PGA SENIORS TOUR - Another top ten finish for Drummond

Ross Drummond from Prestwick continued his good form at the weekend with another top ten finish in a seniors tour event.

In the The De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship at Slaley Hall, Drummond recovered from an opening 76 to finish with rounds of 71,71 & 70 and a 288 total, leaving him in joint 10th place behind winner Carl Mason who finished on 279 to give him a three stroke winning margin.

Also finishing alongside Drummond on 288 was former masters Champion Ian Woosnam (Wales).

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

279 - C Mason (Eng) 73 70 67 69
282 - C Williams (RSA) 72 70 71 69, A Franco (Par) 69 72 73 68
283 - G Brand Jnr (Sco) 69 73 71 70, N Job (Eng) 76 71 68 68
285 - R Chapman (Eng) 74 71 72 68, J Chillas (Sco) 74 69 71 71
286 - J Heggarty (Nir) 74 69 72 71
287 - J Bruner (USA) 75 73 70 69
288 - G Ryall (Eng) 74 74 71 69, B Cameron (Eng) 71 73 72 72, R Drummond (Sco) 76 71 71 70, I Woosnam (Wal) 73 75 71 69, M Cunning (USA) 73 72 71 72, K Spurgeon (Eng) 70 73 74 71, S Ebihara (Jpn) 75 71 74 68

JUNIOR COACHING - Clubs invited to apply for coaching grants

Application forms have been released this week for Ayrshire golf clubs to apply for a coaching grant, up to the value of £150, to assist in coaching provision within thier own clubs.

In a change to the proceedure last year, club representatives are asked to apply for the grant on behalf of their club, outlining the proposed coaching programme and providing details of the professional being used to deliver the coaching.

On approval, the club representative will be provided with a form to pass to the professional concerned which will require to be completed at the conclusion of the coaching programme, endorsed by the club representative, and thereafter returnd by the professional direct to the Ayrshire Golf Association for payment.

The application form for grant approval is available as a download from the link on the left of this page, under the Junior Order Of merit, Entry Forms & Coaching heading.

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Quarter final line up completed

The line up for the quarter finals of the 2009 Ayrshire Fourball Championship has been completed with the remaining third round ties being decided over the weekend.

Scott McCahill & David Wallace (Maybole), who were beaten finalists two years ago, went through to the last eight with a win at the 21st at home to Daniel McGee & John Brennan (Tam O Shanter).

Also booking their place in the quarter finals were Dougie McKinnon & Kevin Ottley (Ayr Belleisle) who had a 1 hole win over James & Craig Nichol at New Cumnock.

The full Quarter Final line up is :-

Kenny Hankinson & Gibby Lamont (Troon Welbeck)

Vs.

A. Dunlop & J. Brown (Brunston Castle)

Gary Jordan & Douglas Anderson (Annanhill)

Vs.

Stuart & David Brown (Doon Valley)

Scott McCahill & David Wallace (Maybole)

Vs.

Joe Howie & John McMillan (Ardeer)

John Byrne & Colin Greenham (West Kilbride)

Vs.

Dougie McKinnon & Kevin Ottley (Ayr Belleisle)

All quarter final ties are due for completion by 9th August 2009

EAST OF SCOTLAND OPEN - McEwan third behind form man Byrne

Steven McEwan (Caprington) was third in this weekends East Of Scotland Open at Lundin Links, finishing 9 shots adrift of runaway winner James Byrne (Banchory).

McEwan covered the second days play in 10 under par, with two successive rounds of 66 for a 273 total.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS:-

262 - James Byrne (Banchory) 65 63 67 67

270 - Scott Pinckney (Arizona State Univ) 73 70 64 63

273 - Steven McEwan (Caprington) 72 69 66 66

274 - Ross Crowe (Westerhope) 71 69 66 68

276 - Mohammed Arie Irawan (Malaysia) 71 70 67 68, David Law (Hazlehead) 71 69 71 65

Other Ayrshire Scores :-

286 - Chris Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) 71 70 72 73

288 - Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) 74 71 75 68

POLLOCK TROPHY - Entry forms available for Kilmarnock (Barassie) Boys Open

Entry forms for the 2009 Kilmarnock (Barassie) Boys Open, for the Pollock Trophy, have been distributed to clubs.

This is a counting event for the 2009 Ayrshire Junior Order Of merit.

Individual entry forms can be downloaded via the link on the left of this page.

Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club
Junior Open
for the
POLLOCK TROPHY
Monday 13th July 2009

Handicap limit-20 Open to juniors under 18 yrs on 1st January 2009

Best overall scratch score- POLLOCK TROPHY & £100
Runner-up - £50 3rd - £25

Best overall nett score £40. Runner-up £20

Prizes will also be awarded for nett scores as follows:
Under 18 yrs 1st, 2nd & 3rd
Under 16 yrs 1st, 2nd & 3rd
Under 14 yrs 1st, 2nd & 3rd

Additional prizes for longest drives, nearest the pin and hidden holes.


Entries with entry fee of £5.00 must be received by Monday 30th June 2009
A limited number of entries may be available on the day of competition.

Entry fee on day will be £6.00

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - League Championship latest

In SECTION A, the only match played recently saw caprington and Ardeer playing out a 3 - 3 draw at the Kilmarnock course.

Present positions in the section are :-

Troon Welbeck 4 pts from 2 games, Largs 4 pts from 1 game, Ardeer 4 pts from 3 games & Caprington 2 pts from 2 games.

In SECTION B, Irvine Ravenspark are out in front after two convincing 5 - 1 home wins over Annanhill and Prestwick St. Nicholas and a 3 - 3 draw away from home at Largs Routenburn.

Largs Routenburn also edged out their visitors Annanhill by 3.5 - 2.5 in a recent match.

Present positions are :-

Irvine Ravenspark 14 pts from 5 games, Largs Routenburn 10 pts from 4 games, Annanhill 4 pts from 3 games & Prestwick St. Nicholas 0 pts from 1 game

In SECTION C, West Kilbride beat their visitors Irvine Bogside by 5 - 1 recently, whilst Ayr Belleisle fought out two drawn matches at home, to Irvine Bogside and Ballochmyle. Bogside also recorded a 4 - 2 home win over Ballochmyle recently.

Present positions are :-

West Kilbride 12 pts from 3 matches, Ballochmyle 10 pts from 5 matches, Irvine Bogside 6 pts from 4 matches & Ayr Belleisle 4 pts from 3 matches.

In SECTION D, Prestwick St. Cuthbert lead the way after a 4 - 2 home win over Kilmarnock Barassie and an away win at Kilbirnie by a similar margin. Kilmarnock Barassie also suffered a 4 - 2 away defeat at Loudoun recently.

Present positions are :-

Prestwick St. Cuthbert 14 pts from 4 matches, Loudoun 6 pts from 2 matches, Kilbirne Place 0 pts from 2 matches & Kilmarnock Barassie 0 pts from 2 matches.

DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - Hamilton leads the way after 9 events

With returns now collated from 9 of the 15 counting events in the 2009 Doc Thom Ayrshire Order Of Merit, Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) still leads the way in the table by a clear margin.

The latest counting event recorded was the recent Ballochmyle Open where home club players were to the fore, filling five of the seven counting places.

Former Ayrshire Matchplay Champion Craig Hamilton led the way with a four under par 70, edging clubmate Thomas Green into second spot by two strokes. William Wilson (73), Andrew campbell (73) and William Andrew (74) filled places five to seven, whilst the Loudoun Duo of John Haggerty and Tommy McInally were joint third on 71.

