Sunday, September 30, 2007

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Ravenspark take fourball title in final match cliffhanger

The Irvine Ravenspark team of Joe Hobson and Brian Gibson - pictured right - are the 2007 Ayrshire Fourball Champions, after they won a nailbiting final against the Maybole pairing of Scott McCahill and David Wallace, in perfect conditions at Prestwick St. Nicholas on Sunday 30th September.

With McCahill the lowest handicapped player in the match, off one, Hobson and Gibson received two shots whilst McCahill's team mate Wallace had eight shots over the 18 holes.

The Ravenspark team got off to the perfect start, Hobson holing from 20' for par at the first to win the hole. A superb chip by Gibson, coupled with a three putt from McCahill gave Ravenspark the second hole as well, and a wonderful recovery pitch at the third to 3' set Gibson up for a winning birdie three to extend the lead to three holes after three.

The match threatened to run away from Maybole at this early stage but Wallace rose to the challenge at the fourth, using his shot to full advantage for a winning nett three to reduce the defecit to two holes.

The fifth was halved in par fours but ravenspark restored their three hole advantage at the 6th, McCahill narrowly missing his birdie putt from 20 feet before Gibson holed his from 15fee for a winning birdie three.

The seventh was halved in net pars and at the 8th Gibson, with a fine approach shot to 8 feet, set up a very holable birdie chance. The Maybole team were struggling a little at this stage but McCahill played a good recovery chip to give him a par, which was sufficient to half the hole after Gibson missed his birdie chance.

McCahill and Gibson both had good birdie opportunities again at the ninth, but both missed narrowly and the match turned for home with Ravenspark three ahead.

A solid tee shot at the par three tenth by McCahill, which came to rest 12 feet from the hole, set up a winning par and when Wallace scored a nett birdie three at the 12th, the defecit was quicly reduced to only one hole.

The Ravenspark pair looked favourites at the 12th after all four players missed the green, but after chipping up and being conceded a par three, the ravenspark team could only wastch whilst Wallace bravely holed from 18 feet to half the hole and remain only one behind.

The 13th and 14th were halved in par before McCahill had a chance to level the match at the 15th with a 4 foot birdie opportunity. Do the dismay of McCahill, his putt hit the left side of the hole and spun out, leaving his team still trailing.

Wallace received his final stroke at the 16th hole and, with both ravenspark players in trouble, and Wallace safely on the green in three, the hole was conceded and the match was squared for the first time since the first tee.

At the 16th, all four players missed the fairway to the left from the tee. Hobson and Wallace safely made the green in two whilst McCahill was just off the putting surface, leaving Gibson to play last. The ravenspark player, whose chipping was excellent all day, produced another fine approach to 4' from the hole. With the other three safely holed in four, Gibson had the opportunity to restore his sides lead, but his birdie effort slipped past and the players moved to the final hole all square.

At the 203 yard, par three 18th, McCahill and Wallace were short and right, whilst Gibson also missed the green to the right. Hobson pulled his tee shot to the left, finishing in the gully short of the green. Despite facing a blind chip, Hobson played a wonderful chip to within 3 feet of the hole.

McCahill and Wallace both saw their efforts for par fail and the destiny of the trophy was passed into the hands, and putters, of the Ravenspark pair. Gibson was first to go, but his effort from 7 feet slipped agonisingly past, leaving Hobson with the task of holing from 3 feet to clain the title by one hole. Despite the pressure, Hobson confidently holed out for a winning par three and a one hole victory for Ravenspark


2007 Ayrshire Fourball finalists Joe Hobson (Irvine Ravenspark), Brian Gibson (Irvine Ravenspark), Scott McCahill (Maybole) & David Wallace (Maybole)

SCOTTISH SENIORS OPEN - Drummond pipped by Rivero for seniors title

Ross Drummond from Prestwick came within a shot of winning his first European Seniors Tour title in the Charles Church Scottish Seniors Open at the Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, Edinburgh on Sunday 30th September.

A closing 70, two under par, was sufficient to give former Ryder Cup star, Jose Rivero a 10 under partotal and the title, although his overnight lead was cut by Drummond from three to one shot.

Drummond moved to within one shot of the lead when he hit a 117 yard wedge shot into the hole for an eagle two on the par four 12th and two holes later he briefly tied with Rivero when the eventual winner made his only bogey of the day, on the 14th.

Unfortunately, Drummond dropped a shot of on the 423 yard par four 15th to give Rivero the lead once more, and despite an excellent birdie on the 449 yard closing hole, finished one short of the winning total of 206, after Rivero had birdied the par five 16th to go back to two in front.

This was Drummond's second runner-up finish of his rookie season on the Seniors Tour, his nine under par aggregate of 207 leaving him four shots ahead of third placed Englishmen, Bob Cameron and Nick Job.

Drummond's performance saw him move up one place, to eighth, in the Seniors Order Of Merit for 2007.

