Wednesday, December 21, 2011

THE WAY THEY WERE - Cammie Gibson & the 'missing' cap

From the scottishgolfview.com website
 
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com



W C (Cammie), one of the most successful of Ayrshire's golfing sons, died in 1995 but Scottishgolfview.com and Ayrshire Golf Association secretary Alasdair Malcolm are of the same mind in that it's not too late for the Scottish Golf Union handbook to get Cammie's Scotland international appearances listed correctly (no criticism of the present staff intended).
Cammie played in the Men's Home Internationals of 1950 at Royal St David's GC, Harlech in Wales, after he beat David Blair, Scottish boy champion in 1935 and Walker Cup player of 1955 and 1961, by 2 and 1 in the final of the Scottish amateur championship at a course Cammy knew very well - Prestwick.
He also played in the following year's (1951) Home Internationals at Royal Lytham, where Scotland and Ireland shared the title, but, for some unexplained reason, every other member of the Scotland team that year is credited with a cap for 1951 in the SGU handbook - but not Cammie Gibson.

That was the second bit of bad luck in Cammie's golfing career.

He reached the semi-finals of the Scottish amateur championship in 1939 and was selected to play in the home internationals at Royal Lytham - but they were cancelled, alongwith every other major sporting event, when World War II was declared by Britain on Germany in September 1939.

Alongwith many fine golfers, and other sportsmen, Cammie Gibson "lost" the next six years when he would have been at his golfing peak and who knows what he might have achieved in the golfing world in the 1940s in normal circumstances.

Cammie Gibson is pictured below in his playing days.
Alasdair Malcolm writes:
"Cammie's home club was Prestwick St Cuthbert when he won the Scottish in 1950. He was made an honorary member of St Cuthbert in 1939 after his bronze medal performance in the same event.
"He also became a member of Prestwick St Nicholas, playing his golf there in later years.
"Interestingly, when he won the Scottish at Prestwick in 1950, Prestwick Town Council had an exact copy of the championship trophy in miniature made for him. This stands about eight inches high and is on permanent loan to St Cuthbert, along with his championship medals.
"I took a photograph of the miniature copy, next to its 'big brother,' the last time the Scottish Amateur was at Prestwick (Alasdair Malcolm also took a picture of Cammie with the miniature and that's it at the top of this article).
"You may be interested to know that Cammie's brother was a well known professional in America, who played in the US Open and Masters tournaments and was a playing contemporary of the likes of Sam Snead and Tony Penna.
"Andy Gibson began his career on the other side of the Atlantic as professional at Baltimore County GC but he moved on to The Country Club, Maryland where he was pro for over 25 years.
"Cammie passed away in 1995 and brother Andy died only a few months later."

"A picture from 1994 when Cammie Gibson presented his golfing medals on permanent loan to Prestwick St Cuthbert, writes Alasdair Malcolm.
"The frame of medals include his Scottish Amateur championship bronze (1939) and gold (1950) medals and a medal from the 10th Boys International in 1932 between Scotland and England which was played at Royal Lytham St Annes.
"Interesting to note that the 1939 Scottish Amateur Championship was apparently the first one that Cammie entered, where he won bronze, and his next appearance in the championship was 1950 when he won gold.
"His next appearance was in 1951 at St Andrews, as defending champion, when he went all the way to the quarter finals before losing out to WD (Dick) Smith, a Prestwick member who famously played in the Walker Cup against a young Jack Nicklaus. I am not aware of Cammie taking part in the Scottish Amateur again after this, so not a bad record for three entries - quarter-finalist, semi-finalist and champion!
"As to the question why the Scottish Golf Union handbook's 1951 omission of his cap that year was not taken up, I have no idea. Whether it is just an oversight or whether there were other factors I am not sure.
"Did the matches go ahead on the scheduled dates or were they postponed and he wasn't available for the rearanged fixture? (Editor: The fact that a team picture, below, was taken suggests that Cammy Gibson was there and played). Perhaps if one of the Home nations has detailed records we may be able to shed some light on this eventually."