LEADING TOTALS AFTER 9 EVENTS ARE :-

312.50 - Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle)
217.50 - Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle)
150.00 - John Shanks (Irvine)
125.00 - John Sloan (Doon Valley)
122.50 - Stephen Murray (Troon Welbeck)
112.50 - Tommy McInally (Loudoun)
100.00 - Paul Denim (Loudoun)
88.30 - Joe Gilligan (Troon Welbeck)
87.50 - Ricky Black (Irvine), David Tierney (Ayr Belleisle)
80.00 - Tom Green (Ballochmyle)
77.50 - John Haggerty (Loudoun)
53.30 - Stephen McBlain (Prestwick St. Cuthbert), Del Chamberlain (Troon Welbeck)
50.00 - Steven McEwan (Caprington), John Houston (Caprington)

The results of the McGilchrist Cup at Ardeer last week are still to be added.

The remaining counting events are :-

The Scottish Amateur Championship at Royal Troon (27/07/09 to 01/08/09)
The Viking Krus at Largs (23/08/09)
The Welbeck Links at Troon Municipal (30/08/09)
The Largs & Millport Trophy at Largs Routenburn (05/09/09)
The Arrol Cup at Prestwick St. Nicholas (19/09/09)

SCOTTISH SENIORS TOUR - Miller third as Hutcheon wins East Open

David Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) kept up his recent good form at the East of Scotland Seniors Open this week with a third place finish behind Ian Hutcheon of the host club.

The championship, played over 36 holes, saw Hutcheon win by two shots with a two over par score of 144.with Miller joint third, one further shot behind.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS :-

144 - Ian Hutcheon (Monifieth) 76 68

146 - Tony McIntyre (Lundin) 75 71

147 - David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) 74 73, David Smith ( Stirling ) 72 74

148 - Jim Watt (Letham Grange) 74 74, George Paterson (Northern) 74 74

150 - Alex Richie (Bothwell Castle) 78 72, Eric Lindsay (Blairgowrie) 78 72, Robert Thomson ( St Andrews 75 75, Richard T Gray (Cowglen) 73 77

OTHER AYRSHIRE SCORES

159 - Ronnie McLellan (Turnberry) 83 76

167 - John Broadfoot (Turnberry) 86 81

WD - Keith Howie (West Kilbride) 79 WD.

SOUTH AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF CLUB - Unavailability of website - an explanation

The undernoted e-mailed information has been received from a solicitor acting on behalf of the former Secretary of the South Ayrshire Junior Golf Club :-

" To Alasdair Malcolm

I am a solicitor instructed by Mr John McKenzie in connection with the comments attributed to you which appeared in an article in this weeks Ayrshire Post about the South Ayrshire Junior Golf Club.

My client takes great exception to your comments. Firstly he advises the difficulty with the website was technical problem of which he was unaware until Friday 19th June at around 4pm. He took steps to sort the problem immediately after it was brought to his attention and the site was up and running again within 30 minutes. My client has asked me to stress that the temporary problem with the website was definitely not, as you suggested in the article, a result of any deliberate action on Mr McKenzies part. Our client is at a loss to understand why, if you were aware of the website problem prior to the afternoon of Friday 19th June, you did not contact him to advise of this.

It is interesting that notwithstanding the fact that the website was fixed and accessible by 19th June you did not mention this in your comments to the Ayrshire Post and in fact the article states that plans are ongoing to create a new website which implies there was still a problem with the existing site, which was not the case for almost 5 days before the Ayrshire Post was published.

I am instructed by Mr McKenzie to seek an apology from you for the comments attributed to you in the newspaper, in particular your claim that the website problem was a ‘childish and petulant gesture’. If you do not issue an apology immediately my client will have no alternative but to consider further action.

As your comments were made in your capacity as the President of the Ayrshire Golf Association please provide me with contact details for the Secretary of that organisation as my client also wishes his complaint to be made to the Committee.".

WEST OF SCOTLAND BOYS MATCHPLAY - Walker secures double for Ayrshire

Following the success of Colin Robinson (Largs) earlier in the week in winning the West Of Scotland Boys Strokeplay at Balmore, it was the turn of Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) to shine on Thursday 25th June when he won the West Of SWcotland Boys Matchplay title over the same course, ensuring both trophies will be at home in Ayrshire for the next 12 months.

With the top 16 available players from the strokeplay progressing to the matchplay event, Walker triumphed over Patrick McCarron (Windyhill) in the final.

Charlie MacNeal (Troon Welbeck) reached the semi final of the matchplay before being ousted by McCarron.

RYDER CUP - Professor Purdie returns

Two Ayrshire men will be involved in the preparations in the build up to the forthcoming Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.

One, of course, will be known to all. The European Captain will be Colin Montgomerie who is closely linked to the Royal Troon club of which he is an Honorary Member.

The other Ayrshireman may not be as well known to some, but Professor David Purdie is fiercely proud of his local roots.

Professor Purdie attended Prestwick High School and Ayr Academy, before he went on to study medicine, specialising in the study of Osteoporosis.

A keen sportsman, Professor Purdie played his early golf at Prestwick St. Nicholas and still enjoys the game at the two clubs of which he is a member, Sunningdale and The Royal Burgess club in Edinburgh.

An interesting article from The Scotsman is produced (in part) below, outlining Professor Purdie's role in the forthcoming Ryder Cup :-

FROM THE SCOTSMAN.SPORT.COM WEBSITE
By Mike Aitken

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has already secured the services of a Scot for his support team at Celtic Manor next year after asking David Purdie, one of Britain's most accomplished speakers, to reprise his role of speech caddie in Wales.

Professor Purdie last offered advice on public speaking to a Ryder Cup captain when he worked with Sam Torrance at The Belfry in 2002.

A former specialist in brittle bone disease – he retired from leading the centre for metabolic bone disease two years ago and now concentrates on writing and speaking about golf as well as medical matters.

Purdie played an important role in helping make Torrance the voice of European golf seven years ago. Purdie made it clear he wasn't Torrance's speech-writer and it was the golfer who coined phrases such as "out of the shadows come heroes" and "they have a Tiger but I've got 12 lions". Instead, Purdie saw his role as helping Torrance to sound like himself.

"I was his speech caddie," he said. "I carried the bag of words."

Montgomerie, who was an unbeaten member of the European team in that match seven years ago, had not forgotten the impact made by Torrance off the course at The Belfry as well as on it and resolved to ask Purdie this month to help shape his speeches. The men, who both hail from Ayrshire, met at Gleneagles and agreed to collaborate.

Purdie now has a full house of team captains from this side of the Atlantic on his client list since the Scot is already helping Colin Dalgleish, the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup captain, and European Solheim Cup captain Alison Nicholas, with their speeches.

Although Montgomerie will take to the boards at Celtic Manor with more experience of public speaking than Torrance, the recruitment of Purdie should ensure Europe are one up on the USA before the match starts at Celtic Manor rather than two down, as happened when Sir Nick Faldo was in front of the microphone at Valhalla last year.

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP REGIONAL QUALIFYING - Stewart storms through to final stages

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) stormed into the Final Qualifying stages of the 2009 Open Golf Championship with a third place finish in the Regional Qualifying event held at Musselburgh on Wednesday 24th June.

Stewart, a Scottish internationalist and a former Scottish Boys Champion was one of a number of Ayrshire golfers taking part in Regional Qualifying at two of the sixteen selected venues on Wednesday 24th June, finishing as the only one of the local hopefuls to progress to Final Qualifying.

At Musselburgh, Stewart shot a superb 66, five under par, to finish third of the qualifiers.

The qualifying score at Musselburgh was 69, leaving Callum Nicoll (Prestwick) agonisingly outside the qualifying mark by one shot.

