SCOTTISH BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire provide 3 of the 8 seeds

19 Ayrshire players are in the 256 strong field bidding for the 2007 Scottish Boys Championship, which will be contested at Dunbar Golf Club between 9th and 14th of April.

The Ayrshire challenge is headed by the three boys internationalists, who are included in the 8 players seeded in the tournament, Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) (pictured left), Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) & Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) (pictured below).


Eight players were balloted out on a handicap of 5.3, with James Byrne (Banchory) having the lowest handicap in the field of +2.3, at time of entry.

First Round ties involving Ayrshire players are :-





Monday 9th April

Match 03 (07.01) - Rory Achison (Largs) Vs. Duncan Melville (Gullane)
Match 19 (09.13) - Ross Crummley (Merchants Of Edinburgh)Vs. Michael Roos (West Kilbride)
Match 21 (09.29) - Jamie Achison (Largs) Vs. Michael Monteith (Longniddry)
Match 23 (09.45) - James MacDonald (Cochrane Castle) Vs. Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay)
Match 33 (11.09) - Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) Vs. David Millar (Newmachar)
Match 36 (11.33) - Fraser Lawrie (Largs) Vs. Alan Forsythe (Drumpellier)
Match 52 (13.45) - Fraser Clarke (Westhill) Vs. David Currie (Kilmarnock Barassie)
Match 56 (14.17) - Andrew Abercronbie (Largs) Vs. Neil Henderson (The Glen)
Match 61 (15.01) - Christopher Ruane (Cardross) Vs. Charles Doyle (Troon Welbeck)
Match 64 (15.25) - Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) Vs. Oliver Huish (The Glen)
Match 67 (15.49) - Ian Young (Vale Of Leven) Vs. Robert Jamieson (Loudoun Gowf)

Tuesday 10th April

Match 80 (07.25) - Derek Paterson (Ralston) Vs. Scott Clark (Ayr Belleisle)
Match 84 (07.57) - Thomas Moffat (Crow Wood) Vs. Scott Brown (Turnberry)
Match 91 (08.57) - Callum Crowe (Kilbirnie Place) Vs. William Bremner (Edzell)
Match 104 (10.41) - Adam Foley (Ayr Belleisle) Vs. Stephen Gentle (Cowglen)
Match 110 (11.33) - Colin Baird (Bothwell Castle) Vs. Andrew Wright (Kilmarnock Barassie)
Match 122 (13.13) - Jamie Littler (Inchmarlo) Vs. Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie)
Match 124 (13.29) - Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) Vs. Ross Muir (Swanston New)
Match 127 (13.53) - Lloyd Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) Vs. Alex Gardner (Radyr)

The full draw is available on the Scottish Golf Union website (see link on the left of this page)

2007 AYRSHIRE BOYS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Entry forms for the 2007 Ayrshire Boys Team Championships, to be held at Prestwick St. Cuthbert G.C. on Sunday 15th April were posted to Club Secretaries at the end of February.

If any junior convenor has not received the entry form from their club, contact Alasdair Malcolm at aj-malcolm@fsmail.net for a further copy.

IRVINE GOLFER APPOINTED AT CARRICK - Alan Tait appointed at new Loch Lomond Course

Former Irvine (Bogside) golfer Alan Tait (37) has been appointed head professional at the new Carrick at Loch Lomond course, which is due to open in May 2007, with a PGA Eoropro Tour event.

As a junior at the Irvine club, Tait added to the illustrious history of amateur golfers associated with Bogside when he won the Doug sanders' World Boys' Championship in Aberdeen and the Scottish Boys Championship, in 1986, at Dunbar.

In 1989, Tait was runner up to another Ayrshire legend, Allan Thomson of Ayr Belleisle, in the Scottish Amateur Championship at Lossiemouth. Alan also represented Scotland on a number of occassions from 1987 to 1989.

Tait's medals from this era can still be seen in the Irvine (Bogside) clubhouse, alongside those of the Irvine Triumvirate of Hammy McInally, Jimmy Walker & Jackie Cannon.

Alan tait enjoyed some success after turning professional, winning the Tartan Tour Order of Merit in 1996, and recently ended a long association with Westerwood Golf & Country Club in Cumbernauld where he was Director Of Golf.

Wishing Alan every success in his new post.

CLUB LINKS - new feature

I've added a new feature to the left column of the blog, which should make it easier for viewers to view information about clubs in Ayrshire and access the club websites.

If your club is not on the list and you would like it to be added, e-mail me the website details at aj-malcolm@fsmail.net

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - 2007 Fourball competition draw

41 clubs have entered the 2007 Ayrshire Fourball competition, which will be contested over the summer months, with the final scheduled for 30th September 2007

Draw details are :-

ROUND 1 - to be played by 22nd April 2007

IRVINE (T. Adrain & J. Patrick) Vs. KILBIRNIE (D. & L. McBirnie)
BRUNSTON CASTLE (D. & G. McCulloch) Vs. MOORPARK (Alan Mulholland & David Mason)
CAAGS (Graham McDonald & Bill McFie) Vs. MAYBOLE (Scott McCahill & David Wallace)
NEW CUMNOCK (Kevin Nisbet & Robert Ross) Vs. SAXONE (Andy Breadon & John Fleming)
BALLOCHMYLE (W. Andrew & Ptr.) Vs. AYR SEAFIELD (Robert Griffiths & Grant Wilson)
ALTON (Robert Gillon & I Flyn) Vs. DOON VALLEY (William Hunter & William Brown)
TURNBERRY (John Broadfoot & Duncan McFarlane) Vs. BARASSIE (J. Drummond & I. McPherson)
ST. NICHOLAS (A. Poole & G. Tierney) Vs. STEWARTON (A. & A. Stewart)
DALMILLING (Paul Bryden & Stuart Ross) Vs. CROSSHOUSE (Bobby Strawhorn & Barry Cairns)

