AYRSHIRE MEN'S FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Beith and Abbotsford through to 2025 final

The 2025 Ayrshire Men's Fourball Championship final will feature the pairings from Beith and Abbotsford, after completion of the semi final matches recently.

In the first semi-final Paul Kytzia & Joe McSorley (Beith) hosted Cormac Wright & John Bruce (Rowallan Castle) and secured their place in the final with a 3&1 win.

In the second semi-final Alan & Stuart Pole (Abbotsford) hosted Hugh Welsh & David Murray (West Kilbride) and went through to the final courtesy of a 4&3 victory.

As players from both clubs are not available for Finals Day at Troon Portland on Sunday the 31st of August, due to long standing prior commitments, the final has been postponed and will now be held on Sunday the 14th of September at a venue which has still to be confirmed.

SANDY PROVAN - County golf saddened by passing of respected former Ayrshire Golf Association Executive member

It was with much sadness that the current officials of The Ayrshire Golf Association learned very recently of the passing, on the 8th of June 2025, of former Ayrshire Golf Association Executive member Sandy Provan of Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club in his 83rd year.

Sandy was well known in Ayrshire golf circles during his years as a member of The Ayrshire Golf Association Executive between 1999 and 2010, and although he was involved in many aspects of The Association's work, he undoubtedly became best known for presenting and overseeing many succesful championships as the championship convenor for The Association for several years.

To mark Sandy's service and dedication to the competition and championship aspect of The Association's work, President Ricky Magee and Vice President Alasdair Malcolm presented a trophy to The Association in 2008, which was named after Sandy in recognation of his service, which became the Ayrshire Senior Men's Championship Trophy which very appropriately was contested for the first time over sandy'ds home course at Kilmarnock Barassie and is still played for to this day.

Sandy was a good friend to many within The Association and beyond, and the large turnout for his funeral service on the 26th of June bore testament to the esteem in which Sandy was held by many in the local golfing fraternity and beyond.

Sincere sympathy is extended from The Ayrshire Golf Association to Sandy's wife Eveann, his sons Craig & Brian, along with the extended family and Sandy's close friends on learning the news of his passing.

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY UNDER 18 BOYS LEAGUE - Ayrshire move to top of the table with win over Stirlingshire

Ayrshire have moved to the top of the West of Scotland Inter County Under 18 Boys League table after a win away to Stirlingshire in their penultimate fixture of the 2025 campaign at Falkirk Tryst GC on Sunday the 17^th of August.

Ayrshire’s win kept their unbeaten record for the season intact, as they bid to retain the Wishart Trophy and West of Scotland league title for a third successive season.

In the four Under 16 ties, Mason Chisholm (Irvine) put the first point of the board for Ayrshire with a 7&6 win and was followed soon after by Harris Vennard (Ayr Belleisle) who won by 6&5 to put Ayrshire two ahead.

A 4 & 3 win for Ollie Kane (Royal Troon) put Ayrshire 3 – 0 up before Stirlingshire got their first point when James McNeillie (West Kilbride), making his team debut, lost his tie by 5&4.

Ayrshire needed at least two wins from the four Under 18 ties for a match win.

Lyle Vogwell (West Kilbride) ensured at least a draw in the match with a 6&5 win and the overall win was assured with 3&2 wins by both Finlay Watt (West Kilbride) and Euan Forrest (Turnberry).

The remaining tie went to Stirlingshire, when Findlay Andrew (Turnberry) lost his tie by a single hole, leaving the final match score as Stirlingshire 2 Ayrshire 6.

Match details (Stirlingshire names first) :-

Kai Dickson (Stirling) lost to Harris Vennard (Ayr Belleisle) by 6&5

Jack Murphy (Bonnybridge) lost to Mason Chisholm (Irvine) by 7&6

Ben Wilson (Stirling) lost to Ollie Kane (Royal Troon) by 4&3

Josh McIlwaine (Stirling) beat James McNeillie (West Kilbride) by 5&4

Kyle Hamilton (Bonnybridge) lost to Finlay Watt (West Kilbride) by 372

Isaac King (Dunblane new) lost to Lyle Vogwell (West Kilbride) by 6&5

Thomas Kelly (Stirling) lost to Euan Forrest (Turnberry) by 372

Liam Graham (Falkirk) beat Findlay Andrew (Turnberry) by 1 hole.

STIRLINGSHIRE   2   AYRSHIRE  6

As a result of Ayrshire’s win, present positions in the West of Scotland Under 18 Boys Inter County league are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
AYRSHIRE	4	3	1	0	22.0	10.0	12.0	14
LANARKSHIRE	3	3	0	0	16.0	8.0	8.0	12
RENFREWSHIRE	3	1	2	0	15.5	8.5	7.0	8
STIRLINGSHIRE	4	1	0	3	12.5	19.5	-7.0	4
GLASGOW	3	0	1	2	9.0	15.0	-6.0	2
DUMBARTONSHIRE	3	0	0	3	5.0	19.0	-14.0	0

The other two matches in the fourth round of the series of fixtures are scheduled to take place later in the month, when Dumbartonshire host Glasgow at Lenzie on Sunday the 24^th, and Lanarkshire host Renfrewshire at Kirkhill on the 31^st.