LEADING SCORES

1 - RIVERO José (ESP) -10 (70/66/70 = 206)
2 - DRUMMOND Ross (SCO) -9 (69/70/68 = 207)
3 - CAMERON Bob (ENG) -5 (70/71/70 = 211), JOB Nick (ENG) -5 (71/69/71 = 211)
5 - ROCCA Costantino (ITA) -4 (67/73/72 = 212)

SCOTTISH CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP - Irvine Ravenspark joint fourth in national final

The Irvine Ravenspark team of George Robertson, John Cairney and Darren Mallinson finished joint fourth in the Manor Oak Scottish Club Championship at Glenbervie Golf Club on Sunday 30 September 2007.

The team, who qualified by virtue of winning the Ayrshire title over their home course earlier in the year, were three behind the leaders, and eventual winners, Ranfurly Castle after the morning round and finished the day joint fourth with Cambuslang some seven shots off the pace, on 289

TEAM SCORES -

1 RANFURLY CASTLE - 140/142 = 282
2 GLENBERVIE * - 142/141 = 283
3 NEW CLUB, ST ANDREWS - 142/141 = 283
4 CAMBUSLANG - 146/143 = 289
IRVINE RAVENSPARK - 143/146 = 289
6 PORTLETHEN - 146/144 = 290
TULLIALLAN - 150/140 = 290
8 DUMFRIES & COUNTY - 147/145 = 292
9 INVERNESS - 149/146 = 295
10 COWGLEN - 146/152 = 298
HAYSTON - 147/151 = 298
12 CRAIGIE HILL - 150/150 = 300
KELSO - 155/145 = 300
14 LONGNIDDRY - 152/149 = 301
15 GLENCRUITTEN - 151/153 = 304
16 MONTROSE MERCANTILE - 151/155 = 306

Saturday, September 29, 2007

DAILY TELEGRAPH JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP - Rachael McQueen qualifies

Rachael McQueen (Troon Bentinck Ladies) is one of only two scots out of the 21 players to qualify for the 2007 Daily Telegraph Junior Finals, to be held at Dubai Creek.

With no Scottish qualifiers in the boys section, McQueen, who also plays at Kilmarnock (Barassie), will contest the girls championship, alongside fellow Scot Carly Booth (Comrie) at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club from October 7th to 9th.

17 year old McQueen, who has already represented Ayrshire in the West Of Scotland inter county matches, was the leading qualifier in the girls' category and will be hoping to follow last years winner, fellow Scot Sally Watson from South Queensferry, in winning the girls title.

SCOTTISH SENIORS OPEN - Drummond still second after round 2

Prestwick's Ross Drummond retained his second place after round 2 of the Charles Church Scottish Seniors Open at Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club near Edinburgh today.

Former Ryder Cup star of José Rivero returned a six under par 66 to lead the tournament, three ahead of Drummond.

LEADING SCORES
Par 144 (72/72)

136 - J Rivero (Spain) 70/66
139 - B Lincoln (South Africa) 70/69, R Drummond (Sco) 69/70
140 - N Job 71/69, C Rocca (Ita) 67/73.

Friday, September 28, 2007

SCOTTISH SENIORS OPEN - Drummond lies in second place after round one

Costantino Rocca had a hole-in-one on the par-three 17th hole during the first round of the Charles Church Scottish Seniors Open over the East Course at Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club, Edinburgh, on his way to the first round lead.

Rocca hit a seven iron at the 183-yard par-3, which contributed to a five under par 67 and a two shot lead over Prestwick senior rookie, Ross Drummond (pictured right) after the opening round.

Drummond, came home in 3 under par for a 69, to set up the possibility of another good finish.

LEADING SCORES

1 Costantino ROCCA -5 (67)
2 Ross DRUMMOND -3 (69)
T3 Bob CAMERON, Eamonn DARCY, David GOOD, Bobby LINCOLN, José RIVERO, -2 (70)

Sunday, September 23, 2007

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Irvine win local derby to take 2007 title.

Irvine Golf Club - pictured below - are the 2007 Ayrshire Summer League champions after defeating near neighbours Irvine Ravenspark in the two leg final on 22nd and 23rd September.



Summer League Champions - Irvine Golf Club (Henry Thomson, Stevie Wilson, Alex Gourlay, Keith Fairley, Mark Anderson, Gareth Lamb)

Irvine, runners up in 2006, had home advantage in the first leg, and stamped their authority on the match with a 5.5 - 0.5 win over the Bogside links on saturday.

Ravenspark - pictured right -faced a daunting prospect in the second leg of the tie, but battled all the way for a 4 - 2 win at Ravenspark, to restore some pride .

Despite Ravenspark's efforts, the lead Irvine built up in the first leg proved to be just beyond the Ravenspark team who ran out losers by 7.5 - 4.5 overall.

