2021 AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - Initial notice sent to member clubs

The 2021 Annual General Meeting of The Ayrshire Golf Association will be held, COVID-19 restrictions permitting, on MONDAY 25th OCTOBER at LOUDOUN GOWF CLUB, at 7.00 p.m.

An initial notice, outlining the business to be conducted at the meeting, has been emailed to all member clubs today. Should any club secretary not be in receipt of the initial notice, they should contact the Area Secretary by email at 

ayrshire.golf@btinternet.com   

Any business for the AGM should be submitted by clubs, in writing, to the Area Secretary, by Friday the 7th of October at the latest.

All relevant annual reports and AGM paperwork will be forwarded to member clubs shortly after the 7th of October.

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Turnberry establish good advantage in bid to retain Division 1 status

Turnberry have established a significant advaintage in their bid to retain their Division 1 status in the Ayrshire Scratch leagues, with a fist leg victory over Largs in the Division 1 play off tie on Sunday the 19th of September.

Playing at home in the first Leg, the Turnberry team won by 5.5 - 0.5.

Match details (Turnberry names first) :- 

Jack Broun beat Cameron Aitken by 6&4

Peter Kennan beat Scott Davidson by 1 hole

Brendan McKenna beat Ian Brown by 4&3

Dominic Booth beat Brian Moore by 3&1

Paul Ferguson halved with  Johnny Andrews 

Gordon Boyle beat John Robertson by 8&6

TURNBERRY     5.5    LARGS    0.5

The return leg is scheduled to take place at Largs on Sunday the 26th of September.

AREA BOYS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - 2021 marks Ayrshire's third title win in 44 year history of the national competition

The recent victory in the Scottish Boys Area team Championship, at Dullatur Golf Club, was just the third occasion that the title has been claimed by Ayrshire since the event began in 1977.

With both foursomes scores in the morning and three of the four afternoon singles scores combining towards the team total, a good score in the morning format by both pairings is vital and in this year’s championship the pairings of Connor Wills (Royal Troon) and Harvey Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck) and Jack Allan (Ballochmyle) and Max Barclay (Ayr Belleisle), with scores of 75 and 77 respectively, delivered the goods to jointly lead after the morning foursomes, along with The North, on 152.

In the afternoon singles, Harvey (70), Max (71), Jack (78) and Connor (82) combined to establish a team total of 371, which ultimately gave them the title by a clear six shots from the runners up from The Lothians.

The victory in 2021 came fourteen years after Ayrshire last won the title, at Forres Golf Club, when the team of Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck), Cameron Gray (West Kilbride), David Currie (Kilmarnock Barassie) and Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) came back from fourth place after the foursomes, and overturned a five shot deficit to again edge The Lothians into second place with victory by two shots, with a team total of 339.

The Ayrshire players produced some spectacular scoring in the afternoon singles that year, with three of the team posting scores under par which left the best three scores from the four singles totalling 198, 12 under par.  

Pride of place that year went to Cameron Gray, his brilliant five under par round of 65 securing him the Niagra Cup for the best individual score of the championship, one ahead of Michael Stewart and two better than Euan Brown. This was the second occasion that an Ayrshire player had secured the individual trophy, after Graeme Fox (West Kilbride) won it in 1995 at Milngavie, and is a feat which has only been matched once since, when Marc Smith did so at Peebles in 2010.

Of the four members of the winning team in 2007, Michael Stewart went on to enjoy an outstanding amateur career before turning professional. Amongst his achievements in the years following the Boys Area team Championship win, Michael secured the Scottish Amateur title in 2010 at Gullane and the South African Amateur Championship in 2011, and was a member of the victorious Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team in 2011 at Royal Aberdeen.

The distinction of being the first Ayrshire team to win the Area Boys team Championship fell to the team of Steven Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert), Neil Lockie (Kilmarnock Barassie), Gary Holland (Ballochmyle) and Gordon Fraser (Troon St Meddans), who triumphed at Cowglen Golf Club in Glasgow in 1998.

The victory came just weeks after Gary Holland, who later progressed to the professional ranks before being reinstated to the amateur game, had won the Scottish Boys Open Amateur Strokeplay championship at Burntisland, with Scottish representative honours at boys level following on from his win. Neil Lockie also later turned to the professional game and is now a well respected professional and coach in the USA. Like Neil, Gordon Fraser, who won the Ayrshire Boys Championship in 1999, also later moved from Ayrshire to the United States. Like Gary Holland, Steven Wallace went on to represent Scotland at boys level and the following year was a bronze medallist in the Scottish Amateur Championships, beating the defending champion Graeme Rankin en route to the last four, and has established a successful amateur career and reputation in the West of Scotland in the intervening years.

