Saturday, December 30, 2006

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!

Wishing all our visitors a Happy New Year for 2007 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many thanks to all those who have visited the site over the last year, and the many positive comments which have been made to me and other Ayrshire Golf Association Execeutive members are very much appreciated.

The Ayrshire Golf Association will continue to use the weblog to publicise results and activities throughout 2007, whilst we also hope to keep you up to date with news of local junior and ladies golf.

As always, if there are any items that clubs would like to have included in the weblog, please contact me at aj-malcolm@fsmail.net and I will do what I can to incude items of interest.

2007 looks to be an exciting and busy year for amateur golf in Ayrshire. As well as the many local events, a number of national and international championships will be played in Ayrshire in 2007.

In junior golf, the Scottish Boys Under 16 & Under 14 Championships will take place at Brunston Castle, as will the corresponding girls under 14 event.

The Scottish Ladies Championship makes a return to Kilmarnock (Barassie) in 2007, whilst Ayrshire will also host the West Of Scotland Inter County Jambouree at Prestwick St. Nicholas.

The Scottish Amateur Championship also makes a return to Ayrshire in 2007, being held at Prestwick Golf Club and one of the major events on the Amateur calendar of European golf makes a visit to Ayrshire with the European Team Championship being hosted at Western Gailes.

Wishing all our visitors a succesful golfing year in 2007.

Alasdair J. Malcolm

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Fourball Final to be played next month

The postponed final of the 2006 Ayrshire Fourball competition has been rescheduled for January 2007.

The final match, between Ronnie McLelland and Tom Bennett of Turnberry and the Ayr Belleisle pairing of Ian Yates and Derek Brown was first attempted on 24th September but was abandoned at the 11th hole due to weather and ground conditions.

Due to various business committments of the finalists, injuries and pending family additions, the rescheduling of the match has proved somewhat difficult, however the match has now been arranged and will be played

at Kilmarnock (Barassie)
on
Sunday 28th January 2007
at 11.00 a.m.

best of luck to both teams in the final !!!

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Barassie take the Chair as Dalmilling rejoin league

At the recent Annual General Meeting of the Ayrshire Junior Golf League, Mark Fitzpatrick of Kilmarnock Barassie was elected as League Chairman, taking over from Bill Taylor (Troon Welbeck).

For the first time in the 38 year history of The League, the Annual General Meeting was not held at Prestwick St. Cuthbert Golf Club, the facilities there being unavailable, and the League officials were forced to move the meeting to Caprington golf club.

After a few years of absence, former League Champions Ayr Dalmilling applied to renew their membership, and were duly welcomed back to membership of The League.

The Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, Barry Somerville, Billy Tait and Robin Baker respectively, were all returned unopposed for a further year. John Nordbo (Largs) agreed to represent The League on the Ayrshire Golf Association Executive, replacing Secretary Barry Somerville in this position.

At the next meeting on 6th February 2007, the draws for the various competitions in 2007 will be made.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Executive sub committees set for 2007

The Ayrshire Golf Association sub committees for the 2007 - 2008 season have been finalised.

The A Team will be administered by Past President Ronnie Potts, who will act as Team Manager, assisted by President Ricky Magee, immediate Past President Ian Guthrie and Secretary Leslie Crawford.

The Youth Team for the forthcoming season will be under the direction of Team Manager Milton Murray, assisted by sandy Provan, Jim McMurdo and Vice President Alasdair Malcolm.

Ian Walker remains as Team Manager for the Boys Team, assisted by David Miller, Jim McMurdo and Sandy Provan.

Milton Murray will take over from President Ricky Magee as Coaching Convenor in 2007 and will be assisted by David Miller, Jim McMurdo, Ian Walker and Ricky Magee.

Course Rating will again come under the control of Allan Muir, assisted by Sandy Provan and Past Presidents Ian Guthrie and John Rutherford.

Sandy Provan remains in post as Tournaments Convenor, and will be assited by all the executive members and in particular Barclay Ross, Iain Harvey and Leslie Crawford.

The Junior Order Of Merit will again be administered by Vice President Alasdair Malcolm, assisted by Ian Walker and The Ayrshire Junior Golf League representative, John Nordbo.

Iain Harvey takes over from Morgan Hall as the Ayrshire representative to the Scottish Golf Union, whilst John Nordbo will represent the interestes of The Ayrshire Junior Golf League on a county level.

Sandy Provan, Barclay Ross, Leslie Crawford and Alasdair Malcolm remain as the four qualified referees within the Execuutive, with two other Executive members scheduled to attend a training course in the new year.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

WEST OF SCOTLAND LEAGUE - Final match abandoned whilst youths crash to defeat

Ayrshire's final match in the 2006 West Of Scotland Inter County League, against Glasgow at Irvine Bogside, fell victim to the weather on Saturday 11th November. With the result having no bearing on the outcome of the league, there are no plans to reschedule.

In the corrsponding youths match, Ayrshire travelled to Haggs Castle but in difficult and wet conditions the local side crashed to a 6.5 - 3.5 defeat.

Match results (Ayrshire names first) were :-

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) lost to Matthew Dargie by 3 & 2
John Shanks (Ardeer) lost to Chris Wedgeworth by 1 hole
Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Lewis Burnett by 6 & 4
Alastair Leggate (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Justin Coyne by 3 & 2
Lee Hughes (Ayr Belleisle) beat John Grant by 3 & 2
Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) halved with James Hendrick
Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Andrew Quinn by 5 & 3
Graem Gimson (St. Cuthbert) beat Joe McCrearty by 6 & 5
Michael Roos (West Kilbride) lost to Thomas Martin by 3 & 2
Gary Neil (Caprington) lost to Mark Bookless by 3 & 2

GLASGOW 6.5 AYRSHIRE 3.5

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Winners honoured at annual dinner

A capacity audience gathered at Irvine Ravenspark Golf Club on Monday 6th November to honour the winners of the county junior events at the 38th Annual Dinner & Presentation Of Trophies of The Ayrshire Junior Golf League.

