SLGA - West Of Scotland Ladies Championship returns to Prestwick

The 2009 West Of Scotland Ladies' Strokeplay Championship is scheduled to be held at Prestwick Golf Club on Sunday 3rd May.


This will be the third occasion in recent years that the championship has been contested over the Prestwick links, the last occasion being in 1997 when former Ayrshire ladies Champion and Prestwick resident Catherine Malcolm (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) took the title

LGU EVENTS - Irvine (Bogside) in 2009 championship switch

Irvine (Bogside) who were scheduled to host the British ladies Strokeplay Championship from 19 - 21 August 2008 have agreed to a venue switch with Royal Aberdeen.



Royal Aberdeen were due to host the Ladies Home Internationals from 9 - 11 September 2009 but a clash with a major oil industry conference has led to little or no accommodation being available that week in the northern city.

With the agreement of both clubs, Royal Aberdeen will now host the British Strokeplay event whilst The Home Internationals will no be played at Irvine (Bogside) from 9 - 11 September next year

BRITISH SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP - Prestwick clubs to host 2009 championship

Ayrshire will be the focus of attention in seniors amateur golf in August 2009 when Prestwick - pictured above - and Prestwick St. Nicholas - pictured below - play host to the British Seniors Championship.

The R & A event will be held over the two courses from 5 - 7 August 2009.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION AGM - Alasdair Malcolm elected President for 2008 - 2010

At the Annual General Meeting of The Ayrshire Golf Association, held at Ballochmyle Golf Club on Wednesday 29th October 2008, Alasdair Malcolm - pictured right - was elected as President of the association for 2008 - 2010, succeeding Ricky Magee (Caprington).

Alasdair, who is a member of both the Prestwick St. Nicholas and Prestwick St. Cuthbert clubs has served in various posts throughout his 20 years service on the Ayrshire Golf Asssociation Executive.

An R & A and SGU qualified referee, he has refereed at both national and international levels in recent seasons.

Alasdair began his involvement in golf administration as junior convenor at Prestwick St. Cuthbert and in 1989 took on the post of Secretary of The Ayrshire Junior Golf League, a position held for over 16 years. In recognition of his service to the junior league, he was elected an Honorary Member of the league in 2002.

In accepting the post of President, Alasdair paid tribute to the work of his predecessor, Riicky Magee, not only during his two year Presidency but also in his many years working for The Ayrshire Golf Association, particularly in the field of coaching. Alasdair commented that it was most appropriate that Ayrshire and individuals from the county had enjoyed much success on a national level during Ricky's term of office, winning the Boys Area Team Championship, West Of Scotland Youths League, Scottish Boys Championship, runner up in the Scottish Amateur Championship and Scottish Boys and gents Order Of Merit titles, as well as the 2008 Area Team Championship, with the latter trophy being on display at the AGM for members to view.

many of the successes over the last two years featured players who had progressed throguh the county coaching programme, which Ricky had been instrumental in developing.

Also at the AGM, David Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) - pictured below - was elected as Vice President of The Ayrshire Golf Association for 2008 - 2010.



A former junior club champion at Prestwick St. Cuthbert, David is a long standing member of the Kilmarnock Barassie club, having served his home club in various positions including that of junior convenor. During his tenure in charge of the juniors at Kilmarnock Barassie, David also served as Chairman of The Ayrshire Junior Golf League.

Still playing golf to a high standard, David is former winner of the Ayrshire Champion Of Champions title, winning in 1998 where he beat the holder David Glass (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) who was bidding for a hat trick of wins in the event.

David is also a past Club Champion of his home club and three times winner of the Troon St. Meddans Club Championship.

His recent retirement from the Fire Service has seen David compete in the recently formed Scottish Seniors Golf Society tournaments where he has regularly featured in the leading returns.

David is an SGU qualified referee and has officiated in area and national events over the last couple of seasons.

Long serving Secretary/Treasurer Leslie Crawford (Kilmarnock Barassie)- pictured below - was re elected to his post at the AGM, whilst the three vacancies on the Executive were filled by serving members, Allan Muir (Caprington), Ronnie Potts (Irvine Ravenspark) and Milton Murray (Largs).