The scores returned by Ayrshire players at Musselburgh were :-

66 - Michael Stewart (Am) (Troon Welbeck)

70 - Callum Nicoll (Prestwick)

73 - Paul Moultrie (Am) (Troon Portland), Gordon Sherry (Kilmarnock Barassie)

74 - Stuart Robin (Prestwick St. Nicholas)

75 - Jamie Mmackay (Am) (Kilmarnock Barassie)

77 - Walter Meiklem ((Am) (Troon Welbeck), Stephen Murray (Am) (Troon Welbeck)

79 - David Addison (Am) (Kilmarnock Barassie)

85 - Kieron Stevenson (Royal Troon)

N/R - Michael Sweenie (Turnberry)

*** Another Ayrshire connection in the Regional Qualifying at Musselburgh was the performance of amateur player Andrew Gunson, playing out of Shady Canyon in the USA, who shot 68 to go through to the Final Qualifying stages.

Andrew began his golf at Turnberry, where his father, European Tour player Brian Gunson, was Director Of Golf until 2001 when he took up a new post and the family moved to America. Brian himself also began his golf in Ayrshire, being a junior member at Ballochmyle and Prestwick St. Cuthbert before progressing to the professional ranks.

The other venue which featured local players was Berwick-Upon-Tweed where the quaslifying score was 71.

Closest to qualifying was Jack Doherty (North Gailes) who was just one shot off the pace on 72.

Scores at this venue involving local players were :-

72 - Jack Doherty (North Gailes)

74 - David Ross-Nicol (Dundonald Links)

76 - Chris Harkins (Am) (Ayr Belleisle)

79 - Keith Hamilton (Am) (Ayr Belleisle), David Strachan (Am) (Turnberry)

80 - Colin Cunningham (Turnberry)

83 - Del Chamberlain (Troon Welbeck)

Final qualifying will take place at Glasgow Gailes, Kilmarnock (Barassie) and Western Gailes on Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th July.

WEST OF SCOTLAND BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Robinson brings trophy to Ayrshire

Ayrshire county player Colin Robinson (Largs) won the 2009 West Of Scotland Boys Championship at Balmore Golf Club on Tuesday 23rd June

Joint leader after the first round with a three over par 69, Robinson added a one over pat 67 in the second round for a total of 136 and a six stroke victory.

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL - Brunston Castle through to last eight

A. Dunlop & J. Brown (Brunston Castle) will face a trip to play the Troon Welbeck pairing of Kenny Hankinson & Gibby Lamont in the quarter finals of the 2009 Ayrshire Fourball Championship.

The Brunston castle duo booked their place in the last eight with a 3 & 1 home win over Jim & Shaun Ryan (Ayr Dalmilling).

BOB TORRANGE SCHOOL OF GOLF - Ayrshire player strikes first ball

Ayrshire county player Colin Robinson (Largs) was given the honour of striking the first ball at the opening of the Bob Torrance School Of Golf at the SportScotland National Centre at Inverclyde recently, under the watchful eye of Mr. Torrance himself.

Colin has been coached by Bob for the past two years and was delighted to be asked by Bob to hit the first ball.

WEST LADIES JAMBOUREE - Ayrshire avoid wooden spoon

Ayrshire recorded a victory over Lanarkshire in their final match in the 2009 West Ladies Jambouree at Strathaven on Wednesday, to avoid the wooden spoon, as Renfrewshire recorded their third win from three to go forward to the national finals.

Report from the http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/ website :-

Renfrewshire beat Dunbartonshire & Argyll 6 1/2-2 1/2 in the decisive match between the two teams with 100 per cent records going into the final day of the West Division women's inter-county team golf championship at Strathaven Golf Club today.

That meant Renfrewshire topped the table for the second year in a row and will go to Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh in September as West's representatives in the four-cornered contest for the Scottish women's county championship.

Ayrshire beat Lanarkshire 5-4 in the battle between the teams who had lost both their first two matches.Renfrewshire had the player of the tournament in Scottish champion Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) winner of all six foursomes and singles ties she played.

In the final set of singles, Megan beat former Curtis Cup player and past champion Anne Laing (Vale of Leven) by 2 and 1. It was Anne's first singles defeat of the tournament.

Renfrewshire had the strength in depth their rivals lacked. Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze) was close behind Megan Briggs in the points table, earning 5 1/2 out of a possible six.Jill Meldrum (Dullatur) top scored for runners-up Dunbartonshire with 4 1/2pt, whilst Audrey Thompsom shone for Ayrshire with 4 1/2 pts also.

Final placings - 1 Renfrewshire 6pt, 2 Dunbartonshire & Argyll 4pt, 3 Ayrshire 2pt, 4 Lanarkshire 0pts.

The 2009 Ayrshire team is pictured below

Back Row (l-r) - Lesley Hendry (Routenburn), Liz Keohone (Loudoun), Audrey Thompson (Loudoun), Jenny Linklater (Largs), Captain Nora McCrossin
Front Row (l-r) - Catherine Malcolm (Prestwick St Nicholas), Rachael McQueen (The Ladies Golf Club, Troon), Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie), Lesley Williamson (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Wednesday match details:

DUMBARTONSHIRE & ARGYLL 2 1/2, RENFREWSHIRE 6 1/2

Foursomes (1-2)
Anne Laing & Jill Meldrum lost to Eilidh Briggs & Megan Briggs
Nichola Ferguson & Lorraine Campbell bt Donna Jackson & Liz Stewart 3 and 1
Suzanne Cadden & Laura McGeachy lost to Clare-Marie Carlton & Gillian Kyle 3 and 2

Singles (1.5 - 4.5)
Laing lost to Megan Brggs 2 and 1
Ferguson lost to Carlton 6 and 4
Meldrum halved with Eilidh Briggs
Cadden lost to Jackson 6 and 5
McGeachy lost to Kyle 3 and 2
Helen Faulds bt Carol Whyte 2 and 1

LANARKSHIRE 4, AYRSHIRE 5

Foursomes (2-1)
Fiona Norris & Susan Wood bt Lesley Hendry & Rachael McQueen
May Hughes & Lesley Lloyd bt Jenny Linklater & Alex Glennie) 2 and 1
Elaine Cuthill & Joanna Scott lost to Audrey Thompson & Liz Keohone 3 and 2

Singles (2-4)
Norris bt Hendry 2 and 1
Wood beat Catherine Malcolm 2 and 1
Cuthill lost to Thompson 1 hole
Joanna Scott lost to Rachael McQueen 1 hole
Ruth Rankin lost to Linklater 4 and 3
Angela Devine lost to Lesley Williamson 1 hole

EUROPEAN BOYS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - McDonald named in Scotland team

Following his impressive performances in the SGU Junior Tour this year, Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) has been named as one of the 6 strong Scotland team who will contest the European Boys Team Championship next month.

The undernoted article is from the Scottish Golf Union website.

LAW HEADS SCOTS BOYS EURO CHALLENGE

Scottish Boys champion David Law from Hazlehead will lead Scotland’s challenge at next month’s European Amateur Boys Team Championship at the Utrecht Golf Club de Pan in Holland (7 – 11 July).

Law will be joined in the six-strong team by the Paul Shields, runner-up in the Scottish Boys final at Royal Aberdeen, as well as Ayrshire’s rising starlet Jack McDonald, who has enjoyed two recent wins on the SGU Junior Tour including an impressive five-shot victory at his home course of Kilmarnock (Barassie).

Inchmarlo’s Chris Robb, currently lying second in the Junior Order of Merit this season, also receives a call-up whilst another recent Junior Tour winner Daniel Young from Craigiehill makes his European team debut. Buckinghamshire-based Anglo Scot Sandy Bolton (Magnolia Park) completes the line-up.

The six youngsters will be hoping that history repeats itself in Holland, the country where Scotland last triumphed in the event back in 2000 with a team that included current PGA Tour star Martin Laird and former Walker Cup player David Inglis.

National Junior Coach Spencer Henderson commented: “Scotland has a good record in this Championship and I’m sure the team we have this year will be up there challenging Europe’s best once again. There is strength in depth throughout the line-up with some good experience added in.”