SCOTLAND'S 1950 HOME INTERNATIONALS TEAM
Back row (left to right): JR McKay, KW Walker, CD Lawrie, FWG Deighton, RR Jack, GW Mackie, R Wight, A Sinclair junior.
Front row (l to r): AT Kyle, J Cameron Conn (SGU president), WS McLeod, GB Peters (non-playing team captain), WC Gibson, WM Berrie (SGU honorary secretary), JB Stevenson.

SCOTLAND'S 1951 HOME INTERNATIONALS TEAM

Back row standing (left to right): RC MacGregor, WS McLeod, JR McKay, SB Williamson, HM Dickson (SGU president), WM Berrie (SGU honorary secretary).
Middle row seated (l to r): WC Gibson, JC Wilson, JM Dykes, RD Brand (non-playing team captain), AT Kyle, DA Blair, D Cameron.
Front seated (l to r): RR Jack, JB Stevenson.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Many famous names from Scotland's golfing past in both pictures which were given to Alasdair Malcolm by Cammie Gibson - Reid Jack, Morty Dykes, Eddie Hamilton, David Blair, Sandy Sinclair, to name just the ones that I know best.
One thing that strikes me about both pictures is the mature age of the players who represented Scotland in those days, when the European Tour, not to mention the Tour School was still some years away.
I would guess the teams' average age would have been at least 30, maybe 35 compared with a Scotland team these days when the average age would be around 20 or 21.
FOOTNOTE
In the 1970 edition of the Scottish Golf Union yearbook, Cammie is listed as playing against Ireland in 1950 & 1951.
A trawl through all the players listed on both photos and the caps attributed to them in the 1970 yearbook revealed that the same 10 players appear to have played in all three home international matches in 1950, whilst in 1951 eight appear to have played in all three matches.

Of the others, Cammie and J B Stevenson (another Ayrshire man from Troon St Meddans) played only against Ireland whilst Jimmy McKay (Prestwick St Nicholas) and R.C. McGregor both played against England & Wales.

In summary, it would appear that over the years, Cammie's 1951 cap against Ireland appears to have dropped off the radar. Hopefully this information will be sufficient to have the SGU Yearbook corrected for future years. - Alasdair J Malcolm

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

FLASHBACK !!! - Ayrshire's West Of Scotland Under 18 League winning team of 1996

A blast for the past which came to light a few days ago. The scene is Beith Golf Club in September 1996 where the Ayrshire Under 18 team have just won their final match of the series to take the West Inter County League Wishart Trophy for the first time.


How many of the players and officials can you name ?.

There are at least four serving or one time professional golfers in the photo (Clue - It's not the three with the blazers at either side !!), as well as three players who went on to win senior County titles.

Another photo of the team from the same year, with one change of team member on this occassion

Can you name them all this time
 
If anyone can name all the players and officials and wants to send their list to ayrshiregolf@fsmail.net we will publish the name of the sender of the first all correct list, along with the names of course.

UPDATE

Ian Fraser (Troon St Meddans) was able to name some of the players and officials in the photos.

Ian wrote:-

"What a fantastic article in scottishgolf view about C.Gibson of St. Cuthbert. its so warming to know an ayrshire legend is finally recognised in the history books.

Also in those old pictures was the great JB Stevenson of Troon. What an incredible player he was!

He was our towns Bobby Jones. I think I'm right in saying he was a finalist in the amateur, representing scotland for many years and locally winning the Hillhouse Cup a staggering 10 times!( amongst many others things). (NOTE :- JB Stevenson was a Scottish internationalist in various years from 1932 through to 1951, bronze medalist in the Scottish Amateur in 1931 at Prestwick and quarter finalist in the Amateur Championship at Troon in 1938).

When you hear Professor Sir James Armour and Stewart Wilson saying he was their hero, you know he must have been something else!


It was also nice to see the Ayrshire boys team of the late 90s on the Ayrshire site. I can't name them all but definitely recognised Ronnie Potts, Dave Smith, big Scotty Cairns,Tommy Mac, Stevie Wallace and last but not least Neil Lockie.

Neil is a good friend of my mine. In case your not aware he is currently the head professional at Jonathans Landing GC in Jupiter, FLA.

I was out there in April and played the Fazio with him. Neil, of course is the great nephew of the great JB Stevenson ".