Representatives of member clubs present also heard reports on the 2008 season with regard to the work of the Scottish Golf Union as well as local reports on the finances of The Association, Coaching, Course Rating, and The Ayrshire Junior Golf League.

TENNESSEE INTER COLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIP - Stewart 6th equal in individual event

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) helped his team from East Tennessee State University to second place in the Bank Of Tennessee Intercollegiate Championship this week, at The Ridges Golf & Country Club, Jonesborough, Tennessee.
.

Costal Carolina edged out Stewart and his team by one shot to win the event which involved 8 colleges/universities.

With rounds of 73-69-74 for a 216 total, Stewart finished in a creditable 6th equal place in the individual event.

Leading scores (individual placings in brackets)

1 Coastal Carolina +5 290/288/291=869
(T 2) Zack Byrd -1 71/70/74=215
(T 6) Dan Obremski E 72/69/75=216
(T18) Tripp McAllister +4 74/74/72=220
(T30) Cameron Hooper +6 74/77/71=222
(T30) David Dannelly +6 73/75/74=222

2 East Tennessee St. +6 288/290/292=870
(T2) Rhys Enoch -1 71/73/71=215
(T6) Michael Stewart E 73/69/74=216
(T18) Seamus Power +4 73/74/73=220
(T18) Paul O'Kane +4 72/74/74=220
(T46) Devin Komline +11 72/75/80=227
(T57) Peter Wilson ( I ) +14 80/75/75=230
( 75) Jordan Findlay ( I ) +38 93/83/78=254

3 Wake Forest Univ. +7 291/285/295=871
( T2) Dustin Groves -1 72/72/71=215
( T9) Brendan Gielow +1 73/71/73=217
(T25) Daniel Meggs +5 72/75/74=221
(T37) Lee Bedford +8 F 77/70/77=224
( 43) Travis Wadkins +9 74/72/79=225
( 69) Marc Gladson ( I ) +20 79/80/77=23

US COLLEGE GOLF - David Addison joint 34th in college tournament

Report courtesy of Colin Farquson and kirkwoodgolf.com web site

Ayrshire exile David Addison from Stewarton, a senior-year student at the University of Akron, Ohio, finished tied 34th in the Xavier Invitational college tournament at the Oasis Club, Loveland in Ohio.
David, a former Scotland boy international and a member at Kilmarnock Barassie, had rounds of 70, 76 and 73 for a three-over-par total of 219 over the 6921yd, par-72 course.

The individual winner with phenomenal scoring was Mike Van Sickle (Marquette University) with a 17-under-par total of 199, made up of rounds of 64, 68 and 67.
Addison won the SGU Order of Merit 72-hole tournament, the Cameron Corbett Vase, at Haggs Castle during his summer holidays back home this year.

THE SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP - 50 years ago

2008 marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most notable Scottish Amateur Championships for Ayrshire, which was played that year at Prestwick Golf Club.
The championship was particularly notable for the Ayrshire golf community as the county provided three of the four semi finalists.

The champion that year was a member of the host club, W.D. (Dick) Smith - pictured right - , who played in the championship out of Selkirk.


Smith was a Scottish international from 1957 to 1960 and again in 1963, and played in The Walker Cup in 1959 where he met a 19 year old Jack Niklaus in the final day singles.

Later in his career, in 1983, Smith won the Scottish Seniors Championship to add to his amateur title.

In the 1958 Scottish Amateur Championship semi final Smith beat Irvine (Bogside) legend Jimmy Walker - pictured below - by 3 & 2 to reach the final.


Walker himself won the Scottish Amateur Championship at Western Gailes in 1961, the same year he represented G.B. & I. in The Walker Cup. He also represented Scotland at international level frequently from 1954 to 1963.



In the second semi final Ian R. Harris - pictured below right -, who played out of Hayston and later became a stalwart member of Royal Troon, beat I.G.F. Lee (Cathkin Braes)by 5 & 4 to secure his final place alongside Dick Smith.

Harris, like the other two Ayrshire stalwarts, represented Scotland frequently on the international stage from 1954 to 1959.


