AYRSHIRE COMPETITIONS - Closing date for entries tomorrow

Entries for three of the 2014 extended championships for the 2014 season close tomorrow, Friday 31st January.

Entry forms for all competitions were emailed to member clubs in November.

Any club who requires replacement entry forms for any of the three events should contact the area secretary as soon as possible.

The following entries have been received to date (30 January).



In the SCRATCH LEAGUE competition, 24 entries have been received so far, from the undernoted clubs.

Loudoun
Troon Welbeck
Irvine
Kilmarnock Barassie
Irvine Ravenspark
West Kilbride
Ballochmyle
Prestwick St Cuthbert
Caprington
Ayr Belleisle
Ardeer
Largs
Girvan
Kilbirnie Place
New Cumnock
Troon St Meddans
Turnberry
Ayr Dalmilling
Rowallan Castle
Tam O Shanter
Maybole
Doon Valley
Moorpark
Brunston Castle

 Whilst Brunston castle have submitted a new entry this year, clubs who competed last year, for which an entry has not yet been received yet are :-

Prestwick St Nicholas
Abbotsford
In the CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS, 47 entries have been received to date, including:-

Alan McLean (Kilbirnie Place)
Frank Murdoch (Brunston Castle)
David Cook (Fenwick)
Steven Bolland (Tam O Shanter)
Gary Bryden (Girvan)
Andrew Jess (Ayr Belleisle)
Scott McCune (Moorpark)
James Graham (Doon Valley)
Ewan McKinnon (Brodick)
Colin Craig (Troon Welbeck)
Ian Harding (North Beach)
James Paterson (Braehead)
Robbie Fulker (Kilmarnock Barassie)
Gary Jordan (Crosshouse)
Gordon Boyle (Turnberry)
David Taylor (Ayr Seafield)
Craig Young (Loudoun)
Graeme Gimson (Prestwick St Cuthbert)
Andrew Armstrong (Auchenharvie 88)
Colin Berry (Rowallan Castle)
David Mason (Ayr Dalmilling)
Graham McLaughlan (Troon Portland)
Iain Girvan (Muirkirk)
Darren Mallinson (Irvine Ravenspark)
Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay)
Kenny Milliken (Troon St Meddnas)
Martin Riddall (New Cumnock)
Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle)
Kenny MacAskill (Turnbery Staff)
Steven McEwan (Holder)
Craig Anderson (Ayr Carrick)
Iain McDonald (Largs)
Tom Reid (Stewarton)
Derek Ballantyne (Ardeer)
Stephen Brown (Drongan)
Billy Smith (Caprington)
Sandy Riddell (Skelmorlie)
Gordon C McKelvie (Royal Troon)
Gary Steele (Maybole)
Bryan Jamieson (Wallacetown)
Adam Sweeney (Largs Routenburn)
Alan Smeeton (The Chase)
Kevin Coupland (Malletsheugh)
Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Nicholas)
Thomas Freer Jr (Alton)
John Shanks (Irvine)
Robin McCaig (West Kilbride)

Clubs who submitted entries last season, from whom no entry has been received so far are :-

Abbotsford
Annanhill
Beith
In the AYRSHIRE FOURBALL competition, the undernoted entries have been received to date:-