ROUND 2 - to be played by 27th May 2007

IRVINE or KILBIRNIE Vs. BRAEHEAD (Sean Ingle & Andy Paton)
BRUNSTON CASTLE or MOORPARK Vs. WALLACETOWN (J. Carruthers & J. Houston)
CAAGS or MAYBOLE Vs. BEITH (J. Handvige & M. Tod)
NEW CUMNOCK or SAXONE Vs. AYR CARRICK ( Billy Dunn & Charlie Hamilton)
BALLOCHMYLE or AYR SEAFIELD Vs. GLACIER (Colin Robertson & Alan Howat)
ALTON or DOON VALLEY Vs. AYR BELLEISLE ( Luke Facchini & Chris Todd)
TURNBERRY or BARASSIE Vs. ANNANHILL (Gordon Ferguson & Alexander Mackenzie)
ST. NICHOLAS or STEWARTON Vs. ABBOTSFORD ( Charlie Hendren & Dick Lorimer)
DALMILLING or CROSSHOUSE Vs. DRONGAN (S. Linwood & I. McKinlay)
ARDEER (Colin Brown & Ptr.) Vs. CAPRINGTON (J. Houston & R. Kean)
MALLETSHEUGH (George Ross & Billy Nichol) Vs. NACCO (Tom Mcfarlane & T. O'Connell)
WELBECK (Bryan Mulgrew & Scott McCartney) Vs. LOUDOUN (J. Bonar & J. Graham)
WEST KILBRIDE (Gordon & John Mathieson) Vs. ROUTENBURN (G. & R. Purdon)
RAVENSPARK (Joe Hobson & Brian Gibson) Vs. TAM O SHANTER (Jamie McCrae & Billy Thomson)
ST. MEDDANS (Frank Greer & Eamon McFadden) Vs. AUCHENHARVIE (A. Scanlon & A. Hughes)
TROON PORTLAND (Alistair Nicol & John Duncan) Vs. CHASE (E. Borland & R. Gilchrist)

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Draw for 2007 Champion Of Champions Trophy competition

A total of 47 Club Champions from throughout Ayrshire will contest the 2007 Ayrshire Champion Of Champions Trophy. The competition will take place over the summer months, culminating in the semi finals and final at Royal Troon in August.

Holder Brian Moore (Largs) returns to defend the trophy he won against Henry Thomson (Irvine) at Royal Troon in August 2006, and faces a first round match against B. McCulloch (Brunston Castle).

A revised draw will be made after completion of the first two rounds.

The draw for the first two rounds is :-

ROUND 1 - to be played by 15th April 2007

Bert Ferguson (Royal Troon) Vs. Alan Jeffrey (Shiskine)
Andy Clark (Carrick Lodge) Vs. Paul Ferguson (Maybole)
Jamie McCormick (Dalmilling) Vs. Charlie Bell (Braehead)
Nicholas Tindall (Tam O Shanter) Vs. Sammy Cox (Loudoun)
Ewan McKinnon (Corrie) Vs. R. Marshall (Beith)
Alan Stewart Jr (Stewarton) Vs. Ian Gray (Chase)
Andrew Kent (Welbeck) Vs. John Shanks (Ardeer)
Brian Moore (Holder) Vs. B. McCulloch (Brunston Castle)
David Robertson (Crosshouse) Vs. R. McCutcheon (Drongan)
Alan Dickie (Barassie) Vs. Billy Campbell (Ballochmyle)
Gary Bryden (Girvan) Vs. Alan Mulholland (Moorpark)
Alan McLean (Kilbirnei) Vs. Fraser Lawrie (Largs)
David Strachan (Turnberry) Vs. Chris Harkins (Belleisle)
Gavin Lawrie (St. Nicholas) Vs. W. McCartney (Wallacetown)
Alan Harrington (Routenburn) Vs. David Clydesdale (Glacier)

ROUND 2 - to be played by 20th May 2007

B. Ferguson or Jeffrey Vs. Kirk Russell (Doon Valley)
Clark or P. Ferguson Vs. Martin Riddall (New Cumnock)
McCormick or Bell Vs. George Ross (Malletsheugh)
Tindall or Cox Vs. Andrew Scanlon (Auchenharvie)
McKinnon or Marshall Vs. Ben Cooney (Abbotsford)
Stewart or Gray Vs. David Glass (St. Cuthbert)
Kent or Shanks Vs. David Martin (Alton)
Moore or McCulloch Vs. Steven Dunn (Seafield)
Robertson or McCutcheon Vs. Henry Thomson (Irvine)
Dickie or Campbell Vs. Tony Stafford (St. Meddans)
Bryden or Mulholland Vs. Paul Moultrie (Portland)
McLean or F. Lawrie Vs. Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay)
Strachan or Harkins Vs. Barry McDonnell (Caprington)
G. Lawrie or McCartney Vs. John Cairney (Ravenspark)
Harrington or Clydesdale Vs. A. Fraser (Saxone)
Joe Hobson (NACCO) Vs. Barry Crawford (West Kilbride)

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - County side edge victory at St. Nicholas

Ayrshire recorded a 6 - 4 victory at a windy Prestwick St. Nicholas on Sunday 4th March, against a strong team from the host club.