Ayrshire’s final fixture of the 2025 campaign is against Lanarkshire at Ayr Seafield on Sunday the 7^th of September, where they will be in a position that a match win will ensure the retention of the championship trophy.

BILL TAIT - Girvan stalward passes away

Golfers in the Girvan area and beyond were saddened to learn of the recent passing of former Girvan Golf Club Secretary Bill Tait in his 93rd year.

A native of the town, three things that loomed large in Bill's life were his love of golf and football and his support of the Royal National Lifeboat Indstitution.

For many years Bill's practical support of the R.N.L.I extended to acting as Treasurer and press officer of the local branch in Girvan until retiring from the post in 2016 after 27 years in post, when he was awarded the RNLI Gold Badge at the annual awards ceremony in Perth that year to honour outstanding RNLI achievements, to add to his Silver Medan awarded twelve years earlier.

Bill's football loyalty was to Ayr United FC, where he was a season ticket holder for many years and his passing was marked at the club's first home league match of the season on Saturday the 9th of August with a half time announcement at the match.

Bill's other sporting love was for the game of golf. He was at times a member of both Turnberry and Girvan golf clubs and in his many years of membership at Girvan Golf Club he worked hard for the local golfers, serving as club secretary for over twenty years before retirning from the post in 2019.

Bill also acted as voluntary golf correspondent for the local newspaper, The Carrick Gazette, during his time as Secretary of the Girvan club, and he also became a published author, penning a booklet on the history of Girvan and Ballantrae Golf Club in 2015.

The sympathy of all at The Ayrshire Golf Association is extended to Bill's family and friends on his passing.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Euan Forrest leads after recent run of competition successes.

Euan Forrest (Turnberry) leads the chase for the 2025 Ayrshire Junior Order of merit title following successes in recent championships.

Runner up spots in the Ayrshire Boy's Strokeplay Championship and the Annanhill Junior Open, along with a semi final place in the Ayrshire Boy's Matchplay Championship, pushed Euan to the top of the Order of Merit table, with just a few events remaining.

2025 Ayrshire Boy's Strokeplay Champion Findlay Andrew (Turnberry) moved into second place after victories in the County Championship, the Annanhill Open, and the Ballochmyle Open as well as a semi final place in the Ayrshire Boy's matchplay Championship.

Joint first place at the Prestwick St Cuthbert Open and the Ayr Belleisle Open ensured that Gregor Hay (Ayr Belleisle) remained in third place in the Junior order of Merit.

With just two counting events remaining, The Tom Lehman Junior Open at Troon Municipal and the Irvine Junior Open, present positions in the Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit table are:-

  

DOC THOM AYRSHIRE MEN'S ORDER OF MERIT - John Shanks still leads after latest events

John Shanks (Irvine) still leads the chase for the Doc Thom Salver, and Ayrshire Men's Order of Merit title for 2025 after completion of a few more counting events recently.

After addition of the points from the Stevenson Trophy at Girvan and the Rowallan Castle Open John holds a clear lead over Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon) in second place.

It is not clear if the mainholm Cup at Ayr Dalmilling took place as scheduled on Sunday the 17th of August, and confirmation of the position is awaited.

The remaining counting events this season are The Ballochmyle Rosebowl, The Troon Weekender, The Arrol Cup at Prestwick Srt Nicholas and the Girvan Classic.

Present positions in the Doc Thom Ayrshire Men's Order of Merit are:-

AYRSHIRE MEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP - Semi finals close after first leg ties

The two semi final matches in the 2025 Ayrshire Men's Handicap League Championship competition remain very close following completion of the two first leg ties recently.

In the first semi final Portmann entertained Moorpark in the first leg and recorded a 3.5 - 2.5 win, a lead which they will look to defend in the return fixture.

Rowallan castle were at home to beith in the first leg of their semi final and recorded a 3.5 - 2.5 win in their bid for a place in the 2025 final.

The return legs are due to be played by the 24th of August with the winners meeting in the final during Finals Day at Troon Portland on Sunday the 31st of August.

AYRSHIRE MEN'S FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Abbotsford pairing through to final

The Abbotsford pairing of Alan & Stuart Pole are through to the 2025 Ayrshire men's Fourball Championship final.

At home in the semi finals against Hugh Welsh & David Murray (West Kilbride), the Abbotsfire pair had a 4&3 win to progress to the final.

They now await the winners of the other semi final betyween Paul Kytzia & Joe McSorley (Beith) and Kyle Hood & Dale Cowan (Portmann) in the final.