MATCH DETAILS (Irvine names first)

First leg

K. Fairley beat J. Hobson 5 & 4
A. Gourlay beat G. Robertson 5 & 3
G. Lamb beat J. Cairney 4 & 3
M. Anderson beat D. Mallinson 2 & 1
S. Wilson beat G. Cochran 2 & 1
H. Thomson halved with W. Morgan

Second leg

A. Gourlay lost to J. Cairney 5 & 4
G. Lamb lost to D. Mallinson 1 hole
K. Fairley beat W. Morgan 4 & 3
M. Anderson lost to G. Cochran 2 & 1
S. Wilson beat J. Hobson 4 & 3
H. Thomson lost to G. Robertson 3 & 2

MATCH RESULT
IRVINE 7.5 IRVINE RAVENSPARK 4.5

SCOTTISH AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire defeat holders Renfrewshire as South Of Scotland progress

In the final series of qualifying matches of the 2007 Scottish Area Team Championship, held on Sunday 23rd September, Ayrshire defeated the holders Renfrewshire by 6 - 3 at Kilmarnock (Barassie).


In the other match in the section, South Of Scotland defeated Lanarkshire by 5.5 - 3.5 to finish top of the qualifying section, and give them a place in the semi finals of the competition.



In the Ayrshire match, the three morning foursomes were all halved, leaving the match finely balanced at 1.5 - 1.5 going into the afternoon singles.



The afternoon proved to be a different prospect as Ayrshire won four and drew one of the six singles to ensure a win overall.



Arguably the most notable result of the afternoon was Steven McEwan's 6 & 5 win over past Amateiur Champion, Craig Watson, although Steven Moore's 2 hole win over Scottish Mid Amateur Champion Mark Clark was also a major boost for the Ayrshire side.



MATCH DETAILS

Morning



Steven McEwan (Caprington) & Brian Moore (Largs) halved with Craig Watson and Keith Hamilton

Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) & Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) halved with Mark Clark & Gregor Munro

Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) & Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) halved with Andrew Farmer & Murdo Carmichael.



AYRSHIRE 1.5 RENFREWSHIRE 1.5



Afternoon



Steven McEwan beat Craig Watson 6 & 5

Brian Moore beat Mark Clark 2 holes

Michael Stewart beat Andrew Farmer 4 & 3

Euan Brown beat Keith Hamilton 6 & 5

Cameron Gray halved with Murdo Carmichael

Jamie Mackay lost to Gregor Munro 4 & 3



AYRSHIRE 4.5 RENFREWSHIRE 1.5



MATCH RESULT



AYRSHIRE 6 RENFREWSHIRE 3

WEST OF SCOTLAND UNDER 18 LEAGUE - Ayrshire beat Glasgow in final match

The Ayrshire Under 18 team finished the season with a win, by 5 - 3, over Glasgow at Ardeer on Sunday 23rd September.

The West Of Scotland inter county league match, for the Wishart trophy, turned in Ayrshire's favour after the opening two ties were halved, as Ayrshire players took the points in four of the next five ties to ensure a win.

MATCH DETAILS

Josh Nordbo (Largs) halved with Connor O'Neill (Pollock)
Andrew Wright (Kilmarnock Barassie) halved with David Aitken (Williamwood)
Charles Doyle (Troon Welbeck) beat barry Strain (Cathkin Braes) 4 & 3
LLoyd Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Mark Murphy (Cawder) 1 hole
David Currie (Kilmarnock barassie) beat Gerrard Cameron (Bishopbriggs) 1 hole
Michael Roos (West Kilbride) beat Graeme McDowall (Bishopbriggs) 3 & 2
Scott Brown (Turnberry) beat Stuart Roberts (Cathcart Castle) 1 hole
Adam Foley (Ayr Belleisle) lost to James Hendrick (Pollock) 2 & 1

AYRSHIRE 5 GLASGOW 3

Friday, September 21, 2007

TARTAN TOUR - Nicoll sets new course record at Cruden Bay

Callum Nicoll (Prestwick) set a new Cruden Bay professional course record with a round of 63, seven under par, in the VSA Tartan pro-am on Friday 21st September.

Nicoll won the event by five shots with a round which included an eagle 2 at the third and birdies at the second, sixth, eighth, 12th and 18th in halves of 31 and 32. Nicoll also negotiated the course without a bogey on his card.

Details of his scoring were:

OUT: 4 3 2 3 4 4 4 3 4 - 31.
IN: 4 3 3 5 4 3 3 4 3 - 32.

Nicoll beat the previous best of 64, set by Colin Brooks a number of years ago, by one shot. Brooks' score had been matched by Gordon Law (Uphall) in winning the Northern Open at Cruden Bay in 2003.

Runner up to Nicoll was Colin Gillies (Kingsfield) a distant runner-up, five shots behind on
68. Fraser Mann (Musselburgh) was third on 69.

Nicoll also led the BIS Salamis amateurs team, Kenny Bennett (4), Doug Shiel (18) and Keith Beattie (8), to victory in the team event with a net score of 13-under-par.