In the 36 hole final it was the home club player, Dick Smith, who emerged triumphant by a 6 & 5 winning margin.

50 years on, Ayrshire has enjoyed a number of successes in the national championship in the intervening period.

As well as Jim Milligan (Kilmarnock Barassie) who won the championship over his home course 20 years ago this year, Ayrshire has provided the winner on five other occasions since Dick Smith won in 1958. The other Ayrshire winners over the period are 1961 - Jimmy Walker (Irvine), 1969 - Jackie Cannon (Irvine), 1987 - Colin Montgomerie (Royal Troon), 1989 - J. Allan Thomson (Ayr Belleisle), and in 1994 Hugh McKibbin (Troon Welbeck) who, like Dick Smith, triumphed in an all Ayrshire final against Alan Reid (Kilmarnock Barassie) played at Renfrew Golf Club.

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Matches postponed on Saturday

The two Ayrshire matches scheduled this Saturday (25th October) in the West Of Scotland Inter County Leagues have been postponed.

The full team were scheduled to meet Glasgow at Ardeer whilst the youths were due to travel to Ralston for the corresponding fixture in the youths league.

Next Saturday, 1st November, the full team are due to play Renfrewshire at Largs whilst the youths are scheduled to travel to Elderslie.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - 2008 winners picture

Pictured above are the Largs team who won the 2008 Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship

Back Row: Josh Nordbo - Robbie Dow - John Robertson
Middle Row: Dave McLellan - Jack Whent
Front Row: Andy Gilmour

SCOTTISH JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - Three Ayrshire players go for glory at Kingsbarns

Three Ayrshire junior golfers will be bidding for glory on 2nd November when they take part in the 2008 Scottish Champion Of Champions competition at the Kingsbarns Golf Links.

52 of the best young golfers in the country will compete in the 18 hole strokeplay event.



Included in the field are the former Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Champion and boys internationalist Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie).


Also taking part is the 2008 Ayrshire Boys Strokeplay and Matchplay Champion and Ayrshire Junior Order Of merit winner Scott Brown (Turnberry).








In the girls competition, Ayrshire is represented by girls internationalist and current Ayrshire Girls Champion Rachael McQueen (Troon Ladies)




Best wishes go to all three players for success in this end of season event.

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL - West Kilbride beat Loudoun to take 2008 title

The West Kilbride pairing of John Campbell and Robin Paton - pictured above - are the 2008 Ayrshire Fourball Champions after beating father and son duo Chris and Alan Bone (Loudoun)in the final at a windswept Prestwick St. Nicholas on Tuesday 21st October.

In a match which started in sunshine but with a strong westerly breeze, the QWest Kilbride pairing, both five handicappers, got the best of the opening exchanges against Chris (4) and Alan (9).

In a feature of the opening holes, Alan lipped out at the first to match Robin's par four and West Kilbride went into a lead they were never to relinquish during the match.

An excellent tee shot at the par three second set up a inning par for John campbell, with Chris Bone the victim this time as his putt for a half hit the hole and spun out.

The Loudoun team steadied their position with halves at the third and fourth, and could indeed have reduced the defecit but for another putt which hit the hole but remained above ground.

At the 5th hole the West Kilbride lead was extended to three holes, courtesy of a winning par from Robin, but the thre hole advantage was short lived, the Loudoun pair winning their first hole of the day with a par at the sixth, after both the West Kilbride players found trouble with their approach shots.

The players were subject to a mini storm at the 7th tee, with strengthening winds and driving hail making standing difficult let alone golf, but to the credit of all four players, they produced fine tee shots in the worst of the conditions. The seventh as halved and a fine par four at the 8th, from a seemingly impossible lie from the tee, alowed Chris Bone to reduce thedefecit to one hole. This however was to prove to be the closest Loudoun got to getting back on terms with their opponents as a par 4 at the ninth by Robin was good enough to win the hole and give West Kilbride a two hole lead at the turn.


With both Loudoun players in trouble from the tee at the short 10th, West Kilbride went thre up once more, but Loudoun came back once again, Chris winning the 11th with a five to return to two down.