Due to pre notified commitments, the final match will not be played on Finals Day at Troon Portland on Sunday the 31st of August, but will take place at a future, mutually suitable, date, at a venue to be decided.

 

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Prestwick St Cuthbert on verge of retaining title

Prestwick St Cuthbert

are on the verge of retaining the Ayrshire Scratch League Division 1 title as the three Ayrshire Scratch League competitions enter their final few weeks.

Recent home wins by 6-0 and 4.5-1.5 over Turnberry and Royal Troon respectively leave the St Cuthbert team needing just a draw or better in their final league fixture away to Royal Troon to ensure a second successive league title.

Ayr Belleisle remain in second place at present, despite a 4-2 defeat away to Largs, which was countered by a 5-1 away win over Kilmarnock Barassie, while Largs lie in third place with a 3.5-2.5 away win over Turnberry.

A 3.5-2.5 home win over Turnberry has put Irvine in pole position to secure fourth spot and a place in Division 1 next season while the other match played recently resulted in a 3-3 draw between Kilmarnock Barassie and Turnberry.

With just six fixtures remaining to be completed, present positions in Division 1 are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
PRESTWICK ST CUTHBERT	11	9	0	2	44.5	21.5	23	36
AYR BELLEISLE	10	7	0	3	38.5	21.5	17	28
LARGS	9	6	0	3	31.5	22.5	9	24
IRVINE	11	5	1	5	33.5	32.5	1	22
KILMARNOCK BARASSIE	12	3	2	7	26.5	45.5	-19	16
ROYAL TROON	9	3	0	6	24	30	-6	12
TURNBERRY	10	1	1	8	17.5	42.5	-25	6

Remaining fixtures :-

Royal Troon vs Prestwick St Cuthbert, Ayr Belleisle vs Largs, Turnberry Vs Royal Troon, Largs vs Irvine, Turnberry Vs Ayr Belleisle, Royal Troon Vs Largs.

In DIVISION 2, Loudoun remain in the lead with just an away fixture at West Kilbride to play, but Caprington are still very much in the hunt for the championship title following a 4.5-1.5 home win over West Kilbride recently.

The other fixture completed recently saw Troon Portland and Ballochmyle share a 3-3 draw at Troon.

With 6 fixtures remaining, present positions in Division 2 are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
LOUDOUN	11	8	0	3	42	24	18	32
CAPRINGTON	10	6	2	2	36	24	12	28
BALLOCHMYLE	10	4	3	3	35	25	10	22
PRESTWICK ST NICHOLAS	9	4	2	3	27	27	0	20
TROON PORTLAND	12	3	3	6	30.5	41.5	-11	18
WEST KILBRIDE	8	2	1	5	21.5	26.5	-5	10
IRVINE RAVENSPARK	10	1	3	6	18	42	-24	10

Remaining fixtures :- Ballochmyle Vs West Kilbride, West Kilbride Vs Loudoun, Prestwick St Nicholas Vs Ballochmyle, Caprington Vs Irvine Ravenspark, West Kilbride Vs Prestwick St Nicholas, Prestwick St Nicholas vs Caprington, Irvine Ravenspark Vs West Kilbride

In DIVISION 3, There are several results outstanding.

Recent results reported include a 3.5-2.5 home win by Redburn over Rowallan castle, a 5-1 home win for Troon St Meddans over Ardeer, a 3.5-2.5 away win for Annanhill over Redburn and a 3-3 draw between Troon Welbeck and Girvan.

Present positions with all the reported results included are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
ROWALLAN CASTLE	11	5	2	4	35.5	30.5	5	24
TROON WELBECK	9	4	3	2	27.5	26.5	1	22
REDBURN	8	3	1	4	22.5	25.5	-3	14
ANNANHILL	8	3	1	4	18	30	-12	14
GIRVAN	6	2	2	2	21.5	14.5	7	12
TROON ST MEDDANS	4	2	2	0	15	9	6	12
ARDEER	8	2	1	5	22	26	-4	10

It is not clear if the remaining fixtures have been played or are still scheduled to take place, but the outstanding results, by home club, are:-

ARDEER – home to :- Girvan, Troon St Meddans, Annanhill

GIRVAN – Home to :- Ardeer, Redburn

TROON WELBECK – Home to:- Troon St Medddans,

TROON ST MEDDANS – Home to:- Annanhill, Redburn, Troon Welbeck, Girvan,

REDBURN – Home to:- Girvan, Troon St Meddans

ROWALLAN CASTLE – Home to:- Troon Welbeck

ANNANHILL – Home to:- Girvan, Troon St Meddans

In the event that any of the above fixtures have been completed, it is requested that the team managers of the relevant team report the results to the championship administrator as soon as possible.

All remaining fixture must be completed by the 19^th of September