LEADING PROFESSIONALS
Par 70

63 - C Nicoll (Prestwick)
68 - C Gillies (Kingsfield)
69 - F Mann (Musselburgh)
70 - M King (Kingsfield)
72 - A Lockhart (Ladybank), R Arnott (Bishopbriggs), P McKechnie (Braid Hills), C Kelly (Cawder), G Hutcheon (Peterculter)
73 - C Waddell (Braid Hills), L Mann (Carnoustie), P Wardell (Whitekirk).

Monday, September 17, 2007

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Ballochmyle win eighth title at Barassie


Ballochmyle are the 2007 Ayrshire Junior Golf League champions, after an exciting final on Sunday 16th September at Kilmarnock (Barassie), where they triumphed by 3.5 - 2.5 against first time finalists, Largs. The Mauchline club succesfully defended the title they won against Ayr Belleisle over Troon darley last year, to record their eighth win in the League Championship in its 39 year history.
After torrential rain in the morning, only a sterling effort by Kilmarnock (Barassie) staff and members, and in particular League Chairman Mark Fitzpatrick, allowed the match to go ahead.

With a number of holes on the new part of the Barassie links under water, the final was played over the traditional 18 hole course.

Largs were giving shots in all of the six ties against the defending champions, but it was the North Ayrshire club who took the early lead, Josh Nordbo, with a 7 & 5 win over Robbie Wilson, and Andrew Abercrombie, beating Gary Patterson by 2 & 1, giving Largs an early 2 - 0 lead.

The defecit was reduced to 2 - 1 when Michael Mullen beat Colin Robinson by 4 & 3 and a 6 & 5 win by Paul Pierotti of Ballochmyle over Dave McLellan levelled the match at 2 - 2.

With the penultimate tie between Ballochmyle's Craig Duff and Jack Went of Largs going to the final hole, a 2 & 1 win by Colin McKay over Robbie Dow in the final tie gave Ballochmyle a 3 - 2 lead, and also ensured the return of the championship to the Mauchline club, as Largs could not match Ballochmyle's countback total, even in the event of a win in the last tie on the course.

Ballochmyle's hopes for an outright win lay with Craig Duff who stood on the 18th tee one down against Jack Went.

After a poor tee shot and second shot, Duff took five to reach the green, whilst Went was in the greenside bunker in 2. The Largs player had great difficulty extracating himself from the sand however, taking three shots in the bunker before gettign onto the green. Went's agonise were compounded when he missed his putt for a six and Duff duly holed his for a winnign double bogey to half the tie and give Ballochmyle a clear 3.5 - 2.5 win in the Championship final.
MATCH DETAILS (Ballochmyle names first)
Gary Patterson (5) lost to Andrew Abercrombie (2) by 3 & 1
Michael Mullen (6) beat Colin Robinson (4) by 4 & 3
Robbie Wilson (7) lost to Josh Nordbo (5) by 7 & 5
Paul Pierotti (9) beat Dave McLellan (6) by 6 & 5
Craig Duff (11) halved with Jack went (10)
Colin McKay (14) beat Robbie Dow (12) by 2 & 1
BALLOCHMYLE 3.5 LARGS 2.5

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Brown in Champion Of Champions Trophy win

Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) added to his Ayrshire Boys and Junior Order Of Merit successes with a 6 & 4 win over Craig McLaughlin (Largs) in the final of the Ayrshire Junior Champion Of Champions Trophy competition, at Kilmarnock (Barassie) on Sunday 16th September.

With the new holes at the Barassie course flooded due to heavy rain, the final was played over the traditional links.

Brown raced to a four hole lead after four, two opening pars being followed by an eagle three at the third, where his five wood second shot came to rest a foot from the hole, and a 25 foot putt at the fourth for a winning par.

McLaughlin stemmed the flow at the 5th, a drive and a four iron to the green setting up a winning par to reduce the defecit to three, and after a half in par at the 6th, Mclaughlin took both the 7th and 8th with pars to reduce the defecit to one hole.

Brown reversed the trend as the players turned for home, a par at the 9th being good enough to restore a two hole lead, and quickly restored his four hole lead over the opening holes of the inward half, pars at 10, 11 and 12 being good enough to win two of the three holes.

With holes running out, Brown went dormie 5 at the 13th, a drive, three iron approach and two putts giving him a winning birdie four, and needing only a half to clinch the trophy, Brown emphasised the scale of his win by taking the 14th with a par four, for a 6 & 4 victory.

Brown is the 5th Kilmarnock (Barassie) player to win the Junior Champion Of Champions Trophy, after former Scottish Boys and Scottish Strokeplay Champion Alan Reid (1990 & 1993), Amateur Champion Gordon Sherry (1992), Chris Donaldson (2001) and Scottish Boys Strokeplay winner Steven McEwan (2005 & 2006).

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Arrol Cup win gives Moore the Doc Thom title

A win in the final qualifying event, the Arrol Cup, on Saturday 15th September gave Brian Moore (Largs) the 2007 Doc Thom salver and the Ayrshire Order Of Merit title.