Meanwhile, 16-year-old duo Callum Stewart (Brora) and Grant Forrest (Craigielaw) have been selected to represent Scotland at the European Young Masters in France which also takes place next month. One handicapper Stewart has enjoyed a first and third place in the Junior Tour this season, whilst Forrest, another product of the Craigielaw junior conveyor belt, has impressed with a series of consistent finishes.

They will be joined by Minto’s Lesley Atkins, the reigning Scottish U14s Girls’ champion and Ailsa Summers from Carnoustie Ladies, who recently won the Angus Ladies Championship.

The two teams are as follows:

European Amateur Boys Team Championship, Utrechtse Golf Club de Pan, Holland, 7 – 11 July

David Law (Hazlehead)
Paul Shields (Kirkhill)
Chris Robb (Inchmarlo)
Daniel Young (Craigiehill)
Sandy Bolton (Magnolia Park)
Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock (Barassie)

European Young Masters, Guyancourt, France, 23 – 25 July

Grant Forrest (Craigielaw)
Calum Stewart (Brora)
Lesley Atkins (Minto)
Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies’)

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Welbeck book quarter final spot

Kenny Hankinson & Gibby Lamont (Troon Welbeck) are through to the last eight of the 2009 Ayrshire Fourball Championship after a 3 & 2 home win over Paul Church & Jim Anderson (Skelmorlie) in their third round match.

The Welbeck pairing now await the winners of the tie between Brunston Castle & Ayr Dalmilling for a place in the semi finals.

WEST LADIES JAMBOUREE - second defeat for Ayrshire

From the www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk website :-

Renfrewshire will play Dunbartonshire & Argyll in a winner-takes-all climax to the three-day West Division women's inter-county team championship at Strathaven.

Both teams have 100 per cent records.Renfrewshire followed up their 8-1 beating of Lanarkshire with a 7 1/2-1 1/2 win over Ayrshire today.

Dumbartonshire & Argyll, 5-4 winners over Ayrshire on Day 1, beat Lanarkshire 7-2 today.

The winners of the title will represent the West Division at the Scottish county finals at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh in September.

TODAY'S RESULTS
(thanks to Carol Fell for her help ... again!)

RENFREWSHIRE 7 1/2, AYRSHIRE 1 1/2
(Renfrewshire names first)

Foursomes (3-0)
Megan Briggs and Eilidh Briggs bt Lesley Hendry and Catherine Malcolm 7 & 6
Donna Jackson and Liz Stewart bt Liz Keohone and Jenny Linklater 3 & 2
Clare-Marie Carlton and Alyson McKechin bt Alex Glennie and Lesley Williamson 3 & 2

Singles (4 1/2-1 1/2)
Megan Briggs bt Hendry 3 & 1
Gillian Kyle lost to Keohone 3 & 2
McKechin bt Malcolm 3 & 2
Carlton halved with Audrey Thompson
Eilidh Briggs bt Williamson 4 & 3
Carol Whyte bt Rachael McQueen 3 & 2

LANARKSHIRE 2, DUMBARTONSHIRE & ARGYLL 7
(Lanarkshire names first)

Foursomes (1/2-2 1/2)
Susan Wood and Elaine Cuthill lost to Anne Laing and Jill Meldrum 2 & 1
Fiona Norris and Angela Devine lost to Nichola Ferguson and Lorraine Campbell 3 & 1
Lesley Lloyd and Ruth Rankin halved with Suzanne Cadden and Laura McGeachy

Singles (1 1/2-4 1/2)
Cuthill lost to Laing 5 & 4
Norris lost to Ferguson 2 & 1
Wood lost to Meldrum 6 & 5
Lloyd beat Louisa Ruane 4 & 3
Devine lost to McGeachy 6 & 4
Joanna Scott halved with Helen Faulds

HOW THEY STAND

Dumbartonshire & Argyll 2 wins
Renfrewshire 2 wins
Lanarkshire 0 wins
Ayrshire 0 wins

FINAL MATCHES

Dumbartonshire & Argyll v Renfrewshire
Ayrshire v Lanarkshire

WEST OF SCOTLAND LADIES JAMBOUREE - Ayrshire lose narrowly on day 1

From the www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk website :-

Renfrewshire, the defending champions, made an impressive start to their 2009 campaign to retain the West Division women's inter-county team championship at Stathaven Golf Club today.They beat Lanarkshire, without Vagliano Trophy player Pamela Pretswell, soundly by the resounding margin of 8-1.

The writing was on the wall for Lanarkshire after they lost the morning foursomes 3-0.

Dunbartonshire & Argyll, without their GB&I team selection and county champion Kylie Walker managed to edge a 5-4 win over Ayrshire, which represented a good afternoon's work by Ayrshire.

They had lost the morning foursomes 2-1 but battled hard to share the singles.

Tomorrow, it's Renfrewshire v Ayrshire and Lanarkshire v Dunbartonshire & Argyll.

On Wednesday, it's Lanarkshire v Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire & Argyll v Renfrewshire.

The winners of the West Division title qualify for the four-cornered contest for the Scottish women's county team championship at Baberton Golf Club, Edinburgh in September.

TODAY'S DETAILS

RENFREWSHIRE 8, LANARKSHIRE 1

Renfrewshire names first

FOURSOMES (3-0)
Eilidh Briggs & Megan Briggs bt Sheena Wood & Elaine Cuthill 6 & 5
Clare-Marie Carlton & Alyson McKechin bt Angela Devine & Fiona Norris 6 & 5
Donna Jackson & Liz Stewart bt Lesley Lloyd & May Hughes 3 & 2

SINGLES (5-1)
Megan Briggs bt Norris 3 & 2
Carlton bt Wood 4 & 2
Eilidh Briggs lost to Lesley Lloyd 4 & 3
McKechin bt Cuthill 2 holes
Gillian Kyle bt Ruth Rankin 2 & 1
Carol Whyte bt Joanna Scott 6 & 5

DUMBARTONSHIRE 5, AYRSHIRE 4

D&A names first

FOURSOMES (2-1)
Anne Laing & Jill Meldrum bt Lesley Hendry & Rachael McQueen 1 hole
Nicola Ferguson & Louisa Ruane lost to Audrey Thompson & Liz Keohone 3 & 2
Suzanne Cadden & Laura McGeachy bt Alex Glennie & Catherine Malcolm 2 holes

SINGLES (3-3)
Laing bt Hendry 6 & 4
Ferguson bt McQueen 6 & 5
Meldrum bt Lesley Williamson 3 & 2
McGeachy lost Julie Linklater 5 & 4
Lorraine Campbell lost to Thompson 4 & 3
Cadden lost to Malcolm 4 & 3

GORDON McCALL - Former Caprington captain passes away

Past President Ricky Magee writes :-

It's with much sadness, we note the sudden passing last week on Tuesday, 16th June of Gordon Wilson McCall, Past Captain of Caprington Golf Club, Kilmarnock.

A long standing and well respected member " Big Happy " as he was affectionally known, was well known throughout the County, and was the inspirational leader behind Caprington's goal in becoming a private Golf Club.

He will be sadly missed by all who new and loved him.

AYRSHIRESCOTLAND.COM - local website with stunning golf photos

William Ross writes :-

Irun the websites www.ayrshirescotland.com andwww.relevantsearchscotland.co.uk.

They have large photos of practically all the courses in Ayrshire.

The golf sections on these websites were made with the hope it will encourage visitors to come play the courses.

You can view the information and photos at

http://www.ayrshirescotland.com/ayrshiregolf.html

http://www.relevantsearchscotland.co.uk

The Turnberry one is my favourite, hopefully one day, I will have all theholes on it the same as the one I made for Belleisle.

Some of the photos on the sites are excellent and the info for locals & visitors alike is very useful.
Links to both sites have been added on the left of this page, under the heading 'Other Useful Links'

AYRSHIRE SUMMER LEAGUE - all to play for at half way stage

As the four qualifying sections of the 2009 Ayrshire Summer league reach the halfway stage, there is still all to play for with all four sections proving competitive and close.

