AYRSHIRE SENIOR MEN'S MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Colin Watson first through to semi finals

Colin Watson (Kilmarnock Barassie) is the first player through to the semi finals of the 2024 Ayrshire Senior Men's Matchplay Championship.

Playing away from home against the winner of the Ayrshire Senior Men's Strokeplay Championship Raymond Simmons (Golf South Ayrshire), Colin recorded a 4&3 victory to book his place in the last four, where he will be at home to either Craig Hillis (Kilmarnock Barassie) or Andrew Marshall (Prestwick St Nicholas)

The other semi final will feature the winner of the tie between Brian Fisher (Largs) and Stuart Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie), who will be at home in the semi finals to either Alistair Belford (Prestwick St Nicholas) or Henry Thompson (Irvine)

The remaining first round ties are due to be completed by Wednesday the 24th of July.  

AYR BELLEISLE OPEN - Draw for championship published

The draw for the D W Shaw sponsored Ayr Belleisle Open, to be played on Sunday the 28th of July 2024, has been published.

Late entries are being taken. Contact Robert Morrison on 07708  861569 to arrange a late entry.

The published draw is:-

AYRSHIRE BOYS' AND AYRSHIRE GIRLS' STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIPS - draw published for Annanhill

The draw for the 36 hole Ayrshire Boys' Strokeplay Championship, and the inaugural 18 hole Ayrshire Girls' Strokeplay Championship, which both take place at Annanhill Golf Club on Thursday the 1st of August, has been published.

Trophies will be contested in both championships on both a scratch and handicap basis, with prize vouchers also available on both a scratch and handicap basis. Handicap limit for both events is 36.0.

There are still a few spaces available in both events, and these will be filled on a first come first served basis.

Entry for each event is £10, and  links to both entry forms are available below. 

AYRSHIRE GIRL'S CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRY FORM

AYRSHIRE BOYS' CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRY FORM

The draw for order of play is:-

SCOTTISH BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire's last two representatives lose out in last sixteen

The last two Ayrshire players in the 2024 Scottish Boys' Championship, played at Scotscraig from the 17th to the 21st of July and won by James Wood (Bathgate), both exited the competition at the last sixteen stage.

Scott Newman (Royal Troon) lost out by 5&4 to Freddie Tucker (Scotland) while Connor Wills (Prestwick St Nicholas) was beaten by a single hole by Jack Collingswood (West Links).

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION CHARITY GOLF DAY - spaces still available for teams to support partner charity

There are still spaces available for teams of four to support the Ayrshire Golf Association Charity Golf Day, which takes place at Rowallan Castle GC on Friday the 13th of September.

The details of the event are included on the poster below, and anyone wanting to secure a place in the event should contact Liz Keohone to book their place.

Please book early if you are interested, to avoid any disappointment, as places will be filled on a first come first served basis.

The association are looking forward to the members of our member clubs, and other interested golfers, supporting this event for a very worthwhile local charity in Ayrshire Cancer Support.

GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL TROPHY - Ballochmyle book their place in the semi finals

Ballochmyle are the first club to book their place in the semi finals of the 2024 scratch club team knockout competition for the Gary Bryden Memorial Salver. 

Hosting Prestwick St Nicholas in their third round tie, Ballochmyle recorded a 3-0 win to progress. 

In the semi finals Ballochmyle will visit either Kilmarnock Barassie or Troon St Meddans.

The other semi final will feature Royal Troon or Kilbirnie Place, who have arranged to play their tie next week, with the winners being at home to either Ayr Belleisle or Prestwick St Cuthbert for a place in the final.

The remaining quarter final matches are due to be completed by the 28th of July.

SCOTTISH BOYS' AND GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIPS - Final heartache for Freya Russell while two Ayrshire boys secure last sixteen spots

Freya Russell (Royal Troon) suffered final heartache in the Scottish Girls' Championship play off at Forfar GC on Friday the 19th of July, losing out to Arianna Virik (Coventry Hearsall GC) at the second extra hole for the title.