Match details were (St. Nicholas names first):

G. Lawrie beat J. Cairney (Ravenspark) 2 & 1
K. Brock halved with T. McInally (Loudoun)
D. Hawthorn lost to G. Robertson (Ravenspark) 3 & 2
J. Ashton lost to S. Pennington (St. Meddans) 2 & 1
S. Bolland halved with S. Murray (Welbeck)
S. King lost to K. Fergusson (St. Cuthbert) 1 hole
G. Tierney beat J. Shanks (Ardeer) 3 & 2
A. Poole lost to D. Mallinson (Ravenspark) 2 & 1
R. Craig beat B. Moore (Largs) 1 hole
C. McCall lost to A. Gourlay (Irvine) 3 & 2

ST. NICHOLAS 4 AYRSHIRE 6

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - County team take on clubs in warm up matches

Ayrshire will take on club sides over the next four Sundays in friendly matches, in preparation for the coming season.

The scheduled matches are

Sunday 25th February - West Kilbride Vs. Ayrshire
Sunday 4th March - Prestwick St. Nicholas Vs. Ayrshire
Sunday 11th March - Loudoun Vs. Ayrshire
Sunday 18th March - Irvine Ravenspark Vs. Ayrshire

On Sunday 25th March, Ayrshire travel to meet the South Of Scotland in their annual match which has become the traditional competitive opening fixture the season fr both counties

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Cairney takes top award at annual dinner

The 25th Annual Dinner of the Ayrshire Golf Association was held at Irvine Ravenspark Golf Club on Friday 23rd February 2007, with the newly refurbished Ravenspark clubhouse filled to capacity to honour the winners of the County competitions during the 2006 season.

Top Table guests at the dinner, hosted by County President Ricky Magee (Caprington) included
Scottish Golf Union President David Moir
Stirlingshire President Campbell Chalmers
Lanarkshire President Harvey Tocher
Glasgow Golf Union President Gus Lamont
Dumbartonshire President Bob Provan
Renfrewshire Vice President Billy Gilmour
host club Captain Eddie Lawless
Ayrshire Vice President Alasdair Malcolm (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)
and guest speakers
'Buller' Reid
and
John Htet Khin

After an excellent meal, Scottish Golf Union President David Moir was called upon to present the trophies and awards for the 2006 season.

The top award of the year, the Doc Thom Salver for the Ayrshire Order Of Merit, was won by John Cairney of Irvine Ravenspark who fittingly took the trophy to Ravenspark in their Centenary year, being the first player from the club to win the title since it was innaugurated in 1973.

Other prizewinners presented with their awards at the dinner were :-

Fourball Champions - Derek Brown & Ian Yates (Ayr Belleisle)
Club Champions - Irvine Golf Club
Scratch Summer League - Ballochmyle Golf Club
Ayrshire Boys Champion - John Shanks (Ardeer)
Ayrshire Matchplay Champion - Tommy McInally (Loudoun)
Champion Of Champions Trophy - Brian Moore (Largs)

Strokeplay Champion Steven McEwan (Kilmarnock Barassie)
was unable to attend the dinner

John Cairney (Irvine Ravenspark) receives the Doc Thom Salver

from SGU President David Moir

To mark the Centenary of the Irvine Ravenspark Golf Club, Ayrshire President Ricky Magee presented an suitably engraved salver to Ravenspark Captain Eddie Lawless on behalf of The Association.

President Ricky Magee also made special presentations to Past Presidents Morgan Hall and Robin Baker, in appreciation of their service to The Ayrshire Golf Association over a number of years.

Ricky Magee presents the Centenary gift

to Irvine Ravenspark Captain Eddie Lawless

The resentation of trophies concluded, the company settled down to listen to the two guset speakers, 'Buller' Reid and John Htet Khin, who, both masters of their art, entertained the assembled company with many jokes and stories.

The evening concluded with a vote of thanks. proposed by Ayrshire Golf Association Vice President, Alasdair Malcolm (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Award winners at the annual dinner

Ayrshire Boys Champion, John Shanks of Ardeer, with Scottish Golf Union President David Moir












Brian Moore of Largs receives the Champion Of Champions Trophy











Past President Morgan Hall (West Kilbride) receives a special award from President Ricky Magee, in appreciation of his service to The Ayrshire Golf Association










Past President Robin Baker (Troon Portland) also received a special award from Ricky Magee, in recognition of his service to the Association

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - More photos of 2006 competition winners at the annual dinner

2006 Fourball winners, Derek Brown & Ian Yates of Ayr Belleisle, with Scottish Golf Union President David Moir










Jim Irvine, Captain of Irvine Golf Club, accepts the Club Champions trophy on behalf of the club.












Team Captain James McMurdo with the Scratch Summer League silverware won by Ballochmyle











Tommy McInally of Loudoun
with the Ayrshire Matchplay trophy

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Summer League draw

The draw for the 2007 Ayrshire Golf Association Summer Scratch League was made at the Annual Dinner of The Assocaition on Friday 23 February, by Competitions Convenor, Sandy Provan, assisted by SGU President David Moir.

