AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Draws made for championship semi finals

At Tuesday's meeting of The Ayrshire Junior Golf league, the draws were made for the semi finals of three of this years competitions.

Though the quarter finals of the competitions have still until the 30th of June to be completed, arrangements can now be made to have the semi finals played in preparations for the finals.

In the JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY, Ryan Kennedy (Loudoun) received a walkover against Max Barclay (Ayr Belleisle) in the only quarter final completed so far.

The semi final draw gives Alfie Clare (Prestwick St Cuthbert) or Dylan Cairns (Prestwick St Nicholas) a home tie against either Harvey Broadfoot (Ayrshire Boys Champion) or Jack Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck) whilst Ryan Kennedy (Loudoun) will be at home to either Sam Crozier (West Kilbride) or Oliver Long (Kilmarnock Barassie).

Semi final ties in the competition are due to be completed b y the 31st of July.

In the UNDER 16 KNOCKOUT TROPHY, East Ayrshire beat their visitors from Prestwick St Nicholas by 2.5 - 1.5 to book their place in the last four, with the one remaining quarter final tie to be played, between Kilmarnock Barassie and Turnberry, due to take place on Sunday the 11th of June.

The semi final draw sees East Ayrshire at home to Irvine and Turnberry or Kilmarnock Barassie playing host to West Kilbride.

Semi final ties in this competition are due to be completed by the 14th of August.

In the WALLACE THORNTON TROPHY, the semi final draw sees Irvine or Ayr Belleisle at home to Prestwick St Nicholas or Kilmarnock Barassie and West Kilbride playing host to East Ayrshire or Turnberry.

Semi finals in this event are due to be completed by the 14th of August.

It was also confirmed at the meeting that all four finals this year will be played at Ayr Belleisle, with the Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship and Champion of Champions finals being held on Sunday the 13th of August and the Under 16 Knockout Trophy and Wallace Thornton Trophy finals scheduled to take place on Sunday the 3rd of September.

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Latest positions

The latest positions in the Ayrshire Scratch league shave been updated following recent fixtures.

In DIVISION 1, Irvine had a 4.5 - 1.5 win over Largs but suffered a 4 - 2 reverse in their other recent home fixture against Royal Troon.

Louodun defeated their visitors from Largs by 6 - 0 whilst Ballochmyle made it two wins from two in their opening home fixtures, beating Loudoun by 4.5 - 1.5 and Kilmarnock Barassie by 4 - 2.

Present positions in Division 1 are:-

In DIVISION 2, Prestwick St Cuthbert maintained their 100% start to the season with A 4 - 2 win away to Ayr Belleisle whilst Turnberry opened their challenge with a 3.5 - 2.5 home win over Ayr Belleisle.

Caprington and Ayr Belleisle recorded 6 - 0 home wins over West Kilbride and Troon Portland respectively, whilst the two matches between West Kilbride and Troon Portland both resulted in 3 - 3 draws, home and away.

Present positions in Division 2 are:-

In DIVISION 3a, Rowallan Castle had an opening win by 4 - 2 at home to Irvine Ravenspark.

Present positions in Division 3A are:-

In DIVISION 3b, the positions still remain as:-

AYRSHIRE MEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP - Chase for a place in the knockout stages continues

The bid for places in the knockout stages of the Ayrshire Men's Handicap League Championship continues, with several matches being played in the seven qualifying sections recently.

In SECTION A, the latest two result saw home wins by 3.5 - 2.5 by Kilmarnock Barassie and Royal Troon, over Ardeer and Kilbirnie Place respectively.

Present positions in Section A are:-

 

In SECTION B, Troon St Meddans opened their bid with a 4 - 2 home win over Prestwick St Cuthbert. Present positions in Section B are:-

In SECTION C, Auchenharvie 88 head the table following a 5.5 - 0.5 win over North Beach who themselves opened their title bid with a 3 - 3 home draw against Stewarton. Ayr Seafield bounced back from an opening home defeat by beating Stewarton by 6 - 0 in their second home match of the campaign.

