SCOTTISH GOLF SQUADS - Two Ayrshire players included for 2027

Just two Ayrshire players have been included in the Scottish Men's, Men's Transition, Women's, Women's Transition, Boy's, and Girl's national squads for 2027 which were announced by Scottish Golf this week.

Freya Russell & Hannah Ounap

The Men's, Men's Transition, Boy's, and Girl's squads have no Ayrshire representation, while Freya Russell (Royal Troon) is in the Women's squad and hannah Ounap (Loudoun) is in the Women's Transition squad.

 

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Season's winners honoured at Loudoun GC

The junior winners in Ayrshire were honoured for their achievements on Monday the 2nd of November when the Ayrshire Junior Golf League annual dinner & presentation of prizes was held at Loudoun Gowf Club.

The assembled company of junior golfers, guests, ALGL officials and Honorary Members and club officials enjoyed a fine meal before the usual fundraising raffle was held and prizes distributed, with the evening culminating with the presentation of trophies for the 2026 season by the new Ayrshire Golf Association President William H Fleming (Ballochmyle GC).

Junior Golfer of the Year
Finlay Watt

The traditional opening awards were the Macrobert Thistle Junior Golfer of The Year awards for boys and girls.

The boy's award for 2026 went to Finlay Watt (West Kilbride GC) who had an excellent season on the course, winning several events including the West of Scotland Junior Strokeplay Championship title.

Junior Golfer of the Year
Alyssa Gillies

The girl's award for 2026 went to Alyssa Gillies (Ballochmyle GC) who continued to improve her golf skills with some notable results whilst also representing her club as junior captain and raising a four figure sum throughout the season for charity through organising several golf events for the charity concerned.

The prize presentation was boosted when the junior members in attendance, who were part of the successful West of Scotland Inter County Youth League winning Ayrshire team the previous day, were called up to receive the team trophy.  

West of Scotland Inter County Youth League Champions

Matt Lygate Trophy - Turnberry

In the 2026 Ayrshire Junior Team Championship the team awards, The Matt Lygate and Andrew D Nimmo trophies,  went to Turnberry GC and Loudoun GC respectively, while the individual Prestwick Circuits and Carrick trophies went to mason Chisholm (Irvine GC) and Ryan Steel (Loudoun GC).

Andrew D Nimmo Trophy - Louodun

Prestwick Circuits Trophy - Mason Chisholm

Carrick Trophy - Ryan Steel

Ayrshire Boys Champion
James McNeillie

The 2026 Ayrshire Boy's Strokeplay Champion was James McNeillie (West Kilbride), Daniel Ramsay (Ayr Belleisle) won the handicap award, The Hilmarton Trophy, while Mason Chisholm (Irvine) won the Ayrshire Boy's Matchplay Championship title at Prestwick GC.

Hilmarton Trophy
Daniel Ramsay

Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Champion
Mason Chisholm

Ayrshire Girls Champion
Orla Moran

Orla Moran (Irvine) retained the Ayrshire Girl's Championship title in 2026 while Sandi Rogerson (Kilmarnock Barassie GC) retained the handicap award, the Prestwick Salver.

Prestwick Salver
Sandi Rogerson

Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit
Finlay Watt

Winner of the Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit for 2026 was Finlay Watt (West Kilbride GC) while Mason Chisholm (Irvine) was runner up and Gregor Hay (Ayr Belleisle) was third.

Order of Merit Runner Up
Mason Chisholm

Order of Merit - third
Gregor Hay

The evening concluded with the presentation of the four Ayrshire Junior Golf League trophies competed for in extendeed events during the season.

Wallace Thornton Trophy - Turnberry

The scratch team knockout competition for The Wallace Thornton Trophy was won by Turnberry GC who beat West Kilbride GC in the final.

Under 16 Knockout Trophy - Turnberry

The Under 16 Knockout Trophy was also won by Turnberry GC who beat Ayr Belleisle GC in the final.

Junior Champion of Champions
Findlay Andrew

The 2026 Ayrshire Junior Champion of Champions Trophy was won by Findlay Andrew (Turnberry) who beat Gregor Hay (Turnberry) in the final.

The presentations culminated in the Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship which was won by Kilmarnock Barassie GC, who beat Turnberry GC in the final.

Ayrshire Junior Golf League Champions - Kilmarnock Barassie

A very enjoyable evening culminated with the AJGL Secretary Gavin Scott proposing a vote of thanks to all who had made the evening a success.   