16 clubs are taking part in the 2007 competition, with Ballochmyle defending the title they have won in three of the four previous years.

The teams will play in four qualifying leagues throughout the summer months, with the winners of each league progressing top the semi finals.

Local rivals Ayr Belleisle and Tam O Shanter have been drawn together in League 1, along with Loudoun and Troon Welbeck.

Last seasons runners up, Irvine (Bogside) will contest League 2, alongside Kilmarnock (Barassie) and the two 2006 beaten semi finalists, Caprington and West Kilbride.

Defending Champions Ballochmyle were drawn in League 3, and will aim to overcome Kilbirnie, Moorpark and Ardeer in their bid to retain the title.

League 4 brings together Irvine ravenspark, Troon St. Meddans, Turnberry and New Cumnock.

The four sections as drawn are :-

League 1 - Troon Welbeck, Loudoun, Tam O Shanter, Ayr Belleisle
League 2 - Caprington, Kilmarnock (Barassie), West Kilbride, Irvine (Bogside)
League 3 - Kilbirnie Place, Ballochmyle, Moorpark, Ardeer
League 4 - Irvine Ravenspark, Turnberry, New Cumnock, Troon St. Meddans

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - 2007 Yearbook launched at annual dinner

The 2007 Ayrshire Golf Association Yearbook was launched at the annual dinner of The Association on Friday 23rd February 2007, at Irvine Ravenspark Golf Club.

The 36 page yearbook, published by D & M Journals of Edinburgh, features Centenary club Irvine Ravenspark on the front cover, and includes an address from President Ricky Magee, a review of 2006 competitions and details of County officials, as well as a club directory and listings of previous county championship winners.

The yearbook will be distributed free to clubs throughout the county, over the next few weeks.

SCOTTISH BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - closing date for entries fast approaching

The closing date for entries to the 2007 Scottsih Boys Championship is rapidly approaching.

The championship will be held from 9th to 14th April at Dunbar, and will feature a field of 256 players, including the best junior golfers in Scotland.

The closing date for entries is

8th MARCH 2007

Entry forms can be downloaded from the Scottish Golf Union website at

www.scottishgolfunion.org

(or click on the link on the left of this page)

simply click on the "next championships" link on the home page to access the downloadable entry form for the championship.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Draws made for 2007 competitions

The draws for the 2007 Ayrshire Junior Golf League competitions were made at the League Executive meeting on Tuesday 6th February 2007.

Membership was confirmed as 18 clubs this year, with Ayr Dalmilling rejoining The League after a 3 year absence, whilst Beith, members since 1988, have withdrawn due to lack of juniors.

In the LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP, defending champions Ballochmyle face a number of local derbies after being drawn with Caprington, New Cumnock, Annanhill & Irvine Ravenspark in Section A.

West Kilbride face a number of long trips in section B, where they face Ayr Dalmilling, Prestwick St. Nicholas, Kilmarnock Barassie & Troon St. Meddans

In Section C, Ardeer, champions in 2004 & 2005, face the challenges of Prestwick St. Cuthbert, Loudoun & Troon Welbeck, whilst Ayr Belleisle face three trips to the north of the county in Section D, being drawn to play Largs, Kilbirnie Place and Largs Routenburn.

The matches in the 4 league sections will be played on a home and away basis from May to July, with the winners of the 4 sections progressing to the semi finals in August.

The four sections are :-

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

SECTION A

Ballochmyle
Caprington
New. Cumnock
Annanhill
Irvine Ravenspark

SECTION B

Troon St. Meddans
Ayr Dalmilling
Prestwick St. Nicholas
Kilmarnock (Barassie)
West Kilbride

SECTION C

Prestwick St. Cuthbert
Loudoun
Troon Welbeck
Ardeer

SECTION D

Kilbirnie Place
Largs
Ayr Belleisle

Largs Routenburn

------

In the UNDER 16 KNOCKOUT TROPHY, defending champions Kilmarnock (Barassie) face a preliminary round tie at home to Irvine Ravenspark, with the winner at home to Kilbrnie Place in round 1. The full draw is :-

UNDER 16 KNOCKOUT TROPHY

Preliminaries
(To Be Played By 6th May 2007)

Kilmarnock Barassie
V
Irvine Ravenspark

Prestwick St. Cuthbert
V
Prestwick St. Nicholas

Round 1
(To Be Played By 3RD June 2007)

Ayr Belleisle
V
Caprington

New Cumnock
V
Prestwick St. Cuthbert / Prestwick St. Nicholas

Ardeer
V
Annanhill

Ballochmyle
V
West Kilbride

Largs Routenburn
V
Troon Welbeck

Loudoun Gowf
V
Troon St. Meddans

Kilmarnock Barassie / Irvine Ravenspark
V
Kilbirnie

Largs
V
Ayr Dalmilling

-----

19 players will contest the CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY, with the nominated club representatives being joined by the Ayrshire Boys Champion, John Shanks (Ardeer) and the Boys Matchplay Champion, Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Competitors names will be published at a later date. The draw for the competition is :-

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY

Preliminaries
(To Be Played By 6TH May 2007)

Largs Routenburn
V
Ayrshire Boy's Strokeplay Champion

Ayr Belleisle
V
Troon Welbeck

Ardeer
V
Loudoun Gowf

Round 1
(To Be Played By 3RD June 2007)