Chairman Bill Taylor (Troon Welbeck) opened proceedings by introducing the guests for the evening, including Scottish Golf Union President Gordon McInnes, Ayrshire Golf Association Vice President Alasdair Malcolm, David Reynlds of the National Playing Fields Association, Captain of Prestwick Golf Club Johnnie Greenall, Captain of Irvine Ravensaprk Eddie Lawless, Captain of Prestwick St. Cuthbert Alastair McLean, coaching professional Graham Ross of West Kilbride, Andy Clift of Wilson Sports and honorary members Sam Coulter, Iain Harvey, Russell Cameron, Charlie McGregor & Bill Tinsley.

After an excellent meal and entertaining raffle & prize draw, the presentation of the seasons prizes opened in the traditional manner with David Reynolds presenting the Macrobert Thistle Junior Golfer Of The Year trophy on behalf of the National Playing Fields Association.

After a great deal of deliberation over an excellent list of candidates, the sub committee overseeing the final selection decided that the 2006 award would go to John Shanks of Ardeer Golf Club (pictured above, receiving the trophy from David Reynolds) who, as well as winning a number of events in the county including the Ayrshire Boys Championship and the Junior Order Of Merit, displayed many other attributes which set him apart from the other candidates.

The remaining prizes were presented by Scottish Golf Union President Gordon McInnes, who also took the opportunity to praise the performances of Scottish teams throughout the season, making particular mention of the performance of the junior teams, and the Ayrshire representatives, Cameron Gray (West Kilbride), Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) and Kyle Smith (Kilarnock Barassie), who contributed to national success at junior level.

The principal prizewinners for the season were :-

Macrobert Thistle Junior Golfer Of The Year - JOHN SHANKS (Ardeer)
Matt Lygate Trophy - KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE) G.C.
Andrew D. Nimmo Trophy - LOUDOUN GOWF CLUB
Prestwick Circuits Trophy - FRASER LAWRIE (West Kilbride)
Carrick Trophy - FRASER JARDINE (Loudoun)
Silver Jubilee Trophy - AJGL SECRETARY'S TEAM
Ayrshire Boys Championship - JOHN SHANKS (Ardeer)
Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship - KYLE SMITH (Kilmarnock Barassie)
Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit
7th - FRASER LAWRIE (West Kilbride)
6th - CRAIG McLAUGHLIN (Largs)
5th - EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock Barassie)
4th - JAMIE MACKAY (Kilmarnock Barassie)
3rd - ADAM FOLEY (Ayr Belleisle)
2nd - MALCOLM PENNYCOTT (Whiting Bay)
Winner - JOHN SHANKS (Ardeer)
Wallace Thornton Trophy runners up - LARGS ROUTENBURN G.C.
Wallace Thornton Trophy winners - KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE) G.C.
Under 16 Knockout Trophy runners up - LARGS ROUTENBURN G.C.
Under 16 Knockout Trophy winners - KILMARNOCK BARASSIE G.C.
Champion Of Champions Trophy runner up - ADAM SWEENEY (Largs Routenburn)
Champion Of Champions Trophy winner - STEVEN McEWAN (Caprington)
League Championship semi finalists - CAPRINGTON G.C.
League Championship semi finalists - LOUDOUN G.C.
League Championship runners up - AYR BELLEISLE G.C.
League Championship winners - BALLOCHMYLE G.C.

The evening concluded with a vote of thanks by AJGL Vice Chairman Mark Fitzpatrick (Kilmarnock (Barassie).

(The League Championship winning team from Ballochmyle are pictured receiving the Championship Trophy from Scottish Golf Union President Gordon McInnes)

(A selection of other winners are pictured below)

Wednesday, November 15, 2006











Ayrshire Boys Team Champions
Kilmarnock (Barassie)
with the Matt Lygate Trophy Posted by Picasa

Monday, November 13, 2006




















Fraser Jardine (above) with the
Carrick Trophy and the Loudoun Gowf Club
team (below) who won the
Andrew D. Nimmo Trophy

 Posted by Picasa



















League Secretary Barry Somerville
receives the Silver Jubilee Trophy Posted by Picasa

Friday, November 10, 2006




















Ayrshire Boys Champion
John Shanks (Ardeer)



Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Champion
Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Thursday, November 09, 2006

League Championship Runners Up
Ayr Belleisle


Champion Of Champions Trophy winner
Steven McEwan (Caprington)

Under 16 Knockout Trophy winners
Kilmarnock (Barassie)
Wallace Thornton Trophy winners
Kilmarnock (Barassie)























Order Of Merit - 4th
Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie)




















Order Of Merit 3rd
Adam Foley (Ayr Belleisle)




















Order Of Merit Runner Up
Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay)




















Order Of Merit Winner
John Shanks (Ardeer) Posted by Picasa

Sunday, November 05, 2006

PRESTWICK DRIVING RANGE TO CLOSE ?

Golfers in the Ayr & Prestwick area look set to lose one of the most popular practice facilities in the area, with strong rumours circulating that the Prestwick Golf Driving Range may be destined for closure, perhaps as early as the turn of the year.

If the information is true, the loss of the facility will be a major blow to local players, and will be a particular loss to junior development, with a number of schemes, including the national Clubgolf programme presently being delivered at the Prestwick range.


The facility, which was opened in the 1980's, occupies land adjacent to the car parks and freight centre of Prestwick Airport. The area of land itself has a long history of golf association, being part of the area on which was laid out the original 9 hole course of the Prestwick St. Cuthbert club in 1899. Indeed the driving range land formed the 5th, 6th & 7th holes of the last St. Cuthbert course to occupy the site, before the course was compulsory purchased in the early 1960's to allow the extension of the runway & building of the new terminal building at the airport, with the St. Cuthbert club moving to their present site around the same time (The picture shows the old St. Cuthbert course with the area of the driving range lying beyond and to the right fo the two bridges).

