AYRSHIRE JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - Findlay Andrew takes 2026 title

The 2025 Ayrshire Boy's Strokeplay Champion Findlay Andrew (Turnberry) is the 2026 Ayrshire Junior Champion of Champions Trophy winner.

In the final, played at Loudoun Gowf Club on Saturday 29th August, Findlay defeated clubmate Gregor Hay (Turnberry) in a very close match by 2 holes. 

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Ballochmyle secure promotion in final fixture win

Ballochmyle have secured promotion to Ayrshire Scratch league Division 2 for 2027 following victory in their final Division 3 fixture on Sunday 30th August.

ballochmyle entertained the newly crowned Division 3 champions Troon St Meddans in the final fixture of the league season knowing that a draw or a win would see them overtake prestwick St Nicholas for the second promotion spot.

AGA Vice president William Fleming got the home side off to the best start with a 2&1 victory over Jason Butler while Alan Watson added a second point for Ballochmyle with a 4&3 win over Blair Fleming. 

Louis Alberts reduced the defecit for St Meddans with a 3&2 win over Lee Kirkland and the match score was levelled at 2-2 when Nick Gold beat Declan Chalmers by 3&2.

In the anchor tie Dougie McMaster ensured the vital third point for the home side with a 4&2 win over Kevin Thomas, which ensured at least a draw and more importantly the promotion spot for Ballochmyle, and Jay Kyle ensured an overall 4-2 win for Ballochmyle with a single hole victory over Colin wallace in the last tie on the course.

Final positions in Scratch league Division 3 were:-

SENIOR EUROPEAN TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - Ayrshire duo in Scotland team

Ayrshire interest in the Scotland teams contesting the Senior European Team Championships this week, from 1st to 5th September, lies with Royal Troon Duo Robert Jenkins and Paul Moultrie.

The Senior Men's European Team Championship is at Cabot Bordeaux in France where the Scotland team will contest the championship with 15 other European nations, and are seeking to repeat their 2016 success in the event.

The senior men’s team is:- 

Allan Cameron (Royal Dornoch), Ronnie Clark (Erskine), Mark Halliday (Royal Aberdeen), Bryan Innes (Murcar Golf Links) Robert Jenkins (Royal Troon) and Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon).

Ayrshire have no representatives in the corresponding Senior Women's European Team Championship being held at the same time at the BlackseaRama Resort in Bulgaria.

The senior women’s team is:-

Alison Davidson (Stirling), Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe), Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire), Jillian Lough (Eyemouth), Karen Marshall (Baberton) and Elaine Moffat (St Regulus).

The two reserves making up the eight-man squad are Steven Armstrong (Turnhouse) and Derek Paton (Dunnikier Park).

SCOTTISH SENIOR MEN'S AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire team for Blairgowrie announced

The Ayrshire senior men's team that will contest the 2026 Scottish Senior Men's Area Team Championship at Blairgowrie (Landsdowne) on Tuesday the 6th of October has been announced.

Scottish Senior Men's internationals Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) and Robert Jenkins (Royal Troon), who were both in the Ayrshire team who won the event in 2024, will be joined in the team by Tom Loy (Irvine), John McKean (Prestwick), John Rushbury (Royal Troon) and Stuart Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie).

The team score will comprise the best five scratch rounds from six, with the sixth score being taken into account in the event of a tie.

SCOTTISH BOY'S AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire team for Lochmaben announced

The Ayrshire Golf Association team to contest the 2026 scottish Boy's Area Team Championship at Lochmaben GC on Sunday the 13th of September has been announced.

2026 Scottish Boy's Area Team Championship 
Ayrshire Team
Finlay Watt, Gregor Hay, Harris Vennard, Mason Chisholm

Finlay Watt (West Kilbride) and Harris Vennard (Ayr Belleisle) retain their places from the team that contested the 2025 competition, and are joined this year by Gregor Hay (Ayr Belleisle) and Mason Chisholm (Irvine).

The teams play two foursomes in the morning, with both scores counting, and four singles in the afternoon, with three from the four scores counting towards the team score.

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY UNDER 18 LEAGUE - Young Ayrshire side lose to Lanarkshire at Carwath

A young Ayrshire side lost out to defending champions Lanarkshire in their latest West of Scotland Inter County Under 18 Boys League match on Sunday 30th August 2026.

The match was originally scheduled to take place at Crow Wood GC, but a course closure due to heavy overnight rain meant that the match was moved to Carnwath GC.