CHAMPIONS AGAIN - Ayrshire youths team secure third West of Scotland Youth League Championship in four years

The Ayrshire Youth team secured the West of Scotland Inter County Youth League for the third time in four years on Sunday the 1st of November with victory over Stirlingshire at Troon Darley.

The match had been postponed from week two of the championship and resulted in a top of the table, winner takes all, clash with the Stirlingshire team, which Ayrshire took control of early on and eventually ran out winners by 6.5 - 1.5.

Match details (Ayrshire names first) :-

Jamie Hay (Ayr Belleisle) beat Lewis Clark (Stirling) by 5&4

Gregor Hay (Ayr Belleisle) beat Gregor Johnstone (Glenbervie) by 1 hole

Mason Chisholm (Irvine) halved with Liam Graham (Falkirk)

Findlay Andrew (Turnberry) beat Cameron Potter (Glenbervie) by 7&6

Jenson Fergusson (Royal Troon) lost to Kia Dickson (Stirling) by 2&1

Ryan Steven (Ayr Belleisle) beat Louis Anderson (Falkirk) by 7&5

Sam Crozier (West Kilbride) beat Ruari McNeill (Falkirk) by 4&3

Jamie Robertson (Loudoun) beat Ryan Thompson (Falkirk) by 4&3

AYRSHIRE YOUTHS    6.5    STIRLINGSHIRE YOUTHS   1.5

Ayrshire finished the season with four wins and a draw in their five fixtures.

The other two outstanding fixtures resulted in 4-4 draws between Glasgow and Dumbartonshire and Renfrewshire and Lanarkshire

The final placings in the West of Scotland Inter County Youths League for 2026 were:-

In the final A league fixture of the season Ayrshire travelled to Falkirk GC to play Stirlingshire, still with an outside chance of winning the title if they won and Renfrewshire stopped Lanarkshire from winning their final match. 

In the event the Ayrshire side went down 5-3 while Lanakrshire won by the same score to retain the A League championship title.

Match details (Stirlingshire names first)

James Donaldson (Stirling) beat Harvey broadfoot (Royal Troon) by 2&1

Alex Marshall (Grangemouth) beat John Haggarty (Loudoun) by 1 hole

Stuart Murray (Falkirk) beat Blair Morton (Royal Troon) by 3&2

Ed Shanley (Stirling) lost to Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 2&1

Colin Mundie (Glenbervie) beat Alan McLean (Largs) by 1 hole

Mark Hyslop (Glenbervie) lost to Andy Gibson (Caprington) by 1 hole

Lee Wilson (Stirling) beat Louis Alberts (Troon Srt Meddans) by 1 hole

Ben Liddell (Stirling) lost to Steven Stamper (Turnberry) by 4&2

STIRLINGSHIRE A   5  AYRSHIRE  A   3

The final placings in the West of Scotland Inter County A league in 2026 were:-

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION A.G.M. - William H. Fleming elected President for 2027 - 2028

The 2026 Ayrshire Golf Association A.G.M. was held at Louodun Gowf Club on Tuesday 27th October, where William H. Fleming of Ballochmyle Golf Club was elected President of The Association for 2027  and 2028.

Fourteen member clubs were represented at the meeting where adoption of the minutes of the 2025 AGM, Presidents report, Financial report, Coaching report, and Ayrshire Junior Golf League report were all formally passed.

The new Ayrshire Golf Association President
William H. Fleming (Ballochmyle GC)

The election of office bearers began with the Election of William H. Fleming as the incoming President. 

A Past Captain of Ballochmyle GC, the new President has served on the AGA Executive since 2022 and has been actively involved in the youth teams and championship in particular during his time in post.

William becomes the fourth Ayrshire Golf Association President from Ballochmyle GC, following William Dowie (1990-92), J.F. (Ian) Guthrie (2004-06), and James McMurdo (2014-16).

The President's first task on taking the chair was to propose the election of the new Vice President, Andrew Reid of Irvine GC. 

Vice President Andrew Reid (Irvine GC)
& President William H. Fleming (Ballochmyle GC)

Andrew also joined the AGA Executive in 2022 and has been heavily involved in the Under 18 teams and Area coaching programme since becoming involved in The Association, while also undertaking liason durties with The Ayrshire Junior Golf League.