The Driving range are advertising restricted times during the next couple of weeks, with the range only being open from 6 - 9 p.m., due to site exploratory woirk.

As to the future of the site, one strong suggestion is a move by Prestwick Airport to develop the land to form additional car parking and a hotel complex.

Should the stories be true, the loss of the Prestwick Driving Range facility will be a sad day for golfers, both young and old, in Prestwick and surrounding area.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

WEST OF SCOTLAND LEAGUES - Ayrshire crash to Dumbartonshire whilst youth team draw

Ayrhsire stumbled to their second successive 7.5 - 2.5 defeat in the 2006 West Of Scotland inter county league on Saturday, losing out to their hosts Dumbartonshire, at Kirkintilloch.

Match results (Ayrshire names first) were :-

Steven McEwan (Barassie) lost to Kevin Smith by 3 & 2
Robert McKnight (Barassie) halved with Gordon Yates
George Robertson (Ravenspark) lost to Craig Checkley by 1 hole
Brian Moore (Largs) lost to Paul Dickie by 2 & 1
Darren Mallinson (Ravenspark) beat Colin Peddie by 2 holes
John Cairney (Ravenspark) lost to David Elder by 4 & 3
David Glass (St. Cuthbert) lost to Craig Harper by 5 & 4
Gary Bryden (Girvan) lost to Willie Campbell by 2 & 1
Stuart Pennington (St. Meddans) beat James Paterson by 3 & 2
Steven Murray (Welbeck) lost to Jim Devaney by 3 & 2

DUMBARTONSHIRE 7.5 AYRSHIRE 2.5


In the corresponding youths match, played at Brunston Castle, Ayrshire earned their third draw from four outings, whilst also ending Dumbartonshire's 100% record in this seasons competition, where they have opened with three successive wins.

Match results (Ayrshire names first) were :-

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) beat Fraser Bone (Cardross) by 2 & 1
John Shanks (Ardeer) beat Paul Borland (Windyhill) by 2 & 1
Euan Brown (Barassie) beat James McEwan (Clydebank & Dist.) by 2 holes
Alastair Leggate (Barassie) lost to Colin Colraine (Windyhill) by 2 & 1
Lee Hughes (Belleisle) lost to Jock Meechan (Dullatur) by 5 & 4
Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) lost to Grant Minnes (Hayston) by 7 & 6
Kyle Smith (Barassie) beat Simon Barras (Helensburgh) by 2 & 1
Graeme Gimson (St. Cuthbert) lost to Andrew Campbell (Dumbarton) by 4 & 2
Michael Roos (W. Kilbride) lost to Scott Moore (Clydebank & Dist.) by 2 holes
Gary Neil (Caprington) beat David parlane (Helensburgh) by 2 & 1

AYRSHIRE 5 DUMBARTONSHIRE 5

In the final series of matches next week, Ayrshire play Glasgow, with the senior team playing at Irvine (Bogside) whilst the youths travel to Haggs castle.

Sunday, October 29, 2006

WEST OF SCOTLAND LEAGUE - Ayrshire crash at home to Lanarkshire whilst youth team earn a draw

The high hopes of the Ayrshire team, with two wins from their first two matches in this seasons West Of Scotland Inter County League, were severely dented on Saturday 28th October when they suffered a heavy 7.5 - 2.5 home defeat at West Kilbride against Lanarkshire.

Ayrshire never recovered from the defeats of Steven McEwan and Robert McKnight in the first two ties, and the visitors ran out comfortable winners.

match details (Ayrshire names first) were :-

Steven McEwan (Barassie) lost to Paul O'Hara by 2 & 1
Robert McKnight (Barassie) lost to Euan Moir by 2 & 1
George Robertson (Ravenspark) halved with Ross Kellett
Brian Moore (Largs) halved with Chrise Ore
Darren Mallinson (Ravenspark) beat Alan Dick by 4 & 2
Steven Murray (Welbeck) lost to Ryan McKenzie by 4 & 2
Kevin Fergusson (St. Cuthbert) lost to Graeme Rodger by 5 & 4
Stuart Pennington (St. Meddans) lost to Steven Rennie by 3 & 2
Tommy Loy (Ballochmyle) halved with Kenny Ralston
Ian Brown (West Kilbride) lost to Brain Smith by 5 & 4

AYRSHIRE 2.5 LANARKSHIRE 7.5

In the corresponding youths match, played on Saturday at Strathaven, Ayrshire managed a 5 - 5 draw with their hosts, and might well have snatched victory if Kyle Smith's putt on the final hole, for a half match, had been successful.

Match details (Ayrshire names first) were :-

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) beat J. Mullen by 2 & 1
John Shanks (Ardeer) beat P. McCabe by 2 & 1
Euan Brown (Barassie) beat G. Robertson by 5 & 4
Jamie Mackay (Barassie) lost to B. Scott by 5 & 3
Lee Hughes (Belleisle) lost to C. Kelly by 4 & 2
Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) beat M. Russo by 5 & 4
David Currie (Barassie) lost to C. Tierney by 6 & 5
Kyle Smith (Barassie) lost to C. McLean by 1 hole
Graeme Gimson (St. Cuhtbert) beat J. Fleming by 5 & 3
Michael Roos (West Kilbride) lost to G. Sorbie by 3 & 2

LANARKSHIRE 5 AYRSHIRE 5

Next Saturday Ayrshire face Dumbartonshire, with the senior team away at Kirkintilloch and the youths team at home at Brunston Castle.

Saturday, October 28, 2006

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION A.G.M. - Ricky Magee elected President

RICKY MAGEE
At the Annual General Meeting of the Ayrshire Golf Association, held at Ballochmyle Golf Club on Wednesday 25th October 2006, Ricky Magee (Caprington) was elected President of The Assiociation for the next two years.