In LEAGUE 1, Ballochmyle retain the lead with three wins from three but are being challenged by Ayr Belleisle after a recent 6 - 0 win by the Ayr club over Caprington.
Present points are :- Ballochmyle 12, Belleisle 8, Caprington 4, St. Cuthbert 0

In LEAGUE 2, St Meddans & Loudoun lead the way after the Troon club had a 4 - 2 home win over Loudoun recently. Ardeer maintained their hopes with a 4 - 2 home win over West Kilbride. Presentl points are :- Loudoun 8, St. Meddans 8, Ardeer 4, West Kilbride 4

In LEAGUE 3, Beith regained the lead with a 4.5 - 1.5 home win over Tam O Shanter recently. In their final match at tam O Shanter, Kilmarnock Barassie will require a 6 - 0 win to match beith's points and tie difference and force a play off. Present points are :- Beith 12, Kilmarnock Barassie 8, Tam o Shanter 0.

In LEAGUE 4, Largs and Troon Welbeck lead after a recent 3 - 3 draw betwen the teams at Largs. new cumnock hold the key to this section with an away match at Welbeck and a home match against Largs still to play. Present points are :- Largs 6, Troon Welb eck 6, New Cumnock 4.

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - quarter final line up complete

The line up for the quarter finals of the 2009 Ayrshire Champion Of Champions competition was completed this week with the remaining 3rd round ties being decided.

Of the five third round ties decided recently, one resulted in a walkover whilst the remaining four all resulted in home wins.

Scott McCahill (Maybole) had a 6 & 4 home win over Gregor Dickson (Largs), David Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Bert Ferguson (Royal Troon) by 3 & 2, Andrew Carroll (Drongan) won 5 & 4 against Jamie MacPherson (Whiting Bay) and John Shanks (Irvine) had a one hole win over local rival Peter Bond (Irvine Ravenspark).

Neil McCormack (New Cumnock) had a walkover against Chris Harkins (Ayr Belleisle).

The full draw for the quarter final matches, to be played by 26th July, is :-

DAVID MILLER (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Vs.

TOMMY McINALLY (Loudoun)

KEVIN FERGUSSON (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

Vs.

SCOTT McCAHILL (Maybole)

DEL CHAMBERLAIN (Troon Welbeck)

Vs.

ANDREW CARROLL (Drongan)

NEIL McCORMACK (New Cumnock)

Vs.

JOHN SHANKS (Irvine)

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL - Annanhill through to meet Doon Valley in quarter finals

Gary Jordan & Douglas Anderson (Annanhill) have secured a home tie against Stuart & David Brown (Doon Valley) in the quarter finals of the 2009 Ayrshire Fourball Championship.

The Annahill due won through to the last eight with a 1 hole home victory over John Fleming & Gordon Bettany (Saxone).

2009 AYRSHIRE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP - 19 clubs contest title at Loudoun

19 clubs will contest the 2009 Ayrshire Club Championship which takes place at Loudoun on Sunday 5th July.

Irvine, who won the title over their own course last year, return to defend their crown.

The winning team will represent Ayrshire in the Scottish Club Championship finals, which will be played at Prestwick St. Nicholas Golf Club on 27th September.

The draw for order of play in the Ayrshire Club Championship on 5th July is :-

1400 - G.J. Robertson (Ravenspark), D. Chamberlain (Troon Welbeck), I. Walker (Turnberry)
1408 - W.F. Wilson (Ballochmyle), D. Mallinson (Ravenspark), S. Murray (Welbeck)
1416 - S. Brown (Turnberry), C. Hamilton (Ballochmyle), K. Middlemiss (Ravenspark)
1424 - B. Ferguson (Troon Welbeck), D. Booth (Turnberry), G. Rowan (Ballochmyle)
1432 - E. Brown (Kil. Barassie), F. McCall (Troon Portland), T. Fraser (Annanhill)
1440 - C. Sharp (Kil. Barassie), W. Blair (Troon Portland), M. Tait (Annanhill)
1448 - J. Milligan (Kil. Barassie), R. Stewart (Troon Portland), G. McTaggart (Annanhill)
1456 - N. McCormack (New Cumnock), J. Sloan (Tam o Shanter), B. McCulloch (Brunston Castle)
1504 - T. Keddie (New Cumnock), N. Tindall (Tam O Shanter), S. Capstick (Brunston Castle)
1512 - M. Riddall (New Cumnock), S. Bolland (Tam O Shanter), F. Murdoch (Brunston Castle)
1520 - G. Lawrie (St. Nicholas), C. Gray (W. Kilbride), C. Hume (Belleisle)
1528 - D. Hawthorn (St. Nicholas), P. Gossman (W. Kilbride), A. Folley (Belleisle)
1536 - S. King (St. Nicholas), I. Brown (W. Kilbride), S. Clark (Belleisle)
1544 - K. ferguson (St. Cuthbert), G. Dobbie (St. Meddans), J.G. Boyle (Dalmilling)
1552 - G. Gimson (St. Cuthbert), A. Walker (St. Meddans), J. McCormack (Dalmilling)
1600 - D. Wallace (St. Cuthbert), S. Pennington (St. Meddans), S. Corrigan (Dalmilling)
1608 - J. King (Prestwick), J. Shanks (Irvine), T. McInally (Loudoun)
1616 - J. Bunch (Prestwick), M. Anderson (Irvine), J. Paton (Loudoun)
1624 - S. McIntosh (Prestwick), A. Gourlay (Irvine), J. Haggerty (Loudoun)

WEST LADIES JAMBOUREE - Ayrshire bid for final place this week

The Ayrshire ladies team travel to Strathaven this week to contest the West Division Inter County Jambouree, bidding to win through to the finals in September at Baberton in Edinburgh.

Matches take place from Monday to Wednesday, with Ayrshire facing Dumbarton & Argyll in their first match on Monday.

The teams from the four counties involved are :-

AYRSHIRE - Catherine Malcolm (Prestwick St. Nicholas), Lesley Hendry (Largs Routenburn), Rachel McQueen (Troon Ladies), Lesley Williamson (Kilmarnock Barassie), Audrey Thompson (Loudoun), Liz Keohone (Loudoun), Jennifer Linklater (Largs), Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie).

DUMBARTON & ARGYLL - Suzanne Cadden (Cardross), Lorraine Campbell (Cardross), Helen Faulds (Douglas Park), Nichola Ferguson (Clober), Anne Laing (Vale of Leven), Laura McGeachy (Windyhill), Jill Meldrum (Dullatur), Louisa Ruane (Cardross).

LANARKSHIRE - Elaine Cuthill (Lanark), Angela Devine (Hamilton), May Hughes(Lanark), Lesley Lloyd (Hayston), Fiona Norris (Hamilton), Ruth Rankin (Lanark), Joanna Scott (Cathkin Braes), Susan Wood (Drumpellier)

RENFREWSHIRE - Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), Clare-Marie Carlton (Fereneze), Donna Jackson (Cochrane Castle), Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire), Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), Liz Stewart (Cochrane Castle), Carol Whyte (Windyhill)

EUROPEAN SENIORS TOUR - Drummond finishes high again

Ross Drummond from Prestwick finishes high up the field for the third successive tournament when he was joint third in the Ryder Cup Wales senior Open at Royal Porthcawl at the weekend.

