AYRSHIRE WINTER LEAGUE - Ravenspark bid for final place

Irvine Ravenspark travel to Troon Welbeck in the second leg of their Ayrshire Winer League semi final on Sunday.

Ravenspark hold a 4 - 2 lead from the first leg at home, George Robertson, Gary Cochran, Steven Barr and Wullie Morgan securing the four points for the Ravenspark team.

WEST OF SCOTLAND LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP - 2009 entry form available to download on line

Carol Fell of the Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association has advised that the entry form for the 2009 West Of Scotland Ladies Golf Championship, which will be played at Prestwick Golf Club (pictured below) on Sunday 3rd May, is now available on line.

The entry form can either be downloaded through the Renfrewshire Ladies website at http://www.rlcga.com/pdf_2009/wosentryform.pdf or via the link on the left of this page under entry forms.

Thanks to Carol for the info, and we look forward to a big representation from the Ayrshire Ladies County Golf Association in the championship this year.

The entry fee this year is £10, and entries have to be in the hands of Isabel Crawford by Thursday 23rd April.

AYRSHIRE LADIES COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION - 2009 Centenary fixture list

The Ayrshire ladies County Golf Association have published their fixture list for the 2009 season, during which the Association celebrates its Centenary.

AYRSHIRE LADIES COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION
CENTENARY FIXTURES – 2009

APRIL
Tuesday 14 to
Thursday 16 - County Championship

& Quaich finals (Glasgow Gailes)
(Final at 1400 hrs on Thursday 16.04.09)
MAY
Sunday 3 - West Of Scotland Championship (Prestwick)

Tuesday 5 - Inter County Foursomes
& Commonwealth Spoons (Largs)
JUNE
Tuesday 9 - Quaich & qualifier for McCall salver (Irvine Ravenspark)

Wednesday 17 - Junior Inter County Matches – Kenndey Salver (Clober)

Monday 22 to
Wednesday 24 – West Inter County Matches (Strathaven)

JULY
Tuesday 14 - Summer Meeting – Centenary Quaich (Loudoun)

AUGUST
Tuesday 11- Coronation Medals (Skelmorlie)

Sunday 16 - Ladies St. Nicholas Trophy (Juniors) (Annanhill)

SEPTEMBER
Tuesday 8 - Thistle Brooches (Kilbirnie Place)

OCTOBER
Tuesday 13 – Quaich (Ayr Seafield)

NOVEMBER
Tuesday 17 - Annual General Meeting -1430 hrs (West Kilbride)

The County Officials for the Centenary year are

Honorary President - Mrs Phil Wylie
President - Marion Wilson
Captain - Nora McCrossin
Vice Captain - Alex Glennie
Honorary Secretary - Shelagh Young
Honorary Treasurer - Betty Fulton
Assistant Treasurer - Jill West
Junior Secretary - June Kerr
Committee - Jett Pollock (2009), Christine Tortolano (2009), Irene Smith (2010), Sandie Streets (2010)

The Ayrshire Ladies' fixtures will be available to view throughout the season via the link on the left of this page. S.L.G.A. and national fixtures will also soon be available through a similar link on the left of this page.

EUAN BROWN - living the dream in California

Report & photo by Colin Farquharson on http://www.kirkwoodgolf.com/ website.

California dreaming? Well, not
for Euan Brown, he's already there!

Oh, to be in California, now that winter's here in Scotland!

But Ayrshire-born six-footer Euan Brown is already there in California. Lucky boy.

Euan is in his first year as a golf scholarship student at Saint Mary's College, which is based in the Moraga community about 12 miles east of Oakland.

Euan is a former pupil of Troon's Marr College.

He was the Ayrshire boys' stroke-play champion of 2007, the same year that he won the Ayrshire boys' order of merit.

The Saint Mary's College golf squad with Euan Brown third from the right.

