MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!!!

&

A HAPPY NEW GOLFING YEAR
IN 2008

EUAN BROWN SIGNS UP FOR US COLLEGE

2007 Ayrshire Boys Champion and Junior Order Of Merit winner, Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie), has accepted the offer a golf scholarship from St Mary's College of California, which is situated in the town of Moraga.
Euan will go to the United States to begin studies in August 2008. Former Scottish internationalist Lorne Kelly from Dunnoon assisted Euan with the scholarship arrangements, through his ProDreamUSA company.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Former Ayrshire Boys Champion Jim Spiers dies

Jim Spiers of Annanhill Golf Club, who was well known throughout Ayrshire golfing circles, has died.

Jim won many championships in the county, during his long association with Annanhill.

Jim won the Ayrshire Boys Championship in 1975 over Troon Darley and Troon Fullarton, and numbered amongst his other successes wins in the Hillhouse Cup and back to back wins in the (Kilmarnock Standard) Ayrshire Champion Of Champions Trophy in 1986 & 1987.

Jim's funeral will be held at Holmsford Crematorium on Friday 23rd November at 10.00 a.m., and our sympathy is extended to his family at this sad time.

.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Stewart presented with Junior Golfer Of The Year award at Annual Dinner

The 39th Annual Dinner and Presentation of Trophies of The Ayrshire Junior Golf League was held at Irvine Ravenspark Golf Club on Monday 12th November 2007, where a capacity audience paid tribute to the succesful individuals and teams in Ayrshire Junior Golf during 2007.

Allan Thomson (Ayr Belleisle), a former player in The League, was Guest of Honour as the Ayrshire Junior Golf League marked Allans record breaking achievement during 2007, when he secured an unequalled 7th medal in the Scottish Amateur Championship, at Prestwick in August.

The premier individual award of the night, the Macrobert Thistle Junior Golfer Of The Year trophy, was once again presented by former Chairman of the National Playing Fields Association, David Reynolds.

The 2007 recipient was Scottish Boys Cap, Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) - pictured above with David Reynolds - who represented Scotalnd in championships across the globe throughout the year, whilst also reaching the semi final of the Scottish Boys Championship and losing the Scottish Boys Strokeplay in a play off.

Michael's season culminated in selection for the GB & I team who beat the Continent of Europe in the Jaques Leglise Trophy, where Michael secured the winning point.

Left - Fraser Lawrie (West Kilbride) with the Prestwick Circuits Trophy.
Right - The winning St. Cuthbert team with the Matt Lygate Trophy

Left - Darren Tannock (Loudoun) with the Carrick Trophy

Right - Darren Tannock receiving the Andrew D. Nimmo Trophy on behalf of the winning Loudoun team.

Left - Ayrshire Boys Champion Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Right - Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Champion Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay)

Silver Jubilee Trophy Winners - Annanhill

The 2007 Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit Trophy was once again generously sponsored by Wilson Sporting Goods and Ping. The top seven players in the 2007 Order Of merit were :-

Order Of Merit winner

EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Runner Up

MALCOLM PENNYCOTT

(Whiting Bay)

Third place

SCOTT BROWN

(Turnberry)

Fourth place

ADAM FOLEY

(Ayr Belleisle)

Fifth place

SCOTT CLARK

(Ayr Belleisle)

Sixth place

MICHAEL STEWART

(Troon Welbeck)

Seventh place

JAMIE ACHESON

(Largs Routenburn)

Wallace Thornton Trophy Winners Kilmarnock Barassie (left)

and Runners Up West Kilbride (right)

Under 16 Knockout Trophy winners Kilmarnock Barassie (left)

nd Runners Up Ardeer (right)

Champion Of Champions Trophy winner Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) - left - and Runner Up Craig McLaughlin (Largs) - right.

