AYRSHIRE HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP - Troon Merchants withdraw from Section D, whilst Caprington claim first spot in the knockout stages.

Troon Merchants have withdrawn from the 2022 Ayrshire Handicap League competition, due to issues in raising a team for their scheduled fixtures.

The withdrawal leaves just three teams to contest qualifying section D.

In SECTION A, there is everything to play for, with three clubs presently tied on 12 points at the top pf the table. Kilmarnock Barassie beat their visitors from Royal Troon by 4 – 2 recently but their qualification hopes took a setback in their most recent fixture when they lost 4.5 – 1.5 away to Portmann, who made it three wins from three at home with a 5 – 1 defeat of Ayr Belleisle at the end of May.

Present positions in Section A are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Tam O Shanter	4	2	2	0	16	8	8	12
Portmann	4	3	0	1	15.5	8.5	7	12
Kilmarnock Barassie	5	2	2	1	13.5	16.5	-3	12
Royal Troon	4	0	2	2	8.5	10.5	-2	4
Ayr Belleisle	3	0	0	3	3	15	-12	0

 

In SECTION B, Moorpark moved clear at the top of the table following home and away wins over their near neighbours, Auchenharvie 88, by 4 – 2 and 5 – 1 respectively.

Present positions in Section B are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Moorpark	4	3	1	0	17	7	10	14
Auchenharvie 88	5	2	1	2	15	15	0	10
Prestwick St Nicholas	2	0	2	0	6	6	0	4
Alton	3	1	0	2	8	10	-2	4
Kilbirnie Place	2	0	0	2	2	10	-8	0

 

In SECTION C, Annanhill are at the top of the section, despite mixed results recently, beating Troon St Meddans 4 – 2 at home then losing by the same margin at home to Irvine Ravenspark. West Kilbride recorded their first win of the campaign with a 4-2 win away to Troon St Meddans.

Present positions in Section C are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Annanhill	5	3	0	2	15.5	14.5	1	12
Irvine Ravenspark	3	2	1	0	12	6	6	10
West Kilbride	4	1	1	2	11	13	-2	6
Ardeer	2	1	0	1	6.5	5.5	1	4
Troon St Meddans	4	1	0	3	9	15	-6	4

 

In SECTION D, Prestwick St Cuthbert are just ahead of the other two clubs in the race for qualification for the knockout stages. Loudoun, who boosted their hopes with a 4.5 – 1.5 win away at Stewarton recently, have two home games to play before the section is completed, with the crunch fixture likely to be the match with Prestwick St Cuthbert this week.

Present positions in Section D are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Prestwick St Cuthbert	3	2	0	1	11	7	4	8
Loudoun	2	1	0	1	7	6	1	4
Stewarton	3	1	0	2	7	12	-5	4

 

In SECTION E, Rowallan Castle opened their bid for qualification for the next stage with a crushing 6 – 0 defeat of their visitors from Troon Welbeck earlier this month, ending Welbeck’s unbeaten stat to the campaign.

Present positions in Section E are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Troon Welbeck	5	3	0	2	15	16	-1	12
Rowallan Castle	2	2	0	0	11	2	9	8
Troon Portland	2	0	0	2	4	8	-4	0
Ayr Seafield	1	0	0	1	1	5	-4	0

 

In SECTION F, Caprington became the first club to secure a place in the knockout stages of this years’ competition. A vital 4 – 2 win away to Ballochmyle moved the Kilmarnock club ahead of both the other teams in the section and despite a 6 – 0 home win over Redburn in their final fixture, Ballochmyle fell just short of Caprington’s points total. Only the fixture between Redburn and Caprington remains to be played to complete the section.

Present positions in Section F are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Caprington	3	2	1	0	12	6	6	10
Ballochmyle	4	1	2	1	14	10	4	8
Redburn	3	0	1	2	4	14	-10	2

 

SCOTTISH WOMAN'S CHAMPIONSHIP - Luisa Gibson wins Clark Rosebowl at Trump International.

Luisa Gibson (Irvine)

won the Clark Rosebowl at the 2022 Scottish Woman's Amateur Championship, held at Trump International near Aberdeen between the 3rd and the 5th of June.

Following on from her impressive 16th place finish in the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews the week before, where she posted rounds of 77 and 74 on the New Course and a final round of 73 on the Old Course for a two under par total of 224, Luisa just failed to qualify for the matchplay stage of the Scottish Woman's Championship, but was third qualifier for the second flight matchplay competition for the Clark Rosebowl.

