ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON AMATEUR GOLF IN AYRSHIRE

Sunday, October 31, 2004

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Annual General Meeting

14 member clubs were represented at the Annual General Meeting of the Association, held at Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club on Wednesday 20th October 2004.

Outgoing President, Robin Baker (Troon Welbeck) opened proceedings by welcoming the members present before giving a summary of the Associations activities throughout the season, and paying tribute to the members of the County Executive for their efforts during his two year term of office.

President Baker made particular mention of long serving Secretary/Treasurer, Leslie Crawford, Coaching Convenor Ricky Magee and his team, Ian Walker and Ian Guthrie for their work with the Boys and Youths teams, Course rating officials Iain Harvey and David McKie, SGU representative Morgan Hall and the tournament convenor Sandy Provan, who ensured that the events throughout the year passed succesfully.

President Baker gave a resume of the competitions throughout the season.

The Strokeplay Championship over Troon Lochgreen was shared, for the first time, by Alex Gourlay (Irvine) and Ross Duncan (Brodick), who could not be seperated after 6 play off holes.

David McLure (Ballochmyle) beat defending champion, Barry Crawford (West Kilbride) in the Matchplay Championship final at Western Gailes.

The Ayrshire Club Championship was contested at the Kelburn course in Largs, and it was the team from the host club, Largs, who won the title this year. The club went on to represent Ayrshire in the Scottish Final at Erskine, finishing in 9th place.

The Ayrshire Boys Championship was played in August at Kilmarnock (Barassie) and resulted in Iain Menzies (Largs) edging out Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) to take the strokeplay title.

The Ayrshire Boys Matchplay was again contested over the links of Prestwick Golf Club and Michael Stewart again found himself the runner up, with Jamie Murchie (Lamlash) winning the trophy this year.

Royal Troon was again the venue for the final of the Ayrshire Champion Of Champions competition and Tommy McInally (Loudoun) was succesful in defending the trophy, beating John Sloan (Doon Valley) on the final green.

The John Boyd Memorial Quaich was won at Caprington by a team from Annanhill G.C. with Hurlford Loco taking second place.

Annanhill also took the Ayrshire Fourball title, beating Doon Valley in the final at Ardeer in September.

The Autumn meeting at Ardeer was well supported by the host club in particular, with many locals featuring in the prizes, led by Sam Stewart with the best nett. Alan McLean of Kilbirnie Place won the scratch prize.

The Summer League competition was won for the second successive year by Ballochmyle who narrowly defeated Irvine (Bogside) by 6.5 - 5.5 in the two leg final.

The Doc Thom Order Of Merit was won by Barry Crawford of West Kilbride with David McLure (Ballochmyle) taking the runners up spot.

President Baker also reported on the achievements of Ayrshire players on a national level, in particular the Kilmarnock Barassie trio of Robert McKnight, David Addison and Steven McEwan who all represented Scotland at Boys International level throughout the season, and Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) along with Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) who both gained international honours at under 16 level.

The Boys County Team narrowly failed to win the Wishart Trophy in the West Of Scotland league, despite some good results.

The County A Team narrowly failed to reach the last four in the Area Team Championships, with the highlight being a notable win over Perth & Kinross at Blairgowrie in their final section match.

On conclusion of the Presidents Report, Secretary Leslie Crawford gave the financial report before Ricky Magee reported on coaching matters.

The team of 3 coaching professionals, Gregor Howie, Graham Ross and Bill Lockie were augmented this year by Richard Gordon , assistant professional at Ayr Belleisle, who joined the team to assist in the delivery of an increasingly strong coaching structure.

The number of coaching days this season were increased from the previous year and included boys at all levels, from under 14 through to under 18, with a further development being scheduled for Sunday 14th November, with a talent ID day at Inverclyde National Sports Centre at Largs. Through club junior convenors, a number of boys, mostly under 14 years of age have been identified and will be invited to attend training and assessment sessions throughout the day.

In closing Mr. Magee paid tribute to the praactical support received from Wilson Sporting Goods and Brunston Castle Golf Club and the efforts of Ian Walker, in respect of the coaching programme and its delivery.

A brief course rating report was given before Morgan Hall reported on the business of the Scottish Golf Union throughout the year.

Mr. Hall report touched on the demise of the Scottish National Golf Centre, Child and Adult Protection issues, the unified CONGU handicapping scheme and other matters, including new appointments within the SGU and the work of the Junuior Golf Partnership and the Clubgolf inituiative, the national project to give all 9 year olds in Scotland the opportunity to experience golf, by 2009.

In conclusion, Mr. Hall praised the 5 juniors from Ayrshire who had gained international recognition throughout the season and hoped that this success would continue and Ayrshire would provide some full international representatives in the near future.

Ayrshire Junior Golf League Secretary, Alasdair Malcolm reported on the Leagues activities throughout the season with the principal prizewinners being listed:

MATT LYGATE TROPHY - Kilmarnock Barassie
A.D. NIMMO TROPHY - Ardeer
PRESTWICK CIRCUITS TROPHY - Steven McEwan (Barassie)
CARRICK TROPHY - Fergus Cunningham (Ardeer)
AYRSHIRE BOYS CHAMPION - Iain Menzies (Largs)
BOYS MATCHPLAY CHAMPION - Jamie Murchie (Lamlash)
WALLACE THORNTON TROPHY - Kilmarnock Barassie
UNDER 16 KNOCKOUT TROPHY - West Kilbride
CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - Cameron Gray (West Kilbride)
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP - Ardeer
JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Steven McEwan (Barassie)

At the conclusion of the reports, President Baker thanked the members for the honour of serving as President, before nominating Ian Guthrie (Ballochmyle) as his successor.

On election to the Presidency, Ian Guthrie paid tribute to the efforts of Robin Baker over his tenure as President, and throughout his term on the Executive.

Mr. Guthrie thereafter successfully nominated Ricky Magee (Caprington) as Vice President for the next two years.

Leslie Crawford was re elected as Secretary Treasurer of the association.

Sandy Provan (Kilmarnock Barassie) and Morgan Hall (West Kilbride) were re elected to the Executive, whilst Stewart Macaulay (Kilmarnock Barassie) was also elected to the Execuitive to fill the third available vacancy.

Morgan Hall was re elected as Ayrshire's representative to the SGU.

Prior to the conclusion of the meeting it was agreed that the per capita subscription to The Association for member clubs would remain at £1.75 and the meeting was advised that the per capita subscription to the SGU would reduce to £6.00 next year.

The meeting closed at 8.05 p.m. with a vote of thanks to the chair.

No comments: