup at Prestwick St. Nicholas on 19th September.

Present leading points totals are :-

312.50 - KEITH HAMILTON (Ayr Belleisle)
217.50 - CRAIG HAMILTON (Ballochmyle)
150.00 - JOHN SHANKS (Irvine), SCOTT BROWN (Turnberry)
125.00 - JOHN SLOAN (Doon Valley)
122.50 - STEPHEN MURRAY (Troon Welbeck)
100.00 - PAUL DENIM (Loudoun), RODDIE BLAIR (West Kilbride)
88.30 - JOE GILLIGAN (Troon Welbeck)
87.50 - RICKY BLACK (Irvine), DAVID TIERNEY (Ayr Belleisle)
80.00 - TOM GREEN (Ballochmyle)
77.50 - JOHN HAGGERTY (Loudoun)
53.30 - STEPHEN McBLAIN (Prestwick St. Cuthbert), DEL CHAMBERLAIN (Troon Welbeck)
50.00 - JOHN HOUSTON (Caprington), STEPHEN McEWAN (Caprington), EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock Barassie)

SCOTTISH SENIORS OPEN - Drummond slips to joint 14th after final round 78

Prestwick's Ross Drummond, who led after the first round and was only two shots off the pace after round 2, slipped back to joint 14th after a closing round of 78 in the Scotttish Seniors Championship over the Torrance course at Fairmont, St. Andrews last week.

Glenn Ralph from England won the championship to record his maiden victory on the seniors circuit.

Leading scores were :-

208 - G Ralph (Eng) 71 67 70
209 - B Cameron (Eng) 69 68 72, L Carbonetti (Arg) 69 69 71
211 - P Senior (Aus) 70 70 71
212 - C Mason (Eng) 71 68 73, R Chapman (Eng) 71 69 72
213 - G Brand Jnr (Sco) 71 69 73
214 - T Johnstone (Zim) 71 70 73, B Longmuir (Sco) 72 73 69
216 - S Bennett (Eng) 74 72 70, A Murray (Eng) 72 72 72, T Giedeon (Ger) 73 71 72, A Franco (Par) 73 75 68
217 - P Mitchell (Eng) 73 71 73, R Drummond (Sco) 69 70 78, G Cali (Ita) 74 71 72, I Woosnam (Wal) 71 72 74
218 - M Williams (Zim) 76 76 66, D Smyth (Irl) 72 76 70, B Boyd (USA) 71 78 69, E Darcy (Irl) 74 75 69, J Rivero (Esp) 73 73 72
219 - C Williams (RSA) 74 74 71, S Owen (Nzl) 73 70 76,

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Maybole back in final

The Maybole pairing of Scott McCahill & David Wallace - pictured right -, who were beaten in the final of the Ayrshire Fourball Championship in 2007, are back in the final of the competition this year after beating Dougie McKinnon & Kevin Ottley (Ayr Belleisle) by one hole in their semi final match at Maybole this week.

The maybole pair now await the winners of the semi final tie between Kenneth Hankinson & Gibby Lamont (Troon Welbeck) and Gary Jordan & Douglas Anderson (Annanhill).

WEST OF SCOTLAND UNDER 18 LEAGUE - Ayrshire draw with Renfrewshire

Ayrshire and Renfrewshire fought out a 4 - 4 draw in their latest West Of Scotland inter county league match at Eastwood on Sunday 23rd August.

Sam Findlater (Troon Welbeck) secured the draw for Ayrshire in the final match on the course, coming from 2 down with 5 to play to win by 2 & 1.