Match details (Lanarkshire names first):-

Ramsay Purdon (East Kilbride) halved with Connor Hunter (Prestwick St Nicholas) 

Matthew Kelly (Kirkhill) beat Ollie Fleming (Troon Welbeck) by 4&2

Aaron McCormack (East Kilbride) beat Ryan Steven (Ayr Belleisle) by 5&4

Oliver McCormack (East Kilbride) beat Dylan Gillespie (irvine) by 5&3

Jack barnes (Drumpellier) beat Zak Mccallum (Loudoun) by 5&3

Mitchell taylor (Strathaven) beat Jack lammie (Royal Troon) by 3&2

Diarmuid Slavin (Drumpellier) halved with Tommy Lawrence (Prestwick St Cuthbert)

Tyler Sneddon (Strathaven) beat James McNeillie (West Kilbride) by 1 hole

LANARKSHIRE 7  AYRSHIRE  1

In the other match played on Sunday 30th August, Stirlingshire had a 5-1 home win over Glasgow at Dunblane new GC.

The previous weekend Renfrewshire beat Dumbartonshire 6.5-1.5 at Windyhill to maintain their title hopes.

The present positions in the West of Scotland Inter County Under 18 league are:-

The Ayrshire team conclude their matches in this year's competitin with a home fixture against Dumbartonshire on Sunday the 6th of September at Irvine GC.

GOLF SOUTH AYRSHIRE GOLF CLUB OPEN - Entries now being taken for Doc Thom Ayrshire Order of Merit and Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit counting event

Entries are now open for the Golf South Ayrshire GC Open.

The competition takes place at Ayr Belleisle Golf Course on 

Saturday 12 September 2026.

Join golfers from across the region for a fantastic day of competition, great prizes, and outstanding course conditions. Secure your place today.

Competition is open to all Male, Female and Junior Golfers with a valid WHS Handicap.

This is also a Doc Thom Order of Merit  and Ayrshire Junoor Order of merit counting event.

Entry Fee is: Adult £20 - Junior £10

Register here:

GOLF SOUTH AYRSHIRE GOLF CLUB OPEN - Entry link

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION FINALS DAY - Line up for Ardeer GC confirmed

The line up for the six Ayrshire Golf Association competition finals to be played on Finals Day at Ardeer GC on Sunday 6th September has been confirmed.

Matches will commence at 11.00 am with the Gary Bryden Memorial Salver final, and will conclude with the Ayrshire Men's Fourball Championship final.

The confirmed line up, with tee times, is:

11.00 to 11.20 - GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL SALVER (3 ties) 

West Kilbride Vs Royal Troon

11.30 to 12.20 - AYRSHIRE MEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP (6 ties)

Drongan Vs Tam O Shanter

12.30 to 13.00 - AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHUIP (4 ties)

Largs Vs. Loudoun

13.10 to 13.30 - PRESIDENT'S PUTTER (3 ties)

Tam O Shanter vs. Troon Portland

13.40 - AYRSHIRE JUG (1 tie)

Graham & Alyson Hutton (Skelmorlie) Vs Catherine & Alasdair Malcolm (Ayr Belleisle Ladies/Golf South Ayrshire)

13.50 - AYRSHIRE MEN'S FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP (1 tie)

Skelmorlie (Ian Cameron & Gary Munro) Vs Largs (Morris Steveley & Derek Harrigan)

AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE - Largs through to meet Loudoun in final.

Defending champions Largs are through to the final of the 2026 Ayrshire Women's Handicap League Championship, where they will meet Loudoun.

In their semi final played on Thursday 27th August, Largs entertained Caprington and won their place in the final with a 2.5-1.5 victory.

The final will be held during Finals Day on Sunday 6th September at Ardeer GC.

 

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUE - Dramatic finish to Division 2 as Turnberry avoid relegation and Loudoun are crowned champions.

In a dramatic finish to the Ayrshire Scratch League Division 2 competition, Turnberry avoided relegation while Loudoun were crowned league champions.

The final fixture of the section on Thursday 27th August saw Royal Troon hosting Turnberry. Royal Troon needed a win or a draw to take the league championship title ahead of Loudoun, while Turnberry needed a win in the match to avoid relegation at the expense of West Kilbride.

Steven Stamper put Turnberry ahead with a 2&1 win over Harvey Broadfoot in the lead tie before Blair Morton levelled the match score at 1-1 with a 3&2 win over Gregor Mackintosh.