Kilbirnie
V
Largs Routenburn / Ayrshire Boy's Strokeplay Champion

Caprington
V
New Cumnock

Irvine Ravenspark
V
Largs

Ayrshire Boy's Matchplay Champion
V
Ardeer / Loudoun Gowf

Annanhill
V
Ballochmyle

Ayr Belleisle / Troon Welbeck
V
Kilmarnock Barassie

Troon St. Meddans
V
Prestwick St. Nicholas

Prestwick St. Cuthbert
V
West Kilbride

-----

The Executive were also advised that George Young (Caprington) will be the Vice Chairman of The League for the 2007 season.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Under 14 Talent ID Day postponed

The Ayrshire Golf Association Under 14 Talent ID Day, scheduled for Sunday 18th February has been postponed and rescheduled to

SUNDAY 15th APRIL 2007

Any club junior convenors who would still like to nominate any of their juniors, under 14 years of age on 1st January 2007, to take part in the Talent ID Day should contact the Ayrshire Golf Association President, Ricky Magee, or coaching convenor, Milton Murray.

There is no handicap limit for nominees, with the exercise geared towards identifying players with potential, for inclusion in future A.G.A. coaching programmes.

SENIORS GOLF - Ayrshire Seniors League ??

CALLING ALL YOU SENIORS !!! - Make sure your club checks this one out.

Kilmarnock & District Seniors League is looking to expand throughout the County, and possibly set up an Ayrshire Seniors League.

Members of the present League include Loudoun, Ballochmyle, Annanhill, Caprington and Irvine Ravenspark, who compete for a trophy donated by Ballochmyle Golf Club.

Presently, players over the age of 55 are eligible and the league is played home or away,alternating each year.

Matches can be played on weekdays or at the weekend, subject to course availability.

IF YOUR CLUB MAY BE INTERESTED - contact either GEORGE JARDINE at Loudoun Gowf Club or TOM STEVENS at Ballochmyle, for further details.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - McEwan makes big impression in Australia

Steven McEwan was just four shots away from winning the prestigeous international amateur event, The Macquarie International Championship at the Belmont Club

In a good event for Scotland's representatives, McEwan, in 6th place on 286 was four behind the total of third placed Craig Watson.

The performances of Watson and McEwan had the added bonus of moving the players to 112 and 194 respectively in the R&A world amateur rankings.

For a further report on the tournament & comments from the Scottish Golf Union, visit the SGU website at www.scottishgolfunion.org

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Belleisle take 2006 Fourball title

The Ayr Belleisle pairing of Ian Yates and Derek Brown are the 2006 Ayrshire Fourball Trophy winners, after defeating the Turnberry team of Tom Bennett and Ronnie McLellan by 4 & 3 in the rearanged final, held over the Dundonald Course at Kilmarnock (Barassie) on Sunday 28th January 2007.

The final, originally played on 11th September but abandoned at the 11th hole due to flooding,could have been titled "The Duel In The Wind" with a stiff north westerly breeze making club selection difficult and long iron approach shots to the green the norm.

The match started in great style, Turnberry winning the first with a birdie from Ronnie McLellan. This, however, seemed only to spur the Belleisle team into action as they took the next three holes, two of them with birdies, to go two up after four.

A superb 5 wood second shot to the 6th set up a win for Tom Bennett to reduce the defecit, but again Ian Yates rose to the challenge taking back a hole by the turn to give Belleisle a two hole advantage into the inward nine.

Neither team could make a breakthrough in the closing stages until Ian Yates holed a 12 foot putt for a winning par at the 14th, to take his team to three ahead.

At par three 15th, which proved to be the final hole of the match, all four players failed to hit the green into the full strength of the wind. Derek Brown played a fine recovery shot to within 3 feet of the hole but was surpassed by his partner Ian Yates who saw his attempt finish 3 inches from the cup. The conceded par was sufficient to win the hole and give Ayr Belleisle a 4 & 3 victory in a match whic was played in a most friendly and gentlemanly manner.

The winners will be presented with their trophy at the Ayrshire Golf Association Annual Dinner at Irvine Ravenspark in February 2007.

LOCAL AND NATIONAL FIXTURES - Ladies & Gents national championships both take place in Ayrshire this year

Ayrshire will host both the mens and ladies Scottish Amateur Championships in 2007, amongst a number of other major events in amateur golf.

The Scottish Ladies Golf Association bring the Scottish Ladies (Close) Amateur Championship to Kilmarnock (Barassie) from 15th to 19th May. When the Championship was last held at the Barassie course, in 1985, host club member Alison Gemmill (pictured right) took the title for the second time, beating Miss D. Thomson by 2 & 1 in the final. This followed on from Alisons first win in the championship, at Stranraer in 1981.








The Scottish Golf Union make a return visit to Prestwick with the Scottish Amateur Championship. from 30th July to 5th August.

The event has been hosted by the Prestwick club on seven previous occasions, the last being in 1998 when host club member and former champion Allan Thomson reached the semi final stage, nine years after he won the championship. The 1988 champion at Prestwick was Graeme Rankin.