The Scottish Girls' Championship finalists
Freya Russell & Arianna Virik  
(Photo credit - Scottish Golf)

Freya was dormie three against 14-year-old Arianna in the 18-hole final, and had struck her approach to 10 and a half feet at the sixteenth, when Arianna chipped in from off the green to win the hole. 

A 20-foot birdie putt on the seventeenth reduced Freya's advantage further and the match was destined for extra holes when Arianna also took the final regulation hole of the match.

Both players made par at the first extra hole but after missing the green at the second extra hole, Freya failed to get up and down from a tricky lie to the right of the green and a two-putt par secured the win for Arianna.

With Freya due to move to Florida State University next month, the defeat was a especially difficult, being in her final championship as a junior in Scotland, and coming despite being five under par for the round in the final standing on the eighteenth tee, but she should be applauded for her effort in reaching the final and losing out by the narrowest of margins.

In the Scottish Boys' Championship, being played at Monifieth, the three ayrshire qualifiers won their first round matches in the knockout stages, which began on Friday morning, the 19th of July with two of the three winning their afternoon matches also, to book their places in the last sixteen of the championship.

Scott Newman (Royal Troon) opened with a win at the first extra hole against Lyle Gillie (Torwoodlee), and booked his place in the third round with a 3&2 win over Koby Buchanan (Cruden Bay). In the third round on Saturday morning, Scott will play Freddie Tucker (Scotland).

Connor Wills (Prestwick St Nicholas) opened with a 4&3 win over Oliver Robertson (Deeside) and won his second round match on Friday afternoon against Ben Carmichael (Dumfries & County) by 4&2. In the last sixteen Connor is up against Jack Collingswood (West Links)

Finlay Watt (West Kilbride) won his opening tie against Ewen Farquhar (St Andrews New) by 3&2 before losing out in the second round on Friday afternoon by 2&1 to Scotland Boys' internationalist Brodie Cunningham (Bothwell Castle)    

The third round and quarter finals take place on Saturday the 20th of July with the semi-fianls on the morning of Sunday the 21st of July and the final scheduled for the Sunday afternoon.   

AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY - Debbie Watt and Audrey Thompson meet again in second successive final

The 2024 final of the Ayrshire Women's Champion of Champions Trophy will be a re-run of last years final after defendig champion Debbie Watt (Ayr Belleisle Ladies) and 2023 runner up Audrey Thompson (Loudoun) both won their semi final matches recently.

Debbie hosted Liz Keohone (Loudoun) in the semi finals ad won through with a 5&4 victory while Audrey hosted Pauline Patrick (Irvine) and booked her place in the final with a 3&2 victory.

The final is scheduled to be held at the Old Course at Royal Troon on Friday the 9th of August.

SCOTTISH BOYS' AND GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIPS - Freya Russell through to semi finals at Forfar

Freya Russell (Royal Troon) is through to the semi finals of the Scottish Girls' Championship, being played this week at Forfar GC, after winning her first two matchplay rounds on Thursday the 18th of July.

In the opening round Freya beat Melissa Keay (Ralston) by 2&1 and in the quarter finals beat Asitha Ashok (Scotland) by 5&4.

In the semi final on Friday morning, the 19th of July, Freya plays Abigail May (St Regulus)

Jodie Graham (Royal Troon), the other Ayrshire player who won through to the matchplay, lost her opening round match to Rosie McGuire (Pollok) by a single hole.

In the Scottish Boys' Championship, being held this week at Scotscraig, three of the six Ayrshire players in the field qualifiedd for the matchplay stages after the second round of strokeplay qualifying was completed on Thursday the 18th of July.

The qualifying stage was led by harvey Allan (St Andrews new) with a four under par total of 138, after rounds of 68 & 70.

Scott Newman (Royal Troon) was joint eighth on 144 (+2) with rounds of 75 & 69, while Connor Wills (Prestwick St Nicholas) was joint 24th on 148 (+6) after two rounds of 74.