Turnberry's survival hopes were boosted when Findlay Andrew and Quintin Dunlop had wins by 2&1 and 1 hole over Keith Hamilton & Stewart Russell respectively, to put their side 3-1 up in the match, with two ties still on the course.

John Rushbury kept Royal Troon's title hopes alive with a two hole win over Grant McIvor which left both the title destination and the last relegation place hanging in the ballance with just the anchor tie between Euan Brown and david Robertson still on the course.

In a tense finish the final tie was shared which gave Turnberry a 3.5-2.5 victory in the match, which confirmed their place in division 2 in 2027 at the expense of West Kilbride who will be relegated along with Kilmarnock Barassie, while their narrow defeat left Royal Troon in second place in the table and confirmed Louodun Gowf Club as 2026 Division 2 champions.

The final placings in Scratch league Division 2 were:-

AYRSHIRE SENIOR MEN'S MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Final replay scheduled for September.

The 2026 Ayrshire Senior Men's Matchplay Championship final replay has been rescheduled, and will now be played at Royal Troon on Friday the 25th of September, teeing off at 1.30 p.m.

The final between Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) and Tom Loy (Irvine) was played on Friday the 14th of August, with Tom winning the last hole to tie the match. With fading light preventing the players going to extra holes, the two players agreed to return and play off for the title over another round of 18 holes.

 

GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL SALVER - Royal Troon book final spot alongside West Kilbride

The 2026 final of the scratch club team knockout competition for The Gary Bryden Memorial Salver will be between West Kilbride and Royal Troon.

Playing away at Kilmarnock Barassie in their semi-final the Royal Troon team won the two singles ties and lost the foursomes for a 2-1 win to take them into the final.

The final takes place during Finals day at Ardeer GC on Sunday the 6th of September.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Finlay Watt ahead with four events remaining

 After completion of several counting events in a busy August programme, Finlay Watt (West Kilbride) leads the chase for the 2026 Ayrshire Junior order of merit title, with just four counting events remaining to be played.

Mason Chisholm (Irvine) remains in second place while top and second top placings in the recent Ayr Belleisle and Prestwick St Cuthbert Junior Opens saw Gregor hay (Ayr Belleisle) gain sufficient points to move into third spot in the table. 

The four remaining counting events are:-

The Troon Junior Open at Troon Links on Sunday the 30th of August

The Golf South Ayrshire Golf Club Open at Ayr Belleisle on saturday the 12th of September (Entry details to be announced soon)

The Prestwick St Nicholas Junior Open on Sunday the 13th of September

The Irvine Junior Open on Monday the 21st of September

 Present positions in the Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit are:-

DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - Alan McLean leads with four events remaining.

 Alan McLean (Largs) still leads the chase for the Doc Thom salver and Ayrshire Order of Merit title with just four counting events remaining to be completed.

First place in the recent Rowallan Castle Open kept Alan ahead of Matthew Allen (Western Gailes) who had moved into second place with his win in the Viking Krus at Largs in early August. 

Third spot in the Rowallan castle Open was enough to move Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) into overall third in the table.

The latest qualifying event, The Ballochmyle Rosebowl) saw host club member Lee Kirkland take maximum points with a scratch score of 68, two ahead of Tom Loy (Irvine).

The remaining counting events are:-

The Troon Golf Weekender at Trookn Links from Friday the 28th to Sunday 30th of August

The Golf South Ayrshire Golf Club Open at Ayr Belleisle on Saturday 12th of September (entry details to be announced soon)

The Arrol Cup at Prestwick St Nicholas on Saturday 19th of September

The Girvan Classic at Girvan on Friday the 25th to Sunday 27th of September

Present positions in the Ayrshire Order of merit for The Doc Thom Salver are:-

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Some positions clarified as matches enter the final week

Some of the outstanding positions have been clarified recently as the Scratch league fixtures enter their final week of the 2026 competition.

In DIVISION 1, Ayr Belleisle are confirmed as league champions, despite suffering a 4-2 defeat in their final fixture away to Prestwick St Cuthbert. 

Caprington's recent 4.5-1.5 home win over Largs confirmed that Largs will be relegated from Division 1 to Division 2 in 2027 along with Irvine.

With just the irvine away fixtures against Largs and Caprington to play, caprington can still overtake Prestwick St Cuthbert in second place in the league.

Present positions in Division 1 are:-

In DIVISION 2, Loudoun's championship hopes suffered a setback with a 4-2 defeat in their final fixture away to Turnberry, which leaves Royal Troon with the opportunity of taking the Division 2 title with a win or a draw in their final home fixture against Turnberry on Thursday the 27th of August.