League Championship Semi Finalists

Ardeer

League Championship Semi Finalists

Prestwick St. Nicholas

League Championship runners up

Largs

League Champions

BALLOCHMYLE

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Ayrshire confirmed as 2007 Youth league winners

Ayrshire were this week confirmed as winners of the 2007 West Of Scotland Inter County Youths League following their 7 - 3 win over Renfrewshire at Brunston Castle last week, after Stirling and Dumbarton drew their final match 5 - 5



Ayrshire results for the 2007 YOUTHS LEAGUE and league placings are :-


Stirlingshire 5 ½ Ayrshire 4 ½ (Grangemouth)

Ayrshire 5 ½ Lanarkshire 4 ½ (Ballochmyle)

Dumbartonshire 5 Ayrshire 5 (Bearsden)

Ayrshire 6 Glasgow 4 (Brunston Castle)

Ayrshire 7 Renfrewshire 3 (Brunston Castle)


YOUTHS LEAGUE FINAL POSITIONS - P/W/D/L/F/A/Pts (Avr.)


AYRSHIRE 5/3/1/1/28/22/7

RENFREWSHIRE 5/3/0/2/28/22/6(1.273)

DUMBARTONSHIRE 5/2/2/1/27.5/22.5/6 (1.222)

GLASGOW 5/2/0/3/25.5/24.5/4 (1.041)

STIRLINGSHIRE 5/1/2/2/21/29/4 (0.724)

LANARKSHIRE 5/1/1/3/20/30/3

In the A LEAGUE, Ayrshire finished mid table after two dissapointing results in their final matches.

Ayrshire results in the A League were

Ayrshire 7 Stirlingshire 3 (Ravenspark)

Lanarkshire 6 Ayrshire 4 (Drumpellier)

Ayrshire 7 Dumbartonshire 3 (Prestwick St.Nicholas)

Glasgow 7.5 Ayrshire 2.5 (Haggs Castle)

Renfrewshire 8.5 Ayrshire 1.5 (Greenock)

'A' LEAGUE FINAL POSITIONS - P/W/D/L/F/A/Pts (Avr.)

RENFREWSHIRE 5/4/0/1/31/19/8 (1.631)

DUMBARTONSHIRE 5/4/0/1/27/23/8 (1.174)

GLASGOW 5/2/0/3/25.5/24.5/4 (1.041)

AYRSHIRE 5/2/0/3/22.5/27.5/4 (0.818)

STIRLINGSHIRE 5/2/0/3/22/28/4/(0.786)

LANARKSHIRE 5/1/0/4/22.5/27.5/2

In the BOYS LEAGUE, played throughout the summer, Ayrshire narrowly missed out on the title on points average, after a three way tie at the top of the table.

Ayrshire results in the BOYS LEAGUE were :-

Renfrewshire 4 Ayrshire 4 (Whitecraigs)

Stirlingshire 6 Ayrshire 2 (Kilsyth Lennox)

Ayrshire 4 Lanarkshire 4 (Loudoun)

Dumbartonshire 3 Ayrshire 5 (Vale Of Leven)

Ayrshire 5 Glasgow 3 (Ardeer)

BOYS LEAGUE FINAL POSITIONS - P/W/D/L/F/A/PTS (Avr.)

LANARKSHIRE 5/2/2/1/21/19/6 (1.105)

STIRLINGSHIRE 5/3/0/2/20.5/19.5/6 (1.051)

AYRSHIRE 5/2/2/1/20/20/6 (1.000)

DUMBARTONSHIRE 5/2/1/2/21.5/18.5/5

RENFREWSHIRE 5/1/2/2/18.5/21.5/4

GLASGOW 5/1/1/3/18.5/21.5/3

EUROPEAN SENIORS TOUR - Drummond finishes rookie season in 6th place

As the European Seniors Tour concluded this week, with the Seniors Tour Championship for the Kingdom Of Bahrain Trophy being played at The Buckinghamshire Golf Club, Prestwick golfer Ross Drummond secured sixth place in the Seniors Order Of Merit in his rookie season on the tour.

One under par for the three rounds in the closing event gave Drummond a share of 16th place with Lyuis Carbonetti (Argentina) and consolodated his overall sixth position in the seasons rankings.