Match Results (Ayrshire names first) :-

Scott Johnston (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) beat Alastair McDougall (Elderslie) by 3 & 2
Charlie MacNeal (Troon Welbeck) lost to Andrew Cunningham (Ranfurly Castle) by 5 & 4
Gregor Mackintosh (Girvan) lost to J. Bogle (Ranfurly Castle) by 2 & 1
Ross Drain (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Stewart Watt (Old Ranfurly) by 1 hole
Marc Smith (Troon Welbeck) beat Michael McClelland (Greenock) by 6 & 5
Craig Telfer (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) beat Calum Gallagher (Greenock) by 5 & 4
Sam Findlater (Troon Welbeck) beat Alex Ferguson (Paisley) by 2 & 1
Fraser Kerr (Kilmanrock Barassie) lost to Lewis Cullen (Eastwood) by 3 & 2


RENFREWSHIRE 4 AYRSHIRE 4
Any faint chance of Renfrewshire Golf Union winning this year’s West of Scotland Inter Counties Boys League disappeared at a wet and windy Eastwood where the Ayrshire boys were the visitors.In the first game, Elderslie’s Alastair McDougall (14) had to face Scott Johnston who had just won his club’s senior championship at age 15 and lost 3 and 2.Then Andrew Cunningham from Ranfurly Castle evened the score with a comfortable 5 and 4 victory.His clubmate, Josh Bogle then gave hope for a team victory winning 3 and 2 and the last of the Under-16s, Stewart Watt from Ranfurly Castle, had a fine one-hole victory over Ross Drain who had felt confident at the turn when he was five up. A miraculous turn around for Stewart.In the 16 to 18 years games, neither Michael McLellan or Calum Gallacher could cope with their opposition and this left the match victory in the hands of Alex Ferguson (Paisley) and local boy, Lewis Cullen.With home course advantage, Lewis was always in control and his 3 and 2 victory over Fraser Kerr meant that Renfrewshire could not lose the tie. However, full points were needed and a late surge by Ayrshire’s Sam Findlater saw a one hole lead held by Alex turn into a 2 and 1 loss. The points were shared and Renfrewshire will have to wait until next year.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - McDonald leads the way

With only one event to play, the Ardeer Boys Open, and the results of the events at Ballochmyle, Belleisle and Kilmarnock (Barassie) still to be recorded, Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) leads the way in the 2009 Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit.

Despite being restricted in the number of events he was available for due to international committments, McDonald, the reigning Scottish Boys Strokeplay Champion added first places at Annanhill early in the season and Irvine Ravenspark last week to his national success to give him a 200 point lead over his nearest rival, Scott Johnston (Prestwick St. Cuthbert).

Prizes will be awared to the leading players at the Ayrshire Junior Golf League annual dinner at the end of the season.

Present leading totals are :-

487.50 - Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie)

287.50 - Scott Johnston (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

271.25 - Craig Telfer (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

267.50 - Marc Smith (Troon Welbeck)

251.25 - Euan walker (Kilmarnock Barassie)

247.50 - David Wilson (Troon Welbeck)

222.50 - Andrew Wright (Kilmarnock Barassie)

197.50 - Cameron McLean (West Kilbride)

180.00 - Sam Findlater (Troon Welbeck)

162.50 - Declan Flood (Caprington)

150.00 - Colin Robinson (Largs)

127.50 - Chris Butler (Irvine Ravenspark)

122.50 - Ben Gibson (Troon Welbeck)

115.00 - John Robertson (Largs)

92.50 - Graham Ritchie (Troon Welbeck), Jared Williams (Kilmacolm / Troon St. Meddans)

AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY - Title for Wilson as final goes into overtime

David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) - pictured right - captured the 2009 Ayrshire Boys Matchplay title at Prestwick Golf Club on Saturday 14th August with a victory at the first extra hole over Jared Williams (Kilmacolm / Troon St. Meddans).

In winning the title, Wilson became the youngest winner of the trophy, aged 14years and 9 months.

In a well matches final, Jared Williams, who lost out in the Renfrwshire Boys matchplay final earlier in the season, took an early lead after David Wilson hit an uncharacteristically poor second to the opening hole whilst Williams secured a regulatin par four.

The match was squared again when Williams found a bunker from the tee at the second and failed to extracate the ball at the first attempt, whilst Wilson, who was 25 feet away in one, recorded an easy par to square the match.

