SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Four Ayrshire players through to last 32 at Downfield

Ayrshire have four players through to the last 32 of the 2014 Scottish Amateur Championship at Downfield, Dundee, following completion of all second and third round matches on Wednesday 30th July.

In the remaining second round matches played on Wednesday morning, Ewan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) won by 2 & 1 against Calvin Cheyne (Newmacher), Scott Brown (Turnberry) had an impressive 6 & 5 win over Scott Gillies (Gullane) and Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) beat Mark Maclean (Fraserburgh) by 2 holes, whilst James Bunch (Prestwick) lost out by one hole to John Mitchell ( Fraserburgh), Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) lost by 6 & 5 to Mark Cameron (Alyth)and Sandy Buchanan (Prestwick St Nicholas) was beaten 5 & 4 by Mark Napier (Turnhouse).

In the third round matches on Wednesday afternoon,  two of the Ayrshire players bowed out of the competition.

Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) lost out to Craig Ross (Kirkhill) by 2 & 1 whilst Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) was subject of a walkover awarded to his opponent Kyle McClung (Wigtonshire County).

The first of the Ayrshire players to book their place in the last 32 was Kenny McAskill (Turnberry Staff) who beat Lawrence Allan (Alva) by a single hole to set up a fourth round clash with Josh Jamieson (St Andrews New).

Fourth seed Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) eased into the fourth round with a 7 & 6 win over Greig Kennedy (Hazlehead) and now plays Euan Bowden (Tantallon) on Thursday morning.

McDonald's club mate Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat William Bremner (Edzell) by 2 & 1 to progress, and now faces Campbell Donaldson (Downfield) in round four.

The remaining Ayrshire player in round four is Scott Brown (Turnberry) who won at the first extra hole against Scott Gibson (Southerness) to book his place in the last 32, where he will play Craig Ross (Kirkhill), who defeated Charlie Macneal in the previous round.

Fourth and fifth round matches are scheduled to be completed on Thursday.

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL - Championship reaches semi final stage.

The 2014 Ayrshire Fourball Championship has reached the semi final stage, with Beith, Brunston Castle, Fenwick and Abbotsford fighting it out to win the title.

In the quarter finals, 2012 championship runners up Robert Marshall & Phil Rooney (Beith) beat William McMeikan & Robert Galloway (Turnberry Staff) at the 19th hole at Beith to set up an intriguing home tie in the semi final against the pairing of David & George McCulloch (Brunston Castle) who defeated the Beith pair in the final two years ago to take the title. The McCulloch brothers booked their place in the last four of this years event with a comprehensive 7 & 6 win away from home against Victor Sproat & David Lewis (Ayr Belleisle).

The other semi final is between Alistair McCall & David Moore (Fenwick) and Robert Adams & Ian Pirrie (Abbotsford).

The Fenwick duo beat Hugh Fyfe & Callum Weir (Muirkirk) by 2 & 1 at Muirkirk in the quarter finals whilst the Abbotsford pairing had a 3 & 2 home win over Blair Graham & Jamie Bryant (Ardeer).

Both semi finals are due to be completed by 24th August.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Loudoun youngsters book place in Under 16 Semi Finals

The winning Loudoun Under 16 team :-
Elliot Spence, Samantha McKay, Greg Hampshire & Chris Dawson

The Loudoun Gowf Club Under 16 team became the first side to book their place in the semi finals of the 2014 Ayrshire Junior Golf League Under 16 Knockout Trophy competition on Tuesday night, 29th July, with a nail biting home win over Ayr Belleisle.

Defending the trophy they won in 2013, the Loudoun team had 3 new players in the team, including the first girl ever to play for Loudoun in an Ayrshire Junior Golf League competition.

 

The Loudoun team fought out a 2 - 2 draw before the under 16 team captain Elliot Spence ) returned to the course, after winning on of his sides two points, to contest the sudden death play off which he won with a solid par four at the first hole.

 

In the CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY competition, three of the four semi finalists are now known.

