AYRSHIRE CHAMPIONSHIPS - 13 days until entries close for 2017 competitions.

Entries for the Ayrshire Champion Of Champions, Ayrshire Fourball, Ayrshire Scratch Leagues, Gary Bryden Memorial Salver and President's Putter competitions close in thirteen days time, on 31st January.

Any club who requires further copies of the entry forms, which were emailed to all member clubs on 1st November last year, should email the Area Secretary, Alasdair Malcolm, at ayrshire.golf@btinternet.com 

The entries received to date, Wednesday 18th January, are :-

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

John Sloan (Title Holder)

Steven Dunlop (Alton)

Frank Murdoch (Brunston Castle)

Mark Tait (Rowallan Castle)

James McMurdo (Ballochmyle)

Robert Murdoch (Doon Valley)

Martin Riddall (New Cumnock)

Derek Watt (Drongan)

Kieran Clark (Braehead)

Iain Fraser (Troon Portland)

Scott Little (Auchenharvie 88)

John Shanks (Irvine)

David Clydesdale (Glacier)

Craig Burns (Muirkirk)

Darren Mallinson (Irvine Ravenspark)

Blair Henderson (Ayr Carrick)

David A Macdonald (Largs)

Shaun Ryan (Ayr Dalmilling)

Johnny O’Neill (N B Parkstone)

Adam Sweeney (Largs Routenburn)

Derek Ballantyne (Ardeer)

Scott Ireland (Prestwick St Nicholas)

Gordon Munro (Caprington)

Scott McCune (Moorpark)

Steven Jackson (Wallacetown)

Andrew Gilligan (Troon St Meddans)

Michael Smyth (Royal Troon)

Clubs who entered last year but have not submitted entries to date are:

Abbotsford

Annanhill

Ayr Belleisle

Ayr Seafield

Crosshouse

Girvan

Kilbirnie Place

Kilmarnock (Barassie)

Loudoun

Malletsheugh

Prestwick St Cuthbert

Skelmorlie

Stewarton

Tam O Shanter

The Chase

Troon Welbeck

Turnberry

West Kilbride

Whiting Bay

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Graeme Kerr & Gerry Reid (Alton)

Douglas McCormick & Jamie McCrindle (Brunston Castle)

Shaun Hedger & Brendan Tumilty (West Kilbride)

David Addison & Phillip Rooney (Rowallan Castle)

John McNair & Stephen Miller (Ballochmyle)

Lee McGuckin & Robert McGuckin (Doon Valley)

Gary Dawid & Steven Nisbet (New Cumnock)

Drew McCutcheon & Colin Pettigrew (Drongan)

Tommy O'Ware & James O'Ware (Braehead)

Stuart Wilson & Ross Livingstone (Troon Portland)

James Donohoe & George Donohoe Snr (Auchenharvie 88)

Stephen Wells & Gordon Storrar (Irvine)

John Toal & Kevin Campbell (Glacier)

Hugh Fyfe & Bobby Hill (Muirkirk)

Archie McKie & Archie McKie Jr (Irvine Ravenspark)

Robert Martin & Andrew McMorland (Ayr Carrick)

Iain Barr & Alan Madden (Largs)

Alex Bryan & Hugh McWilliam (Ayr Dalmilling)

Graeme Warnock & Craig Barr (N B Parkstone)

William Loughran & Kevin Rowe (Largs Routenburn)

Adam Porter & Neil Stevenson (Ardeer)

Robert Liddell & Wilhelm Smith (Caprington)

Alan Pole & Martin Cairns (Prestwick St Nicholas)

Robert Stewart & Tony Kelly (Moorpark)

Steven Jackson & Andy Graham (Wallacetown)

Chris Young & Scott Thomason (Troon St Meddans)

Clubs who entered last year but have not submitted entries to date are:

Abbotsford

Annanhill

Ayr Belleisle

Ayr Neptune

Ayr Seafield

Crosshouse

Girvan

Kilbirnie Place

Kilmarnock (Barassie)

