AYRSHIRE MATCHPLAY COMPETITIONS - One day to go until entries close

Entries for the 2013 Ayrshire matchplay competitions close on Thursday 31st January.

As of 30th January the following entries have been received :-

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES

West Kilbride
Ayr Dalmilling
Ballochmyle
Irvine
Prestwick St Nicholas
Prestwick St Cuthbert
Troon St Meddans
Irvine Ravenspark
Ardeer
Caprington
Loudoun
Largs
Kilmarnock (Barassie)
Maybole
Moorpark
Turnberry
Troon Welbeck
Tam O Shanter
Ayr Belleisle
Rowallan Castle
Girvan
New Cumnock


AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

West Kilbride
Ayr Dalmilling
Ballochmyle
Alton
Irvine
Wallacetown
Prestwick St Nicholas
Glacier
Malletsheugh
Prestwick St Cuthbert
Brunston Castle
Drongan
Troon St Meddans
Irvine Ravenspark
Beith
Ardeer
Caprington
Loudoun
Troon Portland
Stewarton
Turnberry Staff
Largs
North Beach
Kilmarnock (Barassie)
Saxone
Ayr Seafield
Crosshouse
Muirkirk
Maybole
The Chase
Moorpark
Largs Routenburn
Fenwick
Tam O Shanter
Troon Welbeck
Ayr Belleisle
Braehead
New Cumnock
Girvan
Rowallan Castle

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

Holder Steven McEwan
West Kilbride
Ayr Dalmilling
Ballochmyle
Alton
Irvine
Auchenharvie88
Wallacetown
Prestwick St Nicholas
Glacier
Malletsheugh
Prestwick St Cuthbert
Brunston Castle
Drongan
Troon St Meddans
Irvine Ravenspark
Beith
Ardeer
Loudoun
Troon Portland
Stewarton
Turnberry Staff
Largs
North Beach
Kilmarnock (Barassie)
Saxone
Ayr Seafield
Crosshouse
Muirkirk
Maybole
Moorpark
Whiting Bay
The Chase
Royal Troon
Largs Routenburn
Turnberry
Fenwick
Tam O Shanter
Troon Welbeck
Ayr Belleisle
Braehead
New Cumnock
Girvan
Rowallan Castle

CHARLIE GREEN - 3 times Scottish champion dies at 80

Many followers of golf in Ayrshire will be sad to hear the news that Charlie Green from Dumbartonshire passed away on Monday 28th January at the age of 80.                                                 

STILL WINNING TROPHIES AT THE AGE OF 71 = Charlie Green with the Over-65s Trophy in the 2003 British senior open amateur championship at Blairgowrie Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com Charlie Green OBE, one of the most successful Scottish amateurs golfers in the second half of the 20th Century, has died at home this morning. He was 80 years old and had been suffering from cancer since last August.   The funeral service is on Monday (11.15am) at Cardoss Parish Church. Born in Dumbarton on August 2, 1932, Green was Scottish amateur champion in 1970, 1982 and 1983. He won the silver medal as leading amateur in the 1962 Open championship. Green played in five Walker Cup matches between 1963 and 1973. He was also captain of the GB and I Walker Cup team in 1983 and 1985. Long and lean, Charlie did not win the first of his three Scottish titles until he was close on 38 - he beat Hugh Stuart by one hole in the final at Balgownie - and Green did not gain the first of many caps for Scotland until 1961 when he was 29. Scottish Golf Union Chief Executive Hamish Grey said: "Charlie Green was a legend, playing as he did in 18 consecutive Home International Matches from 1961 to 1978 and being the most capped Scottish International. He will be sadly missed." An affable character, Charlie once told me he "couldn't hit a barn door"as a boy golfer.

Fortunately, he persevered and the rest is history. 

He enjoyed an Indian Summer of a golfing career when he graduated to the over-50s ranks.

Charlie won the British senior open amateur title six times - four in a row from 1988 to 1991, and then two more consecutively in 1993 and 94.  

And, at the age of 71, he won the Over-65s Trophy in the British senior open amateur championship at Blairgowrie in 2003.

Arguably the last of the great Scottish career amateurs.