With maximum points in the last counting event, Moore overtook long time leader John Shanks (Irvine) at the right time to claim the Order Of merit title.

Final placings in the 2007 Order Of merit were :-

362.5 - BRIAN MOORE (Largs)
287.5 - JOHN SHANKS (Irvine)
195 - STEPHEN MURRAY (Troon Welbeck)
182.5 - STEPHEN McBLAIN (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)
145 - ROSS MILLIGAN (Troon Welbeck)
130 - EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock Barassie)
125 - GEORGE ROBERTSON (Irvine Ravenspark)
100 - KEVIN FERGUSSON (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)
67.5 - MICHAEL SMYTHE (Royal Troon), DARREN MALLINSON (Irvine Ravenspark), BARRY CRAWFORD (West Kilbride)
50 - JAMIE MACKAY (Kilmarnock Barassie), CRAIG HAMILTON (Ballochmyle), A. EWING
45 - STEVEN McEWAN (Caprington), MARK WATT (Prestwick St. Cuthbert), JOHN CAIRNEY (Irvine Ravenspark), RUSSELL WHITTAKER (Prestwick St. Nicholas)
40 - BERT FERGUSON (Royal Troon)
25 - IAN WALKER (Turnberry), DOUGIE McKINNON (Ballochmyle), ALISTAIR BELFORD (Prestwick St. Nicholas, CHRIS HARKINS (Ayr Belleisle)

PRESTWICK ST. NICHOLAS - Moore wins Arrol Cup



Brian Moore (Largs) led for the front to win the 2007 competition for the 114 year old Arrol Cup, at Prestwick St. Nicholas on saturday 15th September.

The Arrol Cup, presented to Prestwick St. Nicholas in 1893, is one of the premier 36 hole scratch event in the West Of Scotland and in 2007 it again attracted a quality field of 68 competitors.

In the morning round, Moore led the way with a 69, alongside George Robertson (Irvine Ravenspark) and Chris harkins (Ayr Belleisle).

One shot further back after the morning round, on 70, were John Cairney (Irvine Ravenspark), Paul Robinson (Millport) and local member gavin Lawrie (Prestwick St. Nicholas).

In the afternoon, Moore again recorded the best of the round with 71, a score matched by Kevin Fergusson (Prestwick St. Cuthbert), whilst George Robertson and Chris Harkins slipped back in the field with 73 and 78 respectively.

With a two round total of 140, Moore took the title bt two shots from George Robertson.

LEADING SCORES :-

140 - B. MOORE (Largs) 69 - 71

142 - G. ROBERTSON (Irvine Ravenspark) 69 - 73

143 - R. McKENZIE (Easter Moffat) 71 - 72

144 - C. CALDER (Uphall) 71 - 73

145 - R. WHITTAKER (Prestwick St. Nicholas) 73 - 72, F. DRUM (Cowglen) 72 - 73

147 - A. BELFORD (Prestwick St. Nicholas) 72 - 75, C. HARKINS (Ayr Belleisle) 69 - 78

148 - K. FERGUSSON (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) 77 - 71

149 - R. MERCER (Prestwick St. Nicholas) 76 - 73, D. GRANT (Renfrew) 76 - 73, D CHAMBERLAIN (Troon Welbeck) 75 - 74, J. CAIRNEY (Irvine Ravenspark) 70 - 79

Sunday, September 16, 2007

LARGS ROUTENBURN GOLF CLUB - Acheson twins in championship double success


17 year old twin brothers Rory and Jamie Acheson enjoyed a unique double success this year in the Largs Routenburn club championship competitions.

Rory - pictured right in the black shirt - beat former champion Alan Harrington in the gents championship in a hard fought match which ended in success for the youngster at the 37th hole.

A few days after his success, Rory faced his brother, and defending champion, Jamie - pictured right in the white top - in the junior championship.
After another fine display of golf from the finalists over the two rounds, Jamie successfully defended his junior title with a 4 & 2 win over Rory.

This is certainly a unique double for Largs Routenburn, to have twins winning the junior and senior championship in the same year, and it is probably a unique achievement not only at Routenburn, but in Ayrshire if not further afield.

If any readers are aware of a similar 'twin double' elsewhere, we would be glad to have details.


Jamie & Rory with proud dad, Herbie

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Mclaughlin in final of Champion Of Champions Trophy


The final of the 2007 Ayrshire Junior Champion Of Champions Trophy will be contested between Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) - pictured left - and Craig McLaughlin (Largs), - pictured below - over the Kilmarnock (Barassie) course on Sunday 16th September, teeing off at 2.00 p.m.





McLaughlin won through to the final on Tuesday, beating Jared Williams (Troon St. Meddans) by 2 & 1 in the semi final.


Also being contested at Kilmarnock (Barassie) on Sunday 16th September is the Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship final between Ballochmyle and Largs.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Summer League final dates

The final of the Ayrshire Summer League, between Irvine rivals Bogside and Ravenspark, will be held over the weekend of 22 & 23 September.

