AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Thomas continues double bid

The first round of the 2014 Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship took place at Prestwick Golf Club on Tuesday evening, 19th August, in fin but breezy conditions, with newly crowned Ayrshire Boys Champion Jack Thomas successfully negotiating the first hurdle in his bid for the strokeplay and matchplay double this year.

Ross Meikle & Jack Thomas

  


In the opening tie, Jack Thomas (Irvine) faces Ross Meikle (Ayr Belleisle) but the Irvine player was always in control of the tie, running out eventual winner by 5 & 3.

Jordan Fraser & Ross McDonald

In the semi finals on Wednesday evening, Thomas will play Jordan Fraser (Ayr Belleisle) who won through to the last four in a tight match against Ross McDonald (Irvine).

McDonald had the opportunity to win the tie at the final hole but missed his putt, which took the tie into extra holes. Both players hit good tee shots at the first extra hole but a high flighted approach from McDonald drifted out of bounds to the right and Fraser completed the hole to take the tie and the semi final place.





Euan Ferguson & Murray McCrone

In the lower half of the draw, Murray McCrone (Troon Welbeck) faced the strokeplay runner up Euan Ferguson (Turnberry) but the more experienced McCrone, who has made several previous appearances in the championship over the Prestwick links,  took the semi final place with a 5 & 3 win over his young opponent.

Craig McKenzie & Callum McLean

In the semi finals McCrone will play clubmate Craig McKenzie (Troon Welbeck) who edged into the last four with a final green victory over Callum McLean (Kilmarnock Barassie).

One down playing the last, McLean went with driver at the final hole in an effort to force the tie into extra holes but saw his drive drift right of the green and go out of bounds into the car park.

In a bunker from the tee, Mckenzie successfully made the putting surface in two and a good first putt from distance prompted a concession from McLean to give McKenzie a two hole victory.

The semi final matches take place at Prestwick GC on Wednesday evening, 20th August, from 4.30 p.m.