SCOTTISH GOLF UNION - Ayrshire's Iain Harvey elected President

SGU President Iain Harvey

Ayrshire's Iain Harvey was elected President of the Scottish Golf Union for 2013 - 14 at the SGUL Annual General Meeting held at The Scottosh Police College at Tulliallan on Sunday 20th January.

Iain is a member of Kilmarnock (Barassie) and Ayr Belleisle Golf Clubs, and becomes the 51st holder of the post. It is understood that iain is only the second SGU President from Ayrshire, the first being Bob McLaren (Largs) in 1989 - 90.

A past President of the Ayrshire Golf Association from 1996 - 1998, Iain has served on The Ayrshire Golf Association executive committee for more than 25 years.

Beginning his involvement with golf administration as junior convener of Ayr Belleisle in the 1970's, Iain was Chairman of the Ayrshire Junior Golf League in 1981 and also served as Secretary of  the league from 1981 to 1989, being awarded Honorary Life membership of   The League in 1989 in recognition of his contribution to junior golf in the area..

A retired schoolteacher, Iain became Ayrshire's representaitve on the SGU Council in 2006 and has served in various roles within the SGU, latterly being a member of the SGU’s Golf Course and Handicapping & Course Rating Committees.

In his introductory message in the 2013 SGU yearbook, Iain reflects on the successes of 2012, including the European victory in the Ryder Cup and the GB & I win in the Curtis Cup whilst looking forward to the Walker Cup matches scheduled in 2013.

On his election, Iain commented,

' It is a great honour for me to be your President in 2013 and to follow in the footsteps of my 50 distinguished predecessors.

I hope to meet as many of you as possible throughout the year at national and Area events and to thank, at first hand, the many volunteers who give of their time to ensure that these events run smoothly and efficiently '.

Iain also acknowledged the contribution of clubs throughout the country, and others who support the amateur game in Scotland,

' My thanks also to the clubs who generously agree to host our events, to our loyal sponsors and to other supporters and partners who help Scottish golf in so many ways '.

In concluding, Iain added,

' I am looking forward to being your President and wish you all, whatever your level of golf, a succesful year '.

AYRSHIRE MATCHPLAY COMPETITIONS - only one week remains to submit entries

Only one week remains for clubs to submit entries to the Ayrshire Champion Of Champions, Ayrshire Fourball and Ayrshire Scratch Leagues competitions, with entries due to be in the hands of The Association Secretary by 31st January.

The entries received for each competition, up to and including 24th January, are :-

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES

West Kilbride
Ayr Dalmilling
Ballochmyle
Irvine
Prestwick St Nicholas
Prestwick St Cuthbert
Troon St Meddans
Irvine Ravenspark
Ardeer
Caprington
Loudoun
Largs
Kilmarnock (Barassie)
Maybole
Moorpark
Turnberry

Clubs who entered in 2012 and who have still to confirm participation in 2013 are :-

Troon Welbeck
Ayr Belleisle
New Cumnock
Kilbirnie Place
Tam O Shanter
Girvan
Doon Valley
Rowallan Castle

If any of the above clubs do not intend entering the 2013 scratch leagues, it would assist greatly if they could notify The Association Secretary as soon as possible.

Crosshouse and Brunston Castle have confirmed that they will not be taking part this season, which prompts a slight rearangement of the lower leagues, with the likelyhood of only four leagues being in operation for 2013 instead of five, with clubs moving up to a higher league as appropriate. All participant clubs will be advised once the number of entries are confirmed. 

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

West Kilbride
Ayr Dalmilling
Ballochmyle
Alton
Irvine
Wallacetown
Prestwick St Nicholas
Glacier
Malletsheugh
Prestwick St Cuthbert
Brunston Castle
Drongan
Troon St Meddans
Irvine Ravenspark
Beith
Ardeer
Caprington
Loudoun
Troon Portland
Stewarton
Turnberry Staff
Largs
North Beach
Kilmarnock (Barassie)
Saxone
Ayr Seafield
Crosshouse
Muirkirk
Maybole
The Chase
Moorpark
Largs Routenburn

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

Holder Steven McEwan
West Kilbride
Ayr Dalmilling
Ballochmyle
Alton
Irvine
Auchenharvie88
Wallacetown
Prestwick St Nicholas
Glacier
Malletsheugh
Prestwick St Cuthbert
Brunston Castle
Drongan
Troon St Meddans
Irvine Ravenspark
Beith
Ardeer
Loudoun
Troon Portland
Stewarton
Turnberry Staff
Largs
North Beach
Kilmarnock (Barassie)
Saxone
Ayr Seafield
Crosshouse
Muirkirk
Maybole
Moorpark
Whiting Bay
The Chase
Royal Troon
Largs Routenburn
Turnberry

MID AMATEUR STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP OF SCOTLAND - Event returns to Ayrshire for second year

The Mid Amateur Strokeplay Championship of Scotland returns to Ayrshire this year, when the event is held at Turnberry on Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th August.