Loudoun

Malletsheugh

Prestwick St Cuthbert

Skelmorlie

Stewarton

Tam O Shanter

The Chase

Troon Merchants

Troon Welbeck

  

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES

Brunston Castle

West Kilbride

Ballochmyle

Rowallan Castle

New Cumnock

Troon Portland

Irvine

Irvine Ravenspark

Largs

Largs Routenburn

Prestwick St Nicholas

Caprington

Moorpark

Troon St Meddans

Clubs who entered last year but have not submitted entries to date are:

Prestwick St Cuthbert

Turnberry

Loudoun

Kilmarnock (Barassie)

Ayr Belleisle

Troon Welbeck

Girvan

Kilbirnie Place

Tam O Shanter

Crosshouse

Ardeer

Ayr Dalmilling

Ayr Seafield

THE GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL SALVER

(Scratch Club Team Knockout)

Rowallan Castle

West Kilbride

Brunston Castle

Ballochmyle

New Cumnock

Troon Portland

Irvine Ravenspark

Ayr Dalmilling

Ardeer

Prestwick St Nicholas

Caprington

Moorpark

Troon St Meddans

Royal Troon

Clubs who entered last year but have not submitted entries to date are:

Abbotsford

Ayr Belleisle

Ayr Seafield

Caprington

Crosshouse

Girvan

Irvine

Kilbirnie Place

Kilmarnock (Barassie)

Largs

Loudoun

Muirkirk

Prestwick St Cuthbert

Tam O Shanter

Troon Portland

Troon Welbeck

Turnberry

THE PRESIDENT’S PUTTER

(Handicap Club Team Knockout)

Brunston Castle

Ballochmyle

Rowallan Castle

New Cumnock

West Kilbride

Drongan

Braehead

Troon Portland

Auchenharvie 88

Muirkirk

Irvine Ravenspark

Ayr Dalmilling

Ardeer

Prestwick St Nicholas

Caprington

Moorpark

Troon St Meddans

Clubs who entered last year but have not submitted entries to date are:

Abbotsford

Ayr Belleisle

Ayr Neptune

Ayr Seafield

Crosshouse

Girvan

Kilbirnie Place

Kilmarnock (Barassie)

Largs

Loudoun

North Beach

Prestwick St Cuthbert

Prestwick St Nicholas

Skelmorlie

Stewarton

Tam O Shanter

Troon Merchants

Troon Welbeck

Turnberry

AYRSHIRE COMPETITIONS - Entry update

There are just 16 days left until entries close for a number of the Ayrshire Golf Association extended matchplay competitions for the forthcoming 2017 season.

The entries received for each of the competitions to date (15^th January) are :-

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

John Sloan (Title Holder)

Steven Dunlop (Alton)

Frank Murdoch (Brunston Castle)

Mark Tait (Rowallan Castle)

James McMurdo (Ballochmyle)

Robert Murdoch (Doon Valley)

Martin Riddall (New Cumnock)

Derek Watt (Drongan)

Kieran Clark (Braehead)

Iain Fraser (Troon Portland)

Scott Little (Auchenharvie 88)

John Shanks (Irvine)

David Clydesdale (Glacier)

Craig Burns (Muirkirk)

Darren Mallinson (Irvine Ravenspark)

Blair Henderson (Ayr Carrick)

David A Macdonald (Largs)

Shaun Ryan (Ayr Dalmilling)

Johnny O’Neill (N B Parkstone)

Adam Sweeney (Largs Routenburn)

Derek Ballantyne (Ardeer)

Scott Ireland (Prestwick St Nicholas)

Gordon Munro (Caprington)

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Graeme Kerr & Gerry Reid (Alton)

Douglas McCormick & Jamie McCrindle (Brunston Castle)

Shaun Hedger & Brendan Tumilty (West Kilbride)

David Addison & Phillip Rooney (Rowallan Castle)

John McNair & Stephen Miller (Ballochmyle)

