Wednesday, January 27, 2010

UNIFICATION IS THE WAY AHEAD FOR SCOTTISH GOLF

FROM THE SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
SAYS MARTIN DEMPSTER


The Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association and the Scottish Golf Union used to be next door neighbours at Drumoig before going their separate ways. The SLGA moved to Perth and, more recently, the SGU transferred its base to The Duke's Course outside St Andrews.


It may be completely off the mark to suggest so, but it always seemed, from the outside looking in at least, that these organisations that run the amateur game in Scotland were not exactly on the best of terms.

Even a year ago talk of a possible amalgamation was a prickly matter, a senior SGU official getting his knuckles rapped for simply commenting on the subject and, believe me, he wasn't even close to saying anything controversial.

Twelve months on, though, it's a case of full steam ahead as far as that amalgamation is concerned and much of the credit for the progress being made should go to Shona Malcolm - pictured left -, the SLGA chairman, and her SGU counterpart, Douglas Connon.

Behind closed doors, they've worked tirelessly to get things moving in their respective associations and, while there's still work to be done, they are definitely getting closer to the day when Scottish amateur golf will be run by one unified body.

Scotland will be falling in line with most of its continental cousins and, closer to home, Wales, where a unified body is now entering its third year of existence. By all accounts, it's an arrangement that works perfectly well and, more to the point, it's something that needs to happen in Scotland at a time when a Single Equality Bill is going to shake things up in golf clubs.
The government intends to extend current discrimination laws to private members' clubs so as to end the treatment of women as "second-class members."

The consultation paper for this Bill specifically mentions the practice of restricting the times when female members have access to golf club facilities.

According to Hamish Grey - pictured right -, the SGU's Chief Executive, the majority of golf clubs in Scotland are already operating equally on a day-to-day basis while the others are working their way towards it.

Unfortunately, nothing is being done to outlaw those pre-historic, male-only and female-only clubs but, for the time being, we should applaud some progress being made and, for the women golfers out there, that's going to mean them having to dig deeper into their pockets, if they're not doing that already, to enjoy their equality at the golf club.

While Shona Malcolm from Ayrshire, a member of the Prestwick St. Nicholas and Prestwick St. Cuthbert clubs whose day job is as the LGU's chief executive and, therefore, has her finger on the pulse, believes this will result in some women golfers being lost to the game – it was noted at a seminar before Sunday's SGU annual meeting that female golfers at certain clubs have voted against becoming full members – she thinks the drop-off will be minimal and, what's more, is confident it can be offset by the joint-efforts of the SLGA and SGU in trying to encourage new participants into the sport.

Ayrshire resident Donald Turner, a man with a strong business and golf background, has been appointed as independent chair to lead a new working group and will oversee the consideration of all measures necessary to achieve the amalgamation which, according to those at the sharp end, is being welcomed at clubs throughout Scotland. Donald is the present Captain of Shiskine and is a member of a number of clubs, including Prestwick, where he is a Past Captain.

"It seems as though there is a will out there to make this happen," noted Malcolm, while Connon, who sat on the committee that oversaw the amalgamation of the Gordon Highlanders and the Queen's Own Highlanders in 1994, added:

"This amalgamation is a natural progression – it is the right thing for Scottish golf."

In Connon, the SGU currently has a strong individual at its helm and his 'team' for 2010 includes some new faces following the appointment of George Macgregor, Michael Clark and Maurice Shields as directors. Macgregor needs no introduction and the former Walker Cup player and captain is a first-class choice to take over from Robert Burns as the Director of Championships.
As for the SGU's new president Bert Leslie, he's done a pretty good job over the years in backing up Bernard Gallacher, Eric Brown and Stephen Gallacher in putting their beloved Bathgate Golf Club on the map and we wish him well in his year in office.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

SCOTTISH LADIES GOLF ASSOCIATION AGM - Record turnout for meeting

A record turnout of 168 lady golfers attended the SLGA's annual general meeting in Perth recently.