 

James Bunch (Prestwick) won the innaugural competition at Dundaonald in 2012.

 

Details of the competition are listed below and a link to the entry form is available on the left of this page, under the 'Mens Info' heading.

THE MID AMATEUR STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP OF SCOTLAND

(Holder – James Bunch, Prestwick)

TUESDAY 13 TH & WEDNESDAY 14TH  AUGUST 2013

AT THE TURNBERRY RESORT, AYRSHIRE.

54 HOLE STROKE PLAY EVENT

OPEN TO ALL MALE AMATEUR GOLFERS

35 YEARS OR OLDER ON 13th AUGUST 2013

 

This event forms part of the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings and is also a Mid Amateur Golf Order of Merit event for 2013.

 

There will be prizes guaranteed for at least the first 3 places in both the scratch and handicap categories with more prizes added depending on the size of the field.

ENTRY FEE £110.00

HANDICAP LIMIT FOR THIS EVENT IS 12 (Must be active) AND ENTRIES FOR THIS EVENT ARE ON A

FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS WITH NO BALLOT.

Please visit www.midamgolf.co.uk to pay online via PayPal and for full event details or via entry form.

Details online also available for our events at Hunstanton, West Lancashire, Machynys (Welsh Mid Amateur) and many more

SOUTH AFRICAN SUNSHINE TOUR - Stewart secures card for 2013

Michael Stewart with the
South African Amateur Trophy
in 2011

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) succesfully secured playing right on the 2013 South African Sunshine Tour with a final round 69 on Saturday earning him an 11th place finish in the five round qualifying competition.

The former South African Amateur champion won his tour card alongside former Walker Cup team mate James Byrne from Banchory.

(From the www.scottishgolfview.com website)

Winning Walker Cup team-mates at Balgownie in 2011, Banchory's James Byrne and Michael Stewart from Troon have at long last earned membership of a pro tour!They finished on the same 12 under par mark of 348 after five rounds of the Southern Africa PGA Sunshine Tour Qualifying School at Schoeman Park Golf Club.

Stewart, who has enjoyed little luck since he turned pro, was officially placed 11th with scores of 72, 70, 67, 70 and 69.

Byrne finished 12th with rounds of 68 66 73 71 70.Stewart earned 4,000 South African Rand, Byrne 3,500.

A total of 36 players with aggregates or 354 or better earned playing rights on the Sunshine Tour.

Stewart and Byrne finished high up in the pecking order and this should gain them entry to all the tour events.

Winner of the 90-hole endurance test was a German,Torben Baurmann with scores of 70, 70, 67, 65 and 62 for a 26-under-par total of 334.

SUNSHINE TOUR QUALIFYING SCHOOL
Schoeman Park Golf Club, South Africa
Leading 36 players with totals of 354 and better earned playing rights on tour.

LEADING FINAL TOTALSPar 360 (5x72)
Players from South Africa unless stated

334 Torben Baurmann (Ger) 70 70 67 65 62
337 J P Van der Walt 66 66 69 70 66
339 M J Daffue 63 70 70 69 67, Johan de Beer 72 66 67 64 70

































SELECTED TOTALS
346 Laurie Canter (Eng) 68 74 66 72 66 (9th)348 Michael Stewart (Sco) 72 70 67 70 (11th), James Byrne (Sco) 68 66 73 73 70 (12th).352 Ross McGowan (Eng) 70 68 71 69 74 (24th.MISSED THE CUT (354 and better earned cards)355 Rhys Enoch (Wal) 73 69 71 71 71, Michael Downes (Eng) 69 71 71 74 70.
357 Tim Rice (Ire) 71 68 71 73 74
359 Joe Braddon (Eng0 78 76 69 64 72 