After Wilson found a bunker from the tee at the third, Williams took full advantage, a 3 foot putt for a birdie four restoring his lead.

Again the match was squared at the following hole, and again a bunkered tee shot proved decisive with Williams finding the James Braid inspired bunker at the edge of the Pow Burn and requiring to take a drop from casual water within the bunker. The drop was not ideal, plugging and restricting his stance, and whilst he struggled on the hole, Wilson played a fine approach to 18 feet to set up a winning par four.

Both players found the green over the Hymalayas at the fifth, and it was Wilson who took the hole and the lead for the first time with a fine 10 foot birdie putt.

Having covered almost a third of the round without sharing a hole, the players finally halved at the sixth with Wilson executing a superb up and down recovery from the left of the green to match Williams' par four.

At the seventh both players negotiated the hole in perfect fashion, Wiloson finishing 12 feet from the hole in two whilst Williams, who was consistently longer from the tee throughout the match, following him in to finish just three feet from the hole. On the notoriously tricky green however, both players birdie putts lipped out and the hole was halved in par.

At the eighth hole a lost ball from the tee cost Wilson a double bogey six, and the match was squared once more.

In one of the telling moments of the match, at the ninth, Wilson got up and down from short of the green, holing a difficult 12 foot putt for a par four whilst Williams, who had safely reached the green in two, took thre putts from around 35 feet to lose the hole and turn for home one down.

Williams had the opportunity to square the match at the 10th but his 6 foot putt for par hit the edge of the hole and stayed out, leaving Wilson still one ahead.

The lead only lasted until the 11th when Williams only required two putts from 15feet for a winning par three after Wilson had missed the green on the left from the tee and came up short of the green with his chip.

Williams looked favourite all the way at the par five 12th as Wilson found two bunker on his way to finding the putting surface in 5 shots. Williams by contrast was on in three but, similar to the events at the ninth, Wilson holed a good 10 foot putt for a six whilst Williams contrived to take three putts from the left side of the green which allowed his opponent to escape with an unlikely half.

The slip was compounded at the 13th when Williams found 'Willie campbells Grave' from the tee and could only play out of the fiendish bunker leaving him with a long third to the green. Whilst Wilson reached the lower apron of the green in two, Williams came up just short of the putting surface in three. Wilson showed great skill with the putter to leave his long uphill putt from the fringe close enough to the hole to ellicit a conceded par four from his opponent, and Williams was extremely unfortunate to see his attemt for a half from off the green turn away at the holeside and finish only inches away, giving Wilson a one hole leadonce more.

At the fourteenth Williams was unfortunate to see his extremely long drive reach the cross bunkers in front of the green and whilst he played out and chipped on to the green to a few feet in three, it was not enough as Wilson holed a decisive 30 foot putt for a birdie three to take a two hole lead for the first time in the match.

Buoyed by his run of winning holes, Wilson's approach to the difficult 15th green pulled up just 4 feet from the hole whilst Williams' effort was unlucky to pull up short of the green, leaving him an extremely difficult task to two putt for par. Despite the challenge, williams holed a brave second putt from 5 feet for par and was boosted when wilson's effort for a winn ing birdie three just missed the hole on the left, leaving Williams still two holes behind, with three to play.

Wilson's tee shot at the 16th was in good position on the left whilst Williams, whose driving length meant the green was well in range, was unlucky to see his tee shot catch the edge of the cardinal bunker after a kick to the right en route to the green. A slightly stroong approach from wilson saw his ball run just through the green whilst Williams played a good chip from a difficult stance on the grass bank within "the Cardinal" to 15 feet beyond the pin. Wilson's effort from off the green ran past the hole a couple of feet and williams took the opportunity with both hands, holing bravely for a winning birdie three to reduce the defecit to one hole.

At the 17th, both players negotiated "The Alps" in two, Wilson just missing the gren on the left whist Williams finished 12 feet from the hole. Wilson's birdie effort ran 4 feet past and after Williams' birdie putt also stayd above ground, wilson missed his par putt, leaving williams to hole from three feet for a winning par to square the match once again.