The meeting heard from Chairman Shona Malcolm that 2009 had been a memorable year for Scottish Ladies' Golf, what with Catriona Matthew's victory in the Ricoh Women's British Open, the Senior Home International Team beating all three opponents on its way to a first-time win, and three Scots representing GB&I in the Vagliano Trophy match.



Catriona was elected as a Vice-President of the SLGA, and the Chairman was delighted to advise the meeting that the Open Champion would be demonstrating her support of Scottish ladies' golf by attending the current squad's forthcoming warm weather training in Spain.

Back L - R Winifred MacCallum, Fiona Cowan, Sandy Bushby, Helen Cuthbertson, Janet Wake, Dawn Butchart, Lorna Bennett

Front L - R Lynne Terry, Douglas Connon, SGU Chairman; Shona Malcolm, Chairman; Emma Wilson, President; Beth Paterson



The new President, former Chairman Emma Wilson, was elected and paid warm tribute to retiring President Ethel Jack, while the meeting also approved the appointment of new Board members Lorna Bennett, Dawn Butchart and Sandy Bushby.


Proposals for the restructuring of the Ladies' Golf Union (LGU) were agreed, and revised Rules and Regulations of the SLGA adopted.


The Chairman updated the meeting on the amalgamation discussions with the Scottish Golf Union, stressing that there was much to be considered and the members would be kept informed of the progress of these talks.


Finance Director Lynne Terry reported the concerning trend of falling lady membership numbers in golf clubs, and emphasised the SLGA's ongoing determined efforts to raise interest and club participation in the ladies' and girls' game.


A full report on the AGM can be accessed via the SLGA website on http://www.slga.co.uk/

Thursday, January 21, 2010

SCOTTISH PAN-DISABILITY OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP - Entry forms available for September event

The 2010 Scottish Pan-Disability Open Golf Championship will be played in September at Scotscraig Golf Club near St Andrews in the "Home of Golf".


Scotscraig is an Open qualifying standard golf course and the thirteenth oldest golf course in the world.



The entry form for the event is downloadable direct from the link on the left of this page, under either the gents or ladies fixtures headings


More information will shortly be available on the Scottish Diability Golf Partnership website at http://www.sdgp.co.uk/

The Scottish Disability Golf Partnership run a number of golf events throughout the season, from march to September and further details can be obtained from their website.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

SAM HASWELL - Ravenspark's 'Grand Old Man Of Golf' passes away


The Ayrshire golfing community is saddened with the news that Irvine Ravenspark's Honorary President, Sam Haswell died on Sunday 17th January 2010, aged 87.

A President of The Ayrshire Golf Association in 1967 - 68, Sam came from a family of gifted golfers, a family reputation to which he himself added when he won the Irvine Ravenspark Club Championship in 1955 & 1961.

Always recognisable by his broad smile and friendly manner, Sam served as Captain of his club on two occasions, in 1956/57 and again in 1965/66 and will be greatly missed by the members of his home club, who had great respect and affection for their Honorary President and by many others who had the good fortune to spend time in Sam's company.

Sam's son Gordon advises that the funeral will take place on Friday 22 January at 12.15hrs, at the Abbey Church in Kilwinning.

Sam's friends from the golfing community in Ayrshire are welcome to attend and pay tribute to Ravenspark's 'Grand Old Man Of Golf'. I am sure that many golfers throughout the county, and indeed further afield, will join me in expressing sincere condolences to Sam's family at this time.

Alasdair J. Malcolm
Ayrshire Golf Association President

Thursday, January 14, 2010

AYRSHIRE SUMMER LEAGUE - Closing date for entries near


The closing date for entries to the 2010 AYRSHIRE SUMMER LEAGUE is approaching.

The championship, won most appropriately in 2009, their Centenary Year, by Loudoun Gowf Club (pictured right), is open to all clubs fully affilliated to the Ayrshire Golf Association.

Matches involve teams of six, played on a scratch basis througout the summer.


Entry forms were sent, in the first instance by e-mail, to all member clubs in early December.