The first leg will be on Saturday 22nd September at Bogside, teeing off at 1.00 p.m., with the return at Ravenspark the following day, Sunday 23rd September, with an 11.00 a.m. start.

Monday, September 10, 2007

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Doc Thom Order Of Merit latest

With only the Arroll Cup, on Saturday 15th September, to play, John Shanks (Irvine) holds a narrow lead over Brian Moore (Largs) in the 2007 Ayrshire Order Of Merit for the Doc Thom salver.

After the recent Welbeck Links, won by Ayrshire Boys Champion Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie), the present standings are :-

287.5 - JOHN SHANKS (Irvine)
232.5 - BRIAN MOORE (Largs)
195 - STEPHEN MURRAY (Troon Welbeck)
182.5 - STEPHEN McBLAIN (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)
145 - ROSS MILLIGAN (Troon Welbeck)
130 - EUAN BROWN (Kilmanrock Barassie)
100 - KEVIN FERGUSSON (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)
67.5 - MICHAEL SMYTHE (Royal Troon), DARREN MALLINSON (Irvine Ravenspark), BARRY CRAWFORD (West Kilbride)
50 - JAMIE MACKAY (Kilmarnock Barassie), CRAIG HAMILTON (Ballochmyle), A. EWING.
45 - STEVEN McEWAN (Kilmarnock Barassie), MARK WATT (Prestwick St. Cuthbert), JOHN CAIRNEY (Irvine Ravenspark).
40 - BERT FERGUSON (Royal Troon)
25 - IAN WALKER (Turnberry), GEORGE ROBERTSON (Irvine Ravenspark), DOUGIE McKINNON (Ballochmyle)

Sunday, September 09, 2007

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Kilmarnock Barassie successful in defence of titles

Kilmarnock (Barassie) defended both the Under 16 Knockout Trophy and Wallace Thornton Trophy on Sunday 9th September, as the first two finals of the 2007 Ayrshire Junior Golf League season were played, over the Kilmarnock (Barassie) links.

In a remarkable run of success, Kilmanrock (Barassie) teams have now won the Under 16 Knockout Trophy in three successive years and the Wallace Thornton Trophy for the last five years.


In the UNDER 16 KNOCKOUT TROPHY final, Barassie took on Ardeer. despite giving shots in three of the four ties, the Barassie team (pictured below) ran out winners by 4 - 0

MATCH RESULTS (Barassie names first)

Fraser Kerr (5) beat Richard Wyllie (9) 8 & 6

Ross Drain (8) beat Craig Dunlop (12) 4 & 2

Andy Bolster (12) beat Danile Forbes (13) 2 & 1

Colin Currie (18) beat Luke Walker (16) 5 & 4

KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE) 4 ARDEER 0

In the WALLACE THORNTON TROPHY final, Barassie faced West Kilbride in their bid for their fifth successive win in the competition.

Led by Ayrshire Boys Champion Euan Brown, the Barassie team (pictured below) won 4 - 0 to retain the trophy.

MATCH RESULTS (Barassie names first)

Euan Brown beat Fraser McKay 5 & 3

Kyle Smith beat Kieran Howie 3 & 2

David Currie beat Michael Roos 4 & 3

Andrew Wright beat Fraser lawrie 4 & 2

KILMANROCK (BARASSIE) 4 WEST KILBRIDE 0

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Largs meet Ballochmyle in final

The final of the 2007 Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship, being played on Sunday 16th September at 1400hrs over the Kilmarnock (Barassie) links, will be between Largs and Ballochmyle.

Ballochmyle progressed to the final despite a 4 - 2 second leg defeat at Ardeer in the semi9 final this week. Having won their home match by 6 - 0, Ballochmyle went through to the final on an 8 - 4 overall win.

Leading by 5 - 1 against Prestwick St. Nicholas after their home match, Largs travelled to Prestwick on Sunday 9th September and returned with a 3 - 3 draw for a 8 - 4 aggregate win.

Ballochmyle, the defending champions, are bidding for their 8th title win, with a further two runners up honours in their collection, whilst for Largs this will be their first appearance in the League Championship final.

The Champion Of Champions final will also be contested next Sunday, with Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) due to play either Jared Williams (Troon St. Meddans) or Craig Mclaughlin (Largs), who will meet this Tuesday in the semi final.

PGA SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP - Drummond finishes top scot

Despite a final round 73 which saw him drop to joint 14th, Ross Drummond from Prestwick ended joint top Scot, along with Bill Longmuir, in the PGA Senoirs Championship at the Stoke-By-Nayland club this week.

The championship was won comfortably by Englands carl Mason who carded four successive scores of 67 for a 20 under par total.