A win in their final fixture will prevent Turnberry being relegated from division 2 to Division 3 in 2027 alongside Kilmarnock Barassie, at the expense of West Kilbride, though a draw or defeat for Turnberry would see West Kilbride retain their place in Division 2 next year.

Present positions in Division 2 are:-

In DIVISION 3, With Troon St Meddans confirmed as Division 3 champions, Prestwick St Nicholas maintained hopes of promotion with a 5-1 victory over Troon Portland in their final home fixture of the campaign.

ballochmyle currently sit in third place but can deny Prestwick St Nicholas the second promotion place to Division 2 with a draw or a victory in their final home fixture against Troon St Meddans on Sunday the 30th of August.

Troon Portland and Rowallan Castle are confirmed as occupying the relegation places and will compete in Division 4 in 2027.

present positions in Division 3 are:-

In DIVISION 4 league champions Ardeer completed their campaign with a 4.5-1.5 away win over Golf South Ayrshire in their final fixture, while Annanhill will join Ardeer in being promoted to Division 3 in 2027.

Final placings in Division 4 are:-

AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP - Loudoun through to final

Loudoun have booked their place in the final of the 2026 Ayrshire Women's Handicap League Championship.

In their recent semi-final match at home to Rowallan Castle, the Loudoun team drew the match 2-2 and  progressed to the final with a 17-4 countback score over the individual ties in the match.

Loudoun now await the winners of the second semi-final between Largs and Caprington, which takes place at largs on Thursday the 27th of August.

AYRSHIRE MEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE - Drongan meet Tam O Shanter in 2026 final

Drongan will face Tam O Shanter in the 2026 Ayrshire Men's Handicap League Championship final.

In the second semi-final completed recently, Tam O Shanter trailed Beith by 3.5-2.5 after their home leg, but turned the match around on their visit to beith, winning the second leg by 4.5-1.5 for a 7-5 victory in the tie overall.

The final is scheduled to take place during Finals Day at Ardeer on Sunday the 6th of September.

PRESIDENT'S PUTTER - Tam O Shanter join Troon Portland in final

Tam O Shanter have joined Troon Portland in the 2026 final of the handicap club team knockout competition for The President's Putter. 

In their semi-final match at home to Prestwick St Cuthbert, Tam O Shanter won 2-1 to book their final spot.

The final is scheduled to take place during Finals day at Ardeer on Sunday the 6th of September 

GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL SALVER - West Kilbride book final spot

West Kilbride have booked their place in the final of the scratch club team knockout competition for The Gary Bryden Memorial Salver.

Playing at home against Girvan in their semi-final tie, the West Kilbride team recorded a 2-1 victory to progress to the final.

West Kilbride now await the winner of the semi-final between Kilmarnock Barassie and Royal Troon in the final, which is scheduled to take place during Finals Day at Ardeer GC on Sunday the 6th of September.

THE AYRSHIRE JUG - Finalists in mixed greensomes knockout competition confirmed

The finalists in the 2026 Ayrshire mixed greensomes knockout competition for The Ayrshire Jug have been confirmed after both semi-finals were completed recently.

Graham & Alyson Hutton (Skelmorlie) hosted Patricia Harris & Neil Wilson (Ballochmyle) in their semi-final and recorded a 3&2 win to progress to the final

In the other semi-final Alistair McKinnon & Carol Moffat (Caprington) hosted Catherine & Alasdair Malcolm (Ayr Belleisle Ladies/Golf South Ayrshire) in a very close match which saw the visitors winning a place in the final at the first extra hole of the semi-final tie.

The final is scheduled to take place during Finas Day at Ardeer on Sunday the 6th of September.  

AYRSHIRE MEN'S FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Skelmorlie face Largs in the final

The 2026 Ayrshire Men's Fourball Championship final will be between the pairings representing Skelmorlie and Largs golf clubs, following completion of the two semi final ties recently.

Ian Cameron & Gary Munro (Skelmorlie) had a 9&7 win over Iain Rawlings and Mathew Purvis (Malletsheugh) in their semi final tie at Skelmorlie to book their place in the final, while Morris Steveley & Derek Harrigan (Largs) travelled to play Vince Gilligan & Peter Clark (Troon Portland) in their semi final and emerged victorious with a two hole win.

The final is scheduled to be held during Finals day at Ardeer on Sunday the 6th of September.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Kilmarnock Barassie retain League Championship crown

Kilmarnock Barassie have retained the Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship title with a 4-2 win over Turnberry in the 2026 final, played at Loudoun Gowf Club on Sunday the 23rd of August.