Hon. Secretary/Treasurer
Alasdair J. Malcolm
(Golf South Ayrshire GC)

Honorary Life President Alasdair J. Malcolm (Golf South Ayrshire GC) was re-elected as Honorary Secretary/Treasurer, a post he has held since 2009, having served on The executive of The Association, in several capacities, continuously since 1989.

Having stood down by rotation at the A.G.M., Kirk Ramsay (Redburn GC), Mike Hazlewood (Golf South Ayrshire GC), John W. Watt (Golf South Ayrshire GC), Brian Fisher (Largs GC), and John Rushbury (Royal Troon GC) were all re-elected to The Executive for a further three year period.

Kirk Ramsay, Mike Hazlewood, John W. Watt, John Rushbury, Brian Fisher  

The elevation of Andrew Reid to the post of Vice President and James McGhee (Loudoun) intimating his retiral from The Executive a year early left additional vacancies for two and one year respectively.

Tom Armstrong & Sandy Walker

Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) was elected back onto The Executive, having previously served in 2021 - 22 and will serve the vacant two year period, while Moorpark GC Secretary Tom Armstrong was elected to The executive for the first time, and will fill the one year vacancy.

The proposal to retain the Ayrshire Golf Association per capita sum at £2.50 for 2027 was passed at the meeting, and the company was advised that the Scottish Golf per capita sum remains at £17.50, having been approved at the last Scottish Golf AGM.

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Wins over Dumbartonshire for A and Youths teams in week 5

Both the Ayrshire A and Youths teams recorded victories in their respective fixtures against Dumbartonshire in week 5 of the 2026 West of Scotland Inter County Leagues on Sunday 18th October.

The A team visited Dalmuir golf course in Clydebank and came away with a 5-3 win against their hosts, with just two ties lost, two halved, and four won.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon) lost to Alan Russell (Clydebank & District) by 1 hole

John Haggarty (Loudoun) beat Craig Bissett (Dumbarton) by 5&4

Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) halved with David Lindsay (Lenzie)

Alan McLean (Largs) lost to Jack Gillies (Hilton park) by 3&1

Andy Gibson (caprington) beat Thomas Morrison (Kilsyth) by 3&2

Joe McSorley (Prestwick St Cuthbert) halved with Mark McGachy (Clydebank & District)

Steven Stamper (Turnberry) beat Gavin Rodger (Clober) by 5&3

Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Callum McAteer (Clydebank & District) by 271

AYRSHIRE A   5   DUMBARTONSHIRE A   3

In the other week 5 fixtures played on Sunday, Glasgow beat Renfrewshire 5-3 at Cowglen GC while Stirlingshire and Lanarkshire fought out a 4-4 draw at Falkirk GC.

The results leave Ayrshire in second place behind Lanarkshire going into the two week six fixtures still to be completed with a chance of still winning the league championship this year, should Lanakrshire not beat Renfrewshire in their last fixture, and Ayrshire can record a good win over Stirlingshire at Falkirk GC in their last match.

Present positions in the A league are:-

 

In the youths league match played at Royal Troon GC Ayrshire maintained their unbeaten record this season with a 5.5 - 2.5 win over their visitors.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Jamie Hay (Ayr Belleisle) lost to Sam Somerville (Bearsden) by 2&1

Gregor Hay (Ayr Belleisle) beat Blane McFadzean (Kirkintilloch) by 372

Mason Chisholm (Irvine) halved with Jack Clark (Dullatur)

Findlay Andrew (Turnberry) beat Lewis McGlinchy (Clober) by 5&4

Jenson Fergusson (Royal Troon) beat Stewart Forrest (Hayston) by 2&1

Jamie Robertson (Loudoun) lost to Kyle Caskie (Hayston) by 472

Ryan Steven (Ayr Belleisle) beat Liam McGrogan (Dumbarton) by 6&5

Sam Crozier (West Kilbride) beat Blair Auld (Clydebank & District) by 4&3

AYRSHIRE YOUTHS   5.5   DUMBARTONSHIRE YOUTHS   2.5

Ayrshire go into the final week of matches, on Sunday 25th October, sitting top of the league table and needing to avoid defeat by Stirlingshire at Falkirk GC, in a final match shoot out, in their bit to win the 2026 league title.

The other fixtures due to be played in week 6 see Glasgow host Dumbartonshire and Renfrewshire host Lanarkshire.

Present postions in the West of Scotland Youth league are:-

 

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - A team win and Youths draw against Renfrewshire in week 4.