Present positions in Section C are:-

In SECTION D, Ballochmyle completed their 100% home record with a 4.5 - 1.5 win over West Kilbride.

present positions in Section D are:-

In SECTION E, Caprington , Annanhill and Moorpark opened with 4 - 2 home wins against Annanhill, Prestwick St Nicholas and Caprington respectively, whilst Annanhill had a narrow home win over Moorpark by 3.5 - 2.5 in their latest fixture.

Present positions in Section E are:-

  

In SECTION F, the opening fixture saw Portmann win by 3.5 - 2.5 away to Redburn.

Present positions in Section F are:-

In SECTION G, Tam O Shanter opened their campaign with a narrow 3.5 - 2.5 home win over Loudoun.

Present positions in Section G are:-

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Competitions update

Matches continue in the various Ayrshire Junior Golf league competitions, as clubs and individuals continue their bids to reach the latter stages of the events.

In the AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP, there have been several recent matches in both qualifying sections.

In SECTION A, West Kilbride had a narrow 3.5 - 2.5 win at home to Irvine and Prestwick St Nicholas had a home win by the same score over Kilmarnock Barassie. Irvine bounced back with a 6 - 0 home win over Kilmarnock Barassie in their latest fixture, whilst West Kilbride had a notable 4 - 2 away win at Kilmarnock Barassie.

Present positions in Section A are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Irvine	5	4	0	1	24.0	6.0	18.0	16
West Kilbride	2	2	0	0	7.5	4.5	3.0	8
Prestwick St Nicholas	3	1	0	2	5.0	13.0	-8.0	4
Kilmarnock Barassie	4	0	0	4	5.5	18.5	-13	0

In SECTION B, an opening 6 - 0 home win by Troon Welbeck over Ayr Belleisle was followed by 3.5 - 2.5 win for Welbeck in the return fixture, whilst East Ayrshire opened with a 3.5 - 2.5 win over Ayr Belleisle. 

Present positions in Section B are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Troon Welbeck	2	2	0	0	9.5	2.5	7.0	8
East Ayrshire	1	1	0	0	3.5	2.5	1.0	4
Prestwick St Cuthbert	0	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0
Ayr Belleisle	3	0	0	3	5.0	13.0	-8.0	0

In the scratch team knockout competition for the WALLACE THORNTON TROPHY, West Kilbride booked their place in the semi final with a 3-1 win away to Troon Welbeck.

 

AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE - Ties well under way in both qualifying sections

Ties are well under way in both qualifying sections of the inaugural Ayrshire Women's handicap League Championship, as teams battle for a place in the championship final.

In recent matches in SECTION A, Troon Welbeck had 2 - 2 draws at home to Loudoun and away at Prestwick St Cuthbert and suffered a 4 - 0 defeat at Kilmarnock Barassie, who made it two home wins from two with a 2.5 - 1.5 win over Prestwick St Cuthbert.

Present positions in Section A are:-

In recent fixtures in SECTION B, Caprington beat their visitors from Ballochmyle by 3 - 1 and secured an away win against Ayr Belleisle ladies by the same margin.

Present positions in Section B are:-

The winners of the two qualifying sections will play off for the trophy and the inaugural title on Finals day at Prestwick St Cuthbert GC on Sunday the 3rd of September. 

THE AYRSHIRE JUG - Two through to quarter finals of inaugural mixed greensomes knockout event

Two couples are through to the quarter finals of the inaugural Ayrshire mixed greensomes knockout competition for The Ayrshire Jug.  

Scott Gilchrist & Sally Hamilton (Loudoun) won by 3&1 on their visit to play Fran & Dave Madden (Kilmarnock Barassie) to secure an away tie in the last eight, whilst Joan McMurdo & William Fleming (Ballochmyle) had a 2&1 win over their visitors Kevin Flack & Janet Harkness (Skelmorlie) and will be at home in their quarter final match.

The remaining third round matches are all due to be played by the 25th of June.  