But the first person to name all the players and officials in the two photos of the Ayrshire Boys team was
STEPHEN McBLAIN
of Prestwick St Cuthbert GC.

Stephen correctly listed the names as :-
Photo 1 Left to Right

 
Dave Smith, Scott Cairns, Neil Lockie, Steven Wallace, Scott Sheridan, Ian Robertson, Gary Holland, John Doolan, Tommy McInally, Ronnie Potts and Alasdair Malcolm

Photo 2 Left to Right
 
Morgan Hall, David Connolly, Neil Lockie, Tommy McInally, John Doolan, Ian Robertson, Scott Sheridan, Garry Holland, Steven Wallace and Dave Smith

Well done Stephen - keep an eye out throughout the forthcoming year for other old photos, if we can dig some out, to test your memory.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS - Some Xmas fun and best wishes from the Association

A little Christmas fun, sending best wishes to all our member clubs and golfers throughout Ayrshire this Christmas
(click on the link to view)

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

SCOTTISH GOLF UNION - Chairman to stand down at AGM

Douglas Connon

The Board of the Scottish Golf Union Ltd regrets to announce that due to health reasons Douglas Connon will not be putting his name forward for a second term in the position of Chairman of the Board at the AGM on 22 January 2012.
 

Douglas took over from Alistair Low as Chairman in January 2009 and will continue in his role until the AGM, but has decided not to be considered for another three-year term.

Douglas’ priorities have changed as a result of the serious illness he has endured this past year and the need to focus on getting back to full health and business life.
Hamish Grey, CEO of the Scottish Golf Union, said:

 “On behalf of all associated with the Scottish Golf Union, it is with great sadness we received this news. Douglas has helped raise the profile, reputation and finances of the Scottish Golf Union".

“I would personally like to thank Douglas for the support he has given to the Board over these past three years.  We wish him a speedy recovery.”

The Board will review the Scottish Golf Union’s position post the January AGM in due course.

Further comment will made be made from the Scottish Golf Union regarding this issue at the AGM.

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

AYRSHIRE GOLF ACADEMY - venture gets into the swing over the winter months

The Ayrshire Golf Academy, which has recently been introduced as part of the Ayrshire Golf Association coaching programme, is getting into the swing of things as the winter months begin.

The first two sessions for a selected group of junior golfers have already taken place, on 6th November and 4th December, at the SportScotland National Centre at Inverclyde in Largs.

Over the winter months the Academy programme will cover various spects of the game including coaching, skill levels, nutrition, fitness and psychological aspects of the sport in an effort to maximise the potential of the players selected to take part in the programme this year.

Participants in the scheme range from ages 13 to 17 and were invited to take part after being selected on a strict handicap basis within certain age parameters.

All the players selected possess at least a single figure handicap, ranging from 9 to +1, whilst 13 of the 20 participants hold a category 1 handicap.

The full list of players included in the Ayrshire Academy programme this winter is :-

JACK THOMAS (Irvine)
DAVID WILSON (Troon Welbeck)
EUAN WALKER (Kilmarnock Barassie)
CALLUM BEVERIDGE (Troon Welbeck)
CALLUM GORRIE (Kilmarnock Barassie)
BLAIR GAVIN (Kilmarnock Barassie)
STUART EASTON (Irvine)
EUAN HENDERSON (Kilmanrock Barassie)
JACK McCLUSKEY (Ayr Belleisle)
LOUIS MURRAY (Troon Welbeck)
MURRAY McCRONE (Troon Welbeck)
CONNOR McKAY (Loudoun)
ROSS McDONALD (Irvine)
CAMPBELL MURRAY (Troon Welbeck)
KIERAN TUMILTY (West Kilbride)
SHAUN HEDGER (West Kilbride)
SEAN COOK (Annanhill)
DARREN McCUTCHEON (Troon Welbeck)
DARRYL LYNCH (Ayr Belleisle)
JORDAN FRASER (Ayr Belleisle)

Reserves
JORDAN SWEENEY (Ayr Belleisle)
CRAIG REID (Irvine Ravenspark)

In addition to the Ayrshire Academy programme, The Association are currently undertaking a review of all aspects of County coaching with the intention of producing a new strategy document in the near future.