2009 AYRSHIRE STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Posters and entry forms now available on line

Posters and entry forms for the 2009 Ayrshire Golf Association Strokeplay Championship, to be held at Irvine Golf Club on Sunday 26th April 2009, have been distributed to clubs.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION
STROKE PLAY
CHAMPIONSHIP (36 HOLES)
————————————————————
IRVINE GOLF CLUB
SUNDAY 26th APRIL 2009
————————————————————-
ENTRY FEE : £20.00
HANDICAP LIMIT 4
Competitors are requested to book in 15 minutes
before their starting time.
Prizes : £200,£150,£100,£75,£50,£30
First 16 qualify for the 2009 Match Play
Championship to be played over
Prestwick Golf Club
Monday 4th- Thursday 7th May
Winner qualifies for the 2010 Scottish
Champion of Champions at Leven
————————————————————
All Entries must be returned to the Ayrshire Golf Association
by first post on 28th March 2009 to
R. L. Crawford, 81 Connel Crescent, Mauchline KA5 5AU
NOTE : Competitors must obey Club rules regarding DRESS.

This year, for the first time, the poster and entry form is also being made available on line. The two documents can be downloaded by clicking on the relevant link on the left of this page. Although this is in the format of a block club entry form, the form can also be submitted by individuals or groups of players, as desired.

It is intended to make other AGA competition entry forms available to download in the same way for other competitions during the year,with the possibility of entry forms for qualifying events in the Junior Order Of Merit and Doc Thom Ayrshire Order Of Merit being downloadable from this site also.

SCOTTISH LADIES GOLFING ASSOCIATION PRESS RELEASE - Shona Malcolm confirmed as SJGA Chairman for three - year term

At the Annual General Meeting at Dewars in Perth on Saturday 17 January,attended by 150 people, Shona Malcolm (Ayrshire) was confirmed as Chairman of the SLGA for a three-year term of office.

The appointment of a Chairman for three years marks an important stage in the SLGA's development which has, in recent years, seen the Association take on responsibility for handicapping, course rating and the running in Scotland of the former LGU medals, as well as the implementation of a change in business model from being an unincorporated association to a company limited by guarantee.

The new Chairman says: "I look forward to working with the SLGA at these exciting and challenging times for ladies' golf, and to meeting and consulting with many of the SLGA's members in the coming months and years."

The AGM also honoured Mrs Nancy Chisholm, a past President of the SLGA and past Chairman of the Ladies' Golf Union, who was elected as a Vice Presidentof the Association in recognition of her long standing contribution to ladies golf.

Mrs Fiona Cowan (Dunbartonshire & Argyll) took over as the West's representative on the Board and will serve as Chairman of the new Championship Committee.

Members of the Association, by an overwhelming majority, approved an increase in the per capita subscription from £13 to £14, to take effect from January 2010.

The Chairman updated the meeting on current progress with "One Plan for Golf in Scotland." In particular, she described how the SLGA and SGU, in partnership with the PGA and sportscotland, are working together for the benefit of the sport, and she highlighted a number of aspects of future plans.

After the meeting the SLGA Board met and appointed Mrs Janet Wake as Executive Director and Chairman of the Management Committee. Other appointments confirmed at that meeting are:

Chairman of the Performance Committee - Mrs Beth Paterson.

Chairman of the Selection Panel - Miss Liz Miskimmin.

Chairman of the Training Panel - Mrs Winifred MacCallum.

Chairman of the Development Panel - Mrs Sheila Pickles.

*The SLGA, founded in 1904 and incorporated in 2006, is the governing body for ladies' and girls' amateur golf in Scotland.

Dr Sheila E Hartley

Company Secretary

Scottish Ladies Golfing Association Limited

The Den

2 Dundee Road

Perth

PH2 7DW

S.L.G.A. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - Shona Malcolm elected to Chair national association

Ayrshire ladies Shona Malcolm, Nancy Chisholm and Sheila Pickles were all elected to important positions at the Scottish Ladies Golf Association A.G.M. held on Saturday 17th January 2009.

The new SLGA Board. Back row (left to right): Gillian Kirkwood, Beth Paterson, Helen Cuthbertson. 2nd back row: Fiona Cowan, Liz Miskimmin, Sheila Pickles. 2nd front row: Lynne Terry, Winifred McCallum. front row: Janet Wake (executive director), Shona Malcolm (chairman), Ethel Jack (president). Missing from the picture is: Jenny McGahan (SLGA representative on LGU).