The closing date for submission of entries is SUNDAY 31st JANUARY 2010.

If any club is unable to locate the previously forwarded entry form then a further copy can be obtained by contacting the AGA Secretary, Alasdair Malcolm on 01292 477657 or by e-mail at ayrshiregolf@fsmail.net

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS COMPETITION - Closing date for entries approaching


the closing date for entries to the 2010 AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS COMPETITION is approaching.

The championship, won in 2009 by Loudoun's Tommy McInally (pictured right) is open to all clubs fully affilliated to the Ayrshire Golf Association.
The semi finals and final of the competition will again be played over the tradition venue of Royal Troon in August.

Member clubs can nominate one player to represent them in the competition.

Entry forms were sent, in the first instance by e-mail, to all member clubs in early December.

The closing date for submission of entries is SUNDAY 31st JANUARY 2010.

If any club is unable to locate the previously forwarded entry form then a further copy can be obtained by contacting the AGA Secretary, Alasdair Malcolm on 01292 477657 or by e-mail at ayrshiregolf@fsmail.net

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Closing date for entries approaching

the closing date for entries to the 2010 AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP is approaching.

The championship, won in 2009 by Douglas Anderson & Gary Jordan (pictured right) of Annanhill is open to all clubs fully affilliated to the Ayrshire Golf Association.

Member clubs can nominate one pair to represent them in the competition.

Entry forms were sent, in the first instance by e-mail, to all member clubs in early December.

The closing date for submission of entries is SUNDAY 31st JANUARY 2010.

If any club is unable to locate the previously forwarded entry form then a further copy can be obtained by contacting the AGA Secretary, Alasdair Malcolm on 01292 477657 or by e-mail at ayrshiregolf@fsmail.net

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

JONES CUP - McEwan selected in Scotland squad to travel to USA


Steven McEwan (Caprington) - pictured right - has been named in a five strong squad who will represent Scotland at one of the USA's biggest amateur events next month, the Jones Cup.

Along with Ross Kellett (Colville Park), David law (Hazlehead), James White (Lundin) and Philip McLean (Peterhead), McEwan will travel to Sea Island in Georgia for the 54 hole event which takes place over the Ocean Forest course from 4th to 7th February.

Some of the world’s leading amateurs will take part in the event, which was first played in 2001, including world number two and reigning European Individual Champion Victor Dubuisson.

World number four Peter Uihlein will be the top ranked American in the field with England’s Walker Cup player Stiggy Hodgson also in the line-up.

More information on the evnet is available at http://www.jonescupinvitational.com/.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR FIXTURES - dates of Junior order Of merit counting events announced

The Ayrshire Junior Fixture List, including the Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit counting events has been published.

The 19 Junior Order Of Merit counting events begin with the Scottish Boys Championship at West Kilbride in April and conclude with the Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship at Prestwick in August.


THE AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT
2010 COUNTING EVENTS
AND OTHER JUNIOR FIXTURES

** Junior Order Of Merit counting event
Sun 28 March - SGU JUNIOR TOUR EVENT 1 (Monifieth)

Mon-Sat - 5-10 April - ** SCOTTISH BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP (West Kilbride)
Sun 18 April - AYRSHIRE BOYS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (Troon Portland)
Sat-Sun 18-19 April - SGU JUNIOR TOUR EVENT 2 (Newmacher)

Sun 2 May - SGU JUNIOR TOUR EVENT 3 (TBC)
Sat 22 May - SGU JUNIOR TOUR EVENT 4 (Brunston Castle)
Sun 30 May - AYRSHIRE U18 Vs DUMBARTONSHIRE U18 (Ardeer)

Sun 6 June - SGU BOYS AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (Peebles)
Sun 13 June - SGU JUNIOR TOUR EVENT 5 (Kilmarnock Barassie)
Sun ? June - AYRSHIRE U18 Vs GLASGOW U18 (Away - TBC)
Mon 28 June - ** PRESTWICK BOYS OPEN (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