 

MEN'S HOME INTERNATIONALS - Scotland pipped for title by Ireland

The Scotland Men’s team, with Stuart Easton (Irvine) and Ruben Lindsay (Turnberry) in the squad, lost out narrowly to Ireland in the recent Home Internationals matches at Hankley Common in England.

On the opening day Scotland played Ireland and in a tight match it was the Irish team who edged what was to eventually prove a crucial victory by 8.5 – 6.5.

In the morning foursomes Stuart Easton was paired with Lewis Irvine, losing by 2 holes to T J Ford and Jack McDonnell as Scotland trailed 3 – 2 going into the afternoon singles.

In the singles Stuart Easton beat Jack McDonnell by one hole whilst Ruben Lindsay lost by 2 & 1 to Alan Fahy as the Scots lost the singles series 5.5 – 4.5 to lose the opening match overall.

On the second day Scotland faced England, winning the match convincingly by 10 – 5.

Both the Ayrshire players took part in the morning foursomes, which Scotland won by 3 – 2. Ruben Lindsay and Darren Howie lost to Olly Huggins and John Gough by 5 & 4 whilst Stuart Easton again teamed up with Lewis Irvine and beat Zachary Chewirden and Laird Shepherd by 3 & 1.

In the afternoon singles, in which Scotland overpowered England by 8 – 2 to secure the win overall, Stuart Easton beat Callan Barrow by 2 & 1 whilst Ruben Lindsay lost to Jack Bigham by 4 & 3.

On the final day Scotland faced Wales, knowing that a victory, coupled with an England victory, would give Scotland the Raymond Trophy and Home Internationals title for 2021, and they ensured a nail biting finish by defeating Wales 11 – 4 in their last match of the series.

The foundation of the win was laid with a 4.5 – 0.5 win in the morning foursomes matches. Stuart Easton again paired up with Lewis Irvine and beat Luke Harries and Alex Greville by 1 hole in the morning ties.

In the afternoon singles, which Scotland won by 6.5 – 3.5, Stuart Easton lost by 3 & 2 to ben Chamberlain. Ruben Lindsay did not feature in the final day’s ties.

Despite their efforts, Scotland’s championship title bid fell agonisingly short when Ireland secured a 7.5 – 7.5 draw with England in their final match, to take the Home Internationals title for 2021.

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Boys team win but lose out on title bid, on day of mixed fortunes for Ayrshire teams

The Ayrshire Boys team won their final match in the 2021 West of Scotland Inter County league for the Wishart trophy by 4.5 – 3.5 on Sunday the 19^th of September, away to Dumbartonshire at Clydebank & District GC, but, although unbeaten throughout the five match campaign, the team narrowly failed to retain the title that they won in 2018 and 2019 when they lost out to their hosts on the overall tie countback after the two teams were tied on points at the top of the league table.

The Ayrshire team knew that they needed to win their final match of the season by 6 – 2 or better to overturn Dumbartonshire’s tie advantage over all five league fixtures and, despite the result of the match and margin of victory for Ayrshire being in doubt until the closing few holes, it was the Dumbatonshire team that secured sufficient ties to ensure their first league title since 2014.

Despite losing the first two under 16 ties, Ayrshire still retained holes of overall victory by the required margin as the Ayrshire players were ahead in all the remaining ties on the course at that stage, except one, but ultimately a couple of brave performances over the closing holes by the Dumbartonshire team to secure a crucial half point and a final green win were enough to get them over the line in their championship bid.

Match details (Dumbartonshire names first):-

Sam Somerville (Windyhill) beat Rory Inglis (Royal Troon) by 1 hole

Fergus Allan (Windyhill) beat Ryan Kennedy (Irvine) by 3 & 2

Anthony Sheridan (Windyhill) halved with Jack Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck)

Chris Clark (Windyhill) lost to Dylan Cairns (Prestwick St Nicholas) by 1 hole

Stewart Forrest (Lenzie) lost to Jack Allan (Ballochmyle) by 3 & 2

Callum Rutherford (Clober) lost to Kerr Brooks (Loudoun) by 4 & 3

Jamie McQuillan (Dullatur) beat Max Barclay (Ayr Belleisle) by 1 hole

Jack Clark (Dullatur) lost to Harvey Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck) by 6 & 5

 

DUMBARTONSHIRE  3.5   AYRSHIRE   4.5

 

Sunday the 19^th of September also saw the start of the five week fixtures in the West of Scotland Inter County Youths and A team leagues, which provided mixed fortunes for the Ayrshire teams.