Ricky takes over from outgoing President Ian Guthrie (Ballochmyle) and is the third member of the Caprington club to serve as President in recent years, along with the late John Boyd (1989 - 1990) and John Rutherford (1994 - 1996).

Alasdair Malcolm (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) was elected Vice President for the next two years whilst long serving Secretary /Treasurer Leslie Crawford (Kilmarnock Barassie) was re elected.

ALASDAIR MALCOLM

Ian Walker (Brunston Castle) was returned for a further three year term as an Executive member, alongside two new Executive members who were elected, Jim McMurdo (Ballochmyle) and the former Ayrshire Champion Of Champions Trophy winner David Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie).

The club representatives present heard reports on a number of aspects of the Associations work over the last year, including coaching, course rating and the achievelents of local players on a county and national level. The various activities of the Ayrshire Junior Golf League were also reported on.

It was also noted with regret that two past Presidents, Morgan Hall and Robin Baker, had decided to step down from their respective posts within the Executive, due to personal reasons, from this A.G.M., and outgoing president Ian Guthrie commented on their invaluable achievements over the years and commented that their presence within the executive and indeed in golf on a county and national level would be sorely missed.

The evening concluded with Douglas Corner, a board member of the Scottish Golf Union Ltd giving members an insight into the proposed changes contained within the recently published Scottish Golf Union governance review document. The presentation prompted a full discussion with a number of questions forthcoming from the floor in regard to the proposals.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

WEST OF SCOTLAND LEAGUE - Ayrshire make it two wins from two but youth team crash to defeat

Ayrshire made it two wins from two in the 2006 West Of Scotland inter county league on Saturday with a comfortable 6.5 - 3.5 win over Stirlingshire at the Dunblane New course.

A strong Ayrshire side had some fine wins, with the best fightback of the day being recorded by Steven Murray (Troon Welbeck) who was 4 down with 7 holes to play but won 6 of the remaining 7 holes for a two hole victory. Match details (Ayrshire names first) were :-

Steven McEwan (Barassie) beat Steven Aitken by 2 & 1
George Robertson (Ravenspark) beat Blair Paterson by 3 & 1
David Glass (St. Cuthbert) lost to David Buchanan by 4 & 3
Gary Bryden (Girvan) lost to Lindsay Blair by 3 & 2
Brian Moore (Largs) beat Colin Mundie by 3 & 2
Stuart Pennington (St. Meddans) halved with Steven Ferguson
Warren Blair (St. Meddans) beat Neil Cunningham by 5 & 4
Ian Brown (West KIlbride) beat Tony Wilson by 1 hole
Steven Murray (Welbeck) beat Chris Lewton by 2 holes
Ian Guthrie (Ballochmyle) lost to Jay Aman by 3 & 2

STIRLINGSHIRE 3.5 AYRSHIRE 6.5

In the corrsponding Youths match, held at Ardeer on saturday, Ayrshire found themselves on the wrong end of a 7 - 3 scoreline. Match detailse (Ayrshire names first) were :-

John Shanks (Ardeer) lost to Bobby Rushford (Grangemouth) by 4 & 3
Alastair Leggate (Barassie) lost to Andrew wallace (Glenbervie) by 4 & 3
Jamie Mackay (Barassie) lost to James Donaldson (Falkirk Tryst) by 1 hole
Euan Brown (Barassie) beat Craig McGann (Dunblane) by 2 & 1
Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) halved with Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie)
Lee Hughes (Belleisle) halved with Alan Brown (Kilsyth Lennox)
Kyle Smith (Barassie) lost to Chris Cox (Falkirk) by 1 hole
Graeme Gebbie (Loudoun) lost to Ross Kane (Grangemouth) by 2 & 1
Gary Neil (Caprington) lost to David Stewart (Campsie) by 3 & 2
Graeme Gimson (St. Cuthbert) beat Brendan Watt (Stirling) by 3 & 2

AYRSHIRE 3 STIRLINGSHIRE 7

Ayrshire play host to Lanarkshire at West Kilbride next saturday (28th October) whilst the youths travel to meet Lanarkshire Youths at Strathaven the same day.

Monday, October 16, 2006

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Ayrshire edge out South Of Scotland in annual friendly

Ayrshire took on the South Of Scotland in their annual friendly match on Sunday (15th October), with Ayrshire playing host this year at Brunston Castle.

In the morning foursomes, South Of Scotland took a 3 - 1 advantage, but the local side fought back in the afternoon, taking the singles by 5 - 3 for an overall 6-6 result in the match, which Ayrshire eventually won on a countback over the individual scores in the singles ties.

Match results (Ayrshire names first) were :-

MORNING FOURSOMES

John Shanks (Ardeer) & Scott Brown (Brunston Castle) lost to
Kyle McClung & Euan McLaren by 2 & 1

Euan Brown (Barassie) & Michael Roos (West Kilbride) lost to
Alan Murdoch & Alan Aitken by 3 & 1

Graeme Gimson (St. Cuthbert) & Gary Neil (Caprington) beat
Chris Robinson & David Broadfoot by 3 & 2

Jamie Mackay (Barassie) & David Currie (Barassie) lost to
Robbie McCrieth & Matthew Robinson by 2 & 1

AFTERNOON SINGLES

John Shanks beat Kyle McClung by 5 & 4
Michael Roos lost to Dougie Boyd by 4 & 3
Scott Brown beat Daryl McLeod by 4 & 3
David Currie beat Josh Mungle by 2 holes
Gary Neil lost to Euan Mclaren by 3 & 2
Euan Brown beat A. Murdoch by 2 & 1
Graeme Gimson beat David Broadfoot by 1 hole
Jamie Mackay lost to C. Robinson by 2 & 1

AYRSHIRE 6 SOUTH OF SCOTLAND 6

WEST OF SCOTLAND COUNTY LEAGUES - A Team get off to winning start while youth team draw

Ayrshire began their bid for the 2006 West Of Scotland Inter County league title with a narrow 5.5 - 4.5 win over Renfrewshire at Prestwick St. Cuthbert on Saturday 14th October.