 

GIRLS ALLOWED !!!!! - Ayrshire Junior Golf league agree to girls participation

At the 44th Annual General Meeting of The Ayrshire Junior Golf League, held at Caprington Golf Club on Tuesday 6th December, club representatives agreed in principal to a proposal that girls will be permitted to take part in all Ayrshire Junior Golf League competitions in 2012.

The decision, which received support from both the Ayrshire Ladies County Golf Association and the Ayrshire Golf Association, will allow girls to be included in teams in the League Championship, Under 16 Knockout and Wallace Thornton competitions, and may also result in a girls representative taking part in the Junior Champion Of Champions competition. This will be the first occassion since the Ayrshire Junior Golf League was formed in 1968 that girls will be eligible to take part in the competitions administered by The League.

A sub committee has been set up to consider relevant alterations to the Constitution and Rules Of Competitions, to be ratified by the member clubs prior to the start of the 2012 competitions.

Members present at the AGM also heard a resume of the 2011 season, including the very succesful annual dinner held at Loudoun GC.
2012 Chairman
Bobby Caddis
(Prestwick St Cuthbert)

With the League's finances in a healthy position, it was agreed to hold the annual subscription at the same level as 2011, whilst it was also agreed to write to clubs with junior sections who were not presently members of The League, to ascertain if there would be any interest in joining the AJGL prior to the 2012 season.

The 2011 Chairman, Gavin Scott (Loudoun) stood down at the meeting, handing over the position in 2012 to Bobby Caddis (Prestwick St Cuthbert). The Vice Chairmanship will be held by Annanhll GC in 2012 whilst The League officials remained in post for a further year, Robin Baker (Royal Troon) remaining as Treasurer, Billy Tait (Annanhill) retaining his post as Assistant Secretary and John Nordbo (Largs) filling the position of League Secretary.

New Honorary members Fred Helson & Bobby Caddis
At the conclusion of the evening, outgoing Chairman Gavin Scott had the very pleasant duty of proposing two of the club representatives for Honorary Membership of The League, on account of both individuals having served as their respective club convenors for periods in excess of 10 years.

Fred Helson (Irvine Ravenspark) and Bobby Caddis (Prestwick St Cuthbert) were both presented with framed Honorary Member certificates, becoming the 14th and 15th recipients of Honorary Membership of The League respectively.




The full list of individuals honoured in this way by The League is :-

1975 - ANDREW D. NIMMO  Prestwick St. Cuthbert G.C.
1977 - MATT McGREGOR Irvine Ravenspark G.C.
1980 - SAM COULTER Maybole G.C.
1981 - JOHN COWAN Prestwick St. Cuthbert G.C.
1983 - W. KERR FERGUSON Prestwick St. Cuthbert G.C.
1984 - ROBERT F. GRASSOM Ayr Belleisle G.C.
1990 - IAIN HARVEY Ayr Belleisle G.C.
1990 - RUSSELL CAMERON Ayr Belleisle G.C.
1992 - WILLIAM TINSLEY Ardeer G.C.
2000 - CHARLES McGREGOR Irvine Ravenspark G.C.
2002 - ALASTAIR A. GRAHAM Prestwick St. Cuthbert G.C.
2002 - ALASDAIR J. MALCOLM Prestwick St. Cuthbert G.C.
2007 - BRIAN FARRELLY Ardeer G.C.
2011 - FRED HELSON Irvine Ravenspark G.C.
2011 - ROBERT CADDIS Prestwick St Cuthbert G.C.

Monday, December 05, 2011

60,000 AND COUNTING - Merry Christmas to all our web page visitors

Many thanks to all our visitors during 2011, who have taken the total number of visitors through the 60,000 mark for the very first time.


Although winter is a time where results are fewer, keep visiting over the next few weeks and months where we will be including news of forthcoming fixtures in 2012 amongst other items which crop up over the winter months which may be of interest.

If any clubs have items of interest or forthcoming events they want to publicise in the wider Ayrshire golfing community, details can be forwarded via email to ayrshiregolf@fsmail.net .

Hoping all our readers get all the golfing gifts they want from Santa this year.