At the 206 yard par three 12th, into the teeth of the wind, all four players missed the green to the left but, in what was a crushing blow at a pivotal stage in the match, Robin Paton played a wonderful 30 yard shot from heavy rough which ran into the hole for a winning birdie two and which restored West Kilbride's thre hole advantage.

The next three holes were halved in pars and the players proceeded to the 16th tee with the West Kilbride duo Dormie three.

At the 16th, Alan Bone was 10 feet behind the hole in nett two, whilst John campbell had a difficult downhill putt from the fringe for his birdie. John rolled his putt to within a few inches and a par four was conceded, leaving Alan Bone with a 10 foot putt to aviod defeat. Despite his best efforts, the putt slipped past and West Kilbride were the champions with a 3 & 2 winning margin.

As the players shook hands at the conclusion of match played in the most sporting and friendly manner, the strong winds and driving hail returned briefly and players and officials alike retired quickly to the shelter of the clubhouse, where prizes were presented to the finalists (pictured below) and medals presented to the championship winners, by Ayrshire Golf Association Vice President Alasdair Malcolm of the host club.

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUE - Ayrshire youths maintain fine form

Report by David Miller :-

The Ayrshire Youth Team followed up last week’s excellent away victory over Lanarkshire with an equally impressive 7 ½ – 2 ½ home victory over Dunbartonshire at Kilmarnock (Barassie) on Saturday 18th October.

High winds and heavy showers made early conditions extremely testing but Kyle Smith and Jamie Mackay led the way by posting crucial early wins by 6 & 5 and 5 & 3 respectively. Michael Smyth weighed in with a 3 & 2 scoreline before Scott Brown produced a superbly controlled long iron approach into the 17th to see off the challenge of John Henry by 2 & 1. Craig McLaughlin made it five wins out of five by securing a comfortable 3 & 2 win over Gary Meechan before Dunbartonshire mounted a mini recovery by taking 2 ½ points from the next three matches. Solid victories by Graeme Gimson and Scott Clark however, saw Ayrshire comfortably over the line to complete a comprehensive victory.

Match details (Ayrshire names first) :-

Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie)beat G Minnes by 6&5
Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat T Sharkey by 5&3
Michael Smyth (Royal Troon)beat S Darras by 3&2
Scott Brown (Turnberry)beat J Henry by 2&1
Craig McLaughlin (Largs)beat G Meechan by 3&2
Jamie Acheson (Routenburn)lost to S Moore by 2&1
Rory Acheson (Routenburn)lost to C Nelson by 2&1
Stuart Henderson (Kilmarnock Barassie)halved with E Grimes
Graeme Gimson (St. Cuthbert)beat I Stewart by 2 holes
Scott Clark (Belleisle)beat R Coll by 4&3

Match Result – Ayrshire 7 ½ - Dunbartonshire 2 ½

The corrsponding full team match against Dumbartonshire was called off on Saturday morning.

DUNFERMLINE JUNIOR MASTERS - 3 Ayrshire girls well placed in national final

3 girls from Ayrshire were well placed in the final of the Dunfermline Junior Masters played at the Queens Course at Gleneagles on 12th October.

Rachel Irvine was third overall, with Katie McGarva and Mhairi Mckay fifth and 7th respectively, in the Stableford format event.

LEADING SCORES :-

Jorden FERRIE (Kirkintilloch) 33
Nicole UNDERHILL (Falkirk Tryst) 28 bih
Rachel IRVINE (Ayrshire Ladies) 28
Linsey STEVENSON (Elie & Earlsferry Ladies) 27
Katie MCGARVA (Kilmarnock Barassie) 26 bih
Clara YOUNG (North Berwick) 26 bih
Mhairi MCKAY (Ayrshire Ladies) 26

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUE - Ayrshire teams open with double victory over Lanarkshire

The Ayrshire youths and full teams opened their respective bids for the 2008 West Of Scotland Inter County Leagues with victories over their counterpats from lanarkshire in the first of five matches to be played over the forthcoming weeks.