At the 18th, Williams cut his tee shot slightly right and found rough whilst Wilson played a perfect shot which came up just five yards short of the green in the centr of the fairway. As wilson had done earlier in the match however, it was Williams' turn to show his recovery skills, lofting a delicate chip onto the green which came to rest just 3 feet from the hole. wilson's approach finished just inside Williams' ball and both players holed their putts for birdies, leaving the match all square and going on to extra holes.

The quality of the play from both players in a difficult south west wind was bourne out by the statistics, both players going round the course in 75 strokes on the night, having already negotiated semi final matches earlier in the day.

The first hole at Prestwick has provided many tales of drama and tragedy over the years and this final provided yet another chapter in the tale when Williams teed off first and saw his iron shot drift in the cross wind and drop over the boundary wall into the railway. Wilson was visibly relieved when his own effort with an iron from the tee safely found the fairway. Wilson looked equally relieved when his approach came up safe, but short of the green, but his opponent was not giving up without a fight and Williams' approach, his fourth shot, finished 18 feet from the hole. From the front of the green, Wilson putted up to three feet, but despite a good putt, Williams' effort for a five remained above ground and prompted a concession of the hole and title to the new champion.



At the conclusion of the match, Prestwick Golf Club Secretary Ian Bunch presented vouchers to both finalists - pictured above - and passed over the Ayrshire Boys matchplay trophy and commemorative medal into the custody of the 2009 winner, David Wilson

AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY - Wilson Vs. Williams in final

The final of the 2009 Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship on Saturday evening at Prestwick Golf Club will be between David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) and Jared Williams (Kilmacolm / Troon St. Meddans).

In the semi finals, postponed on friday night and played on Saturday morning, David Wilson had a on hole victory over Cameron McLean (West Kilbride) whilst Jared Williams defeated Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 3 & 2.

The final tees off at 4.00 p.m. amd spectators are welcome.

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - McInally Centenary joy for Loudoun

Tommy McInally wrote his own entry in the Loudoun Gowf Club Centenary records when he captured the Ayrshire Champion Of Champions Trophy, for the fourth time, at a wet and windy Royal Troon on Friday 14th August.

A member of the Loudoun club sincehis earliest junior days, Mcinally had previously won the Champion Of Champions title in 2003, 2004 & 2005 before facing his 2009 final opponent, former Ayrshire Boys Champion Neil McCormack (New Cumnock) - pictured right with McInally.

With a good number of hardy souls from both clubs supporting thir players, the match got under way in driving rain and wind.

A good regulation par four at the first gave Mcinally an early lead, but three putts on both the second and third greens by the former champion allowed McCormack to square the match with a par at the third.

The fourth was halved in pars before McInally restored his one hole advantage with a par three at the fifth.

The match was squared again at the long sixth after Mcinally found rough fron the tee and could only play out well short in two. McCormack played the hole well but both players had trouble on the greens and three putts from both players saw McCormack win the hole and square the match.

Despite his early putting problems, Mcinally atoned at the seventh with a fine birdie putt from 15 feet to go one ahead.

In something of a turning point at the short eighth, The Postage Stamp, both players missed the green on the right but it was McInally, with a fine 10 foot putt, who secured his par and extended his lead to two holes.

The lead was further increased as the players turned from home when McCormack missed the ninth green on the left and McInally two putted for a regulation par four to win the hole and turn for home three holes ahead.

As the rain, which had stopped a few holes earlier to give the players and spectators a little respite, returned, both players struggled with the conditions and a run of holes were conceded without being completed.

McInally lost a ball from the 10th tee, the subsequent concession reducing his lead to two holes, but his advantage was restored at the 11th when McCormack conceded after his third shot drifted over the railway wall and out of bounds.

A hooked tee shot, lost in gorse, at the 12th extracted another concession from McCormack to give Mcinally a four hole lead after 12.