G Brown & G Johnston (Kilbirnie Place)
D McCulloch & G McCulloch (Brunston Castle)
A McCall & D Moore (Fenwick)
R Long & J Sloan (Tam O Shanter)
S Simpson & G Stewart (Girvan)
V Sproat & D Lewis (Ayr Belleisle)
A Kerr & F Innes (Largs)
J Beckett & G Armstrong (Moorpark)
J Barr & D Sloan (Doon Valley)
D Batchelor & S Davies (Troon Welbeck)
S Wilson & J Mason (North Beach)
R Marshall & P Rooney (Beith)
E Gilmour & S Holland (Braehead)
B Wilson & J Wilson (Ayr Neptune)
P Clark & K O'Neil (Kilmarnock Barassie)
T Alexander & A Leishman (Ayr Seafield)
G Jordan & P Ferguson (Crosshouse)
J Paterson & D Monaghan (Loudoun)
S Armstrong & G Davidson (Prestwick St Cuthbert)
G Falconer & S Ross (Ayr Dalmilling)
J McComiskey & T Devlin (Troon Portland)
H Fyfe & C Weir (Muirkirk)
T Maxwell & J Gibson (Irvine Ravenspark)
C McDonald Jr & C McDonald (Troon St Meddans)
G Robinson & D McMaster (New Cumnock)
J Mitchell & I Fisher (Ballochmyle)
?? & ?? (Turnberry Staff)
D Paterson & B  McTaggart (Ayr Carrick)
T Reid & D Ainslie (Stewarton)
B Graham & J Bryant (Ardeer)
D McAlpine & S Wilson (Drongan)
I McFarlane & B Wilson (Caprington)
S Redford & L Peacock (Skelmorlie)
K Campbell & J Toal (Glacier)
A McAughtrie & D Porte (Wallacetown)
J McLuskie  & A McKinnie (Largs Routneburn)
A MacDonald & R Paterson (Auchenharvie 88)
G Steele & J Urie (Maybole)
J Taylor & G Neill (The Chase)
J Gibb & G Ross (Malletsheugh)
R Cornelius & N Burns (Alton)
G Graham & C Frew (Irvine)
D Gemmell & S Ward (West Kilbride)

Clubs who competed from whom an entry has not yet bee received this year are :-

Abbotsford
Annanhill
Prestwick St Nicholas
Rowallan Castle

AYRSHIRE STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Entry forms now available

Entry forms for the 2014 Ayrshire Strokeplay Championship are now available to download from this web page.

The entry form and poster can be accessed via the link on the left of this page under the 'Mens Info' heading.

The championship takes place this year at Irvine Golf Club on Sunday 27 April.

The entry fee is £20 and handicap limit is 3.

The top sixteen in the championship will progress to contest the Ayrshire Matchplay Championship at Kilmarnock (Barassie) in early May.

Entry forms should also be available through Club Secretaries by early next week.

THE AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION

PRESENT

THE 2014 AYRSHIRE

STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

AT

IRVINE GOLF CLUB

BY KIND PERMISSION

ON

SUNDAY 27th APRIL 2014

(OVER 36 HOLES STROKEPLAY)

**********

ENTRY FEE £ 20.00

 

HANDICAP LIMIT : 3

**********

ENTRY MAY BE LIMITED TO 60 PLAYERS - TO BE BALLOTED BY HANDICAP AFTER THE CLOSING DATE

 

THE WINNER WILL RETAIN THE AYRSHIRE STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY

FOR ONE YEAR AND WILL RECEIVE A MEDAL FOR RETENTION

 

The winner qualifies for the 2015 Scottish Champion Of Champions at Leven

 

IN ADDITION VARIOUS PRIZE VOUCHERS WILL BE AWARDED

ON SCRATCH BASIS

**********

The players returning the 16 best aggregate scratch totals will contest

THE AYRSHIRE MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

At Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club from 5^th – 8^th May 2014

 ****************

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

(PLEASE ENCLOSE A STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE)

**********

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: - NOON ON SATURDAY 5^TH APRIL 2014

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

BOTH ON THE COURSE AND IN THE CLUBHOUSE

INTERNATIONAL GOLF - Easton named in Scotland boys team for event in Italy

Stuart Easton

Stuart Easton of Irvine Golf Club has been names as on of the six strong Scotland Under 18 team who will take on France, Sweden & Italy in the Under 18 Quadrangular Match being played at San Domenico Golf Club in Italy from 12 – 14 March this year.

Boys’ Amateur champion Ewen Ferguson leads the Scots team that also includes Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten), Murray Naysmith (Marriott Dalmahoy), Calum Fyfe (Cawder) and Ben Kinsley (St Andrews) as well as Stuart Easton.

DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES - R & A allow use for amateur events in 2014

The R&A’s Championship Committee has decided that it will allow the use of distance measuring devices (DMDs) in R&A amateur events in 2014.