The Ayrshire A team had a home win over Renfrewshire in week four of the 2026 West of Scotland Inter County Leagues on Sunday 11th october, while the Youths team maintained their unbeaten run with a draw in the youths league match.

The A team entertained Renfrewshire at Irvine GC in fine weather, with the course in excellent condition. 

A strong showing throught the side saw Ayrshire run out winners by 5.5 - 2.5 to move into second place in the league table.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

John Haggarty (Loudoun) beat Paul Dorrian (Greenock) by 2&1

Steven Stamper (Turnberry) lost to Barry Hume (Renfrew) by 3&2

Joe McSorley (Prestwick St Cuthbert) halved with Michael Daily (Erskine)

Louis Alberts (Troon St Meddans) beat Alex Ferguson (Paisley) by 7&5

Andy Gibson (Caprington) lost to Ryan McKenzie (Erskine) by 3&1

Alan McLean (Largs) beat Jack Tourish (Elderslie) by 5&4

Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Roddy McAuley (Fereneze) by 2&1

Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon) beat Stewart Watt (Old Ranfurly) by 2&1 

AYRSHIRE A    5.5    RENFREWSHIRE  A  2.5

In the other fixtures played in week 4, Lanarkshire beat Glasgow 5.5 - 2.5 at East Kilbride and Stirlingshire beat Dumbartonshire 5-3 at Falkirk.

Present positions in the A team league are:-

Next week the A team are away to Dumbartonshire at Dalmuir GC.

In the corresponding Youths team match the Ayrshire team visited Renfrewshire Youths at Kilmacolm.

The match loooked close throughout and the result was decided by the final tie on the course which was a half, to give an overall 4 - 4 draw in the match.

The result maintained Ayrshire's unbeaten record in the campaign this year so far, and kept the side at the top of the table.

Match details (Renfrewshire names first) :-

Ethan Lang (Elderslie) lost to Jamie Hay (Ayr Belleisle) by 4&3

Neil Rainey (Erskine) beat Gregor Hay (Ayr Belleisle) by 1 hole

Stuart Dickson (Fereneze) beat Mason Chisholm (Irvine) by 3&2

Alex Duff (Whitecraigs) lost to Findlay Anderew (Turnberry) by 372

Ben Paling (Kilmacolm) lost to Jamie Robertson (Loudoun) by 2&1

Joe-Luke Robertson (Kilmacolm) halves with Ryan Steven (Ayr Belleisle)

Jack Edmiston (Old Ranfurly) halved with Sam Crozier (West Kilbride)

Tom Watson (Old ranfurly) beat Jake Hendry (West Kilbride) by 6&5

RENFREWSHIRE YOUTHS     4   AYRSHIRE YOUTHS   4

In te other matches played in week 4, Glasgow lost 6-2 to Lanarkshire at Haggs Castle and Dumbartonshire lost 5-3 to Stirlingshire at Balmore

Present positions in the Youths League are:-

Next week the Youths team entertain Dumbartonshire at Royal Troon GC.

SCOTTISH SENIOR MEN'S AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire take runners up spot at Blairgowrie.

The Ayrshire Senior Men's team finished as runners up to defending champions Renfrewshire in the 2026 Scottish Senior Men's Area Team Championshiop which was held at Blairgowrie GC on Tuesday 6th of October.

With five scores from six counting towards the team score, Ayrshire finished just two shots adrift of Renfrewshire with a team total of 368 and secured second spot by virtue of the best sixth score, ahead of Lothians.

Best of the day for Ayrshire was Tom Loy (Irvine) who made his mark playing in the event for the first time with a scratch score of 69, the best individual return of the day among the field of 89 players.

Robert Jenkins and Paul Moultrie (both Royal Troon) added a 72 and a 73 respectively. The three other team members, John Rushbury (Royal Troon), Stuart Miller (Royal Troon), and John McKean (Prestwick) all returned scores of 77.  

The Ayrshire team scores were:-

The final team placings were:-

The leading individual scores were:-

The 2027 event is scheduled to take place at Nairn GC on Friday 24th September.

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Mixed fortunes for Ayrshire against Lanarkshire in week 3

The two Ayrshire teams had mixed fortunes in week 3 of the 2026 West of Scotland Inter County Leagues on Sunday 4th October against Lanarkshire with the A team losing at home and the Youths recording an away win.

The A team hosted the Lanarkshire side at Royal Troon in a late venue change, and the breezy conditions were testing for both teams. In a very close contest it was the visitors who prevailed with a 4.5 - 3.5 victory over their hosts.