The youths team travelled to Airdrie to face Lanarkshire Youths and returned with a 5.5 - 4.5 victory. Despite losing the opening two ties, Ayrshire finished strongly, winning thre of the last four games to ensure victory.

Match Results (Ayrshire names first)

Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to P. Shields by 4 & 3
Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to R. Robertson by 4 & 3
Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) beat C. Kelly by 4 & 3
Craig Mclaughlin (Largs) halved with C. Bell
Scott Brown (Turnberry) beat S. Shevill by 3 & 1
Scott Clark (Ayr Belleisle) lost to M. Russo by 3 & 2
Jamie Acheson (Largs Routenburn) beat R. Corrigan by 3 & 2
Rory Acheson (Largs Routneburn) beat I. Anderson by 2 & 1
Stuart Henderson (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to A. Steven by 2 holes
Graeme Gimson (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) beat A. Welsh by 4 & 3

AYRSHIRE YOUTHS 5.5 LANARKSHIRE YOUTHS 4.5

The full team faced lanarkshire in the corrsponding fixture at West Kilbride and had a comfortable 7.5 - 2.5 win over their visitors.

Again Ayrshire started slowly, Steven Mcewan losing to paul O'Hara in the opening tie and george Robertson being held to a half match by Alan Dick in the second tie, but the Ayrshire side shwed strenght in depth, winning the last five ties in the match for a clear victory.

Match details (Ayrshire names first)

Steven McEwan (Caprington) lost to Paul O'Hara by 3 & 1
George Robertson (Ravenspark)halved with Alan Dick
John Shanks (Irvine) beat Andy Fairbairn by 2 & 1
John Cairney (Ravenspark) beat Stuart Williamson by 2 & 1
Brian Moore (Largs) lost to Grant Beaton by 2 & 1
Tommy McInally (Loudoun) beat David Henderson by 7 & 6
Darren Mallinson (Ravenspark) beat Kevin Loughrie by 1 hole
Gary Bryden (Turnberry) beat Staurt Rennie by 4 & 3
Gareth Lamb (Irvine) beat Derek Loudoun by 2 holes
Steven Spence (Irvine) beat Keith Turnbull by 2 & 1

AYRSHIRE 7.5 LANARKSHIRE 2.5

Next week Ayrshire youths take on Dumbartonshire Youths at Kilmarnock Barassie whilst the full team travel to play Dumbartonshire in the corrsponding fixture away from home.

DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - John Cairney takes 2008 title

The 2008 Ayrshire Order Of Merit for the Doc Thom salver has been won by John Cairney (Irvine Ravenspark).


Cairney - pictured right - the 2006 winner who was also a member of the Ayrshire team which won the Area team championship earlier this month, secured the totle with a win in the Largs & Millport Trophy event at Largs Routenburn and a top 4 finish in the final counting event, the Arroll Cup at Prestwick St. Nicholas.

Runner up this year was Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) with Cairney's clubmate and fellow Area Team Championship winning team member George Robertson in thir place, edging SGU national Order Of Merit winner Steven Mcewan (Caprington)into fourth place by a mere two points.

The full lst of 2008 Doc Thom Order Of Merit points winners is :-

367.50 - J. Cairney
262.50 - M. Smyth
255.00 - G. Robertson
253.00 - S. McEwan
157.50 - S. Wallace
145.00 - P. Moultrie
142.50 - J. Shanks
137.50 - C. Hamilton
125.00 - G. Dickson
105.00 - G. Rowan
102.50 - S. Murray
100.00 - J. Mackay
75.00 - R. Acheson, T. McInally, I. Walker, D. Taylor
70.00 - A. Walker
67.50 - B. Moore
65.80 - S. Price
62.50 - P. McIvor, K. Brock, K. Hamilton, J. McMillan, D. Mallinson
50.00 - J. Haggerty
45.00 - J. Finnigan, H. Burns
42.50 - G. Wilson, B. Campbell
35.00 - J. Bunch, D. Chamberlain
27.50 - S. Brown, R. Gemmell, P. Kennedy, L. Shaw
15.00 - J. Paton, J. Houston
10.00 - B. campbell
7.50 - W. Meiklem
5.00 - D. Larnam
3.30 - G. Gimson, C. Harkins
3.00 - R. McKnight
2.50 - D. Curry

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Brown confirmed as 2008 winner

With all the results now submitted, Scott Brown (Turnberry) has been confirmed as the 2008 winner of the Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit, which is sponsored by Ping golf and The Ping Collection clothing.