The other matchplay qualifier was Finlay Watt (West Kilbride) who was joint 42nd with 153 (+11) after rounds of 76 & 77.

The cut for the matchplay fell at 157 (+15) but agonisingly Aidan Hay (Irvine), after rounds of 76 and 81, was one of several players on that score who failed to gain a place among the 64 qualifiers.

The other two Ayrshire players that missed out were Lyle Vogwell (West Kilbride) who was joint 85th on 162 (+20) after rounds of 76 & 86, and Sean Hillis (Kilmarnock Barassie) who was joint 105th on 170 (+28) after rounds of 82 and 88.

In the first round of matchplay on Friday morning, the 19th of July), Scott newman plays Lyle Gillie (Torwoodlee), Connor Wills plays Oliver Robertson (Deeside) and Finlay watt plays Ewen Farquhar (St Andrews New)     

SCOTTISH BOYS' AND SCOTTISH GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIPS - First day updates from Scotscraig and Forfar

The Scottish Boys' and Scottish Girls' Championships began on Wednesday the 17th of July at Scotscraig and Forfar golf clubs respectively, and will be concluded over the weekend.

At Scotscraig the Boys' Championship the opening strokeplay qualifying round was led by Dominic McGlinchey (The Reneissance Club) and Sebastian Harvey (West Links GC) who both carded fie under par scores of 66.

Best placed from the Ayrshire entrants was Connor Wills (Prestwick St Nicholas) who was joint 12th on 74 (+3). 

The other Ayrshire scores were:-

22= Scott Newman (Royal Troon) 75 (+4)

31= Lyle Vogwell (West Kilbride), Finlay Watt (Wesrt Kilbride), Aidan Hay (Irvine) 76 (+5)

96 Sean Hillis (Kilmarnock Barassie) 83 (+12)

The second qualifying round will take place on Thursday the 18th of July with the top 64 players progressing to the matchplay stages.

In the Girls Championship at Forfar, Kaci Robertson (Nairn Dunbar) lead the qualifiers with a two round total of 142 (-2) after successive rounds of 71.

Both Ayrshire players in the field qualified for the matchplay stages, Freya Russell (Royal Troon) being joint 2nd qualifier on 143 (-1) after rounds of 71 and 72, while Jodie Graham (Royal Troon) was joint 12th on 150 (+6) after rounds of 77 and 73.

In the first round of matchplay on Thursday morning, Jodie Graham plays Rosie McGuire (Pollok) while Freya Russell faces Mellisa Keay (Ralston)

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Jack Broadfoot leads after seven events

Jack Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck) leads the Ayrshire Junior order of Merit table after the completion of seven of the twenty four qualifying events.

Broadfoot, the 2022 winner of the title, picked up points for a joint third scratch score of 75 in the recent largs Junior Open, where Scott Newman took maximum points by heading the returns with a scratch score of 71.

The remaining counting events in July are the Scottish Boys' and Scottish Girls' Championships, the Harris Junior Open and Girls Open at West Kilbride, and the Kilmarnock Barassie Junior Open.   

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

AYRSHIRE MEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE - two remaining quarter finalists confirmed

The two remaining quarter finalists in the 2024 Ayrshire Men's Handicap League Championship were confirmed this week when the remaining qualifying league fixtures were completed.

In League 3, Ardeer produced a 5-1 away win against Troon St Meddans to take the quarter final place ahead of their hosts, by virtue of tie difference over the series of qualifying leagie matches.

Final placings in League 3 are:- 

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
ARDEER	6	3	1	2	20.5	15.5	5.0	14
TROON ST MEDDANS	6	3	1	2	19.0	17.0	2.0	14
AYR SEAFIELD	6	3	0	3	17.0	19.0	-2.0	12
WALLACETOWN	6	2	0	4	15.5	20.5	-5.0	8

 In League 5, Redburn managed to see off the threat of Caprington taking the quarter final place when they managed to secure a 3-3 draw at Caprington in the final fixture of the qualifying league, to remain clear at the top of the table.

