AYRSHIRE BOYS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Season's opener returns to Loudoun

The opening strokeplay event of the 2014 Ayrshire season takes place at Loudoun Gowf Club on Sunday 20 April, when the Ayrshire Boys Team Championship is played there.

The championship, for the Matt Lygate Trophy, was last played played for over the Loudoun course in the inaugural competition in 1988.

Four trophuies are up for grabs on Sunday amongst the 13 competing clubs, including the Matt Lygate Trophy for the best scratch team score, the Andrew D Nimmo Trophy  for the best net team score and the Prestwick Circuits and Carrick Trophies for the best individual scratch and net scores respectively.

The draw for order of play is:-

Game No	Tee Time	Players Name	Club	Handicap
1	11:00	Player 1	Kilmarnock Barassie
		Hamish Mills	Largs	2
2	11:07	Player 2	Kilmarnock Barassie
		Jack Purdie	Largs	6
3	11:15	Player 3	Kilmarnock Barassie
		Cameron Pettigrew	Largs	8
		Steven Dunlop	Prestwick St Cuthbert	10
4	11:22	Player 4	Kilmarncok Barassie
		David Stratton	Largs	12
		John Glass	Prestwick St Cuthbert	15
5	11:30	Jonathan MacMillan	Prestwick St Cuthbert	18
		Robert Ckark	Ballochmyle	7
		Michael Leach	Royal Troon	5
6	11:37	Aiden Connor	Prestwick St Cuthbert	20
		Andrew Davidson	Ballochmyle	8
		Adam Russell	Royal Troon	16
7	11:45	Player 3	Ballochmyle
		Fraser Chape	Royal Troon	17
		Greg Pollock	Skelmorlie	13
8	11:52	Player 4	Ballochmyle
		Dominic Boland	Royal Troon	20
		Ian Riddell	Skelmorlie	18
9	12:00	Andrew Todd	Skelmorlie	7
		Jordan Fraser	Ayr Belleisle	4
		Graeme Greer	Prestwick St Nicholas	5
10	12:07	Thomas Parker	Skelmorlie	12
		Jordan Sweeney	Ayr Belleisle	5
		Brett McNaught	Prestwick St Nicholas	6
11	12:15	Ross Meikle	Ayr Belleisle	10
		Connor Brooke	Prestwick St Nicholas	6
		Shaun Hedger	West Kilbride	2
12	12:22	Mathew Thomson	Ayr Belleisle	7
		Tom Nairn	Prestwick St Nicholas	8
		Ewan Jack	West Kilbride	6
13	12:30	Jack Kerr	West Kilbride	7
		Callum McLean	Caprington	6
		Stuart Easton	Irvine	+1
14	12:37	Jonathon Duncan	West Kilbride	7
		Cameron Grant	Caprington	7
		Jack Thomas	Irvine	2
15	12:45	Ross McDonald	Irvine	4
		Connor McKay	Loudoun	4
		Murray McCrone	Troon Welbeck	2
16	12:52	Ryan Watson	Caprington	13
		Luke Murdoch	Loudoun	5
		Craig McKenzie	Troon Welbeck	4
17	13:00	Scott Howat	Irvine	11
		Aidan Dore	Loudoun	8
		Campbell Mathieson	Troon Welbeck	5
18	13:07	Connor Duncan	Caprington	10
		Elliot Spence	Loudoun	9
		Blair Fleming	Troon Welbeck	6

 

SCOTTISH BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Easton's title bid ends in semi finals

Stuart Easton

Stuart Easton (Irvine) did Ayrshire proud in the Scottish Boys Championship at West Kilbride on Friday 11 April 2014, winning his quarter final match in the morning before his title bid was eventually halted in the afternoon semi finals.

In the quarter finals, Easton played Innes Ferguson (Drumpellier) and was never behind in the tie. Easton was two holes ahead with five to play but Ferguson finished with two birdies in the final five holes to take the tie into extra holes.

The first extra hole was halved in par fours before Easton edged into the semi finals with a birdie three at the 20th hole of the match.

In the semi final against Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden), Easton had two birdies and a single bogey, although his one under par figures for the holes played could not prevent him going out of the competition to Ferguson, the Bearsden player scoring flawlessly with no dropped shots and four birdies to book his place in the final.

In Saturday's 36 hole final, Ferguson will face Ben Kinsley (St Andrews).

AYRSHIRE LADIES COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP - Linzi Allan wins first title

2014 champion Linzi Allan

Top seed Linzi Allan (West Kilbride), a former US college golf circuit player, won the Ayrshire womens county championship for the first time at Glasgow Gailes Golf Club today, Thursday 10 April 2014.