(From the R & A website)

DMD’s have been covered by an optional Local Rule, which has been available under the Rules of Golf since 2006 (see Note to Rule 14-3 of the Rules of Golf), and the Championship Committee will take up this option for 2014.

This Local Rule will be introduced for The R&A’s amateur events only.  It will not be introduced for The Open Championship or any qualifying event for The Open Championship.

The Championship Committee would like to emphasise that it has taken this decision for R&A events but is not making this a recommendation for other championship organisers to follow. It remains a matter for individual Committees and Clubs to decide whether or not they want to allow the use of such devices in their competitions.

The Ayrshire Golf Association allowed the use of conforming Distance Measuring Devices in all their events from 2013, with the devices also permitted in the West Of Scotland Inter County Leagues from last year.

Your Distance Measuring Device Questions Answered

From the days when selecting a club was done by “eye”, we have progressed through yardage books, a development often attributed to Jack Nicklaus, distance markers at the sides of fairways and distances on sprinkler heads, to a point where electronic distance-measuring devices, have become quite common in certain areas of the world.

Most of the questions that The R&A receives in connection with distance-measuring devices along with the answers, are provided below.

Q. Can I use a distance-measuring device in a competition?

A. The use of a distance-measuring device during a stipulated round remains contrary to the Rules of Golf – the penalty being disqualification under Rule 14-3 (Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment). However, since January 2006, a Committee can permit the use of some such devices via a Local Rule.

Q. What kind of distance-measuring devices are allowed by Local Rule?

A. A GPS, laser, smart phone, any really; however, it is important that the device only measures distance. The use of a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect a player’s play, such as gradient or wind speed, is not permitted, regardless of whether such an additional function is used or not, and even if that function is disabled.

To help golfers and/or referees to determine the status of a particular device, The R&A has produced a flowchart explaining what is allowed when the Local Rule is in place, which is reproduced below.

 

 

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION ANNUAL DINNER - Tickets for irvine GC event now available for purchase

 

The 2014 Ayrshire Golf Association Annual Dinner and Presentation Of Trophies will be held at Irvine Golf Club on Friday 14 March 2014.

 

This date is two weeks later than usual, rescheduled to avoid a clash with the Scottish Golf Awards Dinner.

 

Posters have been emailed to clubs and tickets are available on a first come first served basis.

 

 

THE AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL DINNER

&

PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES

At

IRVINE GOLF CLUB

 

FRIDAY 14 MARCH 2014

6.30 P.M. FOR 7.00 P.M.

 

SPEAKER

 

Niven Rennie

Police Superintendent, Police Service Of Scotland

 TICKETS PRICED AT

£17.50 EACH

ARE AVAILABLE FROM

THE AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION SECRETARY

 

ALASDAIR J. MALCOLM

17 AUCHINCRUIVE AVENUE

PRESTWICK

KA9 2DT

Tel. 01292 477657

Email – ayrshire.golf@btinternet.com

AYRSHIRE CHAMPIONSHIPS - Entries close on 31st January

Entries for three of the 2014 extended championships for the 2014 season close on 31st January. A number of entries have been received to date, as noted below. Entry forms for all competitions were emailed to member clubs in November.

Any club who requires replacement entry forms for any of the three events should contact the area secretary as soon as possible.



In the SCRATCH LEAGUE competition, 15 entries have been received so far, from the undernoted clubs.

Loudoun
Irvine
Irvine Ravenspark
West Kilbride
Ballochmyle
Prestwick St Cuthbert
Caprington
Ardeer
Largs
New Cumnock
Troon St Meddans
Turnberry
Ayr Dalmilling
Rowallan Castle
Maybole

Clubs who competed last year, for which an entry has not yet been received ( by Sunday 19.01.14) are:-

Troon Welbeck
Kilmarnock Barassie
Ayr Belleisle
Girvan
Kilbirnie Place
Prestwick St Nicholas
Tam O Shanter
Doon Valley
Moorpark
Abbotsford