LEADING SCORES


1MASON CarlENG-20 67/67/67/67=268
2=DUGENY PhilippeFRA -14 75/68/68/63=274
2=ROCCA CostantinoITA-14 69/66/71/68=274
4HEUCHAN BruceCAN-12 67/67/72/70=276
5=BLAND JohnRSA-11 70/66/69/72=277
5=JOB NickENG-11 70/69/72/66=277
7=CARBONETTI LuisARG-10 69/66/73/70=278
7=QUIROS JuanESP-10 69/72/68/69=278
7=TERAVAINEN PeterUSA-1068/74/66/70=278
10=ENCINA GuillermoCHI-9 74/68/66/71=279
10=LAPSLEY JimNZL-9 71/68/70/70=279
10=RIVERO JoséESP-9 72/69/71/67=279
10=WATINE GeryFRA-9 72/70/71/66=279
14=DRUMMOND RossSCO-8 69/67/71/73=280
14=LONGMUIR BillSCO-8 71/69/69/71=280

Saturday, September 08, 2007

PGA SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP - Drummond still fifth after round 3

Ross Drummond from Prestwick maintained his fifth place in the PGA Seniors Championship after a third round 71 at the Stoke - By - Nayland club on Saturday.

Carl Mason extended his lead after a third successive 67.

LEADING SCORES

1MASON Carl ENG -15 67/67/67=201
2BLAND John RSA -11 70/66/69=205
3=HEUCHAN BruceCAN-10 67/67/72=206
3=ROCCA CostantinoITA-10 69/66/71=206
5DRUMMOND RossSCO-9 69/67/71=207

Friday, September 07, 2007

PGA SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP - Drummond still in hunt after second round 67

Prestwick golfer Ross Drummond lies in joint 5th place in the British Seniors PGA Championship at the Stoke - By - Nayland club, after a second round 67.

Drummond trails the leaders, Bruce Heuchan and Carl mason by just two shots.

LEADING SCORES

1 HEUCHAN Bruce CAN -10 67/67=134
MASON Carl ENG -10 67/67=134
3 CARBONETTI Luis ARG -9 69/66=135
ROCCA Costantino ITA -9 69/66=135
5 BLAND John RSA -8 70/66=136
DRUMMOND Ross SCO -8 69/67=136

SCOTTISH POLICE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP - Local officers succesful in 83rd championship

The 83rd Scottish Police Golf Championships were held at Irvine (Bogside) and West Kilbride on Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th September, hosted by Strathclyde Police, and a number of local officers were succesful in the event.

Pride of place went to Irvine Community Policing Sergeant Derek Anderson (pictured right) who won the Scottish Office Handicap Challenge Cup for the second class handicap section. The 12 handicapper had nett rounds of 73 over West Kilbride and 75 over Irvine (Bogside) for a 148 total, to win the trophy by virtue of the best round over West Kilbride, ahead of Wlson Rennie (Grampian Police).

Former Scottish Ladies Amateuur Champion, constable Alison Gemmill (pictured below) was runner up in the Ladies competition, her 151 nett total, 75 at West Kilbride and 76 at Irvine, being two adrift of the winning score returned by fellow Strathclyde officer Linda Allan.

Kilmarnock based Inspector Gillian Gibson (pictured below) was third in the ladies competition on 159.

In the retired officers competition, former constable Robin Paton (pictured below), a member at West Kilbride, was 4th on 151.












Robin Paton also combined with Linda Allan, Stuart Boyd and Jim Stevenson, as Strathclyde Team No. 4 (pictured right) , to win the team handicap title
and Glasgow Herald Trophy with a 446 total, one ahead of Strathclyde Team no. 5, which included a strong local connection in constables Stewart Wilson (pictured below), Ricky Nicol and retired officer Jim Jack, along with fellow Strathclyde officer Colin Harris.

In the First Class handicap competition, for the Willie Merilees Trophy, Ayr based detective constable Ricky Nicol was third with a 145 total, one shot adrift of the winner, Alan White (Dumfries & Galloway).





In the premier event, the scratch championship, Kilmarnock based constable Matthew Malpas (pictured right) finished in third place, a superb second round 69 over West Kilbride giving him a total of 151, just three shots adrift of the winner, retired officer Henry Anderson (Central Scotland Police) who took the title for the eighth time, extending his record haul of titles in the championship.

The competitors were entertained by the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band (pictured below)prior to the presentation of prizes on Wednesday night. Mrs. Malcolm, wife of Assistant Chief Constable John Malcolm, presented prizes to the succesful participants at the end of the competition.

The championships travel to Grampian in 2007, being hosted by Kenmay and Murchar golf clubs.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Barassie through to under 16 final

Kilmarnock (Barassie) will meet Ardeer in the final of the Under 16 Knockout competition on Sunday, after booking their place with a 2.5 - 1.5 win at Ayr Belleisle in the semi final.

The final of the competition will take place over the barassie course.

In the other final scheduled for this Sunday, 9th September, Kilmarnock (Barassie) defend the Wallace Thornton Trophy against West Kilbride, again over the Barassie course.