Prestwick has been a happy hunting ground for Ayrshire Golfers in the Scottish Amateur Championship with

John Wilson (Prestwick St. Nicholas) - 1931)

'Hammy' McInally (Ardeer) - 1939

W. 'Cammie' Gibson (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) - 1950 (pictured right)

&

W. 'Dick' Smith (Selkirk & Prestwick) - 1958


all winning the national championship over the historic Prestwick links. Another name can also be added to the list, with the 1979 winner Keith McIntosh (Cardross) subsequently becoming a member of the Prestwick club.



In addition to the two national championships Ayrshire also play host to the European Amateur Team Championships at Western Gailes, the Scottish Boys & Girls Under 14 Championships at Brunston Castle and the Scottish Boys under 16 Championships, also at Brunston Castle.

Not to be left out, the Ayrshire Ladies play host to the three other West Division County sides when the West Division Inter County Jambouree takes place in July at Prestwick St. Nicholas.

These events will give the golfing public in Ayrshire a great opportunity to see the best amateur golfers in the country, & indeed Europe, in action with the chance to see many of the rising stars of Scottish and European golf at close quarters.

To assist our visitors to get their golfing diaries filled up at an early stage this season, listed below are the latest lists of local and national fixtures from the Ayrshire Golf Association/SGU for the gents and the Ayrshire Ladies County Golf Association/SLGA for the ladies. Happy golfing !!!!!

THE AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION FIXTURE LIST 2007

DATE - EVENT (Venue)

25 February - Ayrshire Vs. West Kilbride (West Kilbride)
4 March - Ayrshire Vs. Prestwick St. Nicholas (St. Nicholas)
11 March - Ayrshire Vs. Loudoun (Loudoun)
18 March - Ayrshire Vs. Irvine Ravenspark (Ravenspark)
25 March - Ayrshire Vs. South Of Scotland (Away)
15 April - Ayrshire Boys Team Championship (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)
22 April - Ayrshire Strokeplay Championship (West Kilbride)
7 – 10 May - Ayrshire Matchplay Championship (Irvine Bogside)
20 May - Ayrshire U18 Vs. Renfrewshire U18 (Whitecraigs)
20 May - Area Team Vs. South Of Scotland (Stranraer)
? June - Ayrshire U18 Vs. Stirlingshire U18 (Away)
08 July - Ayrshire U18 Vs. Lanarkshire U18 (Away)
15 July - Ayrshire Boys Championship (To Be Confirmed)
03 August - Champion Of Champions Semi Finals (Royal Troon)
05 August - Area Team Vs. Lanarkshire (Ballochmyle)
9-11 August - Ayrshire Boys Matchplay (Prestwick)
10 August - Champion Of Champions Final (Royal Troon)
? August - Ayrshire U18 Vs. Dumbartonshire U18 (Away)
23 September - Area Team Vs. Renfrewshire (Kilmarnock Barassie)
? September - Ayrshire U18 Vs. Dumbartonshire U18 (Away)
? September - Ayrshire Fourball Final (T.B.A.)
13 October - Ayrshire A Vs. Stirlingashire A (Irvine Ravenspark)
13 October - Ayrshire Y Vs. Stirlingshire Y (Away)
20 October - Ayrshire A Vs. Lanarkshire A (Away)
20 October - Ayrshire Y Vs. Lanarkshire Y (Ballochmyle)
27 October - Ayrshire A Vs. Dumbartonshire A (Prestwick St. Nicholas)
27 October - Ayrshire Y Vs. Dumbartonshire Y (Away)
03 November - Ayrshire A Vs. Glasgow A (Away)
03 November - Ayrshire Y Vs. Glasgow Y (Brunston Castle)
10 November - Ayrshire A Vs. Renfrewshire A (Greenock)
10 November - Ayrshire Y Vs. Renfrewshire Y (To Be Confirmed)





SCOTTISH GOLF UNION EVENTS 2007

DATE - EVENT (Venue)

APRIL
1 - SGU Junior Tour – Event 1 (Kingsbarns)
7 - Scottish Champion Of Champions (Leven Links)
9-14 - Scottish Boys Championship (Dunbar)
14 - Craigmillar Park Open (Craigmillar Park)
22 - SGU Junior Tour – Event 2 (The Glen)

MAY
4 - Lytham Trophy (Royal Lytham & St. Annes)
5 - SGU Junior Tour – Event 3 (Cardrona)
12 - West Of Scotland Open Amateur Championship (Cawder)
20 - Scottish Area Team Championship - Round 1 (Various venues)
22-24 - Scottish Seniors Open Amateur Stroke Play (Drumpellier)
26 - SGU Junior Tour – Event 4 (Newmachar Hawkshill)

JUNE
1-3 - Scottish Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship (Royal Dornoch)
8 - St. Andrews Links Trophy (St. Andrews Jubilee)
10 - Scottish Boys Area Team Championship (Forres)
16-18 - DM Hall Scottish Mid-Amateur Open Championship (Duddingston)
17 - SGU Junior Tour – Event 5 (Kilmarnock Barassie)
18 – 24 - The Amateur Championship (Royal Lytham & St. Annes)
22-24 - Scottish Youths Open Amateur Stroke Play (Erskine)
23 - Tennant Cup (Glasgow Gailes)
30 - East Of Scotland Open Amateur Championship (Lundin)