 

Connor McKay (Loudoun) beat Neil Stevenson (Ardeer) by 3 & 1 at Loudoun to reach the last four, where he was joined by Graeme Greer (Prestwick St Nicholas) who had a crushing 7 & 6 home win over John McCracken (Troon St Meddans) in the quarter finals.

 

Also through to the last four is Callum McLean (Caprington) who had an away win by one hole over Callum Gorrie (Kilmarnock Barassie).

 

The remaining quarter final pairs Craig McKenzie (Troon Welbeck) and Jack Thomas (Irvine).

 

In the AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP, Kilmarnock Barassie and Ayr Belleisle look favourites to top their respective league sections and book their places in the final.

 

West Kilbride lead Section A from Kilmarnock Barassie, following away wins at Prestwick St Cuthbert (3.5 -2.5) and Largs (4.5 - 1.5), but have completed three more matches than their closest rivals.

 

Despite beating Ballochmyle 4 - 2 at home, Prestwick St Cuthbert team hopes were dented following a 5.5 - 0.5 defeat in the corresponding away fixture, whlst their near neighbours Prestwick St Nicholas also suffered a recent setback following a 4 - 2 home defeat by Largs.

 

Present positions in Section A are :-

 

West Kilbride                     8              6              0              2              26           22           4              24

Kilmarnock Barassie        5              5              0              0              22           8              14           20

Largs                                      7              3              0              4              19           23           -4            12

Prestwick St Cuthbert    6              2              0              4              16           20           -4            8

Prestwick St Nicholas     5              1              0              4              12 1/2    17 1/2    -5            4

Ballochmyle                        4              1              0              3              11           13           -2            4

 

In Section B, there have been no recent results posted.

Present positions in Section B are :- 

 

Ayr Belleisle                       7              5              1              1              30 1/2    11 1/3    19           22

Irvine Bogside                   6              3              0              3              20           16           4              12

Loudoun                              5              3              0              2              13 1/2    16 1/2    -3            12

Troon Welbeck                 5              2              1              2              13 1/2    16 1/2    -3            10

Troon St Meddans           1              0              1              0              3              3              0              2

Caprington                          5              0              1              4              8 1/2      21 1/2    -13          2

                                                                                                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Three from four through to round three after Tuesday matches

The first group of second round matches in the 2014 Scottish Amateur Championship at Downfield, Dundee, were completed on Tuesday afternoon, with three of the four Ayrshire players in action successfully going through to round three.

The only casualty on Tuesday afternoon was Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay), who lost to former champion Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie) by 3 & 2.

The first Ayrshire player to successfully book his place in round three was Kenny Macaskill (Turnberry Staff), who beat Christopher Hutcheon (Monifieth) by 3 & 2. Macaskill will now play Lawrence Allan (Alva) in round three.

Also going through on Tuesday afternoon was Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon), courtesy of a 4 & 3 win over Ross Kane (Glenbervie). Moultrie now faces Kyle McClung (Wigtownshire County) in the third round on Wednesday.

The final Ayrshire player to book his third round place on Tuesday afternoon was Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) who beat Fraser Moore (Glenbervie) by 3 & 2, to line up a Wednesday third round match with Greig Kennedy (Hazlehead).

The other six Ayrshire players remaining in the competition play their second round ties on Wednesday morning.

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Troon St Meddans lead League Division 4

Troon St Meddans have gone clear at the top of league Division 4 of the Ayrshire Scratch Leagues following recent good results.

A 3 - 3 draw at Ayr Dalmilling was followed by a 5 - 1 win in the corresponding home fixture, whilst a good 4 - 2 away win was recorded at Ayr against Tam O Shanter.

Present positions in League Division 4 are :-

	Played	For	Against	Points
Troon St Meddans	6	22	14	18
Tam O Shanter	4	13	11	10
Ayr Dalmilling	4	10.5	13.5	6
Doon Valley	4	10	14	4
Rowallan Castle	2	4.5	7.5	2

SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Ten from nineteen Ayrshire players survive first round.

Ten of the 19 Ayrshire players who entered the Scottish Amateur Championship at Downfield, Dundee, have safely negotiated the first round.

With four from six through on the first day on Monday, the remaining thirteen Ayrshire players lined up in their opening round matches on Tuesday morning.