The final tournament was won by Constantion Rocca (Italy) whose win assured him of the award for the best rookie on tour for 2007, edging Drummond into second place.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Youths defeat Renfrewshire in final West League match whilst A team are defeated

Tha Ayrshire youth team finished the West League season on a high with a 7 - 3 win over Renfrewshire at Brunston Castle on Saturday 10 November which may leave the Ayrshire youth team as winners of the West League for 2007, the final placings still to be confirmed.

The individual results from the youths match on Saturday were (Ayrshire names first) :-

Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) bt Scott Herald (Whitecraigs) 2&1
Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) bt Riccardo Rebecchi (Greenock) 8&7
Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) lost to Michael Dailly (Erskine) 2&1
Scott Brown (Turnberry) bt Calum Morrison (Kilmacolm) 6&5
David Currie (Kilmarnock Barassie) bt Scott McGrenechan (Coch Castle) 1Hole
Stuart Henderson (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Michael Campbell (Renfrew) 5&4
Craig McLaughlan (Largs) bt Chris Cook (Renfrew) 2&1
Michael Roos (West Kilbride) lost to Andrew McLachlan (Bonnyton) 5&4
Graeme Gimson (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) bt Jack Bradley( Paisley) 3&2
Adam Foley (Ayr Belleisle) bt Darynn Grant (Renfrew) 4&3

AYRSHIRE 7 RENFREWSHIRE 3

In the corresponding senior team match at Greenock, Ayrshire suffered a heavy 8.5 - 1.5 defeat. Kevin Ferguson (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) was the only winner for Ayrshire, with a 2 & 1 win, whilst Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) had a notable half match with former Amateur Champion Craig Watson.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Annual General Meeting hears of boys success

Around 40 representatives of clubs throughout the county attented the AQnnual General Meeting of the Ayrshire Golf Association, held at Ballochmyle Golf Club on Wednesday 24th October 2007.

In his report, President Ricky Magee (Caprington) thanked the clubs who had hosted county events throughout the 2006 - 2007 season and reported on the various county competitions and the successes enjoyed by individuals and teams.

In particular, President Magee paid tribute to the boys team of Euan Brown, David Currie, Cameron Gray & Michael Stewart who won the Scottish Area Boys Team Championship at Moray, with Cameron Gray also winning the Niagra Cup for the best individual score of the competition.

Michael Stewart also had a notable performance in the Scottish Boys Strokeplay at Cardrona, losing the title in a play off.

Also on a national level, President Magee paid tribute to the efforts of Allan Thomson (Ayr Belleisle) and Paul Moultrie (Troon Portland) who reached the semi finals of the Scottish Amateur Championship at Prestwick and the British Mid Amateur Championship at Alwoodley in Leeds respectively.

President Magee also reported that the Ayrshire Seniors competition would be reintroduced in 2008, with a new handicap trophy, to be called the Sandy Provan Trophy, being played for. The first playing of the event will be at Kilmarnock (Barassie) in July 2008.

Also under review, by a sub committee led by Vice President Alasdair Malcolm (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) is the Doc Thom Ayrshire Order Of Merit competition, details of which will be circulated to clubs over the winter months.

President Magee also alluded to the SGU governance review and the Ayrshire Golf Association Executive's intention to carry out a similar review of the county association's governance and constitution.

The financial report was presented, and various explainations given, by Secretary/Treasurer Leslie Crawford (Kilmarnock Barassie).

Reports followed on various aspects of the work of the Ayrshire Golf Association from the respective Convenors, Milton Murray (Coaching), Allan Muir (Course Rating) & John Nordbo (Ayrshire Junior Golf League).

On the election of officials and Executive members, Leslie Crawford was returned unopposed as Secretary/ Treasurer and Sandy Provan (Kilmarnock Barassie), Barclay Ross (Ballochmyle) and Iain Harvey (Kilmarnock Barassie) were all returned as Executive members. Iain harvey was also re elected as the representative to the SGU.

In his report on the SGU, Iain Harvey reported on a busy year in Ayrshire with the county hosting the European Team Championships (Western Gailes), the under 14/Under 16 Strokeplay (Brunston Castle), the Scottish Amateur Championship (Prestwick) and the Under 16 international with England (Prestwick St. Nicholas).

Iain also reported on a number of ongoing projects. Coaching involving player pathways including the Clubgolf initiative, development of the GolfCentral website, changes to the handicapping system in 2008, including the production of a new CONGU handbook on the handicapping scheme were all touched on in his report.

Although coming under the auspices of the R & A, Iain also made mention of changes to The Rules Of Golf from January 2008.

The meeting closed with those present being informed that the per capita subscription to the SGU for 2008 would be £ 6.70 and on a vote it was agreed that the per capita subscription to the Ayrshire Golf Association would increase by 10 pence to £ 1.85.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Senior team defeated whilst youths beat Glasgow

The Ayrshire senior team suffered a heavy defeat in their penultimate match in the 2007 West Of Scotland inter county league on Saturday when they went down by 7.5 - 2.5 to Glasgow at Haggs Castle.

Gary Bryden with, with an eagle - birdie finish, and Darren Mallinson were the only Ayrshire winners with John Shanks gaining the other half point for the team.

Match results (Ayrshire names first) were :-

JOHN CAIRNEY (Irvine Ravenspark) lost to John Laurie by 3 & 2
EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to John Maithers by 3 & 2
MICHAEL STEWART (Troon Welbeck) lost to Gordon Sangster by 3 & 2
JOHN SHANKS (Irvine) halved with Stephin Machin
NICKY SINCLAIR (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Roya Alexander by 4 & 3
KEVIN FERGUSSON (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) lost to George Crawford by 3 & 2
GARY BRYDEN (Girvan) beat Les McLaughlin by 2 holes
STUART PENNINGTON (Troon St. Meddans) lost to Frank Drum by 3 & 2
JOE HOBSON (Irvine Ravenspark) lost to Matthew Dargie by 7 & 5
DARREN MALLINSON (Irvine Ravenspark) beat Willie McMillan by 3 & 2

GLASGOW 7.5 AYRSHIRE 2.5

Ayrshire fared better in the corresponding youths match, at Brunston Castle, where they ran out winners by 6 - 4.

Match results (Ayrshire names first) were :-

KYLE SMITH (Kilmarnock Barassie) halved with Chris McLaughlin
JAMIE MACKAY (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Alan Johnston by 3 & 2
MICHAEL SMYTHE (Royal Troon) beat Thomas Martin by 4 & 2
SCOTT BROWN (Turnberry) halved with Craig Haugh
DAVID CURRIE (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Graeme McDowall by 4 & 3
STUART HENDERSON (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Chris Wedgeworth by 1 hole
CRAIG McLAUGHLIN (Largs) lost to Paul Laughlin by 1 hole
MICHAEL ROOS (West Kilbride) beat Jamie Hendrick by 2 & 1
GRAEME GIMSON (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) beat Jonathon McLeish by 6 & 5
ADAM FOLEY (Ayr Belleisle) lost to Andrew Quinn by 4 & 2

AYRSHIRE 6 GLASGOW 4

BRITISH BOYS' AT KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE) IN 2010

The R&A has announced that the Boys' Amateur Championship will return to Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club in 2010.

This will be the sixth time that the championship has been staged at Barassie, in the clubs 120 year history.

Founded in 1887, Kilmarnock (Barassie) has a long association with junior golf, having recently staged the R&A’s Junior Open Championship in 2004 and the European Youth Championship in 2000.

Previous winners of the Boys' Amateur at Barassie include Howard Clark (1971) and Ronan Rafferty (1979).

This is the third of a trio of R & A events being held in Ayrshire from 2008 to 2010, after the Amateur Championship, being played at Turnberry in June 2008 and the Open Championship which will return to the same venue in July 2009.

WEST OF SCOTLAND LEAGUES - Ayrshire A win and youths draw

The Ayrshire A team had a convincing win over previously unbeaten Dumbartonshire at Prestwick St. Nicholas on Saturday 27 october, in the third match in this years West Of Scotland Inter County League schedule.