JULY
3-7 - European Team Championship (Western Gailes)
7 - Cameron Corbett Vase (Haggs Castle)
10-12 - Scottish Boys Under 16 Stroke Play (Brunston Castle)
13 - Scottish Boys & Girls Under 14 Stroke Play (Brunston Castle)
14 - Sutherland Chalice (Dumfries & Galloway)
24-26 - Scottish Boys Stroke Play (Cardrona)
27-30 - Seniors British Open Championship (Turnberry)
30-Aug 5 - Scottish Amateur Championship (Prestwick)

AUGUST
5 - Scottish Area Team Championship - Round 2 (Various venues)
7-9 - Boys Home Internationals (Machynys Peninsula)
8-10 - Seniors Open Amateur Championship (Nairn & Nairn Dunbar)
11 - Amateur Champion Gold Medal (Leven Links)
13-18 - Boys Amateur Championship (Royal Porthcawl)
15-19 - British Mid-Amateur Championship (Alwoodley)
18 - North East District Open Amateur Championship (Newmacher Hawkshill)
25 - North Of Scotland Open Amateur Championship (Royal Dornoch)

SEPT.
1 - South East District Open Amateur Championship (West Linton)
8 - Newlands Trophy (Lanark)
8-9 - The Walker Cup (Royal County Down)
16 - Scotland Under 16 Vs. North Of England Under 16 (Northumberland)
19-21 - Home Internationals (Co Louth, Ireland)
23 - Scotland Under 16 Vs. England Under 16 (Prestwick St. Nicholas)
23 - Scottish Area Team Championship - Round 3 (Various venues)
30 - Scottish Club Championship (Glenbervie)

OCTOBER
2-4 - Seniors Home Internationals (Caldy, The Wirral)
6-7 - Scottish Area Team Championship Finals (Powfoot)

THE AYRSHIRE LADIES COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION FIXTURES 2007

DATE EVENT (Venue)

17-19 April - County Championship (Troon Portland)

8 May - County Foursomes (Brunston Castle)

12 June - Quaich (Ayr Seafield)

3 July - Summer Meeting (East Renfrewshire)

14 August - Coronation Medals (Kilbirnie Place)

11 Sept. - Thistle Brooches (Ballochmyle)

9 October - Quaich (Troon Lochgreen)

SCOTTISH LADIES GOLF ASSOCIATION FIXTURES 2007

DATE EVENT (Venue)

APRIL
5 – 6 - SLGA Under 16 Open Stroke Play (Craigielaw)
17 - LGU Medal Area Finals - East Division (Balbirnie Park)
27 – 29 - Helen Holm Scottish Open Stroke Play (Troon)

MAY
6 - LGU Medal Area Finals - South Division (Moffat)
6 - West of Scotland Championship (Drumpellier)
8 - LGU Medal Area Finals - West Division (Haggs Castle)
10 - LGU Medal Area Finals - North Division (Monifieth Medal)
15 – 19 - Scottish Ladies (Close) Amateur Champs. (Kilmarnock (Barassie))
27 - Ness Open (Inverness)

JUNE
2 – 3 - St Rule Trophy (St Andrews)
3 - LGU Medal Scottish Grand Final (Crieff)
7 - LGU Challenge Bowls (Ballumbie Castle)
9 – 10 - Girls' Inter-Division Matches (Ballumbie Castle)
10 - Munross Trophy (Montrose)
11 - Scottish Schools' Championship (Gullane No.2 & No.3)
12 – 16 - Ladies' British Open Amateur Champs. (Alwoodley)
23 – 25 - North Division Inter-County Matches (Cruden Bay)
23 – 25 - South Division Inter-County Matches (Thornhill)
25 – 27 - East Division Inter-County Matches (Ladybank)
28 – 29 - Scottish Ladies Junior Open Stroke Play (Auchterarder)

JULY
2 – 4 - North of Scotland Championship (Moray Old)
TBC - Janice Moodie Trophy (Windyhill)
6 – 8 - Ladies' British Open Mid-Amateur (TBC)
9 – 11 - West Division Inter-County Matches (Prestwick St Nicholas)
13 - Scottish Girls' & Boys' Under 14 (Brunston Castle)
17 – 20 - Scottish Girls' (Close) Amateur Champs. (Peterhead)
29 - Mackie Bowl (Gullane)

AUGUST
2 – 5 - Weetabix Womens' British Open (St Andrews (Old))
5 - Riccarton Rose Bowl (Hamilton)
5 - South of Scotland Champs. (Dumfries & County)
7 – 9 - SVLGA Jamboree (Royal Cromer)
7 – 10 - St Andrews Junior Ladies' Tournament (St Andrews)
12 - Mary McCallay Trophy (Dumfries & Galloway)
13 – 17 - Girls' British Open Amateur Champs. (Southerndown)
13 – 17 - Strathtyrum Tournament (St Andrews)
17 - Barnardos Grand Final – Scotland (Arbroath)
21 - County Golf Open Meeting (Haddington)
22- 24 - Ladies British Open Amateur Stroke Play (Conwy)
26 - Scottish Ladies' Foursomes (Pumpherston)
29 - 1 - Sept European Ladies' Individual Champs. (France TBC)
31 - 2 - Sept Scottish County Finals (Tulliallan)

SEPT.
6 – 9 - Scottish Senior Ladies' Close Amateur Champs. (Glenbervie)
2 – 14 - Ladies' Home International Matches (Dunbar)
16 - Scottish Golf Open Amateur Mixed Foursomes (Deer Park)
TBC - SSGA Match v English Schools (TBC)
19 – 21 - Senior Ladies' British Open Amateur Champs. (Copt Heath)
20 - Commonwealth Spoons (Tain)
23 - Adult & Girl Foursomes (McDonald)
23 - 25 - TBC Scottish Veteran Ladies' Champs. (Blairgowrie)

OCTOBER
TBC - East of Scotland Championship (TBC)
2 – 4 - Seniors' International Matches (Royal Tara)
14 TBC - Champion of Champions (Glasgow Gailes)
21 – 27 - The Spirit (Whispering Pines, Texas)

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Nominees sought for under 14 talent ID day

The Ayrshire Golf Association kick off the 2007 coaching programme with the Under 14 Talent ID day on Sunday 18th February 2007.

