ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON AMATEUR GOLF IN AYRSHIRE

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION ANNUAL DINNER - Friday 26th February 2016

Tickets are now available for the 2016 Ayrshire Golf Association Annual Dinner, which will be held at Loudoun Gowf Club on Friday 26th February.

Tickets, priced at £17.50 each, are available from the Area Secretary, on a first come first served basis.

As well as a guest speaker, still to be confirmed, and honoring the county winners from 2015, the attendees at the forthcoming dinner will have an opportunity to see the magnificent Scottish Area Team championship Trophy as well as the West Of Scotland Area Trophy which were both won in 2015 by the Ayrshire County Team.


THE AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION


ANNUAL DINNER

&

PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES

At

LOUDOUN GOWF CLUB


FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2016
6.30 P.M. FOR 7.00 P.M.

SPEAKER


To Be Confirmed


TICKETS PRICED AT
£17.50 EACH

ARE AVAILABLE FROM

THE AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION SECRETARY


ALASDAIR J. MALCOLM
17 AUCHINCRUIVE AVENUE
PRESTWICK

KA9 2DT

Tel. 01292 477657

JACK MCDONALD - Honorary membership of Kilmarnock (Barassie) for Walker Cup star

Following the success of this year’s triumphant Walker Cup team, Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club has marked the historic victory by awarding honorary life membership to one of the heroes of the GB&I squad.
(Report & pictures courtesy of the Scottishgolf.org website)
Scotland international Jack McDonald, who also played an integral part in Ayrshire's victories in the Scottish Ara team championship and the West Of Scotland Area Championship this year, became the third Barassie member to lift the trophy when the team regained golf’s blue ribbon amateur event at Royal Lytham & St Annes in September.

The recognition is especially significant as this is only the ninth time in 45 attempts that the GB&I team has won the Walker Cup. As a consequence, it is believed Barassie is the only club in the UK and possibly the world to produce three Walker Cup-winning team members.
At a celebratory dinner held at Barassie’s clubhouse last month, McDonald’s astonishing year was marked by the presence of the Walker Cup, the European Team Championship trophy and the Scottish Team Championship cup, all of which the Barassie member helped secure. The club also announced that it would rename one of its main dining rooms to honour its association with the Walker Cup.
Jack McDonald, Gordon Sherry and Jim Milligan with the Walker Cup
“Barassie has a long and proud tradition of nurturing elite golfers,” said Ian Johnstone, Captain of Kilmarnock (Barassie). “Jack joins Gordon Sherry and Jim Milligan as Barassie members who have lifted the Walker Cup which is quite a record of achievement. We believe Barassie is the only club in the UK and possibly in the world to produce as many Walker Cup winners and we felt duty bound to mark this achievement with some kind of permanent tribute.”
Barassie’s new Walker Cup Lounge will be adorned with priceless memorabilia from the event including a signed flag from McDonald’s winning performance.
“It’s an unbelievable achievement for a golf club especially as the GB&I team has only won the event nine times, so having members from the same club winning it three times is pretty special,” said McDonald after the dinner. “
“It comes from the club; the set-up here is great, we have 27 holes, the practice facilities are brilliant and it’s very friendly; they tend to help juniors a lot which is good. It’s a great club to be a part of.”
Following in the footsteps of his grandfather who also played in the Walker Cup, McDonald played a key role in the team’s triumph this summer. “The Walker Cup was an amazing experience – it’s hard to beat that in golfing terms but as highlights go, being given honorary membership at Barassie is also fantastic,” added the 22-year-old, who has been a member at Barassie since he was 13. “Being so young, honorary membership is a great achievement and a great highlight at the end of the year.”
Also on display in the new Walker Cup Lounge will be the wedge used by Milligan in 1989 to seal the biennial tournament for the first time on US soil. “We’ve always had good players at Barassie,” commented Milligan. “From juniors to seniors and onto internationalists, there have been a lot of good golfers at the club. It’s hard to say why, but we have good facilities and a tough course.”
Considered by many as one of Scotland’s most charismatic golf clubs, Barassie is also widely regarded as one of the country’s most challenging layouts. Final qualifying for the Open Championship and the Seniors’ Open Championship have been played over the links, as has the Ladies Amateur Championship and the Boys Amateur Championship, the later no less than six times.
This latest chapter in Barassie’s history places the emphasis firmly on the sporting achievements of its members rather than the accolades decorated on the course. “To have three members playing key roles in successful Walker Cup-winning teams is remarkable,” noted Johnstone. “It says a lot about the club and the dedication of our members. Barassie is a special place to enjoy golf.”

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

2016 AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT PROGRAMMES - Clubs invited to nominate additional counting events

Preparation is underway to finalise the 2016 Ayrshire Golf association fixture programme, and we would like to give all member clubs the opportunity to consider putting forward their open competition or junior open for consideration for inclusion as a counting event in the mens and boys Order Of Merit programmes. 



The Doc Thom Ayrshire Order Of Merit encompasses a number of counting competitions including national championships and local open events.

The broad criteria for consideration of inclusion in the list of counting events are :-

1. Competition Open to any member of an Ayrshire club, subject to any general handicap restriction.
2. Only one counting competition nominated by any member club
3. A minimum of two scratch prizes included in the prize list.

A number of local clubs have reported an increase in the number of lower handicap players entering their events following inclusion as an order Of merit counting event.

The only commitment required from the club is to provide details of the best 7 scratch scores returned in the event, following completion of the competition, on a form provided for the purpose.