As previously reported as proposed, Shona Malcolm was elected Chairman of the SLGA for a three year period whilst Nancy Chisholm - pictured right - was elected a Vice President of the association and Sheila Pickles was elected to chair the development panel of the performance committee.

Report on the AGM from http://www.kirkwoodgolf.com/ website, courtesy of Gillian Kirkwood.


Over 150 people attended the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association Ltd. Annual General Meeting at the Dewar’s Centre in Perth on Saturday.
The deaths of two SLGA Vice-Presidents, Miss K. Clark and Mrs T. Moffat, were acknowledged by the audience with a minute’s silence.
The out-going Chairman, Mrs Patricia Wilson, gave a full and informative account of the 2008 season. The Finance Director, Dr Lynne Terry, expertly explained the accounts and Mrs Gillian Kirkwood informed the audience of the Ladies Golf Union activities over the last year.
Mrs Nancy Chisholm, a past President of SLGA and past Chairman of the LGU, was elected as a Vice-President of the Association.
Mrs Pamela Mackenzie retired from the Board and Mrs Fiona Cowan was elected in her place.
Two small changes to the LGU constitution regarding the appointment of representatives to the LGU Council were approved.
Approval was also given for the increase in the per capita subscription from £13 to £14 per annum from January 1, 2010.
Changes to the board structure of SLGA Ltd were initiated at this meeting, and Miss Shona Malcolm, a past Honorary Treasurer of the Association, was appointed as Chairman for a three year term of office.
Miss Malcolm explained to the audience the current progress with One Plan for Golf and the Scottish Golf Development initiative. In particular she described the relationship between the SLGA and SGU, and our joint plans for the future.
After the meeting the SLGA Board met and appointed Mrs Janet Wake as Executive Director and Chairman of the Management Committee.
The Management Committee comprises Mrs Janet Wake, Dr Lynne Terry (Finance Director), Dr Sheila Hartley (Company Secretary), Miss Shona Malcolm (Chairman, SLGA Ltd) and Mrs Helen Cuthbertson (Board representative).
Mrs Fiona Cowan was appointed Chairman of the Championship Committee, whose membership includes the Tournament Officer, Mrs Fiona Farquharson, Mrs Janet Brown (Rules) and representatives from the four divisions.
Mrs Beth Paterson was appointed Chairman of the Performance Committee. The Performance Committee is made up of three panels, viz. Selection, chaired by Miss Liz Miskimmin, Training, chaired by Mrs Winifred McCallum, and Development, Chaired by Mrs Sheila Pickles.

LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR - Pamela Feggans gains full playing rights

A final round of 76 for a 295 total in the LET final quailifying event in Spain on Thursday was sufficient to secure an important top 30 finish for Ayrshire golfer Pamela Feggans from Patna.

By finishing in the top 30, the former Patna and Kilmarnock (Barassie) member will now be eligible to play in all the LET events in 2009.

Congratulations to Pamela and we look forward to following her progress during the forthcoming season.

LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR - Pamela Feggans books place on 2009 tour

Former Ayrshire county player Pamela Feggans, who hails from Patna, has booked her place on the 2009 Ladies Euopean Tour after surviving the 54 hole cut at the final qualifying school at Murcia in Spain on Wednesday.

Pamela, who has played the majority of her golf in America over the last few years joins four other Scots who have earned the chance to play on tour this year.

The other Scots who qualified were Lynn Kenny, Krystle Caithness, Michele Thomson and Vikki Laing.

All 55 qualifiers now progresss to the final qualifying round on Thursday where they will bid for a top 30 finish which would ensure a higher ranking and guaranteed entry into the majority of Ladies European Tour events this year.

Pamela Feggans' 3 round total of level par 219 sees her lying in joint 14th place, eight shots behind the leader Anna Nordqvist of Sweden.