The Youths team were at home to Glasgow on week one, but slipped to a 5 – 3 defeat at Largs.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride lost to Charlie Greaves (Glasgow) by 2 & 1

Ross Caddis (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat A. MacNally (Pollok) by 6 & 4

Aiden Long (Ayr Belleisle) halved with M. Hughes (Ralston)

Stewart Russell (Royal Troon) lost to B Gray (Haggs Castle) by 1 hole

Harvey McDonald (Ayr Belleisle) lost to T. Rankin (Haggs castle) by 3 & 1

Callum Irvine (Ayr Belleisle) lost to A. Forbes (Haggs Castle) by 4 & 3

Scott Wilson (Kilmarnock Barassie) halved with J. Lynch (Ralston)

Jack Thomas (Irvine) beat T Dunn (Cowglen) by 3 & 2

 

AYRSHIRE  YOUTHS  3   GLASGOW  YOUTHS  5

In the other youth matches played on week 1, Renfrewshire beat Stirlingshire by 4.5 - 3.5 and Dumbartonshire beat Lanarkshire, at Hilton Park, by the same margin. 

In the corresponding A Team match, played at Glasgow Gailes, Ayrshire ran out comfortable winners by 6.5 – 1.5, with both team debutants Daniel Forbes (Irvine) and Adam Sweeney (Prestwick St Cuthbert) recording wins in their first representative outing.

Match details (Glasgow names first) :-

Scott Wearing (Bishopbriggs) lost to John Shanks (Irvine) by 5 & 4

Blair Dalglish (Ralston) lost to Robbie Muir (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 3 & 2

Ryan Woods (Cowglen) lost to Daniel Forbes (Irvine) by 7 & 5

John Laurie (Glasgow) lost to Adam Sweeney (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 4 & 3

Fraser McNeill (Haggs Castle) lost to Steven Stamper (Turnberry) by 2 & 1

Allan Waugh (Cowglen) halved with Blair Morton (Royal Troon)

Craig Morrison (Haggs Castle) beat Barry O’Rourke (Loudoun) by 3 & 1

Stephen Machin (Cowglen) lost to John Haggarty (Loudoun) by 1 hole

 

GLASGOW  A      1.5    AYRSHIRE  A    6.5

In the other A team fixtures played on week 1, Renfrewshire won by 4.5 - 3.5 away to Stirlingshire and Lanarkshire beat Dumbartonshire 6.5 - 1.5 at Wishaw.

Next Sunday, the 26th of September, the A team entertain Stirlingshire at Irvine Ravenspark whilst the youths team travel to play the corresponding fixture against Stirlingshire youths at Dunblane New GC.

 

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - First leg lead for West Kilbride in Division 3 title play off

West Kilbride have taken a commanding lead in the Ayrshire Scratch league Division 3 title play off with victory in the first leg on Sunday the 12th of September.

At home to Rowallan Castle in the first leg of their play off match, the West Kilbride team  secured a 5 - 1 win to take forward to the second leg at Rowallan Castle.

Match details (West Kilbride names first)

S. Hedger beat Graham Hillan by 2 holes

A. Kelly beat John Rushbury by 3&1

C. Lawson beat Robbie MacInnes by 4&3

S. Bell beat Ben Hollywood by 3&2

C. Murray lost to Mark Gallagher by 1 hole

A. Brown beat Gary Allison by 4&2

WEST KILBRIDE   5   ROWALLAN CASTLE   1   

AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - Michael Smyth wins Doc Thom Salver for 2021

Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) has won the 2021 Ayrshire Order of merit, for the Doc Thom Salver, following confirmation of the results of the penultimate counting event, The Stone Trophy at Routenburn in Largs, which took place on Saturday the 11^th of September.

With none of the chasing pack featuring at the event, Michael Smyth’s lead at the top of the table cannot be overtaken with just the Arrol Cup at Prestwick St Nicholas on Saturday the 18^th of September still to take place before the final placings are established.