Played in fine weather, with a course in excellent confdition, the match was close throughout before the Kilmarnock barassie team ensured a second successive championship title.

The opening two ties were shared, Findlay Andrew beating Zak McCallum by 3&2 to put Turnberry ahead before Adam Cunningham levelled for Kilmarnfock Barassie with a 3&1 win over Thomas Carlyle.

Sandi Rogerson and Alex McMinn put Kilmarnock Barassie 3-1 ahead with wins by 4&3 and 4&2 over Robbie McFadzean and Alex Melvin respectively, before Matthew Smith reduced the defecit for Turnberry to 3-2 with a 3&1 win over Stefi Rogerson in the anchor tie.

In the final tie on the course it was Francisco Trejo that ensured a clear win for Kilmarnock Barassie, beating Patrick Booth by a single hole to give Kilmarnock Barassie a 4-2 win overall in the match.

The only outstanding Ayrshire Junior Golf league fixture remaining is the Ayrshire Junior Champion of Champions Trophy final between Gregor Hay (Turnberry) and Findlay Andrew (2025 Ayrshire Boys Strokeplay Champion) which is scheduled to be held at Loudoun GC on Saturday the 29th of August.

  

AYRSHIRE MEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP - Drongan through to final after semi-final battle

Drongan are through to the 2026 final of the Ayrshire Men's Handicap League Championship following a closely fought semi final battle against Ayr Seafield.

Drongan were favourites to go through after taking a 5-1 lead in their home leg of the tie, but Ayr Seafield came surging back in the return leg to win 4.5-1.5 and just narrowly miss out by 6.5-5.5 on aggregate in the tie.

Drongan now await the winners of the semi final between Tam O Shanter and Beith in the final, with beith holding a 3.5-2.5 advantage with their home leg still to play.

The final is scheduled to take place during Finals Day at Ardeer on Sunday the 6th of September. 

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Champions confirmed in three leagues after latest fixtures

With the 2026 Ayrshire Scratch League competition entering the final two weeks the destination of three of the four league titles have been confirmed, along with some other promotion and relegation places.

In DIVISION 1 Ayr Belleisle were confirmed as champions after Irvine were unable to provide a team for the agreed fixture date, with the subsequent 4-2 win awarded to Ayr Belleisle securing them their first Division 1 title.

The result of the fixture also confirmed that Irvine will be relegated to Division 2 in 2027. 

With two home fixtures still to play against Largs and Irvine,  Caprington can still finish in second place, but two defeats would leave them as possible relegation candidates, while Prestwick St Cuthbert need a win over Ayr Belleisle in their final fixture to negate any possible relegation worries.

Largs are presently in the second relegation spot, but with a home game against Irvine and an away game at Caprington still to play, they could not only avoid relegation, but could, depending on other results, finish as league runners up.

Present positions in Division 1 are:-

In DIVISION 2, the title is still undecided. Loudoun ensured a return to Division 1 next year with a 6-0 win over West Kilbride in their final home fixture, while Royal Troon kept up did likewise with a 4-2 away win over Turnberry, which also kept their title hopes live. The destination of the title will be decided when Loudoun visit Turnberry and Turnberry taravel to play Royal Troon in the coming two weeks.

Kilmarnock Barassie are confirmed as dropping to Division 3 next year having completed all their fixtures, while Turnberry presently occupy bottom spot, but can avoid relegation with wins in both their remaining two fixtures.

Present positions in Division 2 are:-

In DIVISION 3, Troon St Meddans were confirmed as champions some time ago, with an away fixture still to play against Ballochmyle, while Ballochmyle boosted their promotion hopes with a 4-2 away win over Troon Portland in their penultimate fixture.

The result also confirmed that Troon Portland will join Rowallan Castle in being relegated to Division 4 in 2027.

A win for Prestwick St Nicholas in their final home fixture against Troon Portland would mean that Ballochmyle would need to defeat or drfaw with Troon St Meddans in their final home fixture to ensure promotion to Division 2 next season.

Present positions in Division 3 are:-   

In DIVISION 4, A 5-1 home win over Golf South Ayrshire confirmed Ardeer as league champions, with the return fixture being the only one still to be completed in the league, while Annanhill ensured promotion to Division 3 in 2027 with a 4-2 away win over Redburn in their final fixture of the campaign.