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Three clubs through to quarter finals

Three clubs have booked their places in the quarter finals of the 2023 Ayrshire Fourball Championship.

Stuart & Sean Thorburn (Ayr Dalmilling) beat their visitors Mark Anderson & Ian Hogg (Irvine) by 4 & 3 to earn an away tie at either Skelmorlie or Prestwick St Nicholas in the last eight. 

Paul Giffney & Tom Gilbey (Ardeer) also had a home win, by 3&1, over Alistair Devlin & Gary McKay (Ballochmyle), and they too face an away tie in the last eight, against either Muirkirk or Crosshouse.

Jamie Clark & Robert Hamilton (Wallacetown) had a 5&3 win on their visit to play Colin Park & Ian McGill (Abbotsford), and will be away to either Kilbirnie Place or The Chase in the quarter finals.

The remaining third round ties are all due to be completed by the 25th of June.

AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY - Inaugural championship reached semi final stage

The inaugural Ayrshire Women's Champion of Champions Trophy competition has reached the semi final stage.

The last remaining quarter final was played recently, with Pauline Patrick (Irvine) beating Louise Thrippleton (Troon Welbeck) at Irvine Bogside by 4 & 2 to secure her place in the last four.

In the semi finals Pauline Patrick (Irvine) will play host to Debbie Watt (Ayr Belleisle Ladies), whilst Audrey Thomson (Loudoun) will be at home to Jennifer Linklater (Largs)

The two semi finals are due to be played by the 31st of July with the final scheduled to take place on Friday the 11th of August at Royal Troon, on the same evening as the corresponding men's event.

SCOTTISH MEN'S OPEN STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Jack Broun best for Ayrshire as Connor Graham storms to victory

Jack Broun (Turnberry) was the best places Ayrshire player in the Scottish Men's Open Strokeplay Championship which was held at Meldrum House from the 2nd to the 4th of June, a distant 26 shots behind the winner, Connor Graham (Blairgowrie), who took the title by a full four shots ahead of his closest challenger.

Graham's winning total of 265, 15 under par, featured rounds of 67, 67, 68 and a superb finishing round of 63.

Jack Broun finished in equal 44th place on 291, 11 over par. He was well placed after the opening two rounds with 70 and 71 but a third round of 80 ended any hopes of a high finish, though he rallied with a closing round of 70.

The only other Ayrshire player to make the half way cut was Ruben Lindsay (Turnberry) who had an opening round of 76 but recovered with a second round of 67, only to see his challenge fade with two successive rounds of 79 to close on 301, 21 over par.

Five Ayrshire golfers played the opening two rounds but failed to make the cut.

Harvey Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck) was unfortunate to miss out by a single shot on 144, 4 over par, after rounds of 74 and 70.

The other Ayrshire scores were :-

145 (+5) - Dylan Cairns (Royal Troon) 76/69

150 (+10) - Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) 76/74

157 (+17) - Drew Cleaver (Ayr Belleisle) 77/80

163 (+23) - Harvey McDonald (Turnberry) 86/77

SCOTTISH MEN'S AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Victory for Ayrshire At Dundonald Links in second qualifying match

The Ayrshire men's team secured a 5.5 - 3.5 victory over Dumbartonshire at Dundonald Links on Sunday the 4th of June in the second of their three qualifying fixtures in the 2023 Scottish Men's Area Team Championship.

In glorious weather, the Ayrshire team came from behind at the half way stage to edge the morning foursomes by 2 - 1 and in the afternoon singles again turned the match their way in the closing nine holes, eventually taking the singles by 3.5 - 2.5 for a 5.5 - 3.5 win overall, which could have been greater but for the visitors in the final two ties both winning the final hole with birdies to take 1.5 of the final 2 points.