In the CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS, 34 entries have been received, by 19th January, including the following:-

Gary Jordan (Crosshouse)
Gordon Boyle (Turnberry)
David Taylor (Ayr Seafield)
Craig Young (Loudoun)
Graeme Gimson (Prestwick St Cuthbert)
Andrew Armstrong (Auchenharvie 88)
Colin Berry (Rowallan Castle)
David Mason (Ayr Dalmilling)
Graham McLaughlan (Troon Portland)
Iain Girvan (Muirkirk)
Darren Mallinson (Irvine Ravenspark)
Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay)
Kenny Milliken (Troon St Meddnas)
Martin Riddall (New Cumnock)
Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle)
?? (Turnbery Staff)
Steven McEwan (Holder)
Craig Anderson (Ayr Carrick)
Iain McDonald (Largs)
Tom Reid (Stewarton)
Derek Ballantyne (Ardeer)
Stephen Brown (Drongan)
Billy Smith (Caprington)
Sandy Riddell (Skelmorlie)
Gordon C McKelvie (Royal Troon)
Gary Steele (Maybole)
Bryan Jamieson (Wallacetown)
Adam Sweeney (Largs Routenburn)
Alan Smeeton (The Chase)
Kevin Coupland (Malletsheugh)
Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Nicholas)
Thomas Freer Jr (Alton)
John Shanks (Irvine)
Robin McCaig (West Kilbride)

Clubs who submitted entries last season, from whom no entry has been received so far are :-

Abbotsford
Annanhill
Ayr Belleisle
Beith
Braehead
Brunston Castle
Doon Valley
Fenwick
Girvan
Glacier
Kilbirnie Place
Kilmarnock Barassie
Moorpark
North Beach
Saxone
Tam O Shanter
Troon Welbeck

In the AYRSHIRE FOURBALL competition, the undernoted entries have been received by 19 January :-

T Alexander & A Leishman (Ayr Seafield)
G Jordan & P Ferguson (Crosshouse)
J Paterson & D Monaghan (Loudoun)
S Armstrong & G Davidson (Prestwick St Cuthbert)
G Falconer & S Ross (Ayr Dalmilling)
J McComiskey & T Devlin (Troon Portland)
H Fyfe & C Weir (Muirkirk)
T Maxwell & J Gibson (Irvine Ravenspark)
C McDonald Jr & C McDonald (Troon St Meddans)
G Robinson & D McMaster (New Cumnock)
J Mitchell & I Fisher (Ballochmyle)
?? & ?? (Turnberry Staff)
D Paterson & B  McTaggart (Ayr Carrick)
T Reid & D Ainslie (Stewarton)
B Graham & J Bryant (Ardeer)
D McAlpine & S Wilson (Drongan)
I McFarlane & B Wilson (Caprington)
S Redford & L Peacock (Skelmorlie)
K Campbell & J Toal (Glacier)
A McAughtrie & D Porte (Wallacetown)
J McLuskie  & A McKinnie (Largs Routneburn)
A MacDonald & R Paterson (Auchenharvie 88)
G Steele & J Urie (Maybole)
J Taylor & G Neill (The Chase)
J Gibb & G Ross (Malletsheugh)
R Cornelius & N Burns (Alton)
G Graham & C Frew (Irvine)
D Gemmell & S Ward (West Kilbride)

Clubs who competed from whom an entry has not yet bee received this year are :-

Abbotsford
Annanhill
Ayr Belleisle
Beith
Braehead
Brunston castle
Caprington
Doon Valley
Fenwick
Girvan
Kilbirnie Place
Kilmarnock Barassie
largs
Moorpark
North Beach
Prestwick St Nicholas
Rowallan castle
Saxone
Tam O Shanter
Troon Welbeck

ROYAL TROON - renovation points toward 2016 British Open

     

When the Open Championship returns to Royal Troon in 2016, the Scottish course will look a little different than the course where Todd Hamilton defeated Ernie Els in a playoff in 2004.