Leading 54 hole totals :-

211 - Anna Nordqvist (Sweden) 75 69 67

212 - Lynn Kenny (Archerfield Links/Orion Group) 75 69 68

213 - Beth Allen (United States) 70 71 72

214 - Jenni Kuosa (Finland) 72 70 72.215 Frances Bondad (Australia) 75 69 71, Elisa Serramia (Spain) 73 69 73

216 - Christel Boeljon (Netherlands) (amateur) 73 74 69, Krystle Caithness (St Regulus) (amateur) 73 74 69, Julieta Granada (Paraguay) 72 72 72

217 - Isabella Maconi (Italy) 70 768 69, Smriti Mehra (India) 74 70 73

218 - Margherita Rigon (Italy) 72 75 71, Florentyna Parker (England) (amateur) 71 71 71

219 - Jessica Ji (South Korea) 69 72 78, Jo Pritchard (Wales) 77 70 72, Claire Coughlan-Ryan (Ireland) 74 72 73, Lars Tadiotto (Belgium) 70 74 75, Pamela Feggans (Patna, Ayrshire) 72 72 75

220 - Barbara Genuini (France) (amate7ur) 77 71 72

221 - Hazel Kavanagh (Ireland) 72 77 71, Holly Aitchison (England) (amateur) 76 75 70, Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) (amateur) 75 72 74, Tara Delaney (Ireland) (amateur) 72 75 74, Caroline Rominger (Switzerland) (amateur) 75 70 71

222 - Vikki Laing (Musselburgh) 75 75 71, Breanne Loucks (Wales) (amateur) 75 74 73, Viva Schlasberg (Sweden) 75 78 69, Claire Aitken (England) (amateur) 74 73 75

LADIES GOLF UNION - Further honour for Nancy Chisholm

Report from Colin Farquharson

Ayrshire's Nancy Chisholm (nee Smillie) is one of four former office-bearers invited by the Ladies Golf Union executive council to become honorary vice-presidents of the ruling body of women's amateur golf in Great Britain & Ireland.

After contributing to the game of golf in many capacities at club, county and national level, Nancy served as LGU chairman in 1997 and Scottish Ladies Golfing Association president from 2003-2007.

A lifelong member of Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club, which she joined as a junior member, Nancy continues to play golf to an enviable standard, and cites her favourite club and deadliest weapon as “father’s antique hickory jigger!”

A former Ladies Club Captain and Club Champion of St. Nicholas ladies on no fewer than 10 occasions, Nancy has held many senior positions in ladies golf at a national and international level, as well as having undertaken refereeing duties at many major international amateur event.

In 2004, Prestwick St. Nicholas conferred Honorary Membership on Nancy in recognition of her outstanding contribution to golf in Scotland and further afield.

Nancy is also a member and past captain of West Kilbride Ladies, a club which holds her in equally high esteem as St. Nicholas for her contribution to club and country over the years.

Commenting on her latest honour, Nancy said :-

“I'm thrilled to be invited to become an honorary vice-president of LGU, which I hold in high esteem.

The other new honorary vice-presidents are Joan Neville (Wales), Catherine Booth (Ireland) and Sue Johnson (England).

The annual general meeting of the Ladies Golf Union will be held at the Holiday Inn, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast on Wednesday, January 21, starting at 12 noon.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Closing dates fast approaching for county events

The closing dates are rapidly approaching for entries into three of the major Ayrshire Golf Association events of the season.

Entries for the AYRSHIRE SUMMER (Scratch) LEAGUE are due to be submitted to the Secretary by 31st January 2009.

Entries for the AYRSHIRE FOURBALL KNOCKOUT trophy competition, cost £12, are due to be in the hands of The Secretary by 14th February 2009.

Entries for the AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS trophy competition, also costing £12, are due in by 21st February 2009.

Entry forms for all three competitions were forwarded to club secretaries some weeks ago.

Players likely to be involved in representing their club in any of the three competitions are advised to confirm with their club secretary that the entry is submitted by the due date.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - 2009 County & National Fixtures now available

A list of Ayrshire County fixtures for 2009 is now available via the link on the left of the web page.

In addition a list of SGU and National fixtures is also available via a link under the FIXTURES heading on the left.

We are presently working on the list of Doc Thom Ayrshire Order Of Merit counting events and the Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit fixtures and these will also be published via links under the FIXTURES heading as soon as they are completed.

We also intend making some entry forms available to download from the web page this season.

AYRSHIRE WINTER LEAGUE - Defending champions reach semi finals

The qualifying sections of the 2008 - 2009 Ayrshire Winter League have been completed with the defending champions Prestwick St. Nicholas (pictured right) remaining on course to retain the title.