Although the 7 - 3 margin of victory was clear, the match was close throughout with 9 of the 10 ties finishing on the 17th or 18th holes.

Dumbartonshire had won their previous two matches, but defeat leaves all the counties in the leage having been defeated at least once so far this season.

Match details are (Ayrshire names first) :-

JOHN CAIRNEY (Irvine Ravenspark) beat Colin Peddie by 2 & 1
EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Kevin Smith by 1 hole
TOM McINALLY (Loudoun) lost to Craig Checkley by 2 & 1
BRIAN MOORE (Largs) beat Steven Stewart by 2 holes
DAVID GLASS (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) beat John McMahon by 1 hole
JOHN SHANKS (Irvine) beat Martin Williams by 2 & 1
DARREN MALLINSON (Irvine Ravenspark) beat James Paterson by 5 & 4
CRAIG HAMILTON (Ballochmyle) lost to Andrew Campbell by 2 & 1
WARREN BLAIR (Troon Portland) lost to david Wyllie by 2 & 1
STEWART PENNINGTON (Troon St. Meddans) beat David Elder by 2 & 1

AYRSHIRE 7 DUMBARTONSHIRE 3

In the corresponding youths match, played at Bearsden, Ayrshire snatched a 5 - 5 draw against their hosts.

Match details in the youths match (Ayrshire names first)

KYLE SMITH (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Grant Minnes by 5 & 4
CRAIG McLAUGHLIN (Largs) lost to David parlane by 4 & 3
MICHAEL SMYTHE (Royal Troon) beat Thomas Sharkie by 3 & 2
STUART HENDERSON (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to James McEwan by 4 & 3
SCOTT BROWN (Turnberry) beat Richard Docherty by 4 & 3
GRAEME GIMSON (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) beat Clark Nelson by 1 hole
GRAHAM GEBBIE (Loudoun) lost to Simon Barras by 4 & 3
MICHAEL ROOS (West Kilbride) lost to Fraser Campbell by 1 hole
FRASER LAWRIE (West Kilbride) lost to Chris Ruane by 2 & 1
ANDREW ABERCROMBIE (Largs) beat Scott Moore by 2 holes

AYRSHIRE 5 DUMBARTONSHIRE 5

In the penultimate round of matches, to be played on Saturday 3rd November, Ayrshire A take on Glasgow at Haggs Castle whilst the youths play in the corresponding fixture at Brunston Castle.

SGU JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - Stewart and McQueen best for Ayrshire at innaugural event

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) and Rachael McQueen (Troon Bentinck) were the best placed of the Ayrshire players in the innaugural Scottish Junior Champion Of Champions competition held at Kingsbarns on Sunday 21st October.

In the boys event, won by Neil Henderson (The Glen), Stewart finished 8th, on 73 - 1 over par -, three shots adrift of the winning score of 70 posted by Henderson.

The other Ayrshire players taking part were Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) who was 11th on 76 (+ 4) and clubmates Euan Brown and David Currie (Kilmarnock Barassie) who both returned 77 (+ 5) for 13th & 14th places respectively.

Rachael McQueen was placed third in the girls event, her 88 ( + 16) being 7 strokes adrift of the winning total posted by Jane Turner (Mortonhall)

EUROPEAN SENIORS TOUR - Drummond 4th in Spanish Open

Ross Drummond from Prestwick continued his succesful innaugural season on the PGA Seniors Tour this weekend when he finished joint top Scot, along with sam Torrance, in the OKI Castellon Open de Espana Senior at the Club de Campo del Mediterraneo, Castellon, Spain.

Drummond followed two succdessive rounds of 70 with a final round of 66 to finish on 10 under par, giving him a share of 4th place, 7 shots adrift of the winner, England's Carl Mason.