Drummond was the model of consistency, returning three successive level par 72's to leave him 5 behind the winner Bertus Smit (South Africa) and only one shot behind runner up David Merriman (Australia)

RYDER CUP WALES SENIOR OPEN

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

211 - B Smit (RSA) 74 68 69,
215 - D Merriman (Aus) 73 70 72,
216 B Lincoln (RSA) 75 69 72, D Smyth (Irl) 74 69 73, R Drummond (Sco)72 72 72, I Woosnam (Wal) 75 67 74

218 - J Bruner (USA) 72 70 76, J Bland (RSA) 78 72 68, N Job (Eng) 76 7468,
219 - S Ebihara (Jpn) 76 69 74, G Ralph (Eng) 78 72 69, K Tomori (Jpn) 7774 68, D Hospital (Esp) 76 69 74

TENNANT CUP - McEwan runner up in 72 hole event

Steven McEwan (Caprington) was runner up in the 72 hole Tennant Cup competition over Glasgow Gailes & Killermont on Saturday & Sunday, finishing on 274, a distant 7 strokes behind the winner James Byrne (Banchory).

McEwan lay second to Byrne after the two rounds at Glasgow Gailes on Saturday but despite rounds of 68 & 64 over Killermont, he lost further ground on the leader when Byrne finished with two course record equalling rounds of seven under par 63 on Sunday.

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) was sixth on 285.

FINAL TOTALS

Par 282

267 - James Byrne (Banchory) 73 68 63 63

274 - Steven McEwan (Caprington) 71 71 68 64

278 - Gavin Dear (Murrayshall) 70 75 69 64

282 - Paul O'Hara (Colville Park) 73 75 67 67

284 - Greg Paterson (St Andrews New) 67 75 71 71

285 - Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) 75 72 70 68

286 - James White (Lundin) 75 70 69 72, Wallace Booth (Comrie) 74 72 7070, David Law (Hazlehead) 75 72 70 69, Ross Kellett (Colville Park) 7674 67 69, Bryden MacPherson (Australia) 75 78 63 70

Other Ayrshire Scores

289 - Chris Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) 79 70 72 68

290 - Scott Pinckney (USP) 73 78 66 73

301 - George Robertson (IrvineRavenspark) 78 77 73 73

Missed the 32 hole cut

150 - Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) 76 74

157 - David Addison (Kilmarnock Barassie) 81 76

159 - Jamie MacKay (Kilmarnock Barassie) 79 80

SCOTTISH BOYS & GIRLS UNDER 14 CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire well represented in boys & girls events

The Loretto School Scottish Boys & Girls Under 14 Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship takes place on Friday 10th July at Largs.


Ayrshire are well represented in both competitions with four boys and six girls from the county taking part.


Louis Murray (Troon Welbeck), Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie), Scott Douglas (West Kilbride) and Fraser McKenzie (Troon Welbeck) carry local hopes in the boys competition.


The girls competition features Emma Hale (Troon Bentinck), Connie Jaffrey (West Kilbride) and Katie McGarva (Troon Ladies) who are three members of the team who recently won the Kennedy Salver for Ayrshire for the third successive year.

Also carrying Ayrshire's hopes in the girls competition are Rachel Irvine from Largs along with Hazel McGarvie and Grace Mackie of Troon Ladies.

SCOTTISH BOYS UNDER 16 CHAMPIONSHIP - 5 Ayrshire players bid for national title at Largs.

5 Ayrshire players are in the field for the Firstpointusa.com Scottish Boys Under 16 Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship, being played from 7th to 9th July at Largs.

The Ayrshire challenge will be headed by two times Junior Tour event winner Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie).

Also bidding to bring the title to Ayrshire are Declan Flood (caprington), David Wilson (Troon Welbeck), Charlie Macneal (Troon Welbeck) and Gregor Mackintosh (Girvan).

EUROPEAN MENS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Stewart selected for second successive year

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) has been selected for the 6 man Scotland team who will contest the 2009 European Mens Team Championship from 28th June to 4th July at Conwyn (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club in Wales.

Stewart made his full international debut for Scotland at the same event last year.

The full team is :-

Gavin Dear (Murrayshall)

Wallace Booth (Comrie)

Paul O'Hara (Colville Park)

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck)

Ross Kellett (Colville Park)

Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie)

Steven McEwan (Caprington) is first reserve for the team

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL - Two more teams reach quarter finals

Doon Valley and Ardeer have joined West Kilbride in the quarter finals of the 2009 Ayrshire Fourball championship.

Stuart & David Brown of Doon Valley had a home win by 5 & 4 over Fraser McCall & Adam Cairns of Troon Portland and now face an away tie against the winners of the Annanhill Vs. Saxone third round match.

Joe Howie & John McMillan of Ardeer won by 2 holes against their visitors, Roddy Davidson & James Young (Drongan) to secure an away match in the last eight against the winner of the tie between Maybole & Tam O Shanter.

KENNEDY SALVER - Ayrshire girls triumph for third year in a row

(Report by June Kerr)

Ayrshire girls triumphed yesterday at Clober Golf Club to make it three wins in a row at the West Division Junior Inter-County Matches for the Kennedy Salver.

With the relentless rain overnight and continuing through the morning the course was suffering despite the best efforts of the greens staff and officials making play almost impossible.

As a result, a decision was taken to bring the girls off the course after they'd played 9 holes, which was conveniently back at the clubhouse, and use the results of the foursomes matches at that point.

After a long lunch break and with the severe rain abating, it was agreed to go out for the singles and hope that the promised better weather later in the day would arrive. Fortunately it did and all the singles were played over 18 holes with very close games resulting.

Ayrshire took the lead after the morning on 3 points with Lanarkshire chasing on 1.5 followed by D & A 1 and Renfrewshire 0.5.

The afternoon singles results were Ayrshire 4.5, Renfrewshire 3.5, Lanarkshire 2 and D & A 2 giving a total tally of Ayrshire 7.5, runners-up Renfrewshire 4, Lanarkshire 3.5 and D & A 3.

The photograph, taken later in the day, belies the underground splodgy conditions that prevailed and it must be said that the girls in all four counties played very good golf and coped extremely well.

Pictured in the photograph are:- standing Katie McGarva, Connie Jaffrey, Emma Hale and kneeling Linzi Allan, Hannah Gaunt (captain), Gillian Arnott (missing from photo Mhairi McKay).

SOUTH AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF CLUB - President and Secretary resign

The President and Secretary of the recently formed South Ayrshire Junior Golf Club resigned this week, throwing the administration of the club into turmoil.

With the assistance of other members of the committee and volunteers, the forthcoming competition at Ayr Dalmilling on Sunday 21st June will go ahead as planned.

The club website, which was also administered by the Secretary has, in what appears to be a childish and petulant gesture, become unavailable without warning, with anyone accessing the web page being redirected to the website of a garden suppliers in Renfrewshire.

Matters are in hand to create a new administration for the club and create a new website to keep the junior members and interested parties informed but in the meantime any information will be made available through this site and any other information regarding the club can be obtained through the South Ayrshire Junior Golf Co-Ordinator, Catherine Malcolm, at Catherine.Malcolm@south-ayrshire.gov.uk or through a new e-mail address at sajgc@fsmail.net .

Any parents or golfers interested in becoming involved in the administration of the South Ayrshire Junior Golf Club are invited to make contact through these addresses also.

AYRSHIRE SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP - Closing date extended

The closing date for the 2009 Ayrshire Seniors Championship has been extended to Tuesday 30th June.

The Championship will be held this year at Kilmarnock (Barassie) on Tuesday 21st July with the main award, The Sandy Provan Trophy, going to the player returning the best net score of the day. Former Ayrshire President Ronnie Potts (Irvine Ravenspark) - pictured right with Sandy Provan - won the trophy last year

There will also be prizes for best scratch and best nett scores in age group categories.

Entry forms and details can be downloaded from the link on the left of this page.

GIRVAN BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Places still available in Junior Order Of merit event

Places are still available for the Girvan Boys Golf Championship, the details of which are noted below. The entry form can also be downloaded from the link on the left of this page.

Late entries can be accepted on the day if the entrant has phoned Jim Crawford, on the number listed below, beforehand.

Any late entrants are requested to download & complete the entry form and pass it to organisers on arrival.