At the 13th, McCormack again found heavy rough and a subsequent lost ball led to a triple bogey 7 as opposed to McInally's regulation four, and the match was dormie 5.

At the short 14th, McCormack missed the green on the left whilst Mcinally found the putting surface from the tee.

A superb chip and a putt gave McCormack an excellent par three but McInally laid his approach putt two feet from the hole and subsequently holed the next shot for a three and a 5 & 4 victory.

At the conclusion of the final, Royal Troon Captain Ken Arthur presented prizes to both the finalists and the trophy to the 2009 winner, Tommy McInally.

COLLEGE SPORT USA - Dean Robertson appeals for candidates

The under noted E- Mail has been received from Former European Tour Pro, Dean Robertson :-


"Since my career change in direction from playing on the European Tour to moving into Golf development and Performance Coaching, my vision and drive is to play a leading role in having Scotland re-emerge at the forefront of World Golf.

As a Nation, we have only boasted a single player in the top 150 of the World Rankings for quite some time. We have recently achieved outstanding success at senior amateur level with winning performances in both the Eisenhower Trophy and the European Championships. This however has not translated into the professional ranks.

I am one of many in an initiative to make gains where required in order to make the vision a reality. Talks in many areas are already underway and positive.

I am a great believer that learning is experience and that is what I bring in abundance to the game at all levels.

Experience gained representing Scotland and GB+I was a huge springboard to my success as a Tour Professional and I firmly attribute much of my development to a successful Golf Scholarship within the United States Collegiate Golf Programme.

I recently returned from Cherry Hills CC, Denver, CO where I was head coach to the victorious European Palmer Cup Team against the USA. Mr Arnold Palmer was in attendance for the entire week and the level of play from both teams impressed and highlighted to me the importance that further education in such a programme will play in future development of talented individuals and the game at large. All the participating ‘golfing athletes’ were based around top Universities throughout the US and I had the pleasure of making contact with many of their coaches.

The overriding success factor that such programmes provide is Belief! In Scotland however, we are world champions at telling people what they are doing wrong. In the modern game today, the difference in talent amongst the Worlds top players is miniscule. The difference in Self Belief is huge.

I currently head up the coaching and development for the SJGT (Scottish Junior Golf Tour) and i am working closely with the Swedish Golf Federation and the English Golf Union too. Strides are being made for my coaching skills to be utilised closer to home and as my coaching experience, knowledge and reputation grows it is something I will welcome. There is no Scot more proud to have represented his country than I.

All this bring me round to the main purpose of my e-mail to you. Continuing on from the junior development, I have recently been appointed Golf Development Manager at College Sport USA. We aim to assist talented individuals in fulfilling their golfing and academic potential and welcome the opportunity to present to each player and their family what our comprehensive programme can deliver.

In order to do so I would be extremely grateful if you might assist me in contacting all potential player candidates within your county".



Anyone intersted ? - Dean can be contacted at


info@collegesportusa.com

Kind regards

Dean Robertson

AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY - semi finals postponed

The semi final matches in the 2009 Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship, scheduled to be contested at Prestwick Golf Club on Friday evening were postponed due to the wet and windy weather conditions.

The semi finals will now be played at 11.00 a.m. on Saturday 15th August with the final scheduled to tee off at 4.00 p.m. the same day.

Spectators are welcome at both the semi finals and final matches.

AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY - First round results

The first round of the 2009 Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship was completed on Thursday evening at Prestwick Golf Club.

Cameron McLean (West KIlbride) and Sean Thorburn (Ayr Belleisle) had a titanic battle in the first match out, with McLean eventually winning through at the 21st hole.

McLean now meets David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) in the semi finals on Friday night after Wilson had a one hole victory over Andrew Wright (Kilmarnock Barassie).

Jared Williams (Kilmacolm), who is also a member of Troon St. Meddans, cruised into the last four with a 5 & 4 win over Alasdair McDougall (West Kilbride) and now plays Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) who claimed the semi final place with a 2 & 1 win over Chris Butler (Irvine Ravenspark).