 

From the www.golfweek.com website - By Alex Miceli

 

 

Martin Ebert of Mackenzie & Ebert is making changes to a venue that has hosted eight Open Championships dating to 1923.

 

The R&A has precipitated the changes, as they have at most other courses on the Open Championship rota, and has used Mackenzie & Ebert to perform the work.

The changes at Royal Troon touch almost every hole but are not intended to lengthen the course.

The modifications include:

• Restoration of the size of the greens on the second, fourth, eighth, 13th, 16th and 17th holes;
• Movement of fairway bunkers, addition of low dunes and an approach bunker on the fourth hole;
• Enlargement of tees on the fifth, sixth, 12th and 13th holes;
• Enlargement of tees and reshaping of green surrounds on the sixth hole;
• Restoration of an old fairway bunker to add some risk to attempting to drive the green on the seventh hole;
• Removal of trees behind the ninth green and the creation of dunes instead, because the dunes were casting shade over the green and roots were invading the green surface;
• Addition of a back tee and creation of a dune slack in the carry on the 10th hole;
• Removal of gorse and replacement with heather rough vegetation on the 11th hole;
• Construction of new tees to the left of the 14th green and movement of the first half of the fairway to the left. This moves the hole away from the access road alongside the course and restores the line that was played for the 1923 Open Championship on the 15th hole.

Expect the work to be completed this summer.

TOUR GOLF - Caddie mark Crane eyes Ryder Cup joy with Casey

PRESTWICK’S Mark Crane reckons he’s landed a live chance of caddying in this year’s Ryder Cup after being hired by two-times Gleneagles winner Paul Casey.

By Martin Dempster - from the Scotsman website at wwwscotsman.com





Crane, who was on Richie Ramsay’s bag for more than four years, started his new job in the opening round of the Volvo Golf Champions after receiving a phone call out of the blue from the Englishman.

It’s an exciting opportunity for the 31-year-old, who already has a wedding date pencilled in for September and reckons Gleneagles would be a perfect honeymoon location. “Paul phoned me up and we had a chat,” said Crane, who had a spell with another Englishman, David Horsey, after ending an association with Ramsay that had produced two European Tour triumphs.
“I think he liked the way I spoke and that’s probably because I’m no different to him – I want to be a winner in this game. You want to caddie in Ryder Cups and be in contention in majors. He’s on the same wavelength and I think I can learn a lot from him.”
The new partnership didn’t get off to the best of starts as a pulled approach at the first, coupled with a bad kick, resulted in a double-bogey 6, but the duo both had smiles on their face as Casey finished birdie-birdie for a level-par 72.
“I’ve heard stories that Paul is demanding and quite hard to work for, but you’ve got to be prepared for that in this business,” added Crane, who got the taste for caddying at the top level when he was on Lloyd Saltman’s bag as he won the Silver Medal in the 2005 Open at St Andrews
“He’s gone through a few bad spells but most top players have those and it’s how you react to them and come back that’s the important thing. He’s in a good place in his life right now, having just got engaged (to TV presenter Pollyanna Woodward) and also feeling injury free. It’s a fresh start for both of us.”
Casey, who played on two victorious European Ryder Cup teams in 2004 and 2006, returned to winning ways in last year’s Irish Open. Lying outside the world’s top 50, he faces a difficult task to qualify automatically for Paul McGinley’s team. But, having recorded two wins on the PGA Centenary Course – in 2001 and 2006 – Crane believes his new boss could emerge as a genuine wild-card contender.
“Having done a bit of studying after I got the job, I know that Paul has a great Ryder Cup record and that, coupled with the fact he’s won twice at Gleneagles, must give him a chance if he can be on form when the picks are being handed out,” he said. “I’m getting married on 21 September – the Sunday before the Ryder Cup – and a Gleneagles honeymoon would be incredible!”

AYRSHIRE WINTER GOLF ASSOCIATION - Gray and Ewart takes the honours ar KIilmarnock (Barassie)

Stephen Gray (Hayston) finished the Ayrshire Winter Golf Association fixture at Kilmarnock Barassie on Tuesday 7th January 2014 with 6 straight pars from the ninth followed by 3 birdies in the last 3 holes for a 2 under par 70 to pip Graham Fox's 71 (Clydeway Golf ) for the first place position by one shot.