Thur 1 July - ** LARGS JUNIOR OPEN (Largs)
Fri 2 July - GIRVAN BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP (Girvan)
Mon 5 July - ** POLLOCK TROPHY (Kilmarnock Barassie)
Tue toThu 6 – 8 July - SCOTTISH BOYS UNDER 16 STROKEPLAY (Auchterarder)
Fri 9 July - ** TROON WELBECK JUNIOR OPEN (Troon Darley)
Fri 9 July - SCOTTISH BOYS UNDER 14 STROKEPLAY (Auchterarder)
Sun 11 July - AYRSHIRE U18 Vs RENFREWSHIRE (Kilbirnie Place)
Tue 13 July - ** HARRIS BOYS OPEN (West Kilbride)
Thur 15 July - ** ANNANHILL BOYS OPEN (Annanhill)
Mon 19 July - ** LOUDOUN BOYS OPEN (Loudoun)
Thur 22 July - ** ARDEER JUNIOR OPEN (Ardeer)
Tue toThu 20 - 22 July - ** SCOTTISH BOYS STROKEPLAY (Craigielaw)
Mon 26 July - ** PRESTWICK ST. NICHOLAS JUNIOR OPEN (Prestwick St. Nicholas)
Thur 29 July - ** CAPRINGTON BOYS OPEN (Caprington) - provisional

Tue 3 August - TOM LEHMAN JUNIOR OPEN (Troon Municipal Courses)
Tue toThu 3 - 5 August - BOYS HOME INTERNATIONALS (Southerness)
Thu 5 August - ** AYRSHIRE BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP (Troon Lochgreen)
Sun 8 August - ** KILBIRNIE PLACE JUNIOR OPEN (Kilbirnie Place) - provisional
Mon 9 August - ** BALLOCHMYLE JUNIOR OPEN (Ballochmyle)
Mon toSat 10 - 15 August - ** BRITISH BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP (Kilmarnock Barassie/ Irvine) Wed 11 August - ** NORTH AYRSHIRE BOYS OPEN (Irvine Ravenspark) - provisional
Thur 12 August - ** AYR BELLEISLE JUNIOR OPEN (Ayr Belleisle)
Thu to Sat 12 - 14 August - ** AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY (Prestwick)
Sun 29 August - AYRSHIRE U18 Vs STIRLINGSHIRE U18 (Caprington)

Sun ? September - AYRSHIRE U18 Vs LANARKSHIRE U18 (Away - TBC)
Sun 19 September - AJGL WALLACE THORNTON FINAL (Largs)
Sun 19 September - AJGL UNDER 16 TROPHY FINAL (Largs)
Sun 26 September - AJGL CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS FINAL (Largs)
Sun 26 September - AJGL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL (Largs)

Mon 8 November - AJGL ANNUAL DINNER (Irvine Ravenspark)


The above list of fixtures can be downloaded via the link on the left of this page, under the Junior heading.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION ORDER OF MERIT - 2010 counting events for Doc Thom announced





The dates of the counting events for the 2010 Ayrshire Order Of Merit for the Doc Thom Salver have been announced.


The 14 counting events begin with the Ayrshire Strokeplay at Prestwick St. Cuthbert in April and conclude with the Arrol Cup at Prestwick St. Nicholas in September.


The full list of counting events for 2010 are:-






THE DOC THOM SALVER – AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT
2010 COUNTING EVENTS




Sun 25 April - AYRSHIRE STROKEPLAY (PRESTWICK ST. CUTHBERT)

Mon-Thur 3 to 6 May - AYRSHIRE MATCHPLAY (WESTERN GAILES)
Sun 23 May - THE HILLHOUSE CUP (ROYAL TROON)
Fri – Sun 28 - 30 May - SCOTTISH STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP (GLASGOW GAILES)
Sun 30 May - BELLEISLE CUP (AYR BELLEISLE)