Things did not start well for the Ayrshire contingent, David McLellan (Largs) losing to Campbell Donaldson (Downfield) and Ross McEwan (Troon Welbeck) being defeated 3 & 2 by Allan Watson (Braehead - Alloa), in the opening two ties with Ayrshire interest.

Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) stopped the slide with a 2 & 1 win over Kieran MacKay (Inverness) and now faces Calvin Cheyne (Newmacher) in round two.

Louis Murray (Troon Welbeck), Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) and Mark Robertson (Western Gailes) all suffered first round defeats by 2 & 1, against Andrew Burgess (Nairn), Daniel Hendry (Emirates) and A Fyfe (Carnoustie) respectively.

James Bunch (Prestwick) had a comfortable 5 & 4 win over Allan McKie (Glencruitten) to line up a second round clash with John Mitchell (Fraserburgh).

Former Scottish Boys Champion David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) lost out at the first extra hole to Ralph Wardlaw (Carnoustie Caledonia) whilst Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) won through to the second round by a single hole against Jake Hogg (Dukes St Andrews), where he will play Mark Cameron (Alyth).

The winner of the only all Ayrshire first round clash was Sandy Buchanan (Prestwick St Nicholas) who defeated Greg Telfer's brother Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 4 & 2. Buchanan now faces Mark Napier (Turnhouse) in round two.

Scott Brown (Turnberry) beat Kevin Dalgleish (Portlethen) by 3 & 2 in the opening round and now has a second round match with Scott Gillies (Gullane).

The final Ayrshire player to book his place in the second round was Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) who had a 5 & 3 win over Alastair Thurlow (Murrayfield). In the second round on Wednesday, Macneal plays Alasdair McDougall (Elderslie).

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - St Cuthbert title bid suffers setback

Prestwick St Cuthbert hopes of the Division 2 title in the Ayrshire Scratch Leagues suffered a setback recently.

The St Cuthbert team suffered a narrow 3.5 – 2.5 defeat away to Ardeer, which edged them down into third place behind Ayr Belleisle on points difference.

Present positions in Division two are :-

	Played	For	Against	Points
West Kilbride	7	27.5	14.5	20
Ayr Belleisle	6	22.5	13.5	14
Prestwick St Cuthbert	6	21.5	14.5	14
Caprington	7	16	26	12
Ardeer	5	12.5	17.5	8
Girvan	7	14	28	8

 

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Jack Thomas pulls clear at top of the table

Jack Thomas

Jack Thomas (Irvine) extended his lead at the top of the Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit table following good performances in two of the three recently completed counting events.

Thomas took first place at Loudoun and had a fifth place finish at Troon Welbeck to extend his lead at the top of the table.

Title holder Connor McKay (Loudoun) took points in all three of the recent counting events, played at Troon Welbeck, Loudoun and West Kilbride, which takes him into second place in the table, whilst Blair Wallace (Kilmarnock Barassie) propelled himself straight into third place with full points from hjs first place finish at West Kilbride.

The remaining two counting events in July are the junior opens at Prestwick St Nicholas and Kilmarnock Barasssie.

In august there are seven counting events, beginning with the Tom Lehman Junior Open at the Troon Municipal courses on Tuesday 5th August.

Present positions in the Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit table are :-

315		Jack THOMAS	Irvine
167.5		Connor McKAY	Loudoun
150		Blair WALLACE	Kil. Barassie
100		Stuart EASTON	Irvine
100		Jordan FRASER	Ayr Belleisle
100		Murray McCRONE	Troon Welbeck
75		Campbell MATHIESON	Troon Welbeck
75		Craig McKENZIE	Troon Welbeck
64.17		Euan FERGUSON	Turnberry
44.17		Charlie CAMERON	Ayr Belleisle
42.5		Aiden DORE	Loudoun
42.5		Luke MURDOCH	Loudoun
42.5		Jack KERR	West Kilbride
35		Callum IRVING	Ayr Belleisle
35		Sean COOKE	Kil. Barassie
20		Robbie MUIR	Kil. Barassie
16.67		Ross MEIKLE	Ayr Belleisle
15		Jordan ORR	Ballochmyle
15		Tom NAIRN	Pr. St Nicholas
15		Jordan WOTHERSPOON	Troon Welbeck
15		Elliot SPENCE	Loudoun
15		Aiden DORE	Loudoun
15		Fraser RIGBY	Kil. Barassie
7.5		Blair GAVIN	Kil. Barassie
7.5		Calum McLEAN	Kil. Barassie
6.67		Jack BROWN	Turnberry
3.3		Jordan SWEENEY	Ayr Belleisle
1.67		Ruairidh SAYCE	Pr. St Nicholas

DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - Robin moves into third place after Gowf Cup success

Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Cuthbert) moved into third place in the chase for the Doc Thom Ayrshire Order Of Merit title following his success in an exciting finish in the recent Gowf Cup competition at Loudoun Gowf Club.

Robin, the present holder of the Order Of Merit title, tied with G Miller (Cawder) and Steven McEwan (Loudoun) on 140 after 36 holes at Loudoun and eventually overcame both the other players in a sudden death play off for the trophy.

Only five counting events remain this season, the first of which is the Scottish Amateur Championship being played this week at Downfield, Dundee.

August sees three counting events, with the Stevenson Trophy at Girvan on Sunday 3rd, The Welbeck Links at Troon Municipal on Sunday 10th and the Viking Krus at Largs on Sunday 17th, whilst the final counting event is The Arrol Cup at Prestwick St Nicholas on Saturday 20th September.

Present positions in the Doc Thom Ayrshire Order Of Merit table are :-

550		JOHN	SHANKS	IRVINE
231.25		CRAIG	HAMILTON	BALLOCHMYLE
208.33		STUART	ROBIN	PR. ST CUTHBERT
162.5		STEPHEN	SPENCE	ROYAL TROON
130		STEVEN	MCEWAN	LOUDOUN
100		DANIEL	FORBES	IRVINE
96.25		KEITH	HAMILTON	AYR BELLEISLE
95		SANDY	BUCHANAN	PR. ST NICHOLAS
92.5		JIM	JOHNSTON	AYR BELLEISLE
88.33		GORDON	BOYLE	TURNBERRY
85		SCOTT	BROWN	TURNBERRY
85		STEVEN	WALLACE	PR. ST CUTHBERT
75		MARK	ANDERSON	IRVINE
75		BRIAN	JAMIESON	BRUNSTON CASTLE
62.5		JOHN	SLOAN	DOON VALLEY
50.42		GEORGE	ROBERTSON	IRVINE RAVENSPARK
50		JOHN	NEILAN	BRUNSTON CASTLE
45		MARTIN	GRAY	IRVINE
45		ROBIN	McCAIG	WEST KILBRIDE
45		JIM	SHEARER	WEST KILBRIDE
45		GARY	MORRISON	KIL. BARASSIE
42.5		SHAUN	RYAN	AYR BELLEISLE
36.25		MICHAEL	SMYTH	ROYAL TROON
35		GARY	ALLISON	ROWALLAN CASTLE
21.67		EWAN	MCKINNON	CORRIE
20		A	BREADON	ROWALLAN CASTLE
17.5		JAMES	MCMURDO	BALLOCHMYLE
17.5		LEX	LINDSAY	BALLOCHMYLE
17.5		WILLIAM F	WILSON	BALLOCHMYLE
15		ALAN	DUNSMORE	AYR BELLEISLE
15		LEE	HUGHES	AYR BELLEISLE
10		PAUL	GIFFNEY	ARDEER
7.5		FRANK	MURDOCH	BRUNSTON CASTLE
5		LORIMER	SHAW	AYR SEAFIELD
5		GARY	VOGWELL	WEST KILBRIDE
0.83		GREG	VERNON	KIL. BARASSIE
0.83		IAIN	MACDONALD	LARGS
0.83		STEPHEN	MCBLAIN	TROON PORTLAND
0.83		A D	WRIGHT	ROYAL TROON
0.83		STEVEN	MURRAY	TROON WELBECK