AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Royal Troon suffer title setback whilst Ardeer go through to Division 3 title play off matches.

The Ayrshire Scratch Leagues are progressing well, with several crucial matches being completed recently.

In DIVISION 1, the chase for the title is becoming close between Irvine and Royal Troon, following the latest fixture where Kilmarnock Barassie completed their league season with A 5 – 1 home win over Royal Troon.

Royal Troon still have a game in hand over Irvine, and have a chance of overtaking them with a win in the outstanding tie, with just a few fixtures remaining to be played.

At the foot of the table it appears that Prestwick St Cuthbert are destined for the automatic drop to Division 2, with Loudoun only needing a draw or better from their remaining two ties to avoid the automatic drop and relegate Prestwick St Cuthbert as a consequence.

Kilmarnock Barassie, Largs and Loudoun are still possible candidates to fill the Division 1-2 play off spot.

Present positions in Division 1 are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Irvine	8	6	0	2	28.5	19.5	9	24
Royal Troon	7	5	1	1	26.5	15.5	11	22
Kilmarnock Barassie	10	4	1	5	31.5	28.5	3	18
Largs	8	4	0	4	26.5	21.5	5	16
Loudoun	8	3	1	4	19	29	-10	14
Prestwick St Cuthbert	7	0	1	6	12	30	-18	2

In DIVISION 2, Turnberry, Ballochmyle and West Kilbride will battle it out for the title and automatic promotion place following recent results, where Turnberry had a narrow 3.5 – 2.5 away win at Caprington and a 3 – 3 draw at Troon Portland, whilst West Kilbride beat their hosts at Rowallan Castle by 4.5 – 1.5, to effectively relegate Rowallan Castle from Division 2. Only two heavy wins in their remaining fixtures and a defeat for Caprington in their final tie would allow Rowallan castle to avoid the automatic drop.

Present positions in Division 2 are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Turnberry	8	4	2	2	27.5	20.5	7	20
Troon Portland	10	3	4	3	27.5	32.5	-5	20
Ballochmyle	6	4	1	1	21.5	14.5	7	18
West Kilbride	7	4	1	2	24	18	6	18
Caprington	9	3	1	5	26.5	27.5	-1	14
Rowallan Castle	8	1	1	6	17	31	-14	6

With Ayr Belleisle already through to the  Division 3 title play off matches, after winning DIVISION 3a, The final match in DIVISION 3b saw Irvine Ravenspark end Girvan’s hopes with a 4 – 2 home win at Ravenspark, which confirmed that Ardeer would top the table and progress to the title play off matches with Ayr Belleisle

Final positions in Division 3b are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Ardeer	6	4	0	2	21	16	5	16
Prestwick St Nicholas	6	2	2	2	19	17	2	12
Girvan	6	3	0	3	19	18	1	12
Irvine Ravenspark	6	1	2	3	14	22	-8	8

The title play off matches between Ayr Belleisle and Ardeer, played on a home and away basis, are due for completion by the 19^th of August, with the winners taking the trophy and automatic promotion place and the runners up going on to contest the Division 2 – 3 play off matches.

 

VIKING KRUS - Entries still open for Ayrshire Order of Merit event.

Largs GC are holding the 36 hole Viking Krus, an Ayrshire Order of Merit event, on Sunday the 7th of August, and entries are still open.

A Scratch event, with a handicap limit of 5.4, the entry fee is £25.00

Booking available online at:

https://www.howdidido.com/Directory/OpenCompetitions/1284

or via the link on the left of this page, unter the 'Entry Forms' heading

SCOTTISH MEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire hopes end in round three at Glasgow Gailes

Hopes of an Ayrshire win in the 2022 Scottish Men's Amateur Championship at Glasgow Gailes were ended in the third round of matchplay, on the morning of Friday the 29th of July, when the two remaining local players lost out in the round of 16.

Sandy Buchanan (Prestwick St Nicholas) was up against Oliver Mukherjee (Gullane) but lost out by a single hole on the final green.

