AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - Hamilton Vs McEwan in the final

The semi finals of the 2013 Ayrshire Champion Of Champions were played at Royal Troon GC on Friday evening, 2nd August, with Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) and Steven McEwan (Caprington) winning a place in the final next Friday.

Craig Hamilton

In the first semi final, Craig Hamilton faced Andrew Jess (Ayr Belleisle).

Conceding the first hole to go one behind, Hamilton hit back immediately, taking the second to square the tie. The lead changed several times on the outward nine with Hamilton just edging ahead to go one up at the turn.

Hamilton extended his lead to two holes at the tenth but a lost ball at the 12th saw his lead reduced again to one hole. Jess took the fourteenth with a par to square the match once again, and went into the lead for the first time since the fifth hole with a birdie at the fifteenth. Jess then suffered successive bogeys at the next two hole to reverse his lead into a one hole deficit and an excellent approach at the final hole to five feet, coupled with Jess missing the green, gave Hamilton a place in the final with a two hole victory.

Steven McEwan

In the second semi final, defending champion Steven McEwan faced Ryan Smith (Prestwick St Cuthbert).

Smith took the lead with a par at the second hole but McEwan squared the tie at the next hole and went into the lead by winning the third. With Smith hitting some wayward tee shots, McEwan built a three hole lead after eleven and despite losing successive holes at the twelfth and thirteenth, McEwan rallied over the closing holes, winning the fourteenth and fifteenth to restore his three hole advantage before winning his third successive hole at the sixteenth to take his place in the final with a 4 & 2 victory.

The final is scheduled to be held on Friday 9th August over The Old Course at Royal Troon, with a 5.00 p.m. tee off.