Match details (Ayrshire names first)

Morning Foursomes

John Shanks (Irvine) & Daniel Forbes (Irvine) lost to Matt Allan (Hayston) & David Lindsay (Lenzie) by 3&2

Keith Hamilton (Royal Troon) & Blair Morton (Royal Troon) beat Andrew Campbell (Dumbarton) & Craig Bissett (Dumbarton) by 4&2

Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) & Steven Stamper (Turnberry) beat David McComish (Clydebank & District) & Steven Stewart (Clydebank & District) by 1 hole

Ayrshire 2 Dumbartonshire 1

Afternoon Singles

John Shanks Lost to Matt Allan by 2&1

Keith Hamilton beat David Lindsay by 3&2

Blair Morton beat Andrew Campbell by 2&1

Daniel Forbes beat Craig Bissett by 4&3

Steven Stamper halved with David McComlish

Paul Moultrie lost to Steven Stewart by 1 hole

Ayrshire 3.5 Dumbartonshire 2.5

MATCH RESULT - AYRSHIRE  5.5   DUMBARTONSHIRE  3.5

In the other match in the qualifying section, Argyll & Bute were 2-1 behind against the North at Kings, Inverness, but won the afternoon singles to win the match by 5 - 4. 

The results so far leave Ayrshire and Argyll and Bute ties with a win and a draw at the top of the table, with Dumbartonshire having one win and North still to secure their first points of the campaign.

Ayrshire's final match in the qualifying section is on Sunday the 9th of July when they travel to play North at Moray, knowing that a victory by the same or better score than Argyll and Bute's against Dumbartonshire would see them qualify for the final in September.

BYRNE HOWARD JUNIOR OPEN - Entries invited for Junior Order of merit event at Royal Troon

Entries are now open for the Byrne Howard Junior Open, a qualifying event for the Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit, which will be held at Royal Troon on Sunday the 25th of June.

open to both boys and girls aged from 12 to Under 18 on the 1st of January 2023, the competition will be played over the Portland course.

The link below, and on the left of this page under the 'Juniors' heading, gives access to the competition entry form.

 Byrne Howard Junior Open (Royal Troon) Entry Link

THE ROWALLAN MEN'S OPEN - Entries invited for August event

Entries are now being invited for The Rowallan Men's Open, to be held at Rowallan Castle Golf Club on Sunday the 20th of August. 

An 18 hole competition for male golfers, the event returns to the calendar after a four year break, with prizes in scratch and three handicap categories, along with various nearest the pin and longest drive awards.

Entry is £15 and entry can be made on line via the link below

Rowallan Open Entry Link

SCOTTISH MEN'S AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire face Dumbartonshire at Dundonald Links in second qualifying match.

Ayrshire will host Dumbartonshire at Dundonald Links on Sunday the 4th of June in the second of three qualifying section matches in the 2023 Scottish Men's Area Team Championship. 

Despite a clash with the Scottish men's Open Championship at Meldrum House the same weekend, which has led to some players being unavailable for selection, Ayrshire will field a very strong and experienced team in the clash, hoping for a home win to add to their drawn match away to Argyll and Bute in their opening fixture last month.

The Ayrshire team carrying the county hopes at Dundonald Links include John Shanks (Irvine) a two time winner of the event, Ayrshire Champion of Champions title holder Blair Morton (Royal Troon), Scottish Senior's Internationalist Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon), former West of Scotland Strokeplay Champion Daniel Forbes (Irvine) and established Ayrshire team stalwarts Keith Hamilton (Royal Troon) and Steven Stamper (Turnberry).

The match will consist of three fourball ties in the morning and six singles ties in the afternoon.

Ayrshire's final qualifying tie will be on Sunday the 9th of July when they make the long trip to Moray to face The North Area.

The teams for Sunday's match are:-

AYRSHIRE

John Shanks (Irvine) 

Blair Morton (Royal Troon)

Steven Stamper (Turnberry)

Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon)

Keith Hamilton (Royal Troon)

Daniel Forbes (Irvine)

DUMBARTONSHIRE

Matt Allen (Hayston)

Steven Stewart (Clydebank & District)

Andy Campbell (Dumbarton)

Craig Bissett (Dumbarton)

David Lindsay (Lenzie)

David McComish (Clydebank & District)

AYRSHIRE BOYS' CHAMPIONSHIP - entries now invited for 2023 competition at Largs GC

Entries are now invited for the 2023 Ayrshire Boys' Championship, which will be held at Largs Golf Club on Thursday the 3rd of August.