On Saturday the 4th of June, a two hole victory in the first round against Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) and a second extra hole win over Carys Irvine (Craigielaw) sew Luisa into the semi finals on Sunday morning where she won through to the trophy final with a 3&2 win over Megan Ross (Banchory)

In the final on Sunday afternoon Luisa played Carinna Taylor (Nairn). Despite losing the opening hole of the final, Luisa got herself ahead by the 8th and a half on the 16th was sufficient to record a 2&1 victory.

At the start of the week ten players from Ayrshire clubs took part in the strokeplay qualifying with only Freya Russell (Royal Troon) qualifying for the top flight matchplay, in eighth place, with an eight over par total of 152 after rounds of 75 and 77. Freya's title hopes ended in the first round of matchplay, losing 2&1 to the eventual title winner , Swiss based Cameron Neilson, who went on to win the final on Sunday afternoon.

None of the other Ayrshire club's members in the field of 78 players qualified for either the top or second flight matchplay rounds.

Ayrshire scores and final strokeplay places 

8th - 152 (+8) Freya Russell (Royal Troon) - 75/77

19th -  157 (+13) Luisa Gibson (Irvine) - 79/78

38th - 170 (+26) Sarah Ramsay (West Kilbride) - 81/89

45th - 174 (+30) Lesley Lloyd (Ladies Club, Troon) - 89/85

54th - 176 (+32) Debbie Watt (Belleisle Ladies) - 92/84

55th - 177 (+33) Liz Keohone (Loudoun) 85/92

62nd - 180 (+36) Lorna Ronnie (Kilmarnock Barassie) - 83/97

63rd - 181 (+37) Donna Jackson (Ladies Club, Troon) - 89/92

64th - 183 (+39) Katy Hill (Prestwick St Cuthbert) - 94/89

66th - 183 (+39) Joanne Sharp (Kilmarnock Barassie) - 85/98 

 

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - Tommy McInally through to quarter finals

Tommy McInally (Loudoun) is the first player through to the quarter finals of the 2022 Ayrshire Champion of Champions Trophy quarter finals.

A five time winner of the trophy, his last victory being in 2010, McInally had a home tie in round three against Marc McLelland (Girvan) and won through to the last eight with a single hole win.

In the quarter finals McInally will be at home to either Blair Morton (Royal Troon) or Adam Sweeney (Prestwick St Cuthbert).

SCOTTISH MEN'S AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire crash to defeat against Angus at Downfield.

The Ayrshire team were defeated 7 - 2 in their second match of the 2022 Scottish Men's Area Team Championship qualifying section on Sunday the 5th of June, at Downfield GC in Dundee, by Angus County.

Assistant manager Andy Gilligan, Blair Morton, Scott Brown, Michael Smyth,
John Haggarty, John Shanks, Adam Sweeney, Manager John Rushbury

With some exceptional putting on display by the host area's team members, the Ayrshire team had an uphill battle in the singles in the afternoon after losing the morning foursomes by 3 - 0.

The home side continued their good form in the afternoon, winning he singles by 4 - 2 for an overall win by 7 - 2.

Match details (Ayrshire names first) :-

Foursomes (0 - 3)

John Shanks (Irvine) and John Haggarty (Loudoun) lost to Kieron Urquhart & David Grant by 2&1

Scott Brown (Turnberry) & Blair Morton (Royal Troon) lost to Scott Mann & Ross Bell by 3&2

Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) & Adam Sweeney (Prestwick St Cutbert) lost to Philip Brown & Corry Marshall by 3&2

Singles (2 - 4)

John Shanks  beat David Grant by 4&3

John Haggarty lost to Scott Mann by 7&6

Michael Smyth beat Corry Marshall by 2&1

Adam Sweeney lost to Kieran Urquhart by 4&3

Blair Morton lost to Philip Brown by 1 hole

Scott Brown lost to Ross Bell by 2&1

AYRSHIRE   2    ANGUS    7

In the other match in the qualifying section, also played on Sunday the 5th of June, South of Scotland beat Dumbartonshire by 6 - 3 at Southerness.

Ayrshire's final match in the qualifying section takes place on Sunday the 10th of July when they play host to Dumbartonshire at Kilmarnock (Barassie).

BYRNE HOWARD JUNIOR OPEN - Entries invited for Royal Troon competition

Entries are now being invited for the 2022 Byrne Howard Junior Open at Royal Troon.

The 18 hole strokeplay event, a counting competition in the Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit, is open to both boys and girls and there are both scratch and handicap prizes available.

Entry forms can be downloaded from the Royal Troon Golf Club website, and are also available via the link on the left of this page, under the 'Junior Golf' heading.