GIRVAN BOYS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

GRANT’S TROPHY &
NICK PRICE TROPHY
at GIRVAN on Friday
26th June 2009

18 Holes Stroke Play

Play Starts at

10.30 am For 12 & 13 Years
11.00 am For 14 & 15 Years

12 noon For 16 Yrs & Over

Competitors must be under
the age of 18 On 1st January 2009

The WINNER will hold the Grant’s Trophy For
1 year & Receive a REPLICA.

The NICK PRICE TROPHY for Club Teams
Prizes for all Age Groups

Entry forms to:­ Jim Crawford
29 Ainslie Road Girvan KA26 0AY 01465 71265

2009 AYRSHIRE BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Entry forms now available

Entry forms for the 2009 Ayrshire Boys Championship, to be held at Irvine Ravenspark on Thursday 6th August, are now available.

Forms and the poster can be downloaded from the link on the left of this page under the Junior Order Of merit heading.

Entry forms will also be available through club secretaries in the near future.

Entry fee for the event remains at £ 8.00 and the closing date for entries is Wednesday 15th July.

The players returning the eight best gross scores over the 36 hole event will go on to contest the Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship, which will again be played at Prestwick Golf Club from 13th to 15th August.

SCOTTISH SENIORS SOCIETY - Miller fourth in Central Seniors Open

Ayrshire Vice President David Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) finished fourth in the 2009 Central Seniors Open tournament at Stirling Golf Club last week, earning him ranking points for the first time this season.

Rounds of 75 and 69 gave Miller a total of 144, leaving him four shots adrift of the winner, Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) who returned rounds of 72 & 68 for 140.

Brian Smith (Kilmacolm) and Eric Lindsay (Blairgowrie) were joint second on 142

Turnberry pair John Broadfoot & Ronnie McLellan matched each other with rounds of 78 & 75 for 153 totals.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

140 - Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) 72 68

142 - Brian Smith (Kilmacolm) 72 70, Eric Lindsay (Blairgowrie) 71 71

144 - David J Miller (Barassie) 75 69

145 - Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & Co) 70 75

146 - Godon MacDonald (Callander) 73 73

147 - Ronnie Maclean (Hamilton) 72 75, Keith Bruce (Edzell) 72 75

148 - Donald McCart (Sherwood Forest) 73 75

149 - Ian Jean (Milngavie) 75 74, Derekj Murphy (Kinross) 74 75

150 - William Brown (Strthaven) 78 72, David Gardner (Broomieknowe) 77 73, Jim Watt (Edzell) 76 74, Graeme Millar (Swanston New) 75 75

151 - Alan MacNaught (Colchester) 78 73, Gordon Brown (Vale of Leven) 74 77, Michael Jenkins (Duff House Royal) 74 77, Alex Ritchie (Bothwell Castle) 74 77, Bob Edgar (Blackpool North Shore) 73 78, Scott MacDonald (Dunfermline) 73 78

152 - Alan Ferguson (Drumpellier) 77 75, Denis McQuade (Glenbervie) 76 76, John W Johnston (Royal Aberdeen) 76 76

153 - Stephen Ellis (Heritage GS) 79 74, Jalil Aman (Grangemouth) 78 75, John Broadfoot (Turnberry) 78 75, Ronnie McLellan (Turnberry) 78 75, David Smith (Stirling) 77 76, John McDonald (Cowglen) 77 76, Jim McArthur (St Andrews New) 77 76, George Rodaks (Moffat) 76 77, Bob Stewart (Tulliallan) 75 78, Henry Anderson (Glenbervie) 75 78

154 - Richard Gray (Cowglen) 78 76, Colin Milne (Pitlochry) 77 77, Aiden Grounds (Falkirk Tryst) 76 78, Colin Christy (Kilmacolm) 76 78, Colin Halcrow (Windyhill) 76 78, David Imrie (Thornton) 75 79, Michael Currie (The Glen) 75 79

155 - Patrick Tomisson Nairn) 78 77, Sandy Pirie Hazlehead) 77 78, Scott Brady (Burntisland) 76 79

WHOLE IN ONE - Exibition charts Open Golf in Ayrshire

An exibition by South Ayrshire Council, in conjunction with Ayrshire Archives, is well worth a visit for anyone interested in golf history and in particular the impact of The Open Golf Championship in Ayrshire.

The exibition is being held from 1st June to 31st August in the Maclaurin Galleries, Rozelle park, Ayr and charts the history of golf in Scotland, and in particular the Open Championship.
Prestwick, Royal Troon, Turnberry and Troon ladies' golf clubs feature prominently in the exibition which also gives an opportunity to see many historic golf clubs and golf related items, including a replica of both the Open Championship Claret Jug and the Open Championship Belt.

The exibition also gives Ayrshire golfers the opportunity to see the magnificent Scottish Area Team Championship Trophy won by Ayrshire in 2008, which will be on display throughout the exibition.

In addition to the historic and interesting exibits, there is an interactive area where golfers can try their hand on a computerised practice net where they can play a few holes or fine tune their ball striking skill with the aid of modern technology.

This exibition, to which admission is free, is a must see for any golf enthusiast in the area.

Another attraction if you intend to visit the exibition is the excellent cafe within Rozelle House where you can treat yourself to coffee, tea, home baking or even a light lunch !!

This is one not to be missed.

SGU JUNIOR TOUR - McDonald storms to second Junior Tour win at Barassie

Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) celebrated his first Scottish representative honours in style on Sunday 14th June with a win over his home course in the fifth and final SGU Junior Tour event of the season.

Earlier in the week McDonald, who won the SGU Junior Tour event at North Berwick on his debut in the series earlier this year, was announced as one of six Scottish boys selected by the SGU to take part in the English Boys' Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship for the McGregor Trophy at Radcliffe On Trent Golf Club from 30th June to 2nd July.

In Sunday's final SGU Junior Tour event of the season, McDonald led from the front, returning a four under par 68 in the morning to be joint leader with Mark Thomson (Monifieth), going into the afternoon round.

McDonald maintained his excellent form in the afternoon, a three under par 69 giving him a total of seven under par 137, and a five stroke victory over the field.

Scott Gibson (Southerness) with rounds of 74 and 68 was the closest challenger to McDonald on 142.

The other Ayrshire player in the field, Marc Smith (Troon Welbeck) finished joint 22nd on 12 over par 156.

LEADING SCORES

(par = 144)

137 - Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie)

142 - Scott Gibson (Southerness)

143 - Jack Scott (Deeside), Ian Redford (St. Andrews New)

144 - Tom Blennerhassett (Dalmahoy), Sandy Bolton (Magnolia Park)

145 - Chris Robb (Inchmarlo)

EUROPEAN SENIORS TOUR - Drummond top Scot again

Ross Drummond from Prestwick continued his good form in the 2009 European Seniors Tour in the Jersey Senior Classic at La Moye this week, finishing top Scot for the second successive tournament.

Drummond returned rounds of 73, 71 and 66 for a total of 210 which gave him a share of sixth place with England's Roger Chapman, just three shots behind the tournament winner Delroy Cambridge (Jamaica).

Next week, Drummond continues his bid for a first seniors tour win when the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open takes place at Royal Porthcawl.

NANCY CHISHOLM M.B.E - Royal honour for Ayrshire golfer

Ayrshire's Nancy Chisholm (nee Smillie) has been honoured in the Queens Birthday Honours List, announced this week, with the award of an M.B.E. for voluntary contribution to ladies golf.

This is the latest in a list of honours conferred on Nancy recently, having been elected an Honorary Vice President of both the Ladies Golf Union and Scottish ladies' Golfing Association in the last year. Nancy served as LGU chairman in 1997 and Scottish Ladies Golfing Association president from 2003-2007.

A lifelong member of Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club, which she joined as a junior member, Nancy continues to play golf to a fine standard, and cites her favourite club and deadliest weapon as “father’s antique hickory jigger!”