Final positions in League 5 are:- 

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
REDBURN	6	4	1	1	19.0	17.0	2.0	18
CAPRINGTON	6	3	1	2	20.5	15.5	5.0	14
NORTH BEACH	6	3	0	3	18.0	18.0	0.0	12
PRESTWICK ST CUTHBERT	6	1	0	5	14.5	21.5	-7.0	4

The quarter final matches, which are due to be completed, on a ho me and away basis, by the 4th of August are:-

Moorpark Vs Alton

Redburn Vs Portmann

Kilbirnie Place Vs Golf South Ayrshire

Ardeer Vs Auchenharvie 88

AYRHSIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Latest update as finals approach

The various Ayrshire Junior Golf league competitions are moving rapidly towards the finals, which are scheduled to take place at Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club on Sunday the 4th and Sunday the 25th of August.

In SECTION A of the AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP Ayr belleisle lead the way with all their games played, though with four matches still to be completed, the destination of the place in the final is still very much up for grabs.

The remaining fixtures are:-

Kilmarnock Barassie Vs East Ayrshire, East Ayrshire Vs Prestwick St Cuthbert, east Ayrshire Vs Turnberry and Turnberry Vs East Ayrshire.

Present positions in Section A are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Ayr Belleisle	8	4	2	2	24.5	23.5	1.0	20
Turnberry	6	4	1	1	24.5	11.5	13.0	18
Prestwick St Cuthbert	7	3	2	2	20.0	22.0	-2.0	16
East Ayrshire	4	1	2	1	12.5	11.5	1.0	8
Kilmarnock Barassie	7	0	1	6	14.5	27.5	-13.0	2

 In SECTION B, West Kilbride have qualified for the final. They completed their fixtures with a 4-2 home win over Prestwick St Nicholas, who have also completed their fixtures after a 5-1 home win over Troon Welbeck.

Two fixtures remain to be completed in the section - Troon Welbeck Vs Irvine and irvine Vs Troon Welbeck.

Present positions in Section B are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
West Kilbride	6	6	0	0	26.0	10.0	16.0	24
Prestwick St Nicholas	6	2	0	4	16.5	19.5	-3.0	8
Irvine	4	2	0	2	10.0	14.0	-4.0	8
Troon Welbeck	4	0	0	4	7.5	16.5	-9.0	0

The championship final is scheduled to take place at Prestwick St Nicholas GC on the 25th of August.

In the UNDER 16 KNOCKOUT TROPHY competition, Round two results between Troon Welbeck and Irvine and Prestwick St Nicholas and Turnberry have still to be confirmed.

The semi final matches, due to be completed by the 31st of July are:-

Irvine or Troon Welbeck Vs East Ayrshire

Prestwick St Nicholas or Turnberry Vs Prestwick St Cuthbert

The final is scheduled to take place on the 4th of August at Prestwick St Nicholas GC.

In the WALLACE THORNTON TROPHY semi finals, Kilmarnock Barassie had a 2.5-1.5 home win over West Kilbride to book their place in the final, which is also scheduled to take place at Prestwick St Nicholas GC on the 4th of August.

The other semi final will feature the winner of the Irvine Vs Turnberry second round tie against Troon Welbeck.

In the AYRSHIRE JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY , Luke Jones (Prestwick St Nicholas) had a first round away win against Sean Hillis (Kilmarnock Barassie)  but lost out in the second round on his visit to play Scott Newman (Ayrshire Boys Champion). In the other second round ties, Aidan Hay (Irvine) lost his home tie against Connor Wills (Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Champion) by 6&4 while Finlay watt (West Kilbride) had a 4&3 win on his visit to play Gregor hay (Ayr Belleisle).

The draw for the semi finals involving Ryan Kennedy (Loudoun), Connor Wills (Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Champion), Finlay watt (West Kilbride) and Scott Newman (Ayrshire Boys Champion), will take place over the next few days.

The final is scheduled to take place at Prestwick St Nicholas GC on the 25th of August.