Sat 5 June - THE LOUDOUN OPEN (LOUDOUN GOWF)
Sat 5 June - AYR SEAFIELD OPEN (AYR SEAFIELD)
Sat 12 June - BALLOCHMYLE OPEN (BALLOCHMYLE)
Mon – Sat 14 – 19 June - THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP (MUIRFIELD / N. BERWICK)

Sat 19 June - THE McGILCHRIST CUP (ARDEER) - provisional

Mon – Sat 26 - 31 July - SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP (GULLANE No. 1)

Sun 22 August - VIKING KRUS (LARGS KELBURN)
Sun 29 August - WELBECK LINKS (TROON MUNICIPAL) - provisional

Sat 18 September - ARROL CUP (PRESTWICK ST. NICHOLAS)

This fixture list can be downloaded from the link on the left of this page, under the Gents Fixtures heading.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

NATIONAL FIXTURES 2010 - Ayrshire clubs host national events throughout the year

Ayrshire clubs are to the fore again this year as clubs in the county gear up to host a number of national events in 2010.




West Kilbride (above) start the ball rolling with the traditional opener of the SGU season, The Scottish Boys Championship, which will be held over the Ayrshire links from 5th to 10th April. This will be the 10th occasion West Kilbride has hosted the event since 1979.


Later in the season it is the turn of the ladies to take on the challenges of West Kilbride when the Senior Ladies' British Open Amateur Championship will be held there from 14th to 16th September.


Kilmarnock (Barassie) - pictured right - will host the fifth and final SGU Junior Tour event of the season on 13th June before playing host to the R & A administered British Boys Championship, which will be held there from 10th to 15th August.



After Irvine Golf Club's succesful hosting of the ladies Home Internationals in 2009 (below), they will co-host the Boys Amateur Championship along with Kilmarnock (Barassie).




The SGU Junior Tour event 4 is another national event being held in Ayrshire in 2010, at Brunston Castle on 22nd of May.


Royal Troon will be the venue once again for the Helen Holm Scottish Open Stroke Play from 23rd to 25th of April, which will be the last opportunity for the International Selectors to see the Curtis Cup hopefuls in play before the selection for the team is finalised for the matches in the USA in the summer.

Glasgow Gailes will host two national events in 2010, with the SGU Scottish Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship being held there from 28th to 30th May and the Scottish ladies Champion Of Champions competition scheduled to take place on 10th October.

The full list of Gents and ladies National Events for 2010 are available to download from the relevant links on the left of this page.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION FIXTURES 2010

The dates and venues for the 2010 programme of Ayrshire Golf Association fixtures has been announced.

The season opens with a match against The South Of Scotland in March at Girvan.

The traditional opener of the 'in house' events, The Ayrshire Boys Team Championship, takes place at Troon Porltand on 18th April with the Strokeplay Championship being held the following week at Prestwick St. Cuthbert.

Western Gailes again host the Matchplay Championship in early May whilst the Ayrshire Club Championship on the 4th July will be hosted by the holders, Prestwick Golf Club, who went on to win the Scottish Club Championship last September.

After two years at Kilmarnock (Barassie), the Ayrshire Seniors Championship for the Sandy Provan Trophy, moves to West Kilbride on 20th July.

The Ayrshire Boys Championship, on 5th August, returns to Troon Lochgreen where it was last held in 2002 whilst the Boys Matchplay will again be hosted by Prestwick Golf Club in mid August.

Royal Troon, the traditional venue for the semi finals and final of The Champion Of Champions competition, will again host these matches in August.

The fixture list is reproduced below, and is also available to download via the link on the left of this page, under the Gents Fixtures heading.