(Report and photo courtesy of the Cal Carson Golf Agency)

Linzi beat the defending champion and last years Scottish girls champion, Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) on the 18th green in the final.

It was a close game with the first three holes halved in pars.  The first birdie came with a 2 from Connie at the short sixth where she went one ahead.
 
Allan squared the match with a par at the next and was one up at the turn after sinking a 30ft birdie putt at the ninth.

The West Kilbride player won two of the next five holes to increase her lead to three. A half the 15th left her dormie three.
 
Jaffrey prolonged the final with a winning par and a birdie to be one down on the 18th tee.

Both girls were in the greenside bunker at the last in two shots and made good recoveries but Linzi's par putt was good enough to secure the title.

In the semi finals, Linzi Allan beat Alex Glennie (Kilmanrock Barassie) whilst Connie Jaffrey beat Catherine Malcolm (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 3 & 2.

SCOTTISH BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Easton books quarter final place

F

Stuart Easton

or the second year in succession, Stuart Easton (Irvine) is through to the last eight of the Scottish Boys Championship.

In the fifth round match against Robbie Kemsley (Balmore) at West Kilbride on Thursday afternoon, Easton was never behind, although the tie was not decided until the final green.

One up after four holes, Easton extended his lead at the seventh, but a bogey four at the ninth hole saw Easton's lead reduced to a single hole at the turn.

Solid par golf on the inward nine from Easton gave his opponent little opportunity to level the match, and even a birdie three at the eleventh by Kemsley was only good enough to half the hole.

Easton's one dropped shot in the inward half came at the fourteenth, a bogey five allowing Kemsley to level the match for the first time since the third.

Though the match was close, Easton continued on the par trail, finishing with three straight pars and edging a single hole victory after his opponent carded a disasterous double bogey six on the final hole.

In the quarter finals on Friday morning, Easton faces Rory Brunton (Portpatrick) for a place in Friday afternoon's semi finals.

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - McCune through to round 2

Scott McCune (Moorpark) is the latest player to book his place in round 2 of the 2014 Ayrshire Champion Of Champions Trophy.

McCune had a 4 & 2 home win over Kevin Coupland (Malletsheugh) in round one and now faces another home tie in the second round, against either Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) or Ian McKenzie (Saxone).

AYRSHIRE GIRLS GOLF - Spring medal opener at Ayr Seafield

Pictured are the Pre-Handicap girls after the prize-giving

The Ayrshire girls started their 2014 season with the Spring Medal over Ayr Seafield recently

(Report by June Kerr)

Scoring was good in season's opener for Ayrshire Girls.  

Played over Seafield on a bright but very windy afternoon, the winner was Lauren Gilbert (Largs) with a net 67 and runner-up Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) on 69.  

SSS 69 as was the CSS on the day.

6 girls played 10 holes in the Pre-Handicap competition, results are as follows:-

10-11 years                                                                  
53 - Rachel Foster (Turnberry)                          
74 - Kathryn Muir (Troon)                          
78 - Hannah Fulton (North Gailes)                       

12 years and over
58 - Samantha McKay (Loudoun)
60 - Olivia Dunscombe (North Gailes)
64 - Rebecca Hale (North Gailes)

SCOTTISH BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Easton through to last 16

Stuart Easton (Irivne) continued his bid for the Scottish Boys Championship title at West Kilbride on Thursday morning, successfully booking his place in the last 16.

A quarter finalist in the event last year, Easton continued his run in this seasons competition with a 4 & 2 win over Paul Dorrian (Greenock)

In the last 16 match on Thursday afternoon, Easton faces Robbie Kemsley (Balmore).

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - Two more through to round 2

Two more players progressed to round 2 of the 2014 Ayrshire Champion Of Champions Trophy competition at the weekend.

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) had a comfortable 6 & 5 win at home over Iain Harding (North Beach) and now faces an away tie in the next found against Robbie Fulker (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Also through is Kenny Milliken (Troon St Meddans) who was given a walkover by David Taylor (Ayr Seafield).

Milliken now faces a second round tie against either Gordon Boyle (Turnberry) or Billy Smith (Caprington).

AYRSHIRE LADIES COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP - Top seeds through to semi finals

The top two seeds in the 2014 Ayrshire Ladies County Golf Association Championships, being held this week at Glasgow Gailes, won through to the semi finals after the first two rounds of matchplay were completed on Wednesday.

Semi finalists - Alex Glennie, Linzi Allan, Catherine Malcolm & Conne Jaffrey

Linzi Allan (West Kilbride) had 2 & 1 wins over Liz Keohone (Loudoun) and Lauren Gilbert (Largs) to set up a semi final meeting with former champion and Senior Internationalist Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie).

