The first three of the four finals of the 2009 Ayrshire Junior Golf League competitions were held at West Kilbride Golf Club on Sunday 13th September in glorious weather on a course presented in the best of condition.
Ardeer fought back however and by the time the last tie had reached the 16th hole Kilmasrnock Barassie had won two ties and Ardeer had won one, whilst the remaining tie was all square.
In the CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY final, Scott Brown (Turnberry), the former Ayrshire Boys Matchplay & Strokeplay Champion and reigning Ayrshire Matchplay Champion, took on Adam Foley (Ayr Belleisle), a former finalist in the Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship.
The final was highly competitive throughout and by the turn Scott Brown had forged a two hole lead. Despite his best efforts, Adam Foley found it difficult to make inroads in the inward nine against probably the best performing young player in the county over the last year, and Scott Brown finished with a flourish to win the trophy by 6 & 4.
The WALLACE THORNTON TROPHY final was between Troon Welbeck and Irvine Ravenspark. Welbeck were looking to win the trophy for the third time, although their previous triumphs had been as far back as 1983 and 1992, whilst Ravenspark were bidding for their first win in the event.
Welbeck started as favourites with Ayrshire Boys matchplay Champion David Wilson and former finalist Marc Smith in the team, alongside Sam Findlater and Charlie MacNeal, whilst the Ravenspark team, weakened by two of the regular team members being unavailable, comprised Ally Berry, Greg Cathie, Brad Cathie and Chris Hobson.
Welbeck did not have everything their own way however and at the turn in the matches Welbeck lead in three and were behind in one. Ravenspark fought to reduce the defecit but the stronger Welbeck team eventually ran out winners by 4 - 0.
In the UNDER 16 KNOCKOUT TROPHY competition, Kilmarnock (Barassie) and Ardeer looked well matched and so it proved as the match got under way.
By the turn, Kilmarnock Barassie, represented by Daniel McBride, Colin Currie, Blair Gavin and Euan Henderson, had forged a 3 - 1 lead in the ties against the Ardeer team of Robbie Fitzpatrick, Daniel Forbes, Sandy Walker and Nick Carr.
Ardeer fought back however and by the time the last tie had reached the 16th hole Kilmasrnock Barassie had won two ties and Ardeer had won one, whilst the remaining tie was all square.
With Ardeer sure to win on countback in the event of a 2 - 2 draw the final match was crucial. At the 17th hole both players were short on the green in two leaving both players to chip on. Sandy Walker from Ardeer finished slightly closer in three than Blair Gavin of Barassie, but to the credit of the Barassie boy, he holed a good putt for a four to pile the pressure on his opponent and Sandy Walker's putt for a half, despite looking good, cruely lipped out and stayed above ground to leave Blair gavin one hole up with one to play and effectively giving Barassie at least the half match they required to win the trophy. Blair gavin held on to his slinm advantage at the last for a final 3 - 1 score in the final in favour of Kilmarnock (Barassie).
Ian Mckay (West Kilbride), the Ayrshire Junior Golf League Chairman, presented the trophies to the winners at the conclusion of the finals and all the contestants enjoyed a buffet and drinks kindly provided by the host club, to round off a fine day. Scott Brown drew matters to a close by proposing a vote of thanks to the host club and organisers.
The final of the Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship takes place at West Kilbride next Sunday, 20th September, when the holders Largs take on West Kilbride in a repeat of the 2008 final of the event.
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