The 2008 Ayrshire Boys Championship and Boys Matchplay Champion - pictured right - finished with a points total of 967.5 which proved to be almost double that of his nearest rival, Scott Clark of Ayr Belleisle (523.45 pts).

The top seven placed players will receive prizes at the 2008 Ayrshire Junior Golf League dinner in November.

The full list of players who earned Order Of merit points this year is :-

967.50 - Scott Brown (Turnberry)
523.45 - Scott Clark (Ayr Belleisle)
445.00 - Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie)
387.20 - Andrew Wright (Kilmarnock Barassie)
370.00 - Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck)
286.70 - Fraser Lawrie (West Kilbride)
280.00 - Sam Findlater (Troon Welbeck)

265.00 - David Wilson (Troon Welbeck)
212.50 - Marc Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie)
189.80 - Chris Butler (Irvine Ravenspark)
185.60 - Craig Telfer (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)
172.10 - Adam Foley (Ayr Belleisle)
145.15 - Gregor Mackintosh (Girvan)
141.60 - Scott Johnston (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)
138.10 - Neil Hamilton (Kilmarnock Barassie)
107.50 - Callum Stewart (Ayr Belleisle)
92.50 - Callum Crowe (Kilbirnie Place)
77.50 - Alan Bruce (Kilmanrock Barassie)
70.00 - Michael Roos (West Kilbride)
62.50 - Ciar Porciani (Turnberry), Andrew Abercrombie (Largs)
55.15 - Fraser Kerr (Kilmarnock Barassie)
53.30 - Ross Arthur (Caprington)
50.00 - Ciaran Byrne (New Cumnock), Craig Goodwin (Loudoun)
40.00 - Jared Williams (Kilmacolm/ Troon St. Meddans)
35.00 - Michael Howie (Ardeer)
27.50 - Murray McBride (Ayr Belleisle), Chris lawson (Kilbirnie Place)
20.00 - Kieran Howie (West Kilbride), Joseph Howie (Ardeer), Rory Mckenzie (Troon Welbeck)
15.00 - Sean Thorburn (Ayr Belleisle), Declan Flood (Caprington)
11.70 - Fraser McKay (West Kilbride), Johnathon Nicol (Largs)
10.00 - Richard Wyllie (Ardeer)
7.50 - Lewis McDowall (Kilmarnock Barassie), Jim Johnstone (Ayr Belleisle)
5.00 - David Brown (Prestwick St. Cuthbert), Jordan Pollock (Beith)
2.50 - Scott Hannah (Ballochmyle)

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - report on the final

Jamie Acheson (Largs Routenburn)became the 2008 Ayrshire Junior Champion Of Champions Trophy winner on Sunday 26th September when he defeated Sean Thorburn (Ayr Belleisle) in the final, played at Caprington.


Acheson - pictured right - stormed into an early lead, taking a four hole advantage after five. At the sixth hole, Acheson lost a ball and conceded the hole whilst Thorburn reduced the defecit further by winning the 7th to reduce the defecit to two holes, which remained the position as the players turned for home.

A birdie three at the 11th restored Acheson's lead to three holes but Thorburn replied quickly, taking the 12th to reduce the defecit to two holes once again.

At the 13th, Acheson produced an excellent recovery from off the green to restore his 3 hole advantage and stamped his authority further on the tie by taking the 14th to go dormie 4.

At the 15th, Acheson secured the required halved hole for a 4 & 3 victory and the Champion Of Champions title.

AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - More photographs from Tain

photos courtesy of Robin Wilson

SCOTTISH AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - More on Ayrshire's championship win

Report from the SGU website
Photograph courtesy of the Scottish Golf Union)



Ayrshire were today (Sunday 5 October) crowned 2008 Scottish Area Team Champions after beating three times past Champions Renfrewshire 5-4 in a closely fought Final.