Ayrshire Matchplay Champion Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) played Lewis Irvine (Kirkhill) but lost out by 3 & 2 on Friday morning.

Both Murkherjee and Irvine went on to win their quarter final ties on Friday afternoon to secure their places in the semi finals on Saturday morning.

The semi final line up is:-

Oliver Mukherjee (Gullane) Vs Connor Wilson (Castle Park)

Lewis Irvine (Kirkhill) Vs. Gregor Tait (Aldeburg)

AYRSHIRE JUUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - results update

Matches continue in the various Ayrshire Junior Golf League competitions, as the teams involved chase places in the finals, to be held in September.

In the LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP, Prestwick St Nicholas, and West Kilbride lead the way at present, on 12 points, in Section A. West Kilbride had away wins by 4 – 2 over Ayr Belleisle and Prestwick St Nicholas recently, whilst Prestwick St Nicholas kept their hopes alive with a 4.5 – 1.5 home win over East Ayrshire and a 6 – 0 win in the corresponding match away from home.

Present positions in Section A are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Prestwick St Nicholas	4	3	0	1	16	8	8	12
West Kilbride	3	3	0	0	11.5	6.5	5	12
East Ayrshire	3	1	0	2	6.5	11.5	-5	4
Ayr Belleisle	4	0	0	4	8	16	-8	0

 

In Section B, Irvine have a clear lead after winning their first four fixtures of the campaign, including a recent 5.5 – 0.5 win at Kilmarnock Barassie.

Present positions in Section B are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Irvine	4	4	0	0	18	6	12	16
Troon Welbeck	4	1	1	2	12.5	11.5	1	6
Kilmarnock Barassie	4	0	1	3	5.5	18.5	-13	2
Prestwick St Cuthbert	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

 In the scratch event for the WALLACE THORNTON TROPHY, Ayr Belleisle lost the first leg of their tie against West Kilbride by 2.5 – 1.5 at home, but in the return match the Belleisle team recorded a 3-1 win, to progress to the semi finals with a 4.5 – 3.5 aggregate score.

The remaining first round matches are due to be completed by the 31^st of July, with the final due to take place at Largs during Finals day on Sunday the 4^th of September.   

PRESIDENT'S PUTTER - Line up for semi final matches set

The semi finals of the 2022 handicap club team knockout competition for the President's Putter are now confirmed.

In the quarter finals Moorpark beat their visitors from Loudoun by 3-0 and will now host Irvine Ravenspark in the semi finals after Ravenspark had a 2-1 home win over Largs in their last eight clash.

The other semi final will feature Kilbirnie Place, quarter final winners over Caprington, who will be at home in the semi final clash, with West Kilbride, who won through to the last four with a 2-1 away win at Rowallan Castle.

The semi final matches should be completed by the 28th of August, with the final scheduled to take place on the 4th of September 2022 during Finals Day at Largs.

 

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Semi final line up confirmed

The semi final line up for the 2022 Ayrshire Fourball Championship has been confirmed.

George & Grant Gemmell (Prestwick St Cuthbert) won their home quarter final match against Wullie & Billy Smith (Stewarton) by 3&2 and will be at home to Lee Paton & John Houston (Abbotsford) in the semi final, following the Abbotsford pairing's home win over Greg Niven & Andrew Morton (Kilmarnock Barassie) in the quarter finals. 

Stuart & Sean Thorburn (Ayr Dalmilling) will host John Gilmour & Paul Fairnie (Kilbirnie Place) in the semi finals, after their respective quarter final home wins over James Anderson & Stuart Shaw (Irvine Ravenspark) and Shaun Cumming & Alistair Tweedie (Troon St Meddans).

The semi finals are due to be completed by the 28th of August with the final scheduled to be held during Finals day at Largs on Sunday the 4th of September.

AYRSHIRE SENIOR MEN'S MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Three semi finalists confirmed

Three of the four semi finalists in the inaugural Ayrshire Senior Men's matchplay Championship have been confirmed, with the other first round match due to be completed by the 1st of August.