LEADING SCORES

CARL MASON -17 : 199 : (66/68/65)
LUIS CARBONETTI -13 : 203 : (69/64/70)
DAVID MERRIMAN -11 : 205 : (71/66/68)
ROSS DRUMMOND -10 : 206 : (70/70/66), GUILLERMO ENCINA (67/70/69), SAM TORRANCE (70/68/68)
STEWART GINN -9 : 207 : (69/68/70) BILL LONGMUIR (71/68/68)

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUE - A team defeated by Lanarkshire whilst youths win

The Ayrshire A team was defeated 6 - 4 by lanarkshire at Drumpellier on Saturday 20th October in the second match in the 2007 West Of Scotland inter county league.

Late call offs again affected the Ayrshire side, although the replacement players put up a good showing to justify their inclusion.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

John Cairney (Irvine Ravenspark) beat A. Dick by 5 & 4
Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat R. Kellett by 2 & 1
Brian Moore (Largs) lost to S. Rennie by 2 & 1
John Shanks (Irvine) lost to B. McKenzie by 6 & 5
Nicky Sinclair (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat K. Lochrie by 1 hole
Gary Bryden (Girvan) halved with B. Smith
Warren Blair (Troon Portland) lost to M. Moir by 3 & 2
Brian Gibson (Irvine Ravenspark) lost to W. Bryson by 3 & 2
Joe Hobson (Irvine Ravenspark) halved with S. Douglas
George Robertson (Irvine Ravenspark) lost to M. Russo by 4 & 2

LANARKSHIRE 6 AYRSHIRE 4

In the corresponding youths match, held at Ballochmyle, Ayrshire beat lanarkshire by 5.5 - 4.5


Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) Lost To Paul Shields (Kirkhill) by 1 hole
Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) Beat Chris Kelly (Kirkhill) by 2 & 1
Jamie MacKay (Kilmarnock Barassie) Lost To Mark Mcleod (Lanark) by 2 & 1
Adam Foley (Belleisle) Halved with Colin Baird (Bothwell Castle)
David Currie (Kilmarnock Barassie) Lost To Ben Sloan (Hamilton) by 1 hole
Scott Brown (Turnberry) Beat Mark Kelly (Kirkhill) by 4 & 3
Michael Roos (West Kilbride) Lost To Peter Scanlon (Hamilton) by 4 & 3
Stuart Henderson (Kilmarnock Barassie) Beat Ryan Corrigan (Airdrie) by 3 & 2
Graeme Gebbie (Loudoun) Beat Stuart Nelson (Kirkhill) by 1 hole
Graeme Gimson (Prestwick St Cuthbert) Beat Brian Scott (Hamilton) by 3 & 2

AYRSHIRE 5.5 LANARKSHIRE 4.5

SCOTTISH JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - Ayrshire well represented in innaugural national event

Ayrshire will be well represented in the innaugural Scottish Junior Champion of Champions competition which will be held at Kingbarns Links on Sunday 21 October 2007.

Area champions will compete, alongside other invited players, including national champions in the 18 hole strokeplay event that will test the best junior boys and girls from throughout Scotland over one of the premier courses in the country.

Ayrshire Boys Champion Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie) takes part, as does his clubmate David Currie, the winner of the Junior Tour event at Cardrona earlier in the season.

Scottish Boys internationalist and G.B & I boys cap, Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) is also in the field, alongside fellow boys internationalist Cameron Gray (West Kilbride), whilst troon teenager Rachael McQueen (Troon Bentinck) carries Ayrshire hopes in the girls competition.

The draw for the competition is:

Game 1
10.30
Josh Anderson (Glenrothes)
Roddy Forgie (Muckhart)

Game 2
10.39
Stacey Cameron (Gullane Ladies)
Susan Jackson (Ladybank)

Game 3
10.48
Fraser Moore (Falkirk Tryst)
Neil Beattie (St Andrews)
Scott Clark (Braehead)

Game 4
10.57
Myles Cunningham (Longniddry)
Grant Dowie (Alloa)
Andrew Wallace (Glenbervie)

Game 5
11.06
Mark Bookless (Sandyhills)
Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie)
Declan Dooey (Easter Moffat)

Game 6
11.15
David Currie (Kilmarnock Barassie)
Michael Daily (Erskine)
Simon Fairburn (Galashields)