In the first tie out, Club Champion of the host club, David Glass gave Ayrshire a point with a 1 hole victory, to offset Alex Gourlay's heavy defeat in his tie.

Single hole wins by Steven McBlain and George Robertson, along with wins from Brian Moore and Robert McKnight left Ayrshire on the brink of victory, and the crucial half point to ensure a win came from Fraser McCall.

Match Details (Ayrshire names first) were :-

David Glass (St. Cuthbert) beat Iain Colquhoun by 1 hole
George Robertson (Ravenspark) beat David Miller by 1 hole
Alex Gourlay (Irvine) lost to Matthew Clark by 7 & 5
Gary Bryden (Girvan) lost to Gregor Munro by 4 & 3
Steven McBlain (St. Cuthbert) beat Nicky Gold by 1 hole
Robert McKnight (Barassie) beat David Walker by 2 & 1
Steven Murray (Welbeck) lost to Richard Elrick by 5 & 4
Fraser McCall (Portland) halved with David McFarlane
Stuart Pennington (St. Meddans) lost to Keith Hamilton by 3 & 2
Brian Moore (Largs) beat Gary Price by 4 & 3

AYRSHIRE 5.5 RENFREWSHIRE 4.5


In the corresponding youth match, played at Caldwell the same day, Ayrshire fought out a 5 - 5 draw with their hosts.

Match results (Ayrshire names first) were :-

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) beat Scott herald by 3 & 2
John Shanks (Ardeer) beat Steven Higgins by 3 & 2
Alastair Leggate (Barassie) lost to Michael Daly by 1 hole
Jamie Mackay (Barassie) beat Chris Rossi by 1 hole
Euan Brown (Barassie) lost to Ricardo Ribbechie by 1 hole
Lee Hughes (Belleisle) beat Gary Shepherd by 5 & 4
Graeme Gebbie (Loudoun) lost to Ricardo Scarafile by 3 & 2
Gary Neil (Caprington) lost to Callum Morrison by 1 hole
David Currie (Barassie) beat Thomas Lawton by 5 & 4
Graeme Gimson (St. Cuthbert) lost to Michael Campbell by 2 holes

RENFREWSHIRE YOUTHS 5 AYRSHIRE YOUTHS 5

Next Saturday (21st October) Ayrshire Face Stirlingshire, with the A Team travelling to Dunblane New whilst the Youths are at Ardeer.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

SGU Amateur rankings - Ayrshire players well represented in 2006 lists

Ayrshire players are well represented in the recently published 2006 Scottish ranking lists.

In the SGU ORDER OF MERIT, won by Scott Jamieson (Cathkin Braes), the Kilmarnock Barassie duo of Steven McEwan and Robert McKnight (pictured right) were placed 9th and 26th respectively.

In the SCOTTISH AMATEUR GOLF RANKINGS, a derivitive of the R & A WORLD AMATEUR GOLF RANKINGS, McKnight and McEwan were placed 20th and 21st respectively behind the winner, Ritchie Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen)

With his win in the US Amateur Championship, Ritchie Ramsay also secured top spot in the 2006 WORLD AMATEUR GOLF RANKINGS, with McKnight and McEwan placed at 179 and 184 respectively.

The 2006 SCOTTISH JUNIOR GOLF RANKINGS, won by James White (Lundin) saw 9 Ayrshire players in the published list.

Besdt placed was Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) in 4th place, with fellow boys internationalist Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) in 21st place.

Ayrshire Boys Champion John Shanks (Ardeer) was 34th in the list, 4 places ahead of Ayrshire Boys Matchplay champion Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) in 38th place.

The other Ayrshire player in the top 40 was former Ayrshire Boys Champion Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) in 40th place.

Other Ayrshire players who featured on the published listing were :-

Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) at 45th =
Fraser Lawrie (West Kilbride) at 75th =
Andrew Abercrombie (Largs) at 85th =
and
Stuart Henderson (Kilmarnock Barassie) at 103rd Posted by Picasa

SCOTTISH GOLF UNION - 5 Ayrshire players in 2006-2007 National Squads

Ayrshire are well represented in the recently published S.G.U. national squads, with thre players in the Under 18 squad and 2 in the Youths squad.

In the under 18 squad, Cameron Gray (West Kilbride), Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) and Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) - pictured left - make up half of the 6 players squad, whilst Robert McKnight and Steven McEwan of Kilmarnock Barassie are named in the 6 player Youth Squad. Posted by Picasa

Ayrshire boys help Scotland Under 16's to win over England

Posted by PicasaKyle Smith of Kilmarnock Barassie (pictured left) and Michael Stewart of Troon Welbeck were in the Scotland side who defeated England 8 – 7, in the Scotland v England U16 Boys International played at Hartlepool Golf Club on 8th October.

For the Scotland team, victory gave them the Eddie Shamash Trophy for the first time, since the inception of the annual competition in 1998.

Scotland teailed after the morning foursomes, but during the afternoon singles the Scots fought back to level the match with their English counterparts before edging a narrow win.

3 ½ -1 ½ behind at lunchtime the Scots fought back with wins from Scott Fraser, Tom Spencer, Kyle Smith and Frazer Ogston. Halved matches from
Michael Stewart, Mark Bookless and Sam McLaren gave the Scots a crucial one point advantage at the end of the match.

JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - West Kilbride results alter final placings

Due to an error with the results submitted from the West Kilbride Boys open, the Junior Order Of Merit final placings published recently were affected. The correct results have now been submitted by West Kilbride and the final placings updated accordingly. The only alteration to the top 7 places is that of 7th place, where Fraser Lawrie (Largs) moves up to 7th place, ahead of Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) the final standings are :-

550 - JOHN SHANKS (ARDEER)
440 - MALCOLM PENNYCOTT (WHITING BAY)
335 - ADAM FOLEY (AYR BELLEISLE)
325 - JAMIE MACKAY (KILMARNOCK BARASSIE)
305 - EUAN BROWN (KILMARNOCK BARASSIE)
260 - CRAIG McLAUGHLIN (LARGS)
230 - FRASER LAWRIE (LARGS)
190 - KYLE SMITH (KILMARNOCK BARASSIE)
170 - DAVID CURRIE (KILMARNOCK BARASSIE)
150 - STUART HENDERSON (KILMARNOCK BARASSIE),
MICHAEL ROOS (WEST KILBRIDE)
CRAIG McCALL (PRESTWICK ST. NICHOLAS)
125 - JAMIE ACHISON (LARGS)
110 - SCOTT BROWN (GIRVAN)
DAVID HEWITSON (BEITH)
100 - ROSS DONALDSON (AYR BELLEISLE)
CAMERON GRAY (WEST KILBRIDE)
85 - JASON BUTLER (IRVINE RAVENSPARK)
75 - DAVID GILLESPIE (CAPRINGTON)
ALASTAIR McINTYRE (ARDEER)
70 - CHRIS BUTLER (IRVINE RAVENSPARK)
60 - NEIL HAMILTON (KILMARNOCK BARASSIE)
50 - DAVID BROWN (PRESTWICK ST. CUTHBERT)
CHRIS O’DONNELL (BEITH)
RYAN EVANS (KILBIRNIE PLACE)
45 - STEPHEN STAMPER (GIRVAN)
40 - STEPHEN McCONNELL (PRESTWICK ST. CUTHBERT)
ALAN TODD (AYR BELLEISLE)
CHRIS LAWSON (KILBIRNIE PLACE)
35 - SCOTT CLARK (AYR BELLEISLE)
GREG KEAN (ARDEER)
KIERAN HOWIE (WEST KILBRIDE)
30 - RORY ACHISON (LARGS)
25 - JOSH NORDBO (LARGS)
20 - ANDREW MILLER (PRESTWICK ST. CUTHBERT)
CHRISTOPHER YOUNG (CAPRINGTON)
CRAIG HESSETT (AYR BELLEISLE)
J. McPHILLIMY (KILMARNOCK BARASSIE)
MARTIN RONALD (IRVINE RAVENSPARK)
C. GOODWIN (LOUDOUN)
ROSS BLACK (ARDEER)
GREG McPIKE (BALLOCHMYLE)
ANDREW ABERCROMBIE (LARGS)
10 - LIAM McLEOD (KILMARNOCK BARASSIE)
MARTIN KENNY (CAPRINGTON)
KEIRAN BYRNE (NEW CUMNOCK)
CHRIS BENNETT (ARDEER)
SCOTT DOUGLAS (BEITH)
A. WRIGHT (KILMARNOCK BARASSIE)
5 - CRAIG TELFER (PRESTWICK ST. CUTHBERT)
GARY HERBERTSON (BALLOCHMYLE)
SCOTT LIDDEL (PRESTWICK ST. NICHOLAS)
ANGUS RITCHIE (TROON WELBECK)
CALLUM ROBB (IRVINE RAVENSPARK)
GARY PATTERSON (BALLOCHMYLE)
CRAIG LAWSON (KILBIRNIE PLACE)

Monday, October 09, 2006

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - McEwan retains Champion Of Champions Trophy

Steven McEwan, this year representing Caprington, retained the Champion Of Champions Trophy last week, having won the title 12 months ago whilst representing Kilmarnock (Barassie).
McEwan created a little history, bein the first player to win the title on two occasions, representing different clubs.
In a very sporting final, played in the true spirit of the game over Troon Darley on Sunday 1st October, McEwan beat Adam Sweeney (Largs Routenburn) by 3 & 2.

Sunday, October 01, 2006

REYKJAVIK JUNIORS VISIT AYRSHIRE

This week, Ayrshire played host to 12 junior golfers from Reykjavik Golf Club in Iceland, who arrived on Friday 29th September, to sample some of the links and inland courses in South Ayrshire before returning home on Tuesday 3rd October.

The trip for the group of 9 boys and 3 girls was organised by club member Halli Heimisson who himself, as a junior, was part of a similar group who visited Ayrshire in 1997 and played a number of courses throughout the county, culminating in a match against a county select on their final day at Prestwick Golf Club.

Once again, as in 1997, Prestwick Golf Club were happy to actively support junior golf, and the group played the historic links on the day of their arrival this year.

South Ayrshire Council also ensured that the trip would be an enjoyable and memorable one for the visiting party, arranging for the group to play at the Darley, Fullarton and Seafield courses during their visit, whilst South Ayrshire Depute Provost, Clr. Mary Kirkpatrick, welcomed the visitors on their arrival in South Ayrshire and handed over small momentoes to the visiting players.

In a busy schedule, the party also intended to take in a visit to Turnberry as well as playing at nearby Brunston castle.

During the 1997 visit, Ayrshire presented a salver for competition between the visiting juniors, and on that occasion the prize was won by Halli Heimisson, who organised this years trip.

The Ayrshire Golf Association were glad to repeat this gesture in 2006, and Alasdair Malcolm took the opportunity to hand over the salver on behalf of the Ayrshire Golf Association when the Reykjavik party arrived at Prestwick Golf Club on Friday.
Alasdair Malcolm of the Ayrshire Golf Association presents a salver to the visiting juniors from Reykjavik Golf Club for the party to compete for during their stay. Posted by Picasa

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Victory in Arrol Cup gives Cairney the 2006 Doc Thom Order Of Merit title.