The semi final matches take place at Prestwick Golf Club on Friday evening with the final scheduled to be played on saturday at 4.00 p.m..

BRITISH BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire's representative beaten in round 2

Ayrshire's only representative in the 2009 British Boys Championship at Royal St. georges this week, Colin Robinson (Largs) lost out on Tuesday in the second round when he was beaten at the 20th hole by Edouard Amacher from Switzerland.

BRITISH BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Robinson through first round

Newly crowned Ayrshire Boys Champion Colin Robinson (Largs), - pictured right - Ayrshire's only representative in this weeks British Boys Championship being played at Royal St. Georges, is through to the second round after a 4 & 2 win over Jordan Smith (Bowood) in the first round on Monday.

AYRSHIRE SUMMER LEAGUE - Semi final line up decided

The four teams in the semi final of the 2009 Ayrshire Summer League are Ballochmyle, Loudoun, Irvine & Troon Welbeck.

In LEAGUE 3, Irvine booked their semi final place with a 5 - 1 defeat of Kilbirnie Place at Irvine.

Troon Welbeck came through the play off with Beith for a semi final place, following their 4.5 - 1.5 away win with a 6 - 0 home win to secure the spot.

The draw for the semi finals is :-

BALLOCHMYLE Vs. LOUDOUN

IRVINE Vs. TROON WELBECK

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Semi final draw

The 2009 Ayrshire Fourball Championship is down to the last four, after the last outstanding quarter final was completed on Friday.

In the match, Scott McCahill & David Wallace (Maybole) defeated their visitors, Joe Howie & John McMillan (Ardeer) at the first extra hole.

The other quarter final in the lower half of the draw also saw a win at the 19th hole when Douglas Mckinnon & Kevin Ottley (Ayr Belleisle) beat John Byrne & Colin Greenham (West Kilbride)

The full semi final draw reads :-

Kenneth Hankinson and Gibby Lamont (Ballochmyle) play Gary Jordan & Douglas Anderson (Ardeer)
whilst
Scott McChahill and David Wallace (Maybole) face Douglas McKinnon & Kevin Ottley for a place in the final.

Semi final ties are due for completion by 6th September

DUNDONALD LINKS - As many holes as you can play in a day for £50

Beat the young champions to Dundonald’s first tee!

The cream of world junior golf will be coming to Ayrshire next month when Dundonald Links hosts the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy.

The national junior boy and girl champions from more than 40 countries will tee it up over four days of competition, starting September 8.

And to celebrate the event, Dundonald is inviting local players to test their own skills over the prestigious links course.

For just £50 golfers can play as many holes as they can fit in to a day.

Dundonald’s director of golf, Guy Redford said:

“Dundonald Links is proud to have hosted the Duke of York tournament over the past few years and we are looking forward to another successful competition. These youngsters are the rising stars of the game and several will become household names on the amateur and professional circuits in years to come".

“We are also gearing up to host the European Tour Stage 1 Qualifying the following week, when professionals from all over Europe will compete in the first stage of the race to win their European Tour cards. Dundonald Links is the only Scottish course to have hosted one of these qualifying events and we regard that as positive proof of our status within the world of golf".

“From now until the start of the first event, we are inviting local golfers to come and play as many holes as they can fit into the day, for just £50. The invitation also includes a lunchtime soup and sandwiches".

For details of the invitation and to book a superb day’s golf at Dundonald, telephone 01294 314006.

WEST KILBRIDE GIRLS OPEN - Results

The West Kilbride girls open competition was completed this week. A good field was attracted to West Kilbride despite the rival attraction of the St Andrews Girls Golf Week. The organisers are confident that the event will build from here.

Worthy scratch winner was Emma Hale (Bentinck Ladies) who edged out Katie McCracken (Powfoot) on the better last six holes. Home favourite Mhairi McKay finished third, three shots adrift. Emma won the Nancy Chisholm trophy. Emma capped a good week having already won the Lehman trophy over Lochgreen on Tuesday.