Game 7
11.24
Jennifer Black (Bellshill)
Lauren MacCallum (McDonald)
Rachel McQueen (Troon Bentinck)

Game 8
11.33
Michael Fraser (Glencruitten)
S Wightman (Douglas Park)
Blair Walker (Kelso)

Game 9
11.42
Paul Ferrier (Baberton)
Ian Redford (King James VI)
Gerard Cameron (Bishopbriggs)

Game 10
11.51
Andrew Campbell (Dumbarton)
Scott Fraser (Royal Aberdeen)
Cameron Gray (West Kilbride)

Game 11
12.00
Louise MacGregor (Falkirk)
Ailie Burnett (Dunkeld & Burnam)
Zoe Differ (Dullatur)

Game 12
12.09
Neil Henderson (Glen)
Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck)
Paul Shields (Kirkhill)

Game 13
12.18
Andrew Steven (Easter Moffat)
Chris Robb (Inchmarlo)
Alan Murdoch (Stranraer)

Game 14
12.27
Sam McLaren (King James VI)
David Parlane (Helensburgh)
Sean McGarvey (Glencorse)

Game 15
12.36
Isla Craigie (Torwoodlee)
Pamela Prestwell (Bothwell Castle)
Jane Turner (Mortonhall)

Game 16
12.45
Darryn Grant (Renfrew)
Kyle McClung (Wigtownshire County)
Paul McPhee (King James VI)

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUE - A team open with win over Stirlingshire

The Ayrshire A team opened their bid for the 2007 West Of Scotland Inter County League with a win over Stirlingshire at Irvine Ravenspark on Saturday 13th October.

Despite two of the host club members in the Ayrshire side being defeated, Ayrshire recorded a 7 - 3 victory over their visitors.

In the corresponding youths match at Grangemouth, Ayrshire suffered a narrow 5.5 - 4.5 defeat at the hands of Stirlingshire.

HARKINS HEADS UNIVERSITIES ORDER OF MERIT EVENT

Ayr Belleisle's Chris Harkins (Glasgow University) headed the men's field at the Scottish Universities order of merit stroke-play event at Ladybank.

Harkins had a two-round total of 140 was matched by Scotland international Gavin Dear but his better second round, a 69 to a 71, won Harkins the No 1 spot.

Harkins & Dear finished four shots clear of Paul Betty (Stirling), in third place.

Emma Fairnie (Edinburgh University), who scored 78 and 79 for 157, headed the ladies event by two strokes, from Rachael Cassidy (Stirling) with Holly Calvert (Stirling) third on 160.

MENS LEADING TOTALS

140 - C Harkins (Glasgow) 71 69
140 - G Dear (Stirling) 69 71
144 - P Betty (Stirling) 71 73
145 - A Main (Edinburgh) 76 79
145 - D Booth (Stirling) 74 71

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - A & youth teams bid for west title

The Ayrshire A and Youth teams will begin their bid for the West Of Scotland inter county league titles over the next five weekends, with matches being held on successive Saturdays from 13th October to 10th November.

The fixtures schedule is :-

SATURDAY 13 OCTOBER
Ayrshire Vs. Stirlingshire (Irvine Ravenspark)
Stirlingshire Youths Vs. Ayrshire Youths (Grangemouth)

SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER
Lanarkshire Vs. Ayrshire (Drumpellier)
Ayrshire Youths Vs. Lanarkshire Youths (Ballochmyle)

SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER
Ayrshire Vs. Dumbartonshire (Prestwick St. Nicholas)
Dumbartonshire Youths Vs. Ayrshire Youths (Bearsden)

SATURDAY 3 NOVEMBER
Glasgow Vs. Ayrshire (Haggs castle)
Ayrshire Youths Vs. Glasgow Youths (Brunston Castle)

SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER
Renfrewshire Vs. Ayrshire (Greenock)
Ayrshire Youths Vs. Renfrewshire Youths (Brunston Castle)

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

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.

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)

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

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).

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