The following clubs already have counting events in the Doc Thom Ayrshire Order Of Merit 

Royal Troon, Ayr Belleisle, West Kilbride, Ayr Seafield, Ballochmyle, Ardeer, Troon Welbeck, Brunstton castle, Loudoun, Girvan, largs and Prestwick St Nicholas.


Likewise the criteria for consideration for inclusion in the Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit criteria is similar, though only one scratch prize need to be available within the prize list.

The following clubs have counting events in the Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit

Royal Troon, Troon Welbeck, Largs, Loudoun, Turnberry, West Kilbride, Prestwick St Nicholas, Kilmarnock (Barassie), Brunston Castle, West Kilbride, Ballochmyle, Ayr Belleisle and Prestwick St Cuthbert.

Should any member club who does not presently have an event included, and would like to put forward a competition for inclusion, then it is requested that they make contact with the Area Secretary at the earliest opportunity with details.

Tuesday, December 08, 2015

2015 AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Final tables

All the results in the four Ayrshire Scratch Leagues which were contested in 2015 have now been confirmed and the final tables completed.

 DIVISION 1
Played
For
Against
Points
Irvine
10
40
20
34
Pr. St Cuthbert
10
39
21
24
Kilmarnock Barassie
10
33.5
26.5
22
Ballochmyle
10
19.5
40.5
18
Loudoun
10
27.5
32.5
16
Irvine Ravenspark
10
20.5
39.5
6



DIVISION 2
Played
For
Against
Points
Turnberry
10
36.5
23.5
28
Ayr Belleisle
10
36
24
28
West Kilbride
10
30
30
24
Girvan
10
28.5
31.5
18
Troon Welbeck
10
28
32
14
Ardeer
10
21
39
8



DIVISION 3
Played
For
Against
Points
Troon St Meddans
10
37
23
26
Pr. St Nicholas
10
32
28
24
Kilbirnie Place
10
31.5
28.5
22
Caprington
10
30.5
29.5
18
Largs
10
23.5
36.5
16
New Cumnock
10
25.5
34.5
14


DIVISION 4 
Played
For
Against
Points
Rowallan Castle
10
38
22
28
Tam O Shanter
10
34.5
25.5
26
Troon Portland
10
34
26
20
Ayr Dalmilling
10
26
34
18
Brunston Castle
10
28.5
31.5
22
Moorpark
10
19
41
6


Entry forms four the 2016 competition were distributed by email or post to the Secretaries of all member clubs recently, along with entry forms for the 2016 Ayrshire Fourball and Ayrshire Champion Of Champions competitions. 

Any club secretary who does not yet have the relevant forms shoud contact the Area Secretary as soon as possible. 

Friday, November 13, 2015

STUDIO GOLF AYRSHIRE - Golf comes inside as Ayrshire's first indoor golf practice facility opens its doors


A new and much needed addition to the local golf scene will soon be available when Ayrshire’s first indoor golf practice facility opens to the public on Tuesday 17th November, providing an exciting new option for local golfers to keep their game up to scratch over the winter months and beyond.




The putting green area




Studio Golf Ayrshire is located in in the Stevenson Industrial Estate, just a couple of minutes drive from the Ardeer roundabout on the A78 near Kilwinning.









Short game area and bunker

Facilities included within the 3,000 square feet floor space include a Top of the range Golf Simulator offering 14 top courses, Driving Range Area and Kids 3-D golf software. A Short Game Area allowing pitching, chipping, bunker and putting practise. Practise Putting Green. T-Line Netted Hitting Area including a kids area for full shots, chipping and putting. A Terrace & Refreshment Area to sit back enjoy and soak up the atmosphere. 





David Rushbury addressing guests at the opening event 


The latest in a number of pre-opening promotional events took place on Thursday evening, 12th November, with attendees seeing the full benefit of the indoor facility as Storm Abigail raged outside. Inside the studio golfers and non-golfers alike enjoyed a couple of hours trying out the various facilities and testing their skills, or otherwise, in various aspects of the game.





The short game chipping area




For anyone wanting to try out the facility, there is an open weekend on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th November from 10.30 am until 4.00 pm, where anyone is welcome to drop in and experience the new concept in golf in Ayrshire.








Practice bays


|Studio Golf Ayrshire is owned and will be run by PGA golf professional David Rushbury. David began his professional career as Assistant at Troon Municipal Golf Courses for three years before qualifying in 1982 at Lilleshall Hall. 

Since then, David's career path took him to the continent of Europe where he enjoyed 20 years working in Holland, Sweden, Germany and Spain, where he coached golfers of all ages and abilities,





The golf simulator




The intention of Studio Golf Ayrshire is to provide an atmosphere that will be will be welcoming, vibrant and relaxed for all, be it the beginner or seasoned golfer, creating a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for its customers, where the beginner and experienced golfers will feel very welcome and comfortable to visit and want to return to.












David has also created a dynamic coaching programme that will excite and encourage golfers to improve their golf games by participating in Studio Golf Ayrshire's coaching programmes.




David Rushbury is to be congratulated for bringing this concept and facility to Ayrshire for the golfing community to utilise, and the studio is well worth a visit for local golfers if they are in the area, and will undoubtedly be an asset over the winter months and throughout the year in the West Of Scotland’s variable climate.




Everyone at Ayrshiregolf wishes David every success with this new and exciting venture.


Anyone wishing to visit Studio Golf Ayrshire or discuss their requirements with David and his staff can do so as noted below :-

Studio Golf Ayrshire Ltd.
Building 10, Unit 14/15
Stevenston Industrial Estate
Stevenston
KA20 3LR
Tel – 07825 411244