EUROPEAN SENIORS TOUR - 'Bad back' Drummond returnswith a 69 in PGA Seniors

By GRAEME HAMLETT
Press Officer, European Seniors Tour

Ross Drummond (pictured right) put aside six weeks of injury-borne frustration by firing a three under par 69 at the PGA Seniors Championship to lie two shots off the lead held by Canada’s Bruce Heuchan and England’s Carl Mason at the Stoke-by-Nayland Club, where defending champion Sam Torrance, seeking a third consecutive title, opened with a battling 70 over the Gainsborough Course (6,737yd, par 72).
Drummond has missed four of the last six tournaments of the European Seniors Tour season owing to a bad back and lower disc damage. “I did it just after at the Open de France Senior de Divonne in July, and have been laid up at home in Prestwick ever since really. It’s been a struggle and I’ve been disappointed to miss so many of the good tournaments we have in the summer, like the Wentworth Senior Masters,” said the 6ft 4in man from Prestwick.“I came back for the European Senior Masters at Woburn, but wasn’t expecting anything other than to feel my way back into playing, so to shoot a 69 today is very pleasing. I’m still not 100 per cent but hopefully it’s going to get better day by day. If my score does as well, I’ll be very happy.”
Torrance, who is trying to emulate Ireland’s Christy O’Connor and England’s Neil Coles as a triple PGA Seniors Championship winner in consecutive years, got off to a fine start, birdieing two of the first four holes. However, he dropped shots at holes eight, nine and ten, but recovered with consecutive birdies on holes 14 and 15, and added a further one on 17.
Sam said: “It was a battling round but one I’ll take. I’m only three shots back. I struggled a bit around the turn. I pulled my tee-shots on eight and nine into the trees and three-putted ten, but got it back over the closing holes. The course is playing perfect for me – the fairways are firm but the greens are playing lovely and soft, so I’ve no problems with that. It’s if it’s hard and fast all over that it doesn’t suit me.”
A group of three players – America’s Peter Teravainen, England’s Bob Cameron and Jim Rhodes – trail Mason and Heuchan by one shot after each firing 68. Italy’s Costantino Rocca, seeking to add the Senior PGA title to the PGA Championship he won in 1996 at Wentworth Club, is on three under par.
LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72
67 B Heuchan (Can), C Mason (Eng).
68 P Teravainen (US), B Cameron (Eng), J Rhodes (Eng).
69 M Williams (Zim), C Rocca (Ita), D J Russell (Eng), R Drummond (Sco), J L Gallardo (Spa), G Cali (Ita), L Carbonetti (Ita), J Quiros (Spa).
70 J Hall (Eng), J Bland (SAf), N Job Eng), D Johnson (US), S Torrance (Sco), D Watson (Zim), J Benda (US), M White (Sco).
Other Scots' scores:
71 M Miller, B Longmuir (jt 21st).
72 P Kerr, J Chillas (jt 36th).
73 G Laing (jt 50th).
74 S Martin (jt 57th).
75 B McColl, M Gray, S Martin (jt 66th).
76 G Harvey (jt 82nd).
77 C Maltman, R Watkins, R McDonald (jt 97th).

Sunday, September 02, 2007

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Maybole pair into Fourball final

The Maybole pairing of Scott McCahill and David Wallace are through to the final of the 2007 Ayrshire Fourball competition, after a 3 & 2 semi final win at hole to Billy Andrew and James McMurdo (Ballochmyle).

In the final, the Maybole pair will meet Joe Hobson & Brian Gibson (Irvine Ravenspark).

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Ardeer into Under 16 final, despite illness setback

Ardeer have booked their place in the final of the 2007 Under 16 Knockout competition with a countback win over New Cumnock in the semi final.

In the semi final match played this week, Ardeer won two of the ties comfortably, by 4 & 3 and 8 & 7, whilst New Cumnock took the lead tie by 2 holes.

In the remaining tie, the Ardeer player was leading by one hole playing the fifth when illness prevented him continuing. Under the rules of the competition, the playerwas deemed to have lost the remaining holes to be played until a winnig margin for his oponent was reached, and as a result the tie went to New Cumnock by 7 & 6.

Despite this setback, and a 2 - 2 draw as a result, Ardeer had the better countback score overall, and went through to the final.

Saturday, September 01, 2007

JAQUES LEGLISE TROPHY - Stewart in victorious G.B. & I. side

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) was on the winning side when Great britain & Ireland boys beat Europe in the Jaques Leglise Trophy at Notts Golf Club on Saturday.

With a five point lead overnight, the GB & I team looked comfortable, especially when they took the saturday morning foursomes by 2.5 - 1.5 to extend their lead, but the continental side fought back to take the singles by 5.5 - 2.5 to leave the G.B. & I. side with a narrow winning margin of 13.5 - 10.5 overall.

In the Saturday morning foursomes, Stewart and Fraser Fotheringham lost by 3 & 2 to Sean Einhaus & Pedro Figueiredo, whilst in the afternoon Stewart gained a crucial half point in his match against Matteo Manassero, sinking the putt that ensured that the G.B. & I. side could not be beaten