 

Paul McKechnie  73(Braid Hills) and Campbell Elliot 74  (Haggs Castle) took 3rd and 4th place respectively .

 

Early conditions of strong wind and showers reflected the high scores across the field over the Links course.

 

Stephen's win now makes him joint leader with Graham in the Order of Merit with two fixtures left at Royal Troon (11th Feb) and Old Prestwick(12th March).

 

The Amateur NE'ERDAY TROPHY after a countback was won by Eric Ewart  (Royal Troon) who's net 72 equalled that of John Cameron (Cathkin Braes) and home player Ron Punton.

 

		KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE)
		07/01/2014
		PAR 72
			CLUB	PRO/TRN	SCORE
1st	S	GRAY	Hayston	PRO	70
2nd	G	FOX	Clydeway Golf	PRO	71
3rd	P	MCKECHNIE	Braid Hills	PRO	73
4th	C	ELLIOTT	Haggs Castle	PRO	74
5th	N	WALTON	Glasgow G C	PRO	75
Jt 6th	A	FORROW	Whitecraigs	PRO	76
Jt 6th	S	GARRETT	Fereneze	PRO	76
	R	ARNOTT	Bishopbriggs	PRO	77
	J	MCBREARTY	Haggs Castle	TRN	78
	D	ADDISON	Kilmarnock (Barassie)	TRN	79
	I	McNAB	Dundonald	TRN	79
	J	McCREADIE	Buchanan Castle	PRO	81
	J	MULLANEY	Unattached	PRO	82
	D	FLEMING	Prestwick	PRO	83
	B	HARVEY	Gordon Sherry Golf	TRN	85
	C	MCMANUS	Barassie	TRN	86
		NE'ERDAY TROPHY
		AMATEURS	CLUB	NET	HCAP
Jt 1st	E	EWART	Royal Troon	72	12
Jt 1st	J	CAMERON	Cathkin Braes	72	13
Jt 1st	R	PUNTON	Barassie	72	5
Jt 4th	P	BOYD	Glasgow G C	74	5
Jt 4th	J	DEVLIN	West Kilbride	74	4
6	L	QUIN	Western Gailes	77	10
7	P	WALSH	Ardeer	77	12
8	B	ANDERSON	ROYAL TROON	78	6
9	C	McLATCHIE	West Kilbride	78	9
10	T	CROZIER	Abbotsford	79	13
11	G	MCINTOSH	EastRenfrewshire	79	8
12	S	PATERSON	Abbotsford	79	18
13	D	WORDSWORTH	Irvine G. C.	79	7
14	T	ROGERS	Caldwell	81	13
15	S	FORREST	East Kilbride	82	7
16	J	WATT	St Cuthbert	82	15
17	J	McEWAN	Elderslie	83	15
18	L	McGUIGAN	East Kilbride	83	10
19	B	RAE	TURNBERRY	83	7
20	F	CRAIG	Hamilton,Carluke	84	12
21	A	KERR	Barassie	84	14
22	J	LAPPIN	Portland  Troon	85	6
23	M	LIRONI	Cathkin Braes	85	7
24	C	PEDDIE	Kirkintilloch	85	2
25	T	McGILL	Glasgow G C	86	6
26	S	MILLER	Royal Troon	86	8
27	C	WRIGHT	Dundonald	87	6
28	A	FALLIS	Cowglen	NR	17
28	T	FARREN	Barassie	NR	13
28	B	LAMB	Bogside Irvine	NR	13
28	J	MATTHEWMAN	Barassie	NR	12
28	I	McCONNOCHIE	Western Gailes	NR	6
28	J	RUSHBURY	Rowallan	NR	3
28	R	SHORT	Barassie	NR	6
28	R	SLATER	Abbotsford	NR	11
28	G	SMITH	Royal Troon	NR	3
28	S	RITCHIE	Cathcart Castle	NR	18