Top handicap prize was won by the youngest and smallest player, Mirren Fraser of Powfoot. The ten year old compiled a suberb 97 less 30 for a net 67 and a two shot advantage over Beth Donohue from Stirling. Mirren has custody of the Kandy Bar Cup and is one to watch for the future.

In the pre handicap section, played in a "Wee Wonders" Format, home member Lindsay Montgomery took the June Kerr trophy, managing all the way to the 9th green to edge out fellow West Kilbride girl Nicola Turner

The photo below shows competitors with Nancy Chisholm MBE.

The West Kilbride Golf Club Girls Open
Leading Scores 2009

Best Scratch (Nancy Chisholm Trophy)
Emma Hale
Troon Bentick Ladies

Best Net: Kandy Bar Cup
Mirren Fraser
Powfoot

Best Pre handicap: June Kerr Trophy
Lindsay Montgomery
West Kilbride

Lindsay Montgomery, Mirren Fraser & Emma Hale

Pre handicap Up to 12
1, Helen Montgomery
West Kilbride
2 Hayleigh Campbell
Louden
3 Emma Paterson
Louden

Pre Handicap over 12
1. Lindsay Montgomery
West Kilbride

2. Nicola Turner
West Kilbride
3. Sarah Davies
West Kilbride

Bronze
1. Mirren Fraser
Powfoot
2. Beth Donohue
Stirling
3. Kirsty McGuckin
Bonnybridge

Silver
1. Rachel Irvine
Largs
2. Nicola Robertson
Dunblane
3. Rachel Howie
West Kilbride

Scratch
1. Emma Hale
Troon Bentinck Ladies
2. Katie McCracken
Powfoot
3. Mnairi McKay
West Kilbride

Nearest the Pin

Katie McCracken - Powfoot

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY - McInally and McCormack meet in final

The final of the 2009 Ayrshire Champion Of Champions Trophy competition will be between Tommy McInally (Loudoun) and Neil McCormack (New Cumnock) after the semi finals were completed at Royal Troon on Friday evening.

In the first semi final, McInally faced Kevin Fergusson (Prestwick St. Cuthbert). In the early stages, the match was close with McInally forging a two hole lead at the turn. Fergusson reduced the defecit to one but a three putt at the 13th by Fergusson let McInally restore his two hole advantage, which was further extended at the 14th to 3 holes. Fergusson rallied but holes simply ran out and two putts on the 16th green were sugfficient for Mcinally to hal;f the hole and claim a 3 & 2 win.

The other semi final saw McCormack against Andrew Carroll (Drongan). McCormack had the best of the start, going two ahead after four holes. Carroll fought back however and when he won the 10th he held a one hole lead over McCormack.

McCormack quickly squared the match again before going one hole clear as the players reached the 16th. A halved hole at 16 was followed by an opportunity for Carroll at 17 where McCormack missed the green short on the left from the tee whilst Carroll was around 15 feed from the hole in one. McCormack played an excellent recovery shot to the green to three feet and when Carroll narrowly missed his birdie putt, McCormack holed his putt for an excellent three to maintain his one hole advantage to the last.

At the final hole, McCormack drove well whilst Carroll found rough from the tee. As Carroll struggled on the final hole, a good approach to the frond of the green was sufficient for McCormack to elicit a concession from his opponent and record a two hole victory.

The final takes place at Royal Troon next Friday, 14th August with a 5.00 p.m. tee off.

Spectators are welcome to attend and support the finalists at the match.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Kilbirnie withdrawal robs St. Cuthbert of semi final place

The 2009 Ayrshire Junior Golf League competitions have reached the semi final stages.

In the LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP, Largs edged out Troon Welbeck in Section A and now face Irvine Ravenspark, winners of Section B, in the semi final.

Section C winners West Kilbride were srawn to face the winners of Section D, with Loudoun progressing to the semi final from that section in controversial circumstances.