Second seed Catherine Malcolm (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Rachel Irvine (Largs) by 3 & 2 in the opening round and took the semi final place with a 6 & 5 win over Debbie Watt (Belleisle Ladies).

Malcolm now meets Scottish internationalist and defending champion Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) in the semi final.

The semi finals and final are scheduled to be completed on Thursday 10 April.

Results from Wednesday :-

Round 1

Linzi Allan (West Kilbride) beat Liz Keohone (Loudoun) 2 and 1
Lauren Gilbert (Largs) beat Jenny Linklater (Largs) 3 and 1
Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Sheila Adams (Loudoun) 4 and 2
Pauline Patrick (Irvine) beat Lesley Barker (Kilmarnock Barassie) 6 and 5
Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) beat Margaret White (Prestwick St Nicholas) 8 and 7
Jane Finnie (Troon Ladies) beat Sharon Lambie (Kilmarnock Barassie) 2 and 1
Debbie Watt (Ayr Belleisle) beat Alex Sargent (Skelmorlie) 2 and 1
Catherine Malcolm (Prestwick St Cuthbert) bear Rachel Irvine (Largs) 3 and 2

Round 2

Linzi Allan beat Lauren Gilbert 2 and 1.
Alex Glennie beat Pauline Patrick 5 and 3.
Connie Jaffrey beat Jane Finnie 4 and 3.
Catherine Malcolm beat Debbie Watt 6 and 5.

SCOTTISH BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Easton is sole Ayrshire hope in last 32

Stuart Easton

Boys internationalist Stuart Easton (Irvine GC) is Ayrshire's sole remaining hope for the 2014 Scottish Boys Championship, being held this week at West Kilbride GC, as the championship reached the last 32 stage.

The championship began on Monday with the early plaudits going to Campbell Mathieson (Troon Welbeck) who recorded the highest winning score of the day with a 8 & 7 victory over Luke Ralston (Cawder).

Easton eased through his first round tie on Monday against Lewis Black (Bruntsfield Links) with a 4 & 3 win, whilst his clubmate Ross McDonald also won through to round 2 with a 3 & 1 win over Nathan Watson (Kirkcudbright).

Other first round winners on Monday included Jordan Fraser (Ayr Belleisle) who beat Keith Bowman (St Andrews New) by 2 & 1, Jack Thomas (Irvine) with a 3 & 1 win over Dylan Burt (Bellshill), Luke Murdoch (Loudoun) who beat Andrew Webber (Lenzie) by 1 hole and Jordan Sweeney (Ayr Belleisle) who went through courtesy of a 1 hole win over David Mackinnon (Peterhead)

Ayrshire players who departed in round 1 on Monday were Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) who last 5 & 4 to Ross Robertson (Old Ranfurly), Robert Meddings (Ayr Belleisle) who lost by the same margin to Ryan Lumsden (Royal Wimbledon), Andrew Gordon ,who lost 3 & 2 to Stuart Lavelle (Dumbarton), Blair Gavin (Kilmarnock Barassie) who agonisingly lost at the 21st to Jack Williams (Sandyhills). Adam Wilson (Ayr Belleisle) who was defeated 6 & 5 by Daragh Cuddihy (Gourock) and finally Murray McCrone (Troon Welbeck)  who lost at the 19th to Josh Beatt (Fereneze).

Ayrshire interest in the remaining first round matches, played on Tuesday morning, were all but snuffed out, with only Hamish Mills, a member at Largs but playing out of Cardross, progressing to the second round, courtesy of a 4 & 3 win over Marc Reid (Royal Musselburgh).

The Ayrshire players who exited in round 1 on Tuesday included Sean Cook (Kilmarnock Barassie) who lost 3 & 1 to Gregor Macintosh (Mannings Heath), Connor McKay (Loudoun) who was beaten 3 & 1 by Conor Toal (Old Ranfurly), Jack Purdie (Largs) who lost by 2 & 1 to Pierce Whelan (Bathgate) and Connor Brooke (Prestwick St Nicholas) who went down 4 & 3 to Conor Harkness (Dumfries & Galloway).

Whilst Stuart Easton edged through his second round match on Tuesday with a 1 hole win over William Walker (Woodhall Spa) his clubmate Ross McDonald bowed out to a 5 & 3 defeat by Paul Dorrian (Greenock).

Also exiting in the second round was Campbell Mathieson (Troon Welbeck), courtesy of a 3 & 1 defeat by Cameron Fraser (Old Meldrum) whilst Hamish Mills kept his efforts on track with a 5 & 4 win over Jamie Sinnamon (Greenock Whinhill).

Jordan Fraser (Ayr Belleisle) was halted in round 2 with a 5 & 4 defeat by Findlay Soutar (Montrose Merchantile).