One semi final will feature David Brown (Irvine Ravenspark) and Robbie Fulker (Kilmarnock Barassie). David Brown received a walkover in his first round match after Steven McCreadie (Ayr Belleisle) scratched from the competition, whilst Robbie Fulker travelled to face Scott Moore (Irvine) in the opening round and had a single hole victory on the final green.

Alistair Belford (Prestwick St Nicholas) had a 5&4 victory over Jim Mackison (Irvine) on the St Nicholas links, and will be at home to either George Robertson (Irvine) or Brian Fisher (Largs) in the semi final.

The final is scheduled to take place on Friday the 12th of August at Royal Troon, on the same evening as the Ayrshire Champion of Champions final.

SCOTTISH MEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Buchanan and Hedger carry Ayrshire hopes into last sixteen

Sandy Buchanan (Prestwick St Nicholas) and Ayrshire matchplay Champion Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) carry Ayrshire's hopes into the last sixteen of the 2022 Scottish Men's Amateur Championship at Glasgow Gailes, after the first two rounds of matchplay were completed on Thursday the 28th of July.

The Story of the morning was the performance of former Scotland internationalist and previous championship finalist Steven McEwan (Caprington), the 64th and last qualifier for the matchplay stages, who ousted the defending champion and top qualifier Angus Carrick (Craigielaw) by a single hole in the opening round 

In the afternoon however, Steven McEwan bowed out of the championship, losing by a single hole on the final green to Sandy Buchanan (Prestwick St Nicholas) in an all Ayrshire match, after Buchanan had defeated Ewan Cuthbert (Nairn) on the final green in his first round match in the morning.

Dylan Cairns (Royal Troon) was defeated in the opening round by a single hole against Connor Wilson (Castle Park), who went on to claim another Ayrshire scalp in the afternoon, beating Sean Addie (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 3&2, despite Addie's good morning form that saw him win his first round match against Allyn Dick (Kingsfield) by 6&5.

Craig Chalmers (Western Gailes) and Elliot Thom (Scottish Golf Open Play) also bowed out in the opening round, losing to Jamie Roberts (Muckhart) and John Paterson (New Club St Andrews) by 3&2 and at the 22nd hole respectively. 

Robbie Muir (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost his opening tie to Callum Bruce (Duff House Royal) by 5&4 whilst Harvey Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck) was unfortunate to lose out at the first extra hole in his first round match against Scott Mann (Carnoustie).

The all Ayrshire first round tie went the way of Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride), who defeated Steven Stamper (Turnberry) by 3&1, and the victor went on to book his place in the last sixteen with a second round win by two holes over Mitchell Cowie (Dumfries & County).

The two remaining Ayrshire players make their bid for a place in the quarter finals when they tee off in round three on Friday morning.

Sandy Buchanan is out in the first match on the course, at 8.00 am, against Oliver Mukherjee (Gullane) whilst Shaun Hedger tees off at 8.40 am against Lewis Irvine (Kirkhill)

SCOTTISH MEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Ten Ayrshire players through to the matchplay stages at Glasgow Gailes

The 2022 Scottish Men’s Amateur Championship being played at Glasgow Gailes and Western Gailes from the 26^th to the 30^th of July, has now reached the matchplay stages, which continues from Thursday through to Saturday over the Glasgow Gailes links.

Of the forty Ayrshire players that stated out in the competition, a total of ten progressed to the matchplay rounds.

The current Scottish Amateur Championship title holder Angus Carrick (Craigielaw) led the qualifiers with rounds of 67 and 69 over Western and Glasgow Gailes respectively, for a seven under par total of 136.

The cut for the matchplay rounds fell at 149 (+6) with eleven of the sixteen players on that score going through to the matchplay rounds on Thursday.