The Ayrshire team, whose last and only victory in the Championship came in 1986 at Murcar Links, went into lunch after the morning foursomes 2-1 ahead.


This point advantage proved pivotal as the singles games were nip and tuck all afternoon eventually finishing 3-3, but good enough to secure the Ayrshiremen the trophy for the first time in 22 years.


Similar to the Semi-Finals it came down to the last remaining game on the course to decide the outcome of the match. One up with one to play it was Loudon Gowf’s Tommy McInally who had the honour of sinking the winning putt after halving the 18th, holing from 8ft on the final green. This came after the Ayrshire hero had earlier in his round recorded a rare albatross at the Par 5 13th hole, holing his second shot with a 4 iron.


Ayrshire Team Captain Ronnie Potts confessed to being “over the moon” at his teams’s triumph – “We’ve had an excellent weekend, each player supported one another and they really gelled well as a unit. ”


“The course was in superb condition and the greens were probably the best the players have putted on all year. The welcome from everyone at Tain Golf Club was wonderful.”


“This rounds off a fantastic year for Ayrshire golf with Caprington’s Steven McEwan finishing top of the SGU Mens Order of Merit and fellow Scottish Internationalist, Michael Stewart winning the Boys equivalent.”


As the teams set out for their journey south Ayrshire’s Thomas McInally and John Cairney would be hoping to complete the 450 mile round road trip without a detour on the Cromarty/Nigg ferry, which to their Team Captains bemusement, they experienced on the drive North!

AND ANOTHER REPORT

courtesy of www.scottishgolfview.com

By ROBIN WILSON

Ayrshire won the Scottish Golf Union's area team championship final at Tain Golf Club today.
Once again - as it was in both the Saturday semi-finals - it was a 5-4 result with Renfrewshire the beaten finalists.
Ayrshire last won the title in 1986 when the semi-finals and final were played at Murcar Links. There must be something about the air north of Perth that brings the best of of the Men from Ayrshire.
It took a birdie on the last green by Ayrshire third pair, Brian Moore and John Shanks to give their team a 2-1 lunchtime lead. As in both the semi-finals, a foursomes lead was decisive in the final analysis.
Ayrshire will want to take Tain's par-5 13th hole home with them. John Cairney, an eagle 3, and and Tommy McInally, an albatross 2 (with a four iron), both won this hole on their way to individual wins that in the final reckoning took the trophy to Ayrshire.
Cairmey won his game 2 and 1 against Matthew Clark to level up the singles scores at 2-2, Ayrshire's Steven McEwan having beaten Gordon Stevenson 3 and 2 in the top singles and David Miller and Craig Watson have countered for Renfrewshire by beating George Robetson (2 and 1) and John Shanks (4 and 3) respectively.
With Renfrewshire's Ronnie Clark putting his side ahead 3-2 in the singles with a 5 and 3 win over Brian Moore, the overall score was tied up at 4-4, everything hinged on the outcome of the McInally v Mudro Carmichael tie.
After winning the 13th with his albatross, McInally lost the 14th to Carmichael's par 4 to go back to only one ahead. Carmichael then put a ball into the river from the tee at the 16th to go dormie two down but won back the 17th with a par 3.
Going to the wire at the final hole still one up Mcinally holed a winning 5ft putt to which gave Ayrshire their 5-4 victory.

SGU SCOTTISH AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - Ayrshire are 2008 Champions

Ayrshire ended a 22 year wait on Sunday 5th October at Tain when they won the area team championship for only the second time, with a 5 - 4 victory over Renfrewshire in the final.

Ayrshire, who won their only previous championship at Murcar in 1986, started with a 2 - 1 foursomes win in the morning, Brian Moore and John Shanks turning a defecit into a one hole win late on in their match with Murdo Carmichael and former Amateir Champion Craig Watson to give Ayrshire a telling 2 - 1 advantage going into the afternoon singles.

In the singles, Ayrshire trailed by 3 - 2 with only one tie remaining on the course, leaving the overall score at 4 - 4.