John Cairney (Irvine Ravenspark) is the 2006 winner of the Doc Thom Salver for the Ayrshire Order Of Merit after a victory in the final qualifying competition, the Arrol Cup, at Prestwick St. Nicholas took him clear at the top of the table.

Cairney's total of 131 at St. Nicholas gave hiom a four shot victory over A. Docherty (Cowglen), with Chris Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) and Steven Wallace (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) one shot further back.

Harkins, who also gained points in the penultimate event, the Welbeck Links, hoisted himself into third place in the Order Of Merit as a result of his late season performances, just behind former winner Barry Crawford (West Kilbride) who took the runner up spot.

Final Placings in the Order Of Merit were :-

325 - JOHN CAIRNEY (Irvine Ravenspark)
197.5 - BARRY CRAWFORD (West Kilbride)
165 - CHRIS HARKINS (Ayr Belleisle)
150 - TOMMY McINALLY (Loudoun)
130 - STEVEN McEWAN (Kilmarnock Barassie), MICHAEL SMYTH (Royal Troon), STEVEN MURRAY (Troon Welbeck)
122.5 - GEORGE ROBERTSON (Irvine Ravenspark)
115 - DEL CHAMBERLAIN (Troon Welbeck)
100 - J. Colraine, T. Loy, B. Moore, B. Ferguson
67.5 - S. Wallace, C. Hamilton
60 - L. Innes
55 - A. Walker
50 - R. Dixon, I. Walker, N. Black
45 - A. Belford, G. Wilson
30 - K. Hamilton
25 - S. King, G. Gimson
20 - K. Fergusson, A. Leggate
17 - D. Booth, S. McBlain, A. McLean

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Ayrshire team crash out of 2006 Area Team Championship

The defending Champions, Renfrewshire, who claimed the crown for the first time in nine years last season ended Ayrshire hopes of progressing to the semi finals of the 2006 Area Team Championships when they swept to a 7-2 win in their final Group C match at Paisley on Sunday 24th September, to seal a place the October semi-finals at Glasgow Gailes.

The Ayrshire side never recovered from a 3-0 defecit after the morning foursomes as Renrfrewshire kept their bid for back-to-back Scottish Area Team Championship titles on course.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Fourball final abandoned

The 2006 Ayrshire Fourball final between Derek Brown & Ian Yates (Ayr Belleisle) and Tom Bennett & Ronnie McLellan (Turnberry) was abandoned at Kilmarnock (Barassie) on Sunday 24th September after the 11th green flooded.

The final has been rescheduled for Wednesday 4th October, at Kilmarnock (Barassie) at 1230 p.m.
Ayrshire Golf Association Summer League winners 2006 - Ballochmyle G.C. Posted by Picasa

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Ballochmyle regain Summer League title

Ballochmyle won the Ayrshire Summer League for the third time in four years on Saturday, despite defeat by 4 - 2 at Irvine in the second leg of the final.

Ballochmyle led by 4 - 2 after the first leg at Ballochmyle, and looked in a commanding position with many of the first leg ties having big winning margins.

The first leg results were (Ballochmyle names first)

C. Hamilton beat K. Fairley by 7 & 5
M. Dunsmore beat R. Fairgrieve by 7 & 6
J. McMurdo lost to M. Anderson by 3 & 2
B. Campbell beat A. Mcfarlane by 6 & 4
M.S. Young lost to J. Shanks by 4 & 3
D. McKinnon beat H. Thomson by 6 & 5

BALLOCHMYLE 4 - IRVINE 2

In the second leg, the Irvine team fought back strongly, and with only games 4 & 6 remaining on the course, Irvine were 3-1 ahead.

In the crucial 4th tie, Dougie McKinnon of Ballochmyle again faced Henry Thomson, whom he had beaten in the first leg match, and in a close game, McKinnon came to the final hole with a slender lead. Despite taking three to the final green against his opponents two, a two putt coupled with Thomson requiring thre putts to get down, gave McKinnon a crucial one hole victory.
With John Shanks taking the final tie for Irvine, the second leg score was 4 - 2 to Irvine, giving an overall match score of Ballochmyle 6 Irvine 6.

With the match tied, the winner was decided by a countback over the individual ties, and the comprehensive wins in the first leg gave Ballochmyle the advantage and the 2006 Ayrshire Summer League title.

Results of the second leg ties were (Irvine names first)

A. Gourlay beat J. McMurdon by 2 & 1
K. Fairley beat B. Campbell by 2 & 1
A. McFarlane lost to C. Hamilton by 6 & 5
H. Thomson lost to D. McKinnon by 1 hole
M. Anderson beat M. Dunsmore by 7 & 6
J. Shanks beat W.F. Wilson by 1 hole

IRVINE 4 BALLOCHMYLE 2


FINAL RESULT
BALLOCHMYLE 6 IRVINE 6
(Ballochmyle win on countback)
Ayrshire Summer League runners up 2006 - Irvine G.C. Posted by Picasa

Monday, September 18, 2006

2006 Ayrshire Junior Golf League champions - Ballochmyle Posted by Picasa

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Ballochmyle take 2006 League Championship title

Ballochmyle became the Ayrshire Junior Golf League Champions for the seventh time, when the 2006 Championship final, against Ayr Belleisle, was played at Troon Darley on Sunday 17th September.

The 6 Ballochmyle players were all receiving shots in their respective ties, and the Mauchline side used these to great advantage.

In the lead match, the pattern was set when Gary Patterson won 2 & 1 against Scott Clark.

Ballochmyle’s lead was soon 3 – 0, Robbie Wilson beating Gary Swan by 4 & 3 in the second tie whilst Colin McKay crushed Darren Dunlop by 6 & 5 in the anchor tie.

With the title almost assured, the remaining Ballochmyle players were not to outdone, Michael Mullen & Paul Pierotti both winning by 2 & 1 over Alan Todd and Murray McBride respectively, whilst Craig Duff beat Craig Hessett by 3 & 2 to give Ballochmyle a resounding 6 – 0 victory over Ayr Belleisle.