Lee McGuckin & Robert McGuckin (Doon Valley)

Gary Dawid & Steven Nisbet (New Cumnock)

Drew McCutcheon & Colin Pettigrew (Drongan)

Tommy O'Ware & James O'Ware (Braehead)

Stuart Wilson & Ross Livingstone (Troon Portland)

James Donohoe & George Donohoe Snr (Auchenharvie 88)

Stephen Wells & Gordon Storrar (Irvine)

John Toal & Kevin Campbell (Glacier)

Hugh Fyfe & Bobby Hill (Muirkirk)

Archie McKie & Archie McKie Jr (Irvine Ravenspark)

Robert Martin & Andrew McMorland (Ayr Carrick)

Iain Barr & Alan Madden (Largs)

Alex Bryan & Hugh McWilliam (Ayr Dalmilling)

Graeme Warnock & Craig Barr (N B Parkstone)

William Loughran & Kevin Rowe (Largs Routenburn)

Adam Porter & Neil Stevenson (Ardeer)

Robert Liddell & Wilhelm Smith (Caprington)

Alan Pole & Martin Cairns (Prestwick St Nicholas)

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES

Brunston Castle

West Kilbride

Ballochmyle

Rowallan Castle

New Cumnock

Troon Portland

Irvine

Irvine Ravenspark

Largs

Largs Routenburn

Prestwick St Nicholas

Caprington

THE GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL SALVER

(Scratch Club Team Knockout)

Rowallan Castle

West Kilbride

Brunston Castle

Ballochmyle

New Cumnock

Troon Portland

Irvine Ravenspark

Ayr DalmillingArdeer

Prestwick St Nicholas

Caprington

THE PRESIDENT’S PUTTER

(Handicap Club Team Knockout)

Brunston Castle

Ballochmyle

Rowallan Castle

New Cumnock

West Kilbride

Drongan

Braehead

Troon Portland

Auchenharvie 88

Muirkirk

Irvine Ravenspark

Ayr Dalmilling

Ardeer

Prestwick St Nicholas

Caprington

AYRSHIRE COUNTY COMPETITIONS - Three weeks left until entries close

Clubs are reminded that there is just under three weeks left to submit entries for five of the main Ayrshire Golf Association competitions for 2017.

The extended competitions, including the Handicap and Scratch Club Team Competitions, The Scratch Leagues, the Fourball Championship and the Champion Of Champions Trophy competition will be played throughout the season, and entries for all five events close on 31st January.

Entry forms were sent by email to all member clubs on 1st November 2016. If any club needs a further copy of the entry forms they should contact the Area Secretary.

The entries received for each of the competitions to date (11^th January) are :-

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

John Sloan (Title Holder)

Steven Dunlop (Alton)

Frank Murdoch (Brunston Castle)

Mark Tait (Rowallan Castle)

James McMurdo (Ballochmyle)

Robert Murdoch (Doon Valley)

Martin Riddall (New Cumnock)

Derek Watt (Drongan)

Kieran Clark (Braehead)

Iain Fraser (Troon Portland)

Scott Little (Auchenharvie 88)

John Shanks (Irvine)

David Clydesdale (Glacier)

Craig Burns (Muirkirk)

Darren Mallinson (Irvine Ravenspark)

Blair Henderson (Ayr Carrick)

David A Macdonald (Largs)

Shaun Ryan (Ayr Dalmilling)

Johnny O’Neill (N B Parkstone)

Adam Sweeney (Largs Routenburn)

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Graeme Kerr & Gerry Reid (Alton)

Douglas McCormick & Jamie McCrindle (Brunston Castle)

Shaun Hedger & Brendan Tumilty (West Kilbride)

David Addison & Phillip Rooney (Rowallan Castle)

John McNair & Stephen Miller (Ballochmyle)

Lee McGuckin & Robert McGuckin (Doon Valley)

Gary Dawid & Steven Nisbet (New Cumnock)