In the final match on the course, Tommy McInally faced a 6 foot putt for a one hole win over Murdo Carmichael, and the Loudoun player showed real resilience by holing the putt for a one hole win to give Ayrshire the title by 5 - 4.

Match results (Renfrewshire names first) :-

Matthew Clark & Ronnie Clark lost to Steven McEwan (Caprington)
George Robertson (Ravenspark) by 2 & 1
Gordon Stevenson & David Miller beat John Cairney (Ravenspark)& Tommy McInally (Loudoun)by 3 & 2
Murdo Carmichael & Craig Watson lost to Brian Moore (Largs) & John Shanks (Irvine) by 1 hole

FOURSOMES - RENFREWSHIRE 1 AYRSHIRE 2

Gordon Stevenson lost to Steven McEwan by 3 & 2
David Miller beat George Robertson by 2 & 1
Craig Watson beat John Shanks by 4 & 3
Matthew Clark lost to John Cairney by 2 & 1
Murdo Carmichael lost to Tommy McInally by 1 hole
Ronnie Clark beat Brian Moore by 5 & 3

SINGLES - RENFREWSHIRE 3 AYRSHIRE 3


OVERALL RESULT - RENFREWSHIRE 4 AYRSHIRE 5

Very many congratulations to Team Manager Ronnie Potts and Steven McEwan (Caprington), George Robertson (Ravenspark), John Shanks (Irvine), John Cairney (Ravenspark), Tommy McInally (Loudoun)and Brian Moore (Largs)team for a marvellous result to cap a wonderful season for Ayrshire golf, and also to Stephen McBlain (Prestwick St. Cuthbert), Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck), Barry Crawford (West Kilbride,Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie)and Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) who all contributed to the Ayrshire success in the three qualifying matches played during the year.

SGU AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire meet Renfrewshire in national final

Ayrshire beat the South Of Scotland by 5 - 4 on Saturday 4th October at Tain in the semi final of the 2008 Scottish Area Team Championship.

having only won the title on one previous occasion, in 1986, Ayrshire started with a 2 -1 win in the morning foursomes which was followed by a 3 - 3 draw in the afternoon singles to give Ayrshire their place in the final by 5 - 4.

In the final on Sunday 5th October, Ayrshire will meet Renfrewshire, who booked their place in the final with a 5 - 4 win over Lanarkshire in the semi final.

Details of the Ayrshire semi final: -

John Cairney (Ravenspark) & Tommy McInally (Loudoun) beat Graham Sharp & David Brodie by one hole
Steven McEwan (Caprington) & George Robertson (Ravenspark) lost to Ian Brotherston &
Michael Grunwell by 3 & 2.
Brian Moore (Largs) & John Shanks (Irvine)beat Iain Thomson & Clark Riddick by 3 & 2

Steven McEwan beat Graham Sharp 5/4
Tommy McInally beat Colin Heuchan by 1 hole
John Cairney beat Iain Thomson by 7 & 6
John Shanks lost to Ian Brotherston by 5 & 4
George Robertson lost to Michael Grunwell by 4 & 3
Brian Moore lost to Clark Riddick by 5 & 3

AYRSHIRE 5 SOUTH OF SCOTLAND 4

The draw for the morning foursomes in the final is

RENFREWSHIRE v AYRSHIRE

8.30: Matthew Clark & Ronnie Clark v Steven McEwan & George Robertson.
8.37: Gordon Stevenson & David Miller v John Cairney & Tommy McInally.
8.45: Murdo Carmichael & Craig Watson v Brian Moore & John Shanks.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Fourball final

The final of the 2008 Ayrshire Fourball Championship will be held at Prestwick St. Nicholas golf club on Tuesday 21st October, with a 10.45 a.m. tee off.

The final will be contested by John Campbell & Robin Paton (West Kilbride) and Chris & Alan Bone (Loudoun).

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Final results

The two remaining finals in the Ayrshire Junior Golf League competitions for 2008 were held on Sunday 28th September at Caprington.

In the Champion Of Champions competition, Jamie Acheson (Largs Routenburn) Beat Sean Thorburn (Ayr Belleisle)by 4&3.

In the final opf the League Championship, Largs beat West Kilbride by 4 - 2.