Prestwick St. Nicholas qualified from their group and now face Troon Portland in the semi finals.

In the other semi final, Irvine Ravenspark face Troon Welbeck.

If any player or officials of participating clubs are able to keep us updated with details of the semi finals and final matches details, we will publish these on the web page in due course.

HAPPY NEW YEAR - Best wishes for 2009

Wishing all our visitors a happy new year and best wishes for 2009. We have much to look forward to next year, with The Open Championship at Turnberry, The Scottish Amateur at Royal Troon and the Ladies Home Internationals at Irvine (Bogside) amongst the highlights of the forthcoming season in Ayrshire.

Best wishes also go to Loudoun Gowf Club and Troon St. Meddans Golf Club who both celebrate their Centenary year in 2009, as does The Ayrshire Ladies Golf Association.

Hopefully the members of all three clubs will have a memorable year of celebrations to mark this notable milestone.

Finally, many thanks to all our visitors who have contributed to over 30,000 hits on the web page this year, which makes the effort put in in producing the weblog worthwhile for all involved.

Please feel free to e-mail any suggestions for improving the web page or make comments via the link at the bottom right of each page entry.

Very best wishes to all for 2009 !!!!

Alasdair

GOLF IN TENERIFE - Competitive golf invite from the Peanuts Golf Society

We Recently received the following info from Bill McLellan who runs the Peanuts Golf Society in Tenerife.

If you are thinking of a golf holiday in Tenerife, the web site is worth checking out for an opportunity for competitive golf and to meet new friends there during your stay.

There is also a link to the Peanuts Golf Society website on the left of this page.

Bill wrote :-

"I run the Web Site for our Golf Society here in Tenerife,I am also an overseas member of Glasgow Golf Club as I have a house in Alloway which I come over to in the summer. I wondered wither you can give us a link and a small write up on your Ayrshire Golf site as many of your readers will at some time come out to Tenerife to golf and may like to know they can have a competitive game.

Have a look at our site www.peanutsgolf.co.uk and we would be only too pleased to see anyone from Ayrshire out here on the Links

Regards and Happy New Year"

Bill McLellan

FAIRWAY SAVER REWARD - St. Nicholas Ladies lead the way

From the Scottish Golf Union website :-

The ladies section of Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club became only the second in Scotland to earn a £500 reward from Dunfermline Building Society’s Fairway Savers initiative – then generously donated the money to a local charity.

As part of their 3-year sponsorship deal with the Scottish Golf Union, Dunfermline Building Society are rewarding clubs with a donation of £500 if fifty of their members open a Fairway Savers account at their local branch.

Led by Lady Captain Anne Grant and Ayr Branch Manager Katie Hodge, Prestwick St Nicholas quickly reached their target and the duo were presented with a cheque from SGU Chief Executive Hamish Grey recently.

Lady Captain Anne Grant commented :-

“CLIC Sargent in Prestwick is the ladies club’s nominated charity this year and through various initiatives we have ran this year our members raised more than £5,000 for what is a very worthy cause.

We committed to donating the Dunfermline Building Society Fairway Saver reward to the charity if we reached our target, so my thanks go to my fellow club members for their support in making this and our other initiatives this year so successful.”

The Scottish Golf Union has been supported by Dunfermline Building Society for the last two years through their sponsorship of the Junior Masters, Junior Club of the Year and Scottish Golf Dinner. Since the launch of the Fairway Savers affinity account last October, more than 4,000 new accounts have been opened by golf club members up and down the country, generating further investment for grass roots golf in Scotland.

Hamish Grey, Chief Executive of the SGU, said:

“The Fairway Savers affinity account has been a hugely successful part of our sponsorship with Dunfermline Building Society with benefits for everyone involved. I am delighted that Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club has earned their reward through the hard work of their lady members.

Its great to see how a golf club can support their local charity so well and this is just one example of the wider role golf plays in the communities across the country.”

The Dunfermline Building Society Fairway Savers account is available for both adults and juniors and offers a competitive interest rate whilst supporting grass roots golf in Scotland.