SUNSHINE TOUR - Stewart remains on course for tour card

                                                 

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) remains on course to play in the 2013 South African Sunshine Tour after a fourth round 70 left him in joint 15th place in the qualifying tournament. With only one round to go , Stewart needs to finish in the top 30 to secure a place in the tour for 2013. (fron the www.scottishgolfview.com website) 

If James Byrne and Michael Stewart can hold their current positions over Saturday's fifth and final round of the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School, they will earn playing rights on the South African circuit. The top 30 and ties at the end of 90 holes win cards and Byrne is joint eighth on 10-under-par 278 while Stewart is joint 15th on 279. A total of 68 players from a starting field of 264 made the cut with aggregates of 287 and better. Byrne has shot 68, 66, 73 and 71, his fourth-round being inflated by a double bogey 6 at the 18th. The Banchory man had been four-under-par for the round after 10 holes. Stewart's scores have been 72, 70, 67 and 70. Like his Walker Cup team-mate of 2011, the Ayrshire man had a double bogey on his card - a 7 at the long fifth, but he compensated with a bag of six birdies. "It's my first time to South Africa. It's a little different, but I am used to the firm fairways and the style is reasonably similar to Links golf," said Northern Open champion Byrne (24). "I had heard a lot of great things about the Sunshine Tour, but last year I played on the Asian Tour, so I wasn't able to try it. This year I planned early to come over, and hopefully I'll be playing here in South Africa this year," he said Byrne is focusing on finishing as well as possible in order to secure a good position in the Sunshine Tour rankings.   "The better you do, the better category you have and the more events you might be able to play. The goal is always to win, and I was in a good position over the first two rounds, so I'm a little disappointed to not be there now. One of the perks of this tour is the co-sanctioned events, but I need to focus on the final round and lock that card up first," he said SUNSHINE TOUR QUALIFYING SCHOOL Bloemfontein and Schoeman Park golf clubs. FOURTH-ROUND LEADERS Par 288 (4x72) Players from South Africa unless stated 269 Johan de Beer 72 66 67 64. 271 J P Van der Walt 66 66 69 70. BRITISH SCORES 278 James Byrne (Sco) 68 66 73 71.RossMcGowan (Eng) 70 68 71 69 (T10). 279 Michael Stewart (Sco) 72 70 67 70 (T15). 280 Laurie Canter (Eng) 68 74 66 72 (T20). 283 Tim Rice (Ire) 71 68 71 73 (T33) 284 Rhys Enoch (Wal) 73 69 71 71, Charlie Ford (Eng) 73 68 75 68 (T37)

SUNSHINE TOUR QUALIFYING - Stewart moves up to joint 12th

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) improved his position greatly in the South African Sunshine Tour qualifying event on Thursday after a third round 67 moved him up to joint 12th place.

(from the www.scottishgolfview.com website) James Byrne and Michael Stewart are lying joint sixth and 12th respectively after three rounds of the South African Sunshine Tour Qualifying School at Schoeman Park Golf Club. The top 60 and ties after four rounds will contest the final round at the end of which the leading 30 and ties will earn playing privileges on the tour. Banchory's Byrne is on nine-under-par 207 after rounds of 68, 66 and 73. A double bogey 6 at the 15th contributed to his first over-par score of the week.  Stewart, from Troon, is at last showing the form that made him Scottish amateur champion and earned Walker Cup honours alongside Byrne at Balgownie in September 2011. He covered the last 10 holes in the third round in six under par with eagle 3s at the ninth and 12th and birdies at the 10th and 15th. Home in 32, Stewart tagged a five-under 67 on to earlier efforts of 72 and 70 for a tally of 209. South Africans are in the first three places with J P Van Der Walt leading the field at 15-under-par 201, with scores of 66,66 and 69. SOUTH AFRICAN SUNSHINE TOUR QUALIFYING SCHOOL Schoeman Park Golf Club. LEADING THIRD-ROUND TOTALS Par 216 (3x72) Players from South Africa unless stated 201 J P Van derWalt 66 66 69. 203 M J Daffue 63 70 70. 204 Bradley Sinnett (am) 66 73 65. BRITISH SCORES 207 James Byrne (Sco) 68 66 73 (T6). 208 Laurie Canter (Eng) 68 74 66 (T9). 209 Michael Stewart (Sco) 72 70 67, Ross McGowan (Eng) 70 68 71 (T12). 219 TimRice (Ire) 71 68 71 (T18) 211 Michael Downes (Eng) 69 71 71 (T22) 213 Rhys Enoch (Wal) 73 69 71 (T34) 216 Charlie Ford (Eng) 73 68 75 (T66).

