The evening, chaired by A.G.A. President Alasdair Malcolm (Prestwick St. Nicholas), brought together representatives of the West Of Scotland Golf Associations as well as members of local clubs, and gave the opportunity to honour the outstanding achievements of Ayrshire golfers, both within the county and on a national level, during the 2008 season.
On display throughout the evening was the magnificent Scottish Area Team Championship trophy which Ayrshire captured for only the second time last year, alongside the Scottish Boys Championship Trophy, won by Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) in 2008.
After an excellent meal, President Alasdair Malcolm began the trophy presentations by handing over commemorative quaichs to Loudoun Gowf Club Captain Robin Gebbie and Troon St. Meddans G.C. Captain Jim Pennington (pictured below), to celebrate the centenaries of the two clubs which take place this year.
A.G.A. Secretary Leslie Crawford then announced the major prizewinners of the 2008 season with President Alasdair Malcolm handing over the awards, with the assistance of Alan Harrington of long standing sponsors Anaplast.
The major trophy winners of 2008 were :-
FOURBALL CHAMPIONS - West Kilbride (John Campbell & Robin Paton)
CLUB CHAMPIONS - Irvine Golf Club
SUMMER LEAGUE WINNERS - Troon Welbeck G.C.
AYRSHIRE BOYS CHAMPION - Scott Brown (Turnberry)
SENIORS CHAMPION - Ronnie Potts (Irvine Ravenspark)
MATCHPLAY CHAMPION - Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle)
STROKEPLAY CHAMPION - Steven Wallace (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)
CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - Paul Moultrie (Troon Portland)
DOC THOM SALVER (Order Of Merit) - John Cairney (Irvine Ravenspark) - with Alan Harrington of sponsors Anaplast.
At the conclusion of the presentation of trophies, Past President Ricky Magee (Caprington) spoke of the historic win by the Ayrshire county team at Tain in October 2008 when the Scottish Area Team Championship was won, for only the second time, by Ayrshire. Whilst 6 players represented Ayrshire at the finals, a total of 12 players had played throughout the campaign, and had contributed to the ultimate success of the county team. In recognition, Ricky explained, the AGA Executive decided that not only those that played in the final, but all players, including those who had played in the qualifying matches would receive the gold medals presented to the winning team.
Consequently, Ricky Magee called upon SGU President Ian Ross to present the gold medals to those team members present, and representatives of clubs whose team members were unable to attend. The players receiving the medals were :-
Cameron Gray (West Kilbride)
David Addison (Kilmarnock Barassie)
Euan Brown (Kilmarnock Barassie)
Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck)
Barry Crawford (West Kilbride)
Stephen McBlain (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)
John Shanks (Irvine)
Brian Moore (Largs)
George Robertson (Irvine Ravenspark)
Steven McEwan (Caprington)
John Cairney (Irvine Ravenspark)
&
Tommy McInally (Loudoun)
also receiving the gold medal was team captain Ronnie Potts (Irvine Ravenspark), who thanked the association and the players for an unforgetable campaign throughout the championship winning matches.
The first speaker of the evening, toasting The Ayrshire Golf Association was well knwn local speaker 'Buller' Reid, who was at his very best in entertaining the company in his own inimmitable style.
In reply, President Alasdair Malcolm thanked 'Buller' and then paid tribute to some outstanding golf performances over the last year, including the Area Team Championship win as well as some individual achievenments, particularly those of Michael Stewart and Steven McEwan. Prsident malcolm closed by also paying tribute to the work his fellow Executive members carry out on behalf of the players and member clubs.
Toasting 'The game Of Golf', the second speaker of the evening, Eric Davidson, had the company enthralled with his mixture of comedy, poetry, song and sentiment which went down very well with the assembled audience.
The evening concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by AGA Vice President David Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie).
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