AYRSHIRE Vs IRVINE GC - County side open with win over Scratch League Champions

Ayrshire began their season on Sunday 15 March with a win over the new Ayrshire Scratch League Champions, Irvine Golf Club, over the Bogside course.

In what is hoped will be an annual opening fixture of the season against the Scratch League Division One title holders, the opening fixture gave both club and county a competitive outing early in the season. The scoring in all the games was of a very high standard with plenty of birdies in cold and testing conditions. 

The opening tie featured the reigning Strokeplay Champion and Doc Thom Order Of Merit winner John Shanks, for the home side, against Scotland Internationalist Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie). Shanks was 2 up at the turn but McDonald fought back to win 2&1.

Craig Hamilton took an early lead in his tie against George Robertson and maintained his advantage to record a 3 & 1 win. 

Keith Hamilton and Alan Connery had a very tight match throughout but Hamilton won the last for a one hole victory to put Ayrshire ahead by 3 - 0. 

Scott Brown won the first 3 holes against Colin Grey, who suffered three putts at all three holes, and then maintained his lead to win by 3&2. 

Steven Wallace was two down through twelve against Ayrshire Boys Champion and Junior Order Of  Merit title holder Jack Thomas, but Wallace won thirteen and fourteen to square the match. Thomas then birdied the seventeenth to restore his lead, only for Wallace to birdie the eighteenth to win the hole and square the match.

In the final tie, Stuart Miller played very steady and had a good 5&4 victory over Greg Cathie, leaving the visiting Ayrshire side victors by 5.5 - 0.5 against their hosts, Irvine Golf Club.

Match details (Ayrshire names first) :-

Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat John Shanks by 2 & 1

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) beat George Robertson by 3 & 1 

Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) beat Alan Connery by 1 hole

Scott Brown (Turnberry) beat Colin Grey by 3 & 2 

Steven Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert) halved with Jack Thomas

Stuart Miller ((Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Greg Cathie by 5 & 4

AYRSHIRE       5.5     IRVINE GOLF CLUB   0.5

The next Ayrshire representative match is a combined Boys & Youths match against the South Of Scotland, for the Presidents Centenary Trophy, which is scheduled to take place at Irvine Golf Club on Sunday 29th March.