Drew McCutcheon & Colin Pettigrew (Drongan)

Tommy O'Ware & James O'Ware (Braehead)

Stuart Wilson & Ross Livingstone (Troon Portland)

James Donohoe & George Donohoe Snr (Auchenharvie 88)

Stephen Wells & Gordon Storrar (Irvine)

John Toal & Kevin Campbell (Glacier)

Hugh Fyfe & Bobby Hill (Muirkirk)

Archie McKie & Archie McKie Jr (Irvine Ravenspark)

Robert Martin & Andrew McMorland (Ayr Carrick)

Iain Barr & Alan Madden (Largs)

Alex Bryan & Hugh McWilliam (Ayr Dalmilling)

Graeme Warnock & Craig Barr (N B Parkstone)

William Loughran & Kevin Rowe (Largs Routenburn)

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES

Brunston Castle

West Kilbride

Ballochmyle

Rowallan Castle

New Cumnock

Troon Portland

Irvine

Irvine Ravenspark

Largs

Largs Routenburn

THE GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL SALVER

(Scratch Club Team Knockout)

Rowallan Castle

West Kilbride

Brunston Castle

Ballochmyle

New Cumnock

Troon Portland

Irvine Ravenspark

Ayr Dalmilling

THE PRESIDENT’S PUTTER

(Handicap Club Team Knockout)

Brunston Castle

Ballochmyle

Rowallan Castle

New Cumnock

West Kilbride

Drongan

Braehead

Troon Portland

Auchenharvie 88

Muirkirk

Irvine Ravenspark

Ayr Dalmilling

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION ANNUAL DINNER AND PRESENTATION OF PRIZES - Tickets now available

Tickets for the 2017 Ayrshire Golf Association Annual Dinner & Presentation Of Prizes are now available for purchase. Posters and information have been forwarded to all member clubs.

The dinner will be held at Loudoun Gowf Club on Friday 24th February, with tickets priced at £17.50 each.

THE AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION

 

ANNUAL DINNER

&

PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES

At

LOUDOUN GOWF CLUB

FRIDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2017

6.30 P.M. FOR 7.00 P.M.

 SPEAKER

 To Be Confirmed

  

TICKETS PRICED AT

£17.50 EACH

ARE AVAILABLE FROM

THE AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION SECRETARY

ALASDAIR J. MALCOLM

17 AUCHINCRUIVE AVENUE

PRESTWICK

KA9 2DT

Tel. 01292 477657

Email – ayrshire.golf@btinternet.com

DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - New counting event for 2017

A new counting event will be added to the Doc Thom Ayrshire Order of Merit in 2017, with the introduction of The Stone Trophy open competition at Largs Routenburn Golf Club.

The 2017 competition will take place on Saturday 1st July with an entry fee of £10.

A full list of counting events for the 2017 Doc Thom Ayrshire Order of Merit will be published soon.

'READY GOLF' - Trial policy for Ayrshire strokeplay events in 2017

The Ayrshire Golf Association will trial the concept of ‘Ready golf’ in all county strokeplay events in 2017.

The policy has been introduced in an effort to alleviate the issue of slow play, having been endorsed in 2016 by the R & A.

Information on the concept from the R & A website is reproduced below.

“Ready golf” is a commonly used term which indicates that players should play when they are ready to do so, rather than adhering strictly to the “farthest from the hole plays first” stipulation in the Rules of Golf.

“Ready golf” is not appropriate in match play due to the strategy involved between opponents and the need to have a set method for determining which player plays first. However, in stroke play formats it is only the act of agreeing to play out of turn to give one of the players an advantage that is prohibited. 

On this basis, it is permissible for administrators to encourage “ready golf” in stroke play, and there is strong evidence to suggest that playing “ready golf” does improve the pace of play. For example, in a survey of Australian golf clubs conducted by Golf Australia, 94% of clubs that had promoted “ready golf” to their members enjoyed some degree of success in improving pace of play, with 25% stating that they had achieved 'satisfying success'.