Present positions in Division 4 are:-

AYRSHIRE SENIOR MEN'S MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Stalemate at Royal Troon as title destination remains to be decided

The final of the 2026 Ayrshire Senior Men's Matchplay Champuionship at Royal Troon on Friday the 14th of August resulted in a stalemate after eighteen holes and with failing light preventing the match progressing to extra holes, the destination of the trophy remains unresolved.

The final saw Scottish senior internationalist and host club member Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) face the challenge of  Tom Loy (Irvine).

The opening two holes of the final were halved in pars, Tom making a great recovery from a bunker at the second and holing his twenty five foot putt for a half.

A fine approach to eight feet at the third set up a winning birdie three for Tom to take the lead but after finding a difficult lie in a greenside bunker at the fourth and taking three shots to get out, Tom conceded the hole to paul and the match was square again.

With the fifth hole halved, Tom went on an impressive run over the next three holes to take a two hole lead by the turn.

At the 544 yard par five sixth, paul was safely on the green in three while Tom was in the deep gulley to the left of the green in two. Playing a blind shot up and over the edge of the green, Tom never saw his shot pitch on the green and gently run into the hole for a winning eagle three. 

Tom Followed this with an approach to eight feet from the hole at the seventh to set up a winning birdie three after paul, whose own approach finished six feet away, was unable to match Tom's birdie when his effort lipped out but remained above ground.

A half in threes at the Postage Stamp gave Tom a notable run of three successive threes over these holes, and a half in fours at thre ninth left Tom two up as the players turned for home.

Paul looked to be in pole position at th tenth, his second making the rear left fringe from where he putted up to a few inches for a conceded par four. Tom had seen his approach drift right and it came to rest down the steep slope from the green, from which he pitched up to twenty feet and holed his put for an unlikely halved hole to maintain his two hole advantage.

Luck seemed to be with Tom at the eleventh when his tee shot was heading for heavy rough on the right before it struck a, thankfully uninjured, spectator, which resulted in his ball bouncuing back onto the edge of the fairway. However, with Paul finding the greeen in two, Tom pulled his second left of the greeen and after chipping over trees to twenty feet, was unable to hole his par putt, which Paul capitalised on to reduce the defecit to one hole. A par at the twelfth was enough for Paul to square the match after Tom's difficult right to left downhill par putt from three feet struck the hole but spun out.

With Tom's par attempt at the thirteenth from eighteen feet slipping just past the hole to a couple of feet after he had been short of the green in two,  Paul had a great chance for a par from six feet to take the lead in the match for the first time after a good chip from the right after missing the green in two, but his effort slid past the right side of the hole and stopped a few inches closer to the hole than Tom's marker. In the sporting manner that the match was played in throughout, Paul said to Tom 

"Shall we just move on?" 

and a half was agreed with the players moving to the fourteenth all square.

Paul struck his tee shot at the fourteenth to six feet and when Tom missed the green to the left, thinned his chip from a poor lie to the front of the green, and failed to get close with his third, the hole was conceded and Paul went one ahead in the tie for the first time.

With the fifteenth halved, both players were well placed at the par five sixteenth in two. Playing first, Paul hit his approach to within six feet of the hole while Tom saw his effort drift short and right, and it dropped into a greenside bunker. A recovery to twelve deet above the hole was followed by a par putt that just slid past the right edge of the hole, was folloewed by Paul's putt for a birdie four was conceded, leaving him dormie two in the match.

At the par three seventeenth paul pulled his tee shot left, leaving him a difficult lie in the rough and the high side bank of the green to negotiate, while Tom hit a great tee shot to within fifteen feet of the hole. Paul's chip just failed to get up to the green and his third finished six feet away. With two for the hole Tom made no mistake, holing his putt for a birdie two to ensure the match went to the last.

With light fading fast, both players found the eighteenth fairway from the tee, but while Paul pulled his second into the rough to the left of the green, Tom's second found the putting surface, some fifty feet from the hole. Paul chipped onto the green leaving him an eighteen foot left to right put down the green for a par. Tom  his his approiach put, in gathering darkness, to within a foot of the hole and his par four was conceded. Despite a good effort, paul's par putt for the title slipped just past the right edge of the hole and the match finished all square after the regulation eighteen holes.

Under normal circumstances the match would have proceeded to extra holes on a sudden death basis, but the darkness made this impossible on the night. Consequently both players were in agreement to arrange a mutually agreeable date to return and finish the match on the accepted sudden death basis, on a future date to be decided in due course.

The match was played in a great, sporting, spirit and the decision reached with regard to determining the eventual winner was equally well received by both players........The story continues.