The 36 hole strokeplay event, a counting competition along with the Ayrshire Boys' Matchplay Championship for the World Amateur Golf rankings, has a handicap limit of 36. Entries will be determined by handicap ballot if necessary, on the closing date.

The entry fee for the event, where scratch and handicap prizes will be available, is £10, and entries can be made either individually or by block club entry.

Entry forms should be available through Club Secretaries or can be downloaded via the links below, or the links on the left of this page, under the 'Juniors' heading.

Ayrshire Boys' Championship Individual Entry Form

Ayrshire Boys' Championship Club Block Entry Form

THE AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION

PRESENT

THE 2023

AYRSHIRE BOYS’

STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

AT

LARGS GOLF CLUB

BY KIND PERMISSION

ON

THURSDAY 3^rd AUGUST 2023

(OVER 36 HOLES STROKEPLAY)

**********

ENTRY FEE £ 10.00

HANDICAP LIMIT : 36

**********

ENTRY MAY BE LIMITED TO 48 PLAYERS - TO BE BALLOTED BY HANDICAP AFTER THE CLOSING DATE

 

THE WINNER WILL RETAIN THE AYRSHIRE BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY

FOR ONE YEAR AND WILL RECEIVE A MEDAL FOR RETENTION

 

IN ADDITION VARIOUS PRIZE VOUCHERS WILL BE AWARDED

ON BOTH SCRATCH AND HANDICAP BASIS

**********

The players returning the 8 best aggregate scratch totals will contest

 

THE AYRSHIRE BOYS’ MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

At Prestwick Golf Club from 7^th 10^th August 2023

****************

ENTRY FORMS AVAILABLE FROM CLUB SECRETARIES,

ON THE WEB AT www.ayrshiregolf.blogspot.com

OR FROM THE A.G.A. SECRETARY

ALASDAIR MALCOLM

17 AUCHINCRUIVE AVENUE, PRESTWICK, KA9 2DT

**********

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: - NOON ON SATURDAY 15^th JULY 2023

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

BOTH ON THE COURSE AND IN THE CLUBHOUSE

DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - Colin Goudie still in front after latest two events.

Ayrshire Strokeplay Champion Colin Goudie (Ayr Belleisle) still holds a slender lead in the Ayrshire Order of Merit, for the Doc Thom Salver, after the latest two events.

The top three places remained unchanged following the Prestwick St Cuthbert Open on the 27th of May, where Harvey McDonald secured the top points with a four under par score of 67 in an event, which also saw Joseph Ian Logan of the host club achieve a hole in one at the par three ninth hole, which moved McDonald up to fourth place in the Order of Merit table.

On the following day, Sunday the 28th of May, at the West Kilbride Open, host club member Shaun Hedger took maximum points with a 69 for the best scratch score of the day to move him into joint seventh place in the Order of Merit.

With the cancellation of the Belleisle Cup on the 4th of June, the next three counting events are the Scottish Men's open Strokeplay at Meldrum House from the 2nd to the 4th of June, the Ayr Seafield Open on the 3rd of June and the McGilchrist Cup at Ardeer on the 17th of June.

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

SCOTTISH MEN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP - Ruben Lindsay leads pre qualifying event at Kemnay.

Ruben Lindsay (Turnberry)

lead the field at the Scottish Men's Open Championship pre qualifying event at Kemnay Golf Club on Tuesday the 30th of May, successfully securing one of the places available from the event, to take part in the championship itself, at Meldrum House GC from the 2nd to the 4th of June.

Lindsay, who recently won the West of Scotland Strokeplay Championship at Largs GC,  carded a course record 5 under par total of 66 to take first place amongst the qualifiers, and breaking the previous course record, set earlier in the day, by a shot.

