AYRSHIRE SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP - Gilchrist leads from the start to keep trophy at Loudoun

2013 Ayrshire Seniors Champion
Andy Gilchrist of Loudoun Gowf Club

The Ayrshire Seniors Championship, for the Sandy Provan Trophy, was held at Loudoun Gowf Club on Tuesday 16th July, in perfect golfing weather and with a course in excellent condition. 

Andy Gilchrist of the host club, playing in the first match of the morning, returned one of three nett scores of 66, two under par, and ultimately edged out the Prestwick St Cuthbert pair of Ray Gill and Doug Hollingworth by virtue of the better inward half to lay claim to the county seniors title for 2013.

In winning the Sandy Provan Trophy, Andy Gilchrist ensured that the trophy and title would remain at Loudoun for a second successive season, following Billy Moore's win in 2012. The holder of the title put up a stout defence, returning a net 71 in his bid to retain the trophy.

Playing with Ray Gill, Andy Gilchrist was the model of consistency scoring four over par in each half  on his way to the title.

Ray Gill kept the pressure on Gilchrist to the end. With Gill finishing with a fine par four at the last, Gilchrist needed a five or better to match his net score of 66 and he successfully achieved a five to edge our the St Cuthbert player.

Ray Gill ultimately had the satisfaction of recording the best scratch score of the day, his 3 over par 71, giving him the prize for that achievement.

The third player in the opening group was Alastair Todd of the host club and he also played well, finishing with a net 68 to feature in the prize list at the end of the day also.

A number of players came close to challenging Gilchrist's lead but fell just short.

The player who came closest in subsequent groups was 77 year old Doug Hollingworth of Prestwick St Cuthbert who had the rare achievement of matching his age with an excellent scratch score of 77, off 11, to give him a net 66.

Although losing out on the trophy on the inward half, Hollingworth won the Over 70's section by 3 shots.

Ayrshire President Milton Murray
presented the Sandy Provan Trophy
to winner Andy Gilchrist of Loudoun GC

Brian Stewart of Loudoun , playing off 18, fell one short of the target with a net 67, which won him the 63 - 69 age group whilst clubmate Danny Monaghan was also a single shot off the pace, winning the 55 - 62 age group with a 67 off his 14 handicap.

At the conclusion of play, Ayrshire Golf Association President Milton Murray presented prizes to the prizewinners in attendance before handing the Sandy Provan Trophy into the custody of the 2013 winner Andy Gilchrist.

The CSS for both home and away players was unchanged at 69.

The full list of prizewinners were :-

	Player	Club	H/cap	Scr	Nett
Best Nett	ANDY GILCHRIST	LOUDOUN	10	76	66 (bih)
Best Scratch	RAY GILL	PR. ST CUTHBERT	5	71
Age Groups
55 - 62	DANNY MONAGHAN	LOUDOUN	14	81	67
55 - 62	JIM PATERSON	LOUDOUN	6	74	68 (bih)
55 - 62	ALASTAIR TODD	LOUDOUN	6	74	68
63 -69	BRIAN STEWART	LOUDOUN	18	85	67
63 -69	RONNIE CLELAND	LOUDOUN	19	87	68 (last 6)
63 -69	DUNCAN KELLY	LOUDOUN	24	92	68 (bih)
70 +	DOUG HOLLINGWORTH	PR. ST CUTHBERT	11	77	66
70 +	GORDON TURNBULL	LOUDOUN	11	80	69
70 +	RONNIE HARRISON	IRVINE	13	84	71