BELLEISLE CUP - Daw for Doc Thom counting event

The draw for the 2022 Belleisle Cup, on Sunday the 5th of June, has been published.

The 36 hole scratch event, a counting competition for the Doc Thom Ayrshire Order of Merit, has a handicap limit of 6.

The entry fee is 315.

Late entries are still being taken and a place can be secured by contacting Bob Morrison on 07708 861569 or by email at rbrtmorrison@aol.com.

AYRSHIRE SENIOR MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP - Only two spaces remain for county event at Irvine.

Only two places remain for the 2022 Ayrshire Senior Men's Championship, to be played at Irvine (Bogside) Golf Club on Tuesday the 19th of July, which will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

With the new Senor Men's Matchplay Championship following on from this years event, involving the eight players returning the best scratch scores on the day, the interest in this year's competition has raised the prospect of a waiting list for entries to the event for the first time.

With 90 players already confirmed in the field, the remaining two places are at 12.50 and 13.00 hrs.

The player returning the best nett score of the day will win the Sandy Provan Trophy and the 2022 Ayrshire Senior Men's Championship title. There will also be prizes on a scratch basis, as well as handicap awards in three age categories, along with two nearest the pin prizes.

Entry is £10 as detailed on the championship poster.

THE AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION

PRESENT

THE 2022 AYRSHIRE SENIOR

MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

For the Sandy Provan Trophy

AT

IRVINE (BOGSIDE)GOLF CLUB

BY KIND PERMISSION

ON

TUESDAY19th JULY 2022

(OVER 18 HOLES HANDICAP STROKEPLAY)

**********

ENTRY FEE £ 10.00

MINIMUM AGE LIMIT: 50 years of age on the day of the competition

HANDICAP LIMIT : 36

 **********

ENTRY MAY BE LIMITED TO 78 PLAYERS - TO BE DETERMINED BY DATE OF ENTRY

 All entrants must be members of clubs fully affiliated to The Ayrshire Golf Association

**********

THE WINNER WILL RETAIN THE SANDY PROVAN TROPHY

FOR ONE YEAR AND WILL RECEIVE A MEDAL FOR RETENTION

 IN ADDITION PRIZE VOUCHERS WILL BE AWARDED FOR BEST SCRATCH SCORE

AND ON HANDICAP BASIS IN THREE AGE GROUP CATEGORIES

************

The players returning the 8 best aggregate scratch totals will go forward to contest

THE AYRSHIRE SENIOR MEN’S MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

 **********

ENTRY FORMS AVAILABLE FROM CLUB SECRETARIES

ON THE WEB AT www.ayrshiregolf.blogspot.com

OR THE A.G.A. SECRETARY

ALASDAIR MALCOLM

17 AUCHINCRUIVE AVENUE, PRESTWICK, KA9 2DT

**********

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: - NOON ON SATURDAY 2^ND JULY 2022

 PLEASE NOTE : COMPETITORS ARE REQUIRED TO OBEY CLUB RULES REGARDING DRESS

BOTH ON THE COURSE AND IN THE CLUBHOUSE

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY UNDER 18 LEAGUE - Ayrshire get 2022 season off to winning start at Turnberry

The Ayrshire Under 18 team got their 2022 West of Scotland Inter County league title bid off to a winning start on Sunday 29th May, with a 5 - 3 win over Renfrewshire on the King Robert the Bruce course at Turnberry.

With the players enjoying excellent weather for the contest, and the course in superb condition, the Ayrshire team, with some new players representing the county for the first time, led in most ties from early on and despite two of the players being unfortunate enough to lose the final hole for a single hole defeat, sufficient points had already been secured in the match for overall victory.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Ollie Long (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Struan Brooksbank (Kilmacolm) by 2&1

Harris Fleming (Troon Welbeck) beat Sean Smith (East Renfrwshire) by 5&3

Euan Stirling (Troon Welbeck) beat Ross Anderson (Williamwood) by 1 hole

Liam Moran (Irvine) lost to Ashton McHechan (Paisley) by 1 hole

Ryan Kennedy (Irvine) beat Ethan Long (Paisley) by 6&4

Noah O'Brien (Troon Welbeck) beat Peter Boyd (Old Ranfurly) by 6&5

Jack Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck) beat Hugh Shiels (East Renfrewshire) by 4&3 

Jamie Hay (Ayr Belleisle) lost to Drew Cleaver (Fereneze) by 1 hole

AYRSHIRE    5  RENFREWSHIRE   3

The Ayrshire team have  no fixture in June with their next match being away to Lanarkshire at Easter Moffat on Sunday the 25th of July.