The other successful Ayrshire players in the qualifying event were Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) and Harvey Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck), who shared 12th place with 1 over par scores of 72, and Harvey McDonald (Turnberry) whose 3 over par score of 74 left him in joint 31st place.

Drew Cleaver (Ayr Belleisle) failed to qualify with his 5 over par score of 76, which left him in 43rd place.

BELLEISLE CUP - Historic event cancelled due to lack of entries

The 2023 Belleisle Cup has been cancelled due to lack of entries. 

The prestigious 36 hole competition, a counting event for the Doc Thom Ayrshire Order of Merit, was due to be held on Sunday the 4th of June, but organisers had to take the difficult decision to cancel the event this week as the entry level made the event unviable this year.

SCOTTISH WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP - Gibson & Russell shine at Ladybank

Luisa Gibson (Irvine) and Freya Russell (Royal Troon) shone in the 2023 Scottish Women's Championship held at Ladybank between the 26th and 28th of May, Gibson reaching the quarter finals of the championship with Russell losing out in the final of the second flight competition for the Clark Rosebowl.

In the 36 hole qualifying, successive rounds of 72 gave Gibson a 2 over par total of 144, which left her as second qualifier for the matchplay stages, five shots behind leading qualifier Lorna McClymont (Milngavie).

Hannah Ounap (Loudoun) also qualified for the matchplay stages with rounds of 73 and 74 giving her a 5 over par total of 147 and equal third place in the qualifying positions.

Though her 14 over par total of 156, with rounds of 76 and 80, saw her miss out on the championship matchplay stages, Freya Russell qualified as one of the sixteen players to contest the second flight matchplay competition for the Clark Rosebowl.

The other two Ayrshire players in the field, Sarah Ramsay (West Kilbride) and Joanne Sharp (Kilmarnock Barassie) both finished in joint 51st place with a 28 over par total of 170 after rounds of 87 and 83.

In the first round of the championship matchplay, Hannah Ounap lost out by 2 & 1 to Rachael Livingstone (Baberton) whilst Luisa Gibson beat Ellie Docherty (Moray) at the 19th before exiting the tournament in the quarter finals with a 6 & 5 defeat to Ailsa Brannock (Southerness).

In the Clark Rosebowl, Freya Russell had successive 3 & 2 victories in the first two rounds over Evie McCallum (Dunfermline) and Freya Constable (Prestonfield), followed by a semi final win by 5 & 4 over Robyn Fowlie (Murcar Links) to set up a final encounter with Eilidh Henderson (Ladybank) which she eventually lost out by 2 & 1.

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - line up for last 16 confirmed

The line up for the third round o0f the 2023 Ayrshire Fourball Championship has been confirmed, with the final sixteen clubs involved being confirmed this week.

In the recent second round encounters, George McDonald & Peter Clark (Troon St Meddans) won on their visit to play Alex Graham & Alex Gilmartin (Stewarton) and now have a home tie against Robert Martin & Andrew McMoreland (Ayr Carrick) who had a single hole victory in the second round away to Hamish Gaffney & Jordan Milne (Redburn).

Les Knox & Wullie Young (Auchenharvie 88) beat their visitors Daniel McBride & Greg Vernon (Kilmarnock Barassie) at the 20th in their second round tie and now face a home tie against Robin Gemmell & John Tully (Rowallan Castle) who won by 5&4 on their visit to play Chris Rimmer & Gordon McAndrew (Ayr Belleisle) in round two.

Arran Cameron & Mark Hainey (Prestwick St Nicholas) had a single hole victory over their visitors James Earle & Ian Hamilton (Girvan) in round two, and now face a trip to play Billy Pollock & sandy Riddell (Stewarton) in round three.

Stuart & Sean Thorburn (Ayr Dalmilling) won 2&1 against their visitors Selim Yilmaz & Stephen Bolland (Prestwick St Cuthbert) and will host Mark Anderson & Ian Hogg (Irvine) in round three.  

The full draw for the third round is:-