Katie Hodge, Branch Manager for Dunfermline Building Society in Ayr, is delighted to see their sponsorship of the SGU working so effectively:

“Golf is a very important part of life in Ayrshire so it’s great from a local perspective that Dunfermline Building Society has such strong links to the sport. The sponsorship has certainly been successful for us both nationally and locally and it’s wonderful to see the club’s charity also benefiting from our partnership.”

SCOTTISH SENIORS GOLFING SOCIETY - new website launched

Keith Howie from West Kilbride, the present Vice captain of the Scottish Seniors Golfing Society is in the process of constructing a website for the society.

The website has recently been launched and can be accessed on www.scottishseniorsgolf.com or through the link on the left of this page.

The website provides news and info about forthcoming events as well as result, photographs and an online shop where members can purchase S.S.G.S. merchandise, as well as information on how to join.

Keith plans to list the regional websites on the site in the near future.

SGU HANDICAP AUDIT - returns now overdue from some clubs

The annual SGU handicap audit of players with one of a handicap or less is underway and club and match secretaries are being urged to complete their club returns as soon as possible and forward the results to the Scottish Golf Union as previously requested.
Negative returns are also required to be notified to the SGU.

A number of Ayrshire club returns have still not been received by the national body. It would be appreciated if club secretaries and officials could ensure that the requested returns are completed and forwarded as previously requested.

GOLFERS GOING TO UNIVERSITY - What about Cardiff ?

Considering going to University ?...... Category one golfer ?.......... this recent correspondence from Cardif University Golf Society Recruitment Officer Gareth Rees may be of interest :-

I write to you on behalf of the Cardiff University Golf Society. I was recently appointed Recruitment Officer as we feel the need to market our society and target potential students and members. I would be very grateful if you could forward this message to relevant individuals and institutions in your constituency (schools, golf clubs, junior golf development programmes etc.). We are mainly looking for golfers with a category 1 handicap but golfers of all standards are welcome in our society.

Here is some information about what our society has to offer:
· The society has two teams that play in British Universities and Colleges Sports leagues; the first team in the South Premier league and the second team in the Western Conference league.
· We offer weekly coaching with PGA National Coach Keith Williams at the Vale of Glamorgan Golf Resort, and also weekly training sessions.
· The society enters a team every year to play in the World University Match-play Championships in Germany and also sends two players to represent the University in the Boyd Quaich Tournament in St Andrews, Scotland.
· Every member of the society has the opportunity to have high quality gear including kit and golf bags.
· The University offers an annual Bursary to students who show outstanding ability and potential in Golf. Applicants must show evidence of a high standard of Golf participation and performance together with a low handicap, typically 2 or 3 for men and 6 for women.
· Golf Bursars will also receive:
o Coaching
o Sport science support
o BUPA physiotherapy
o Free Gold membership to University Sports Facilities
o Free access to sports talks and workshops
o Personal mentoring
· An exuberant social life giving golfers and non-golfers the opportunity to socialise and bond in a variety of ways.

Cardiff University offers a very high standard of education in a huge range of degree programmes, unlimited extra curricular opportunities, and a friendly atmosphere, which is why students should give Cardiff their serious consideration when selecting the University that is best for them.

If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact me either by e-mail on reesg11@cardiff.ac.uk or by phone on 07980195726.

Kind regards,

Gareth Rees, Cardiff University Golf Society Recruitment Officer

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION YEARBOOK - preparations under way for 6th edition

Preparations are now under way for the 6th Ayrshire Golf Association Yearbook, which should hopefully be available at the Annual Dinner at the end of February 2009.

The yearbook will again be produced by Des and Mandy Buckley of D & M Journals and will be distributed free of charge to member clubs, driving ranges and other golf outlets throughout Ayrshire.

With the Open Championship coming to Ayrshire in July, it is hoped that the distribution of the yearbooks will be even more widespread

than previously.

The production of the yearbook relies entirely on the good will of sponsors for its production, and provides an excellent medium to promote businesses throughout the county.

If any readers are intersted in promoting their own business and supporting the Ayrshire Golf Association in the production of the yearbook, through purchasing advertisng in the 2009 edition, or if any readers know of potential advertisers interested in purchasing space in the publication,

please contact Des Buckley direct on :-

Tel no - 0131 477 1026

Mobile - 07970 869293

e-mail - dmjournals@aol.com

There are advertising rates available for Quarter, third, half and full pages, as well as the outside back cover.