Leading Ayrshire qualifier was Steven Stamper (Turnberry), his two over par total of 145 securing him nineteenth place overall, following rounds of 75 over Western Gailes  and 70 over Glasgow Gailes

Qualifiers on the cut line included Harvey Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck), Robbie Muir (Kilmarnock Barassie), Dylan cairns (Royal Troon) and former finalist Steven McEwan (Caprington).

Three of the six players on that score who missed out on qualification for the matchplay stages were Ayrshire players – Steven Spence (Prestwick), Max Barclay (Ayr Belleisle) and Ruben Lindsay (Turnberry)

The scores of Ayrshire players over the qualifying rounds were:-

145 - Steven Stamper (Turnberry)

146 - Sean Addie (Kilmarnock Barassie)

146 - Sandy Buchanan (Prestwick St Nicholas)

147 - Craig Chalmers (Western Gailes)

148 - Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride)

148 - Elliot Thom (Scottish Golf)

149 - Harvey Broadfoot (Troon welbeck)

149 - Robbie Muir (Kilmarnock Barassie)

149 - Dylan Cairns (Royal Troon)

149 - Steven McEwan (Caprington)

 

149 - Stephen Spence (Prestwick) 

149 - Max Barclay (Ayr Belleisle)

149 - Ruben Lindsay (Turnberry)

150 - Kevin Thomas (Prestwick St Cuthbert)

150 - Alyx Murray (Ballochmyle)  

150 - Craig Telfer (Turnberry)

151 - Jack Broun (Turnberry)

151 - Michael Smyth (Royal Troon)

151 - Joe McSorley (Prestwick St Cuthbert)

152 - Jay Houston (Prestwick St Nicholas)

153 - Jason Butler (Ardeer)

154 - John Rushbury (Royal Troon)

154 - Scott Brown (Turnberry)

155 - Daniel Forbes (Irvine)

156 - David Currie (Royal Troon)

159 - Dominic Booth (Turnberry)

160 - Harvey McDonald (Ayr Belleisle)

160 - George Robertson (Irvine)

160 - Darren Mallinson (Irvine)

161 - Alastair Pugh (Western Gailes)

161 - Adrian Orton (Kilmarnock Barassie)

164 - Callum Irving (Ayr Belleisle) 

165 - Lewis Higgins (Ardeer)

168 - Alastair Frood (Royal Troon) 

169 - Ibrahim Hussain (Rowallan Castle)

173 - Cameron McGarvie (Prestwick)

175 - Calum Sharp (Kilmarnock Barassie)

N/R - Robert Ronnie (Kilmarnock Barassie)

N/R - Jim McCullagh (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Rtd - D Strachan (Turnberry)

 

Steven McEwan is in the first match on Thursday morning, where he faces the defending champion Angus Carrick, whilst there is one all Ayrshire first round tie, featuring the current Ayrshire Matchplay Champion Shaun Hedger and his county team mate Steven Stamper.

 

The matchplay rounds begin on Thursday morning. Matches involving Ayrshire players include :-

 

0700 - Angus Carrick (Craigielaw) VS Steven McEwan (Caprington)

0708 – Ewan Cuthbert Vs Sandy Buchanan (Prestwick St Nicholas)

0814 – Connor Wilson Vs Dylan Cairns (Royal Troon)

0822 – Allyn Dick Vs Sean Addie (Kilmarnock Barassie)

0936 – Craig Chalmers (Western Gailes) Vs Jamie Roberts

0944 – Steven Stamper (Turnberry) Vs Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride)

1000 – Scott Mann Vs Harvey Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck)

1106 – Robbie Muir (Kilmarnock Barassie) Vs Callum Bruce

1114 – John Paterson Vs Elliot Thom (Scottish Golf)

AYR BELLEISLE OPEN - Large field for Sunday at Ayr Belleisle

A large field will contest the 2022 Belleisle Open over the Ayr Belleisle course on Sunday the 31st of July.

The Championship, sponsored by D W Shaw, Solicitors, Notaries & Estate Agents, has attracted entries from the length & breadth of Ayrshire, and beyond.

The draw for order of play is:-