THE AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION FIXTURE LIST 2010

DATE EVENT VENUE

21 March Ayrshire Vs. South Of Scotland (Girvan)

18 April Ayrshire Boys Team Championship (Troon Portland)
25 April Ayrshire Strokeplay Championship (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

3 – 6 May Ayrshire Matchplay Championship (Western Gailes)
15-16 May Scottish Area team Championship (Kinross)
30 May Ayrshire U18 Vs. Dumbartonshire U18 (Ardeer)


? June Ayrshire U18 Vs. Glasgow U18 (Away - TBC)

04 July Ayrshire Club Championship (Prestwick)
11 July Ayrshire U18 Vs. Renfrewshire U18 (Kilbirnie Place)
20 July Ayrshire Seniors Championship (West Kilbride)

05 August Ayrshire Boys Championship (Troon Lochgreen)
06 August Champion Of Champions Semi Finals (Royal Troon)
12 – 14 August Ayrshire Boys Matchplay (Prestwick)
13 August Champion Of Champions Final (Royal Troon)

29 August Ayrshire U18 Vs. Stirlingshire U18 (Caprington)

? September Ayrshire U18 Vs. Lanarkshire U18 (Away – TBC)
? September Ayrshire Fourball Final (T.B.A.)

19 September Ayrshire A Vs. Glasgow A (Brunston Castle)
19 September Ayrshire Y Vs. Glasgow Y (Away - TBC)
26 September Ayrshire A Vs. Renfrewshire A (Kilmarnock Barassie)
26 September Ayrshire Y Vs. Renfrewshire Y (Eastwood)

3 October Ayrshire A Vs. Stirlingshire A (Away TBC)
3 October Ayrshire Y Vs. Stirlingshire Y (Ballochmyle)
10 October Ayrshire A Vs. Lanarkshire A (Irvine Ravenspark)
10 October Ayrshire Y Vs. Lanarkshire Y (Away - TBC)
17 October Ayrshire A Vs. Dumbartonshire A (Hayston)

17 October Ayrshire Y Vs. Dumbartonshire Y (Troon Darley)

SCOTTISH GOLF UNION - Kinross to host revised Scottish Area Team Championship in 2010


The Montgomery and Bruce courses at Kinross Golf Club have been named as the host venues for the 2010 Scottish Area Team Championship, which will be played for the first time under a new format this season.

The Championship, which Ayrshire won in 1986 & 2008, also moves to a new date in the domestic amateur calendar, switching from its traditional end of season slot to the early summer weekend of 15 – 16 May, with Scotland’s sixteen Area Associations competing for the country’s most prestigious team title.

The revised format will see the sixteen sides, made up of the six leading amateur golfers from each Area, playing two rounds of stroke play qualifying on the Saturday over both courses, with the four leading qualifying teams playing off in match play format in semi-finals and a final on the Sunday to determine the champions. The five lowest scores over the two qualifying rounds will count towards each team’s aggregate score.

Hamish Grey, SGU Chief Executive, welcomed the move to a new date and format:

“The changes we have made to the Scottish Area Team Championship were vital to keep the event in line with our strategy of developing talent in Scotland, whilst also reducing costs on what was previously a very expensive Championship to run from both a national and Area perspective.”

“Our new format brings together all sixteen Areas at a central location in what will be a celebration of amateur golf in Scotland. By introducing the stroke play qualifying, it will also allow players to compete for world amateur ranking points and the new date should ensure almost all of our top players will take part.”

“We are delighted to be staging the first new version of the Championship at Kinross, which has two fantastic golf courses as well as excellent accommodation facilities for the teams and anticipate a great event in May,”
he added.

Located just off the M90 south of Perth, Kinross has two courses in the Montgomery and the Bruce. At 6,508 yards the Montgomery is the longer of the two, with the Bruce measuring 6,231 yards whilst both courses offer a testing but enjoyable challenge for accomplished and occasional golfers alike. Two hotels also form part of the Golf Kinross package, with the four-star Green Hotel and three-star Windlestrae located within close proximity of the courses.

SGU Events Manager Euan Mordaunt added:

“We are very excited about working with Director of Golf Jamie Montgomery and the team at Kinross and look forward to seeing the country’s leading amateur golfers overcome the challenges presented by the Montgomery and Bruce courses.”

The Scottish Golf Union are still seeking a new sponsor for the Championship and any companies interested should contact Ross Duncan, Marketing & Sponsorship Manager, on 01334 466477 to find our further details.