With matches remaining to be played against Loudoun at home and away, due to an earlier postponement of one of the matches, Kilbirnie advised their intention not to complete their fixtures due to lack of players. Under the rules of The League all Kilbirnies results were declared void, leaving St. Cuthbert, who had completed all their fixtures which included wins both home and away against Kilbirnie effectively penalised by eight points.

A suggestion of a play off between Loudoun and St. Cuthbert for the semi final place, which was the resolution agreed by two involved clubs in similar circumstances a few seasons previously, was not acceptable to the Loudoun representative to The League and consequently The League had no option to put Loudoun through to the semi final at the expense of Prestwick St. Cuthbert.

Semi final ties are to be played on a home and away basis over the next few weeks.

In the semi finals of the CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS competition, David McLellan (Largs) faces a home tie against the 2008 Ayrshire Boys Champion Scott Brown (Turnberry) whilst Chris Butler (Irvine Ravenspark) s at home to Adam Foley (Ayr Belleisle) in the second semi final.

In the UNDER 16 KNOCKOUT competition, Ardeer and Largs Routneburn meet in the first semi final at Ardeer whilst Kilmarnock (Barassie) play host to Ballochmyle in the other match.

AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Draw for 2009 event

The 2009 Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship will be held at Prestwick Golf Club from 13th to 15th August.

Contested by the best 8 players in the Ayrshire Boys Championship which took place at Irvine Ravenspark Golf Club on Thursday, the cut for the Matchplay event this year fell at 152.

The new Ayrshire Boys Champion Colin Robinson (Largs) is unavailable for the matchplay as he is playing in the British Boys Championship next week.

The first round draw for the Matchplay, to be played on Thursday 13th August is :-

1630 - Cameron Mclean (West Kilbride) Vs. Sean Thorburn (Ayr Belleisle)

1640 - David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) Vs. Andrew Wright (Kilmarnock Barassie)

1650 - Alasdair McDougall (West Kilbride) Vs. Jared Williams (Kilmacolm)

1700 - Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) Vs. Chris Butler (Irvine Ravenspark)

AYRSHIRE BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Robinson takes 2009 title

Colin Robinson (Largs) - pictured right - is the 2009 Ayrshire Boys Champion after a two stroke victory in the championship held at Irvine Ravenspark Golf Club on Thursday 6th August. The championship attracted a capacity field of some of the best young players in the county.

One handicapper Robinson, who won the West Of Scotland Boys Strokeplay title earlier in the season, opened with a two over par round of 73 which left him two off the halfway lead, held by clubmate Josh Nordbo, but in the afternoon Robinson improved by two shots to return a level par 71 and a two round total of 144.

Cameron McLean (West Kilbride), with a best of the day round of 70 in the afternoon, came closest to Robinson, finishing on 146.

Third place went to host club member Chris Butler with rounds of 74 & 73 for a 147 total.

The best nett return of the day was recorded by local member Liam Gourlay, the 9 handicapper returning 67 & 69 for a 6 under par total of 136.

Leading scores :-

Scratch

144 - Colin Robinson (Largs) - 73/71

146 - cameron McLean (West Kilbride) - 76/70

147 - Chris Butler (Irvine Ravenspark) - 74/73

148 - Jared Williams (Kilmacolm) - 76/72

148 - David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) - 74/74

Nett

136 - Liam Gourlay (Irvine Ravenspark) (9) 67/69

138 - Brad Cathie (Irvine Ravenspark) (10) 69/69

139 - Greg Telfer (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) (11) 71/68

Prizes were presented to the succesful competitors - pictured below - at the conclusion of the championship by Ayrshire Golf Association President Alasdair Malcolm (Prestwick St. Nicholas).

Colin Robinson now travels south to take part in the British Boys Championship at Royal St. Georges next week.

HOME INTERNATIONALS - Two Ayrshire players in Scotland side

Steven McEwan (Caprington) and Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) have been named in the 11 strong Scotland team who will contest the 2009 Home Internationals at Hillside Golf Course in Southport, ngladn from 26th to 28th August.