Match details (Ayrshire names first) :-

Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon) lost to James Steven (Kirkhill) by 2 holes  

Calum Nairn (Prestwick St Cuthbert) lost to Greg Andrews (East Kilbride) by 4&3

Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) lost to Kieran McVicar (East Kilbride) by 2&1

Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Euan Bogle (Lanark) by 1 hole

Louis Alberts (Troon St Meddans) halved with Mark O'Donnell (Hamilton)

Andy Gibson (Caprington) beat David Farr (Hamilton) by 3&2

Alan McLean (Largs) lost to Cammy Meldrum (East Kilbride) by 8&6

Steven Stamper (Turnberry) beat Gordon yates (lanakr) by 2 holes

AYRSHIRE A   3.5    LANARKSHIRE A   4.5

In the other two matches played in week 3, Renfrewshire had a 4.5 - 3.5 home win over Dumbartonshire at East renfrewshire Gc, while Glasgow had a 5.5 - 2.5 home win over Stirlingshire at Cathkin Braes GC.

Present positions in the West of Scotland A Team league are:-

In the corresponding Youths League match at Kirkhill, the Ayrshire team faced the defending league champions and came away with a fine 5.5 - 2.5 win to make it two wins from two in the matches played so far.

Match details (Lanarkshire names first) :- 

Lewis Russell (Drumpellier) lost to Jamie Hay (Ayr Belleisle) by 4&3

Gabriel Burns (Bothwell Castle) lost to Gregor Hay (Ayr Belleisle) ny 4&3

Ben Sproule (Kirkhill) lost to Mason Chisholm (Irvine) by 5&3

Zak McInnes (Lanark) lost to Findlay Andrew (Turnberry) by 2&1

Ben Paterson (Bellshill) halved with Ryan Steven (Ayr Belleisle)

Harry McLachlan (Lanark) beat beat Jake hendry (West Kilbride) by 2&1

Charlie Barnstaple (Lanark) lost to lost to Sam Crozier (West Kilbride) by 2&1

Leo McCallion (Drumpellier) beat Rob Yorston (Loudoun) by 5&3

LANARKSHIRE YOUTHS   2.5    AYRSHIRE YOUTHS   5.5

The other two fixtures in the Youths League saw Dumbartonshire beat Renfrewshire at home, by 4.5 - 3.5 at Vale of Leven GC while Stirlingshire beat Glasgow by 5.5 - 2.5 in their home fixture at Falkirk GC

Present positions in the West of Scotland Inter County Youths League are:-

In the week four fixtures, on Sunday 11th October, Ayrshire face Renfrewshire, with the A Team at home at Irvine GC while the Youths Team travel to Kilmacolm GC for their match.  

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Finlay Watt storms to 2026 title.

Finlay Watt (West Kilbride) stormed to the 2026 Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit title, scoring points in eleven of the twenty seven counting event to secure the title.

The runner up in both the Ayrshire Boys Strokeplay and Ayrshire Boys matchplay Championships, as well as the West of Scotland Boys Matchplay, Finlay added wins at Loudoun, Royal Troon, The West of Scotland Junior Strokeplay, Ballochmyle and the Tom Lehman Trophy competition at Troon Links to finish over 300 points ahead of the field.

Ayrshire Boy's Matchplay Champion Mason Chisholm (Irvine) finished in second place in the Order of Merit while Gregor Hay (Ayr Belleisle) secured third place.

Final placings in the 2026 Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit are:-

 

AYRSHIRE MEN'S ORDER OF MERIT - Alan McLean tops Order of Merit table to win the Doc Thom Salver

Alan McLean (Largs) is the 2026 winner of the Doc Thom Salver after finishing top of the Ayrshire Men's Order of Merit table this season.

Alan, who won the Ayrshire Men's Strokeplay Championship title in April at West Kilbride, led the order of merit chase for the whole season, scoring points in ten of the twenty five counting events. He rounded off the season with an eighth place finish in the penultimate counting event, The Arrol Cup at Prestwick St Nicholas.

Steven Stamper (Turnberry), the 2016 Doc Thom Salver winner, secured full points in the final qualifying event, The Girvan Classic, to secure second place in the order of merit, ahead of Matt Allen (Western Gailes) who was third.

The full finishing positions in the Ayrshire Men's Order Of Merit for the 2026 season is :-