The winning side were presented with the trophy at the end of the match, by the Ayrshire Junior Golf League Chairman.

Match details were (Ballochmyle names first):-

Gary Patterson (7) beat Scott Clark (5) by 2 & 1
Robbie Wilson (9) beat Gary Swan (6) by 4 & 3
Michael Mullen (10) beat Alan Todd (7) by 2 & 1
Paul Pierotti (13) beat Murray McBride (8) by 2 & 1
Craig Duff (13) beat Craig Hessett (8) by 3 & 2
Colin McKay (18) beat Darren Dunlop (13) by 6 & 5

BALLOCHMYLE 6 - AYR BELLEISLE 0
2006 Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship finalists - Ballochmyle & Ayr Belleisle Posted by Picasa

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Summer League final latest

Ballochmyle lead Irvine (Bogside) by 4 – 2 after the first leg of the 2006 Ayrshire Summer League final was played, at Ballochmyle, on Sunday 17th September.

The two time winners of the competition continue their bid to regain the title when the second leg of the final is played at Irvine next Saturday, 23rd September, with a 2.00 p.m. start.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

The Ayrshire team members in the Glasgow Youths Championship - Euan Brown, John Shanks & Jamie Mackay Posted by Picasa

Ayrshire take runners up spot in Glasgow Youths Event

The Ayrshire 3 man team of Euan Brown, Jamie Mackay (both Kilmarnock Barassie) and John Shanks (Ardeer) came a very creditable second at the annual Glasgow Youths Tournament at Ralston G.C on Saturday 9th Sept.

With 2 out of 3 scores counting, Ayrshire lay third on 139 after the morning round, the scores of Brown (70) and Shanks (69) giving the Ayrshire team a one under par total.

The defending champions Northumberland led after round one, with lead player Simon Lee carding a 6 under par 64.

With conditions warm and humid, scores were in the main higher in the afternoon as the players tired.

A 143 afternoon total with counting scores from Mackay (70) and Shanks (73) was enough for Ayrshire to secure second spot in the overall competition, and leapfrog Argyll, who were relegated down to 4th place after a splendid 2nd round by Stirling. Northumberland retained their title with an 8 shot victory (274)

In the individual event, a 2 over par total of 142 from John Shanks saw him secure 6th place, just missing out on an individual prize.

Monday, September 11, 2006

The winning Wallace Thornton Trophy team from Kilmarnock (Barassie) - Euan Brown, Kyle Smith, Stuart Henderson & Jamie Mackay Posted by Picasa
The winning Kilmarnock (Barassie) under 16 team - Duncan Hamilton, Andrew Bolster, Alan Bruce and Liam McLeod Posted by Picasa

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Kilmarnock (Barassie) retain Under 16 and Wallace Thornton trophies

Kilmarnock (Barassie) retained both the Under 16 and Wallace Thornton titles on Sunday 10th September 2006, when the first two finals of the major Ayrshire Junior golf League competitions were held at Troon Darley.

The Barassie side, who won both titles on the same day in 2005 at Caprington, repeated the feat this year, beating teams from Largs Routenburn in both finals.

Barassie started as favourites in both finals, against their higher handicapped opponents, buth the holders did not have everything their own way.

In the Under 16 Knockout Trophy final, Scott Davis crushed Alan Bruce 7 & 6 in the lead tie to give Routenburn the lead, but the match swung in Barassie’s favour when Liam McLeod and Duncan Hamilton won by 3 & 2 and 4 & 2 against Ryan McCartney and Alan Miller respectively.

The destination of the title lay with the third tie, the final one on the course, and it was Andrew Bolster of Barassie who edged a win against Morgan Reid, taking a one hole vixctory on the final green to give a match score of 3 – 1 in favour of Kilmarnock (Barassie).

Match details for the Under 16 final (Barassie names first)

Alan Bruce (5) lost to Scott Davis (12) by 7 & 6
Liam McLeod (8) beat Ryan McCartney (15) by 3 & 2
Andrew Bolster (11) beat Morgan Reid (16) by 1 hole
Duncan Hamilton (16) beat Alan Miller (16) by 4 & 2

KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE) 3 LARGS ROUTENBURN 1

In the scratch event, the Wallace Thornton Trophy, a very strong Kilmarnock (Barassie) team included an Ayrshire Boys Champion and two Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Champions, but in the event the match was a close one, with Routenburn maintaining a challenge well into the latter stages of the match.

2005 Ayrshire Boys Champion Jamie Mackay led barassie by example, beating Jamie Achison by 5 & 3 in the lead match.

2005 Boys Matchplay Champion Euan Brown added a further half point to the barassie total in his match with Rory Achison, whilsy the present Boys Matchplay title holder, Kyle Smith edged through by 1 holes against Adam Sweeney to give Barassie a 2.5 – 0.5 lead.

In the final match, Stuart Henderson extended barassie’s winning margin with a 2 & 1 win over Kevin Leahy, to give a final resoult of Kilmarnock (Barassie) 3.5 Largs Routenburn 0.5

Match details for the Wallace Thornton Trophy final (Barassie names first)

Jamie Mackay (0) beat Jamie Achison (4) by 5 & 3
Euan Brown (1) halved with Rory Achison (4)
Kyle Smith (0) beat Adam Sweeney (5) by 1 hole
Stuart Henderson (2) beat Kevin Leahy (9) by 2 & 1

KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE) 3.5 LARGS ROUTENBURN 0.5
The Largs Routenburn and Kilmarnock Barassie teams who contested the 2006 Wallace Thornton Trophy final Posted by Picasa
The Kilmarnock Barassie and Largs Routenburn teams who contested the 2006 Under 16 Knockout Trophy final Posted by Picasa