At the Stone Trophy, Cameron Aitkin of largs took maximum points with a scratch score of 66, one ahead of Adam Sweeney (Prestwick St Cuthbert).

Steven Gallacher of the host club finished his round with a hole in one at the 18^th hole during the competition.

Whilst Michael Smyth has won the title this year, there are still several players who can secure second and third places overall, with good performances at the Arrol Cup, with over 15 players still in with a change of a place in the prize list.

Present positions, with just one counting event remaining, are:-

445		MICHAEL	SMYTH	ROYAL TROON
237.5		CRAIG	TELFER	PR. ST CUTHBERT
236.67		BLAIR	MORTON	ROYAL TROON
233.75		JACK	BROUN	TURNBERRY
227.5		JOHN	SHANKS	IRVINE
225		DANIEL	FORBES	IRVINE
140		JOE	McSORLEY	PR.  ST CUTHBERT
120		STUART	EASTON	IRVINE
115		JASON	BUTLER	ARDEER
100		KEITH	HAMILTON	AYR BELLEISLE
100		CAMERON	AITKIN	LARGS
88.75		KEVIN	THOMAS	PR. ST CUTHBERT
87.5		SCOTT	BROWN	PR. ST CUTHBERT
87.5		RYAN	MORRISON	AYR SEAFIELD
87.5		SANDY	WALKER	KIL. BARASSIE
87.5		COLIN	McGOWAN	LARGS
87.5		JOHN	ROBERTSON	LARGS
86.67		ADAM	SWEENEY	PR. ST CUTHBERT
84.17		HARVEY	McDONALD	AYR BELLEISLE
80		STEVEN	STAMPER	TURNBERRY
75		GRAHAM	MACKENZIE	WEST KILBRIDE
75		GEEG	McPIKE	BALLOCHMYLE
72		FRANCIS	McNEILLIE	AYR SEAFIELD
62.5		ROBBIE	MUIR	KIL. BARASSIE
62.5		SANDY	BUCHANAN	PR. ST NICHOLAS
62.5		JAMES	McCULLAGH	KIL. BARASSIE
57.5		KEVIN	THOMAS	PR. ST CUTHBERT
50		PAUL	DICKSON	AYR SEAFIELD
50		PAUL	GIFFNEY	ARDEER
50		GRAEME	GIMSON	PR. ST CUTHBERT
50		GLEN	WILSON	AYR DALMILLING
42.5		GREG	JARVIE	LOUDOUN
42.5		ALAN	McLEAN	LARGS
42.5		BARRY	O'ROURKE	LOUDOUN
35		AIDAN	LONG	AYR BELLEISLE
35		MARK	WATT	PR. ST CUTHBERT
35		STEWART	RUSSELL	ROYAL TROON
35		ALAN	BAILEY	ROUTENBURN
27.5		DAVID	DALTON	AYR BELLEISLE
27.5		WILLIAM	HUGHES	AYR SEAFIELD
21.67		JAMES	McINTYRE	REDBURN
21.67		SCOTT	AINSWORTH	ARDEER
21.67		WILLIAM	FLEMING	BALLOCHMYLE
17.5		STEVEN	CORRIGAN	AYR DALMILLING
17.5		JAMIE	McCORMACK	IRVINE
17.5		ADAM	CAMBERS	AYR DALMILLING
17.5		COLIN	HUME	AYR BELLEISLE
15		SCOTT	DAVIDSON	LARGS
15		KRIS	KIRK	TROON PORTLAND
11.67		COLIN	BERRY	ROWALLAN CASTLE
10		ROBBIE	McFARLANE	CAPRINGTON
10		JOHN	HAGGARTY	LOUDOUN
10		RUBEN	LINDSAY	TURNBERRY
10		WILLIAM	JACKSON	ROUTENBURN
5		CRAIG	STEVENSON	WEST KILBRIDE
5		KENNY	DOCHERTY	ROUTENBURN
2.5		KYLE	FINNIE	ARDEER
2.5		LEWIS	HIGGINS	ARDEER
1.25		SCOTT	HANNAH	PR. ST CUTHBERT
1.25		TOM	LOY	PR. ST CUTHBERT
1		STEVEN	ARRANDALE	THE CHASE
1		KIERON	JOHNSTONE	AYR DALMILLING
1		BRUCE	RENNIE	AYR BELLEISLE
1		RYAN	CAMERON	AYR SEAFIELD