The Association would be delighted if any readers are able to support the 2009 yearbook through advertising.

EUROPEAN SENIORS TOUR - Drummond finishes season in 17th place

Prestwick resident Ross Drummond finished in 17th place in the 2008 PGA European Seniors Tour Order Of Merit.

Drummond, who is still awaiting his maiden seniors victory, after a few near misses, was third best placed Scot, with Sam Torrance ahead of him in 8th position and leading Scot Bill Longmuir in 5th.

Winner of the Seniors Order Of Merit this year was Ian Woosnam who took the top spot in his rookie year on the seniors tour.

BRITISH SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP - Change of format for 2009 event at Prestwick

The R & A have announced a change in format for the Seniors British Championship, to be held, for the third time in its history, at Prestwick Golf Club from 5th to 7th August 2009.

In a bid to maintain a high quality field, the handicap limit hasd been reduced to 3 and the field reduced to 144 in number.

Open to players over 55 years of age on 5th August 2009, competitors in the championship will now play 36 holes strokeplay on the Wednesday & Thursday with the field being reduced to 60 for the final days play on the Friday.

The change in format has resulted in Prestwick St. Nicholas no longer being required to be used for the opening qualifying rounds, as it was scheduled to do under the previous competition format, with all rounds now taking place over the links of the Prestwick club.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Brown named Junior Golfer Of The Year at annual dinner

Scott Brown (Turnberry) ended a superb season on a high when he was named Ayrshire Junior Golfer Of The Year at the annual dinner and presentation of trophies of The Ayrshire Junior Golf League, held at Irvine Ravenspark on Monday 10th November.




Brown, who took both the Ayrshire Boys and Ayrshire Boys matchplay titles during the year, as well as winning the Junior Order Of merit underlined, his playing ability, committment and alround mannerly demeanour by securing the Macrobert Thistle Junior Golfer Of The Year Trophy, which was presented by David Reynolds of Fields In Trust (formerly The National Playing Fields Association).


Brown's successes this year have been recognised at his home club, and in particular by the new owners of the Turnberry resort, who have invited him to take part in the Dubai Desert Classic Pro Am in January, where he is scheduled to play alongside world number two Sergio Garcia, in recognition of his 2008 achievements.

The 2008 Junior League annual dinner, Chaired by Fleming Gibson (Caprington), attracted the usual capacity audience, with guests including the Scottish Golf Union President John Somerville and Ayrshire Golf Association President Alasdair J. Malcolm (Prestwick St. Nicholas), as well as coaching professionals and captains of local clubs who have supported The League throughout the season. Special guests also included former League player Steven McEwan (Caprington) who gained full international honours during 2008, as well as winning the Scottish Order Of merit and being runner up in the Scottish Amateur Championship, and Ian Walker who generously sponsored the Junior Order Of Merit in 2008.


Also present were a number of the Ayrshire Junior Golf League Honorary Members, including the latest recipient of the honour, Brian Farrelly (Ardeer) who was elected an Honorary Member in December 2007.

Brian Farrelly (Ardeer) receiving his Honorary Membership certificate


After an excellent meal and the ever popular raffle, which raised a considerable sum for League funds, the winners of the various competitions were presented with their trophies and awards for the season.


The presentations began with Chairman Fleming Gibson presenting his Honorary Membership certificate to Brian Farrelly, and continued with David Reynolds presenting the Macrobert Thistle Junior Golfer Of The year Trophy to Scott Brown.


Secretary Barry Somerville (Prestwick St. Cuthebrt) then called upon SGU President John Somerville to present the remaining awards to the winners.