A former Ladies Club Captain, and Club Champion of St. Nicholas ladies on no fewer than 10 occasions, Nancy has held many senior positions in ladies golf at a national and international level, as well as having undertaken refereeing duties at many major international amateur event, and this latest award is a very fitting and well deserved recognition of her many years of voluntary work on behalf of ladies golf and golfers.

In 2004, Prestwick St. Nicholas conferred Honorary Membership on Nancy in recognition of her outstanding contribution to golf in Scotland and further afield.

Nancy is also a member and past captain of West Kilbride Ladies, a club which holds her in equally high esteem as St. Nicholas for her contribution to club and country over the years.

Sincere congratulations from the Ayrshire Golf Association, and no doubt from many golfers throughout the county and beyond, go to nancy on this well deserved award.

DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - Hamilton leads at halfway stage

With 7 of the 15 counting events in the 2009 Ayrshire Order Of Merit, for the Doc Thom Salver, completed, Ayr Belleisle's Keith Hamilton leads the chase for the title.

Hamilton shared the top points with clubmate David Tierney at the recent Seafiled Open competition, to add to his win in the Hillhouse Cup and share of top points in the Belleisle Cup.

In the recent Loudoun Open it was home club player Paul denim who took top points ahead of Scott Brown (Turnberry) and John Houston (Caprington).

Present placings in the Doc Thom Order Of Merit are :-

312.5 - Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle)
150.0 - John Shanks (Irvine), Scott Brown (Turnberry)
125.0 - John Sloan (Doon Valley)
122.5 - Stephen Murray (Troon Welbeck)
117.5 - Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle)
100.0 - Paul Denim (Loudoun)
88.3 - Joe Gilligan (Troon Welbeck)
87.5 - Ricky Black (Irvine), David Tierney (Ayr Belleisle)
70.0 - Tommy McInally (Loudoun)
53.3 - Stephen McBlain (Prestwick St. Cuthbert), Del Chamberlain (Troon Welbeck)
50.0 - Steven McEwan (Caprington), John Houston (Caprington)
42.5 - Gary Swan (Ayr Belleisle)
38.3 - Stephen Spence (Irvine)
35.0 - John Haggerty (Loudoun), Graham Rowan (Ballochmyle), Fraser McCall (Troon Portland), Brian Murray (Loudoun)
20.0 - Paul Moultrie (Troon Portland), John McCaig (Ayr Seafield)
15.0 - Billy Campbell (Loudoun), Scott Gilchrist (Loudoun)
10.0 - Kevin Ottley (Ballochmyle)
7.5 - Michael Smyth (Royal Troon), Paul Robinson (Largs)
5.0 - Paul Kennedy (Loudoun), Matt McNeillie (Ayr Seafield), Francis McNeillie (Ayr Seafield), Tom Green (Ballochmyle)
3.3 - Craig McLaughlin (Largs), Gareth Lamb (Irvine)

SCOTTISH MID AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Three Ayrshire players biddding for title

Ayrshire hopes in the 2009 Scottish Mid Amateur Championship, being played from 13th to 15th June at The Royal Burgess Golfing Society, Barnton, Edinburgh, lie with three local players.

In the field for the event are former Ayrshire Champion Of Champions Trophy winner Paul Moultrie (Troon Portland) - pictured right - along with Steven King (Prestwick St. Nicholas) and Peter Quigley (Western Gailes)

SCOTTISH YOUTHS CHAMPIONSHIP - 8 Ayrshire players in field

Eight Ayrshire players are in the field for the forthcoming Scottish Youths Campionship, which takes place at Renfrew Golf Club from 19th to 21st June.

Troon Welbeck duo Kyle Smith and Marc Smith will be joined in the starting line up by Euan Brown and Andrew Wright from Kilmarnock (Barassie) as well as Craig McLaughlin (Largs), former boys internationalist Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) and Ayrshire Strokeplay and Matchplay champions respectively, John Shanks (Irvine) and Scott Brown (Turnberry)

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - latest results

More results have been received in the race for the 2009 Ayrshire Junior GOlf League Championship.

In SECTION A, Troon Welbeck maintained their unbeaten home record with a 4.5 - 1.5 win over Caprington whilst Ardeer suffered two recent defeats, by 4.5 - 1.5 at home to Caprington and by7 3.5 - 2.5 away to Largs. Welbeck lead the way, ahead of Largs and Ardeer at this stage, with caprington still looking for their first success of the season.

In SECTION B, no more matches have been played recently, with Ravenspark, Annanhill and Routenburn all having one win to their credit, whilst Prestwick St. Nicholas have still to play their first fixture.

In SECTION C, Ballochmyle lost their 100% record after a 4 - 2 home defeat by West Kilbride, who are in a strong position after two away wins in their first two matches.

In SECTION D, Prestwick St. Cuthbert remain unbeaten afgter a 3 - 3 home draw against Loudoun

AYRSHIRE SENIORS LEAGUE - Loudoun start well in Section 1

Loudoun opened their bid for the Ayrshire Seniors League with a 5 - 1 home win over Annanhill.

In another match played recently, Annanhill and Irvine Ravenspark fought out a 3 - 3 draw at the Kilmarnock course.

Thanks to Billy tait for forwarding these results.

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP - Appeal for marshals at Turnberry event

Ayrshire has received an appeal for assistance from Gordon Rodger, Chief Marshal for the 2009 Open Golf Championship at Turnberry.

Although many club members will already have volunteered to assist through their own clubs, here is a great opportunity for members of clubs throughout Ayrshire to contribute to the smooth running and success of the worlds greatest golf championship when it is played in Ayrshire next month.

As many local golfers who have had the good fortune to marshal at The Open iin the past will no doubt testify, involvemet in the championship in this way is a unique way of seeing the championship itself whilst helping out in a very practical way.

The letter from Gordon Rodger, with contact details for those who are interested, is reproduced below.



Dear Member

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2009 – TURNBERRY

With only a month until the start of the Championship, various areas of planning are progressing well.

As Chief Marshal, I, and my Deputy, Donald Love, are currently recruiting marshals from many golf clubs local to Turnberry, with tremendous support being demonstrated throughout Ayrshire. Unfortunately, we are still experiencing a shortfall in numbers which is of concern.

While traditionally one golf club has had responsibility for marshalling one hole and applications from individuals have been declined, in light of this shortfall, we are currently reviewing this position.

If any member of an Ayrshire Golf Club, affiliated to your association, is interested in volunteering on an individual basis, their assistance would be greatly appreciated. Further details can be obtained from our Championship office on telephone 01655 332929.

We do hope some of your membership will be in a position to take up this opportunity of assisting inside the ropes at a major championship.

Turnberry is rightly proud of its Open heritage and we look forward to putting on a good show for our guests from around the world.

Kind regards.

Yours sincerely

D. G. Rodger
Chief Marshal, Turnberry Golf Club, Open Championship 2009

AYRSHIRE GIRLS - Win for hosts over Lanarkshire Girls

Ayrshire Girls - in the green jerseys - secured 4.5 points to Lanarkshire Girls' 1.5 points in a friendly match, played off handicap, over windy West Kilbride on Saturday 6th June.

Ayrshire girls had a distinct advantage being more accustomed to links golf, but these matches give all the girls a good experience and they enjoyed their day - with the beautiful backdrop of Arran it was a delightful spot to be despite the chill in the wind later on.


Results (Ayrshire names first) :-

Linzi Allan beat Nicola McLuckie 6 & 5
Mhairi McKay lost to Emma Caddow 2 & 1
Connie Jaffrey halved with Nicole Muir
Emma Hale beat Jennifer Black 7 & 6
Katie McGarva beat Alison Wight 6 & 4
Rachel Irvine beat Lisa Bathgate 6 & 5

AYRSHIRE 4.5 LANARKSHIRE 1.5

(Report & photos courtesy of June Kerr)