AYRSHIRE MATCHPLAY COMPETITIONS - two weeks to go until closing date

Entries for the Ayrshire Champion Of Champions, Ayrshire Fourball and Ayrshire Scratch Leagues competitions close in two weeks time, with entries due to be in the hands of The Association Secretary by 31st January.

The entries received for each competition, up to and including 17th January, are :-

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES

West Kilbride
Ayr Dalmilling
Ballochmyle
Irvine
Prestwick St Nicholas
Prestwick St Cuthbert
Troon St Meddans
Irvine Ravenspark
Ardeer
Caprington
Loudoun
Largs
Kilmarnock (Barassie)

Clubs who entered in 2012 and who have not yet submitted an entry for the 2013 competition are :-

Troon Welbeck
Ayr Belleisle
New Cumnock
Kilbirnie Place
Tam O Shanter
Turnberry
Maybole
Moorpark
Girvan
Doon Valley
Rowallan Castle
Crosshouse
Brunston Castle

If any of the above clubs do not intend entering the 2013 scratch leagues, it would assist greatly if they could notify The Association Secretary as soon as possible.

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

West Kilbride
Ayr Dalmilling
Ballochmyle
Alton
Irvine
Wallacetown
Prestwick St Nicholas
Glacier
Malletsheugh
Prestwick St Cuthbert
Brunston Castle
Drongan
Troon St Meddans
Irvine Ravenspark
Beith
Ardeer
Caprington
Loudoun
Troon Portland
Stewarton
Turnberry Staff
Largs
North Beach
Kilmarnock (Barassie)
Saxone

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

Holder Steven McEwan
West Kilbride
Ayr Dalmilling
Ballochmyle
Alton
Irvine
Auchenharvie88
Wallacetown
Prestwick St Nicholas
Glacier
Malletsheugh
Prestwick St Cuthbert
Brunston Castle
Drongan
Troon St Meddans
Irvine Ravenspark
Beith
Ardeer
Loudoun
Troon Portland
Stewarton
Turnberry Staff
Largs
North Beach
Kilmarnock (Barassie)
Saxone

SOUTH AFRICAN SUNSHINE TOUR - Stewart survives first cut

Michael Stewart Former Walker Cup team-mates James Byrne and Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck)cruised over the first cut at the South African Sunshine Tour Qualifying School at Bloomfontein Golf Club on Wednesday 16 January (From the www.scottishgolfview.com website) Northern Open champion Byrne shot a second-round 66 for a 10-under-par tally of 134 which put him in third place The Banchory man's bogey-free card was highlighted with birdies at regular intervals - the second, third, fifth, 14th, 16th and 18th in halves of 33. Stewart is on the two-under 142 mark after a returning a 70 in which he birdied the fifth, ninth,12th and 16th in halves of 34 and 36. He had bogeys at the 15th and 17. The leading 60 and ties from a starting field of 264 with totals of level par and better qualified for the final three rounds. SUNSHINE TOUR QUALIFYING SCHOOL Bloomfontein GC, South Africa SECOND-ROUND LEADERS Par 144 (2x72) 132 J P Van der Walt (SAf) 66 66 133 M J Daffue (SAf) 63 70 134 James Byrne (Sco) 68 66 SELECTED SCORES 138 Ron McGowan (Eng) 70 68 (T6) 138 Tim Rice (Ire) 71 68 (T13) 140 Michael Downes (Eng) 69 71 (T16) 141 Charlie Ford (Eng) 73 68 (T22) 142 Rhys Enoch (Wal) 73 69, Laurie Canter (Eng) 68 74, Michael Stewart (Sco) 72 70 (T29). MISSED THE CUT (144 and better qualified) 147 Peter Wilson (Eng) 75 72 148 James Watts (Eng) 75 73 152 Alan Glynn (Ire) 76 76, Guy Dawson (Eng) 82 70 154 Joe Braddon (Eng) 78 76.