2008 ROLL OF HONOUR



Matt Lygate Trophy - LARGS G.C.
Andrew D. Nimmo Trophy - TROON WELBECK G.C.
Prestwick Circuits Trophy - ANDREW ABERCROMBIE (Largs)
Carrick Trophy - COLIN ROBINSON (Largs)
Silver Jubilee Trophy - BALLOCHMYLE G.C.
Ayrshire Boys Championship - SCOTT BROWN (Turnberry)
Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship - SCOTT BROWN (Turnberry)
Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit - SCOTT BROWN (Turnberry)
Wallace Thornton Trophy - KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE) G.C.
Under 16 Knockout Trophy - CAPRINGTON G.C.
Champion Of Champions Trophy - JAMIE ACHESON (Largs Routenburn)
League Championship Semi Finalists - KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE) G.C.
League Championship Semi Finalists - PRESTWICK ST. CUTHBERT G.C.
League Championship Runners Up - WEST KILBRIDE G.C.
League Champions - LARGS G.C.









Matt Lygate Trophy winners - LARGS G.C.










Andrew D. Nimmo Trophy winners - TROON WELBECK G.G.

Carrick Trophy winner - COLIN ROBINSON (Largs)












Silver Jubilee Trophy winners -
BALLOCHMYLE G.C.











Wallace Thornton Trophy Runners Up -
AYR BELLEISLE G.C.










Wallace Thornton Trophy winners -
KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE) G.C.











Under 16 Knockout Trophy Runners Up -
BALLOCHMYLE G.C.









Under 16 Knockout Trophy Winners -
CAPRINGTON G.C.









Champion Of Champions Runner Up -
SEAN THORBURN (Ayr Belleisle)













Champion Of Champions Winner -
JAMIE ACHESON (Largs Routenburn)

Order Of Merit - 7th - SAM FINDLATER (Troon Welbeck)

Order Of Merit - 6th - FRASER LAWRIE (West Kilbride)

Order Of merit - 4th - ANDREW WRIGHT (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Order Of Merit - 3rd - JACK McDONALD (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Order Of Merit Runner Up - SCOTT CLARK (Ayr Belleisle)

SCOTT BROWN (Turnberry) with his seasons haul of county trophies - Junior Order Of Merit, Macrobert Thistle Junior Golfer Of The Year, Ayrshire Boys Championship and Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship

League Championship Semi Finalists -
KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE) G.C.







League Championship Semi Finalists -
PRESTWICK ST. CUTHBERT G.C.

League Championship Runners Up -
WEST KILBRIDE G.C.

League Champions -
LARGS G.C.







At the conclusion of the presentations, League Vice President Iain Mackay (West Kilbride) proposed a vote of thanks.

JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - McQueen runner up in girls event at Kingsbarns

Rachael McQueen (Troon Ladies) was runner up behind Carly Booth in the Junioe Champion Of Champions event at Kingsbarns on Sunday 2nd November.

Matching par of 72, McQueen was a distant five shots behind Curtis Cup player Booth, who blew away the opposition with a stunning score of 67.

The boys' event was a tighter affair with Andy McLachlan (Bonnyton) matching Booth’s 67 to win by just two strokes from Mark Dickson (Gullane).

Ayrshire's representative in the boys event, Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) finished in equal 12th spot on 75.

LEADING BOYS' SCORES

67 - Andrew McLachlan

69 - Mark Dickson

70 - Colin Baird

71 - Sam Binning

72 - Mark Bookless, Daniel Young, Kyle Godsman

73 - Paul Shields

74 - Fraser McKenna

75 - Adam Dunton, James Ross, Kyle Smith, David Law

76 - Ryan Campbell, Callum Trahan, Sam McLaren, Colin Thomson

77 - Colin Robinson, Oliver Huish.

LEADING GIRLS SCORES

67 - Carly Booth

72 - Rachael McQueen

76 - Kelsey MacDonald

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Frustration for Ayrshire as counties vote to scrap 2008 competition

The Ayrshire county full and youth teams have been left frustrated by the decision of participating counties, by a 4 - 2 majority, to abandon the Inter County League matches for 2008.


The decision came after two particularly wet weekends in October led to the postponement of a number of matches.


With three wins from three, the position of the youths team is particularly unfortunate as they were defending the title won in 2007, and looked to be in an unbeatable position if they managed a win in the scheduled match this coming weekend.


Although the A team have played only two of their scheduled four games so far, they remained undefeated also, with one win and one draw.

The future of the West Of Scotland Inter County League matches will be further discussed by representatives of the participating counties at a later date.