When “ready golf” is being encouraged, players have to act sensibly to ensure that playing out of turn does not endanger other players.

“Ready golf” should not be confused with being ready to play, which is covered in the Player Behaviour section of this Manual.

The term “ready golf” has been adopted by many as a catch-all phrase for a number of actions that separately and collectively can improve pace of play. There is no official definition of the term, but examples of “ready golf” in action are:

• ·         Hitting a shot when safe to do so if a player farther away faces a challenging shot and is taking time to assess their options

• ·         Shorter hitters playing first from the tee or fairway if longer hitters have to wait

• ·         Hitting a tee shot if the person with the honour is delayed in being ready to play

• ·         Hitting a shot before helping someone to look for a lost ball

• ·         Putting out even if it means standing close to someone else’s line

• ·         Hitting a shot if a person who has just played from a greenside bunker is still farthest from the hole but is delayed due to raking the bunker

• ·         When a player’s ball has gone over the back of a green, any player closer to the hole but chipping from the front of the green should play while the other player is having to walk to their ball and assess their shot

• ·         Marking scores upon immediate arrival at the next tee, except that the first player to tee off marks their card immediately after teeing off

The trial period will commence with the Ayrshire Junior Team Championship in April and will include the Ayrshire Strokeplay Championship, the new Ayrshire Handicap Championship, The Ayrshire Club Championship, The Ayrshire Seniors Championship and The Ayrshire Boys Championship, and if successful consideration will be given to continuing the policy in future years.

SAXONE GOLF CLUB - County numbers drop to 61 clubs with demise of Kilmarnock based club

The number of member clubs affiliated to The Ayrshire Golf Association has been reduced by one to 61, following the news that the Saxone Golf Club will no longer be functioning as a club.

The Kilmarnock based club, whose origins stem from the Saxone shoe firm whose manufacturing premises were located in the town, have struggled to attract membership in recent times and indeed the club Secretary cited the lack of numbers as the reason for the club discontinuing to function as a golf club.

It is regrettable that one of The Association's member clubs has had to make the difficult decision to discontinue, but the best wishes of all at The Association is extended to the former Saxone members, who will hopefully continue their association with Ayrshire golf through other local clubs.

AYRSHIRE CLUB TEAM KNOCKOUT CHAMPIONSHIPS - Entries close on 31st January

Clubs are reminded that entries for the two Ayrshire Club Team Knockout Championships, for the President's Putter and The Gary Bryden Memorial Salver, close on 31st January.

The two team events which proved a success when introduced for the first time last year, are played throughout the season, with the finals scheduled to take place on finals day in September.

Entry forms were emailed to all affiliated clubs on 1st November 2016, along with those for other extended competitions this year. Any club not in receipt of the entry forms should contact the Area Secretary.

The entries received to date (4th January) for this years competition are :-

Scratch Club Team Knockout for The Gary Bryden Memorial Salver

Rowallan Castle

West Kilbride

Brunston Castle

Ballochmyle

New Cumnock

Troon Portland

Irvine Ravenspark

Handicap Club Team Knockout for The President's Putter

Brunston Castle

Ballochmyle

Rowallan Castle

New Cumnock

West Kilbride

Drongan

Braehead

Troon Portland

Auchenharvie 88

Muirkirk

Irvine Ravenspark

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - 2017 entries close on 31st January

Clubs are reminded that entries for the 2017 Ayrshire Scratch Leagues close on 31st January.

The scratch league fixtures are played throughout the summer months, with teams of six players representing the competing clubs in each match.

The exact composition of each of the leagues will be confirmed once the final number of entries are known, with either four or five leagues operating again this year, depending on the number of participating clubs.

Entry forms were emailed to all affiliated clubs on 1st November 2016, along with those for other extended competitions this year. Any club not in receipt of the entry forms should contact the Area Secretary.