Second round defeats also befell Jack Thomas, who lost 4 & 2 to Ryan Lumsden (Royal Liverpool) and Luke Murdoch (Loudoun) who lost by 6 & 4 to Niall McMullen (Lundin), whilst Jordan Sweeney's hopes continued with a 19th hole win over Fergus Aitken (Cathcart Castle).

In round 3 on Wednesday, Jordan Sweeney (Ayr Belleisle) faced Innes Ferguson (Drumpellier) but lost out by 5 & 3, and when Hamish Mills lost by the same margin to Robert McIntyre (Glencruitten), Stuart Easton was the sole Ayrshire player left in the last 32.

On Thursday morning, Easton faces Callum McGuigan (Comrie) for a place in the last 16 of the competition.

AYRSHIRE LADIES COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP - Linzi Allan takes top qualifying place at Glasgow Gailes

Linzi Allan

Linzi Allan from West Kilbride was the top qualifier in the 2014 Ayrshire Ladies County Golf Association Championship, being played at Glasgow Gailes from 8th to 10th April.

The strokeplay qualifying round was held yesterday, Tuesday 8th April, in strong winds, and Allan returned an excellent level par 71 to lead the qualifying by 6 shots from Catherine Malcolm (Prestwick St Cuthbert) on 76. Defending champion Connie Jaffrey was one shot further back on 77.

The best net score of the day was a 66 by Margaret White (Prestwick St Nicholas), playing off a handicap of 21.

LEADING SCORES :-

71 - Linzi Allan (West Kilbride)
76 - Catherine Malcolm (Prestwick St Cuthbert)
77 - Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies)
79 - Pauline Patrick (Irvine)
80 - Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie) , Jane Finnie (Troon Ladies)
83 - Debbie Watt (Belleisle Ladies)
84 - Jenny Linklater (Largs), Lauren Gilbert (Largs), Alex Sargent (Skelmorlie)
86 - Sharon Lambie (Kilmarnock Barassie), Sheila Adams (Loudoun)
87 - Lesley Barker (Kilmarnock Barassie), Margaret White (Prestwick St Nicholas)
88 - Rachel Irvine (Largs)
89 - Liz Keohone (Loudoun)

The first two rounds of matchplay are scheduled to be completed on Wednesday 9th April.

The first round draw is :-

L Allan v L Keohone
L Gilbert v J Linklater
A Glennie v S Adams
L Barker v P Patrick
C Jaffrey v M White
S Lambie v J Finnie
D Watt v A Sargent
R Irvine v C Malcolm

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - Jess secures place in round 2

Andrew Jess (Ayr Belleisle) is the latest player to secure his place in the second round of the 2014 Champion OF Champions tournament.

In his first round local derby match against Steven Bolland (Tam O Shanter), Jess won through by 4 & 3.

Jess now faces another home match in the second round, against Craig Young (Loudoun)

AYRSHIRE CHAMPIONSHIPS - Closing dates for two events approaching

Players and team managers are reminded that the closing dates for the first two championships of the season in Ayrshire are approaching.

The AYRSHIRE STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP takes place at Irvine Golf Club on Sunday 27th April.

Handicap limit is 4 and cost of entry is £20.

All entries must be in the hands off the AGA Secretary by Saturday 5th April.

The AYRSHIRE BOYS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP takes place at Loudoun Gowf Club on Sunday 20th April.

Entry per team is £25 and is limited to one team per club.

Entries must be in the hands of  the AGA Secretary by Sunday 6th April.

Entry forms for both events can be downloaded direct from this page via the appropriate link on the left hand column.

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY - Holder McEwan ousted in first round

Round 1 winner Robbie Fulker

Defending champion Steven McEwan (Loudoun) saw his bid for a third successive Champion Of Champions title dashed at the first hurdle on Sunday 30 March when he lost out in his opening tie in this seasons competition.

McEwan faced an away tie against Robbie Fulker at Kilmarnock Barassie and it was the veteran home player who won through to round two with a 2 & 1 victory.

Fulker now faces an away tie in round two against the winner of the first round match between last years beaten finalist Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) and Ian Harding (North beach)

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - First two results posted for 2014

The first two results n the 2014 Ayrshire Champion Of Champions competition have been posted, with both ties resulting in away wins.

Darren Mallinson (Irvine Ravenspark) returned with a 3 & 2 win on his visit to play Graeme Gimson (Prestwick St Cuthbert). Mallinson now has a home fixture in round 2 against the winner of the tie between Craig Anderson (Ayr Carrick) and Iain McDonald (Largs).

In the other tie, Craig Young (Loudoun) edged home by a single hole on his visit to play Thomas Freer (Alton). Young is away from home again in round two, against either Andrew Jess (Ayr Belleisle) or Steven Bolland (Tam O Shanter).