This is a great opportunity for clubs to nominate junior boys, who are considered by the club to have potential, to attend the ID day where they will be coached and assessed by the county coaching professionals, with a view to inclusion in further coaching sessions within the coaching programme later in the year.

Nominees should be under 14 years of age on 1st January this year. There is no handicap restriction on nominations, the main factor for nomination being the players considered by their home club as having potential.

It is important that nominations for inclusion in the Talent ID day are notified at an early stage.

ALL JUNIOR CONVENORS ARE ASKED TO FORWARD NOMINATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AYRSHIRE PRESIDENT RICKY MAGEE.

R&A FOUNDATION - Hendry & Gray in 2007 bursary list

Two of Ayrshires brightest young golfing prospects are amongst 64 international students who have been awarded bursaries from the 2006 - 2007 R & A Foundation, the governing body of golf has announced.

The list of bursars is headed by the US Amateur Champion, Richard Ramsay from Aberdeen, who is studying at Stirling University.

With an extremely high standard of golfing ability, men needing a handicap of + 1 and women a handicap of 3 or better to qualify, as well as acedemic prowess as requirements, the inclusion of the two Ayrshire players in the list is a notable achievement for both.


Lesley Hendry (Largs Routenburn) - pictured right - is the current Ayrshire Ladies Champion and has represented Scotland at various levels and events in recent seasons. Lesley is presently studying at the University of Paisley.

Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) - pictured right - is a former Ayrshire Boys Champion and has represented Scotland at various levels of Boys' golf, presently being in the Under 18 national team.

Cameron is studying at The University Of St. Andrews.

Many congratulations to both Lesley and Cameron on their success in securing bursary awards and the recognition of their achievements which goes with the award from the Royal & Ancient Golf Club.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!

Wishing all our visitors a Happy New Year for 2007 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many thanks to all those who have visited the site over the last year, and the many positive comments which have been made to me and other Ayrshire Golf Association Execeutive members are very much appreciated.

The Ayrshire Golf Association will continue to use the weblog to publicise results and activities throughout 2007, whilst we also hope to keep you up to date with news of local junior and ladies golf.

As always, if there are any items that clubs would like to have included in the weblog, please contact me at aj-malcolm@fsmail.net and I will do what I can to incude items of interest.

2007 looks to be an exciting and busy year for amateur golf in Ayrshire. As well as the many local events, a number of national and international championships will be played in Ayrshire in 2007.

In junior golf, the Scottish Boys Under 16 & Under 14 Championships will take place at Brunston Castle, as will the corresponding girls under 14 event.

The Scottish Ladies Championship makes a return to Kilmarnock (Barassie) in 2007, whilst Ayrshire will also host the West Of Scotland Inter County Jambouree at Prestwick St. Nicholas.

The Scottish Amateur Championship also makes a return to Ayrshire in 2007, being held at Prestwick Golf Club and one of the major events on the Amateur calendar of European golf makes a visit to Ayrshire with the European Team Championship being hosted at Western Gailes.

Wishing all our visitors a succesful golfing year in 2007.

Alasdair J. Malcolm

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Fourball Final to be played next month

The postponed final of the 2006 Ayrshire Fourball competition has been rescheduled for January 2007.

The final match, between Ronnie McLelland and Tom Bennett of Turnberry and the Ayr Belleisle pairing of Ian Yates and Derek Brown was first attempted on 24th September but was abandoned at the 11th hole due to weather and ground conditions.

Due to various business committments of the finalists, injuries and pending family additions, the rescheduling of the match has proved somewhat difficult, however the match has now been arranged and will be played

at Kilmarnock (Barassie)

on

Sunday 28th January 2007

at 11.00 a.m.

best of luck to both teams in the final !!!

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Barassie take the Chair as Dalmilling rejoin league

At the recent Annual General Meeting of the Ayrshire Junior Golf League, Mark Fitzpatrick of Kilmarnock Barassie was elected as League Chairman, taking over from Bill Taylor (Troon Welbeck).

For the first time in the 38 year history of The League, the Annual General Meeting was not held at Prestwick St. Cuthbert Golf Club, the facilities there being unavailable, and the League officials were forced to move the meeting to Caprington golf club.

After a few years of absence, former League Champions Ayr Dalmilling applied to renew their membership, and were duly welcomed back to membership of The League.

The Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, Barry Somerville, Billy Tait and Robin Baker respectively, were all returned unopposed for a further year. John Nordbo (Largs) agreed to represent The League on the Ayrshire Golf Association Executive, replacing Secretary Barry Somerville in this position.

At the next meeting on 6th February 2007, the draws for the various competitions in 2007 will be made.