Information will be forwarded to nominated club representatives shortly after the closing date for entries. All confirmed fixture dates will be required to be submitted by 31st march 2017, and all fixtures must be completed this year by 31st August.

Any club considering entering the competition for the first time can obtain further information from the Area Secretary.

The entries received to date (4th January) for this years competition are :-

Brunston Castle

West Kilbride

Ballochmyle

Rowallan Castle

New Cumnock

Troon Portland

Irvine

Irvine Ravenspark

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Entries close on 31st January

Clubs are reminded that entries for the 2017 Ayrshire Fourball Championship competition close on 31st January.

The matchplay event takes place throughout the season with the final scheduled to take place on Finals day in September.

Entry forms were emailed to all affiliated clubs on 1st November 2016, along with those for other extended competitions this year. Any club not in receipt of the entry forms should contact the Area Secretary.

The entries received to date (4th January) for this years competition are :-

Graeme Kerr & Gerry Reid (Alton)

Douglas McCormick & Jamie McCrindle (Brunston Castle)

Shaun Hedger & Brendan Tumilty (West Kilbride)

David Addison & Phillip Rooney (Rowallan Castle)

John McNair & Stephen Miller (Ballochmyle)

Lee McGuckin & Robert McGuckin (Doon Valley)

Gary Dawid & Steven Nisbet (New Cumnock)

Drew McCutcheon & Colin Pettigrew (Drongan)

Tommy O'Ware & James O'Ware (Braehead)

Stuart Wilson & Ross Livingstone (Troon Portland)

James Donohoe & George Donohoe Snr (Auchenharvie 88)

Stephen Wells & Gordon Storrar (Irvine)

John Toal & Kevin Campbell (Glacier)

Hugh Fyfe & Bobby Hill (Muirkirk)

Archie McKie & Archie McKie Jr (Irvine Ravenspark)

Robert martin & Andrew McMorland (Ayr Carrick)

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - Entries close on 31st January

Clubs are reminded that entries for the 2017 Ayrshire Champion Of Champions Trophy competition close on 31st January.

The matchplay event takes place throughout the season with the semi finals and final being played at Royal Troon on Friday 4th and Friday 11th August respectively.

Entry forms were emailed to all affiliated clubs on 1st November 2016, along with those for other extended competitions this year. Any club not in receipt of the entry forms should contact the Area Secretary.

The entries received to date (4th January) for this years competition are :-

John Sloan (Title Holder)
Steven Dunlop (Alton)
Frank Murdoch (Brunston Castle)
Mark Tait (Rowallan Castle)
James McMurdo (Ballochmyle)
Robert Murdoch (Doon Valley)
Martin Riddall (New Cumnock)
Derek Watt (Drongan)
Kieran Clark (Braehead)
Iain Fraser (Troon Portland)
Scott Little (Auchenharvie 88)
John Shanks (Irvine)
David Clydesdale (Glacier)
Craig Burns (Muirkirk)
Darren Mallinson (Irvine Ravenspark)
Blair Henderson (Ayr Carrick)

AYRSHIRE BOYS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - New championship title as competition becomes all inclusive

The traditional opening event in the Ayrshire golf calendar, The Ayrshire Boys Team Championship, will undergo some important changes prior to the staging of the 2017 event at Caprington Golf Club on Sunday 23rd April this year.  

The major alteration to the competition itself is a change of conditions to allow clubs to submit a team consisting of both boys and girls for the first time, the event having previously been exclusively for male junior golfers.

The change follows on from the decision taken in recent years by The Ayrshire Junior Golf League to allow mixed teams in all their competitions, which has proved to be a success, Rachel Foster becoming the first girl to be in a title winning Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship team when Turnberry took the title in 2016.

The championship will now be known as The Ayrshire Junior Team Championship, and other than the significant player qualification alteration, the format of the event remains the same, with the Matt Lygate and Andrew D Nimmo Trophies being competed for in the team competition and the Prestwick Circuits and Carrick Trophies being contested on an individual basis..

Entry forms and further information will be forwarded to clubs in due course.

AYRSHIRE SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP - Changes for 2017

Some changes to the Ayrshire Seniors Championship have been agreed, and will be introduced during the 2017 competition.

After considering feedback from competitors in recent championships, it has been decided that, to enhance the competition for participants, that two nearest the hole prizes and also a Magic Twos option will be introduced in 2017.

The 2017 competition takes place on Tuesday 18th July over the Ayr Seafield course.

Entry forms and further details will be forwarded to member clubs in due course and the entry form will also be made available to download via the Ayrshire Golf Association web page. 

NEW EVENT FOR 2017 - Ayrshire Handicap Strokeplay Championship scheduled for 2017

The Ayrshire Golf Association are pleased to announce that a new Ayrshire Handicap Strokeplay Championship has been scheduled for the 2017 season.

The championship will be open to any male golfer who is a member of a club affiliated to The Ayrshire Golf Association and prizes will be available in two handicap classes of 0 - 12 and 13 - 24.

Entry will be limited to 120 players, with times being allocated on a first come first served basis.

Further details and entry forms will be forwarded to member clubs, and will be available to download from the Ayrshire Golf Association web page, in due course.

The inaugural competition will be held at Rowallan Castle Golf Club on Sunday 25th June, and if the first championship proves successful it is anticipated that the event will become an annual fixture.

2017 AYRSHIRE STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Change of date for this year at Western Gailes

The Ayrshire Strokeplay Championship, traditionally played on the last Sunday in April each year, will be played this year a week later on Sunday 7th May, after consultation with the host club Western Gailes.

Entry forms for the championship will be made available through clubs and the Ayrshire Golf Association web page in due course.

The result of the change of date, for this year only, is that the Ayrshire Matchplay Championship will begin the day after the strokeplay championship, as previously scheduled, from Monday 8th to Thursday 11th May over the links of Prestwick Golf Club, meaning there will not be the usual week gap between the strokeplay championship and the start of the matchplay.

The event remains a counting event for the World Amateur Golf rankings.

All prospective participants are encouraged to note the new arrangements, which will be included in the full calendar of events which will be published soon.

BALL ACCIDENTALLY MOVED ON THE PUTTING GREEN - New Local Rule available for use from January 2017

The R&A and the USGA today announced the introduction of a new Local Rule to the Rules of Golf that eliminates the penalty when a ball is accidentally moved on the putting green.

The Local Rule will be available for any committee in charge of a golf competition to use starting 1 January 2017. It will be adopted by The R&A and the USGA in all of their championships, qualifying competitions and international matches.

David Rickman, Executive Director - Governance at The R&A, said, “For the past several years, as part of The R&A and USGA’s Rules Modernisation initiative, we have considered the penalty for a ball that is accidentally moved on the putting green.

“Both Rules Committees agreed that it needed to be changed and decided that in this particular case it was important to act now, through a Local Rule, rather than wait for the next overall set of revisions to the Rules of Golf.”

Thomas Pagel, Senior Director, Rules of Golf and Amateur Status at the USGA, said, “Eliminating this penalty responds to the concerns we have heard from both golfers and committees about the difficulties in applying the current Rules when a player accidentally causes a ball to move on the putting green.

“This change is a good example of the type of Rules Modernisation changes we hope to implement after completing our fundamental review of all of the Rules. We are looking for ways to improve the Rules by making them easier to understand and apply.”

Use of Local Rule

The Local Rule has been welcomed by all of the major golf Tours worldwide, and the PGA TOUR, European Tour, LPGA, PGA of America and the Masters Tournament are among the golf organisations that will implement the Local Rule for all future events, beginning 1 January 2017.

An infographic is also available to illustrate how the new Local Rule should be used. If a Committee wishes to introduce this Local Rule, the following wording is recommended:

“Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows:

When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment.

The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1.

This Local Rule applies only when the player’s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental.

Note: If it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced."

The Local Rule and a detailed Q&A is also available to download.