Sunday, May 31, 2015

CARRICK NEILL SCOTTISH OPEN STROKEPLAY - McDonald best for Ayrshire in joint ninth place

Jack McDonald
Best Ayrshire performer at Moray
Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) finished in joint ninth place in the Carrick Neill Scottish Open Strokeplay Championship at Moray Golf Club at the weekend, the best placed of the ten Ayrshire players who took part in the championship.

McDonald returned a total of 286 (+2) with rounds of 70, 72, 68 & 76, finishing tied ninth with four other player, eight shots behind the winner Marco Penge (Goodwood GC).

Only two other Ayrshire players survived the halfway cut, James Johnston (Ayr Belleisle) finishing tied in fifty second place on 304 (+20) with rounds of 73, 73, 76 & 82, whilst james Bunch (Prestwick) had rounds of 71, 74 & 73, retiring before completion of his fourth round.

The halfway cut fell at 146 and the remaining seven Ayrshire players fell outwith that target.

Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) and Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) both opened with good rounds of 71 before crashing out with second round 79's for a 150 total.

Also exiting at the halfway stage were Bruce Caldow of Kilmarnock Barassie (152 - 72, 80), Charlie Macneal of Prestwick) (153 - 75, 76), Stephen Spence of Royal Troon (155 - 77, 78), Stuart Easton of Irvine (157 - 76, 81) and David Wilson of Troon Welbeck (159 - 72, 87).


AYRSHIRE LADIES GOLF - Good turnout for Adult & Girls event at Irvine Ravenspark

There was a good turnout of couples when the Ayrshire Ladies County Golf Association held their Adults & Girls Foursomes competition at Irvine Ravenspark on Saturday 30th May, with the players enjoying nice golfing conditions during the afternoon.
Some of the prizewinners and competing girls at Saturday's event




There were two Stableford competitions during the event, one for players with an official CONGU handicap and one involving girls who were not as yet in possession of an official handicap.

In the competition for girls with an official handicap, Rachel Foster & Elizabeth Brown of Turnberry were first with 31 points, whilst the competition for girls without a handicap was won by Alison Malcolm and Catherine Malcolm of Prestwick St Cuthbert.

The final leading scores were :-

Handicap competition

31 pts - Rachel Foster & Elizabeth Brown
29 pts - Sarah Ramsay & David Ramsay (BIH)
29 pts - Luisa Gibson & Brenda Gillan 

Nearest the Pin at the 4th - Louise Duncan
Nearest in 2 shots at 17th - Rachel Foster

Pre-handicap competition

28 pts - Alison Malcolm & Catherine Malcolm 
26 pts - Karen Malcolm & Alasdair Malcolm (BIH)
26 pts - Cristina McCracken & Fiona McKellar

On the green at the 4th - Cristina McCracken

There were two bonus prizes also presented during the competition.

Alison Malcolm (Prestwick St Cuthbert) won a prize for holing a nine iron from 120 yards at the 14th hole for a birdie three whilst 9 year old Katie Ronnie (Kilmarnock Barasie) had the straightest drive at 12th hole amongst all the competitors..

A group of particiapnts with the prizewinners on Saturday

Thursday, May 28, 2015

SCOTTISH OPEN STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - ten Ayrshire players in the field for Moray

Title Hopeful
Jack McDonald
Ayrshire have 10 players in the field for the 2015 Carrick Neill Scottish Open Strokeplay Championship, which takes place over the Old Course at Moray Golf Club this weekend, 29th to 31st May.


Walker Cup squad member Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) leads the Ayrshire challenge which also features new Ayrshire Strokeplay Champion Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) and former Scottish Boys Champion David Wilson (Troon Welbeck)

James Bunch
First off on Friday


Prestwick, Kilmarnock Barassie and Royal Troon all provide two of the Ayrshire hopefuls, with Ayr Belleisle, Whiting bay, irvine and Troon Welbeck completing the local clubs with representatives bidding for the title.



First off on Friday morning from the Ayrshire contingent is James Bunch (Prestwick), who tees off in the first match of the day at 7.00 am alongside Jordan Milne (Elgin) and Scottish internationalist Matt Clark (Kilmacolm)

The tee times for the first round on Friday involving Ayrshire players are :-

0700 - James Bunch (Prestwick)
0800 - Charlie Macneal (Prestwick)
1010 - James Johnston (Ayr Belleisle)
1040 - Stephen Spence (Royal Troon)
1130 - Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay)
1240 - Michael Smyth (Royal Troon)
1250 - Stuart Easton (Irvine)
1340 - Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie)
1450 - David Wilson (Troon Welbeck)
1610 - Bruce Caldow (Kilmarnock Barasssie)

(Championship preview release by the SGU)

An international-class field will gather over the renowned links of Moray for this week’s Carrick Neill Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship, with in-form Ewen Ferguson among the home hopefuls chasing the prestigious prize.
One of the Scottish Golf Union’s flagship events, players from 13 countries will tee up in the 72-hole event from Friday until Sunday over Moray’s famous Old Course.
In a Walker Cup year, leading names from the home unions are in the 144-player field seeking to catch the selectors’ eyes, as well as competitors from the likes of America, Australia, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Germany and Switzerland.
The field are aiming to join an impressive list of past champions, including victorious Ryder Cup captains Bernard Gallacher and Colin Montgomerie, as well as current European Tour stars Stephen Gallacher, Richie Ramsay, Tommy Fleetwood and Andrew Sullivan.
Challenge Tour player Wallace Booth was the last Scot to win the Scottish Stroke Play title in 2008 and a strong home challenge will seek to emulate him, including Ferguson, the 2013 British Boys champion, who has won twice domestically in 2015.
“It was key for me to settle down in the Men’s game this season,” said the 18-year-old, the leading Scot in the field at No. 62 in the world amateur rankings (WAGR). “Last year, in Men’s events, even when I felt as though I had played well, I was finishing 20th and so on. It’s just different the step up from Boys’ golf. I really wanted to get off to a good start in my first full season at Men’s level and it has gone well.”
South African Amateur champion Daniel Young (Craigie Hill) and SGU Men’s Order of Merit leader Connor Syme (Drumoig) also lead the Scottish challenge, along with the likes of GB&I Walker Cup squad players Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie), Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) and Jamie Savage (Cawder). Will Porter from Carnoustie, the Scottish Boys champion at Dunbar in April, also lines up.
Lucas Herbert from Australia is the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 20, with England’s Nick Marsh, winner of last year’s Golf Data Lab Scottish Youths Championship and joint-runner-up in the event at Panmure last year, also one to watch, world-ranked 33rd.
Another Aussie, Anthony Murdaca, who played in The Masters at Augusta National, is also among the favourites, along with Mathias Eggenberger, the University of Stirling student, from Switzerland.
Cormac Sharvin and Paul Dunne lead the Irish challenge, given three other leading Irish amateurs – Gavin Moynihan, Gary Hurley and Jack Hume – and Scotland’s Bradley Neil, the Amateur champion, earned invites to this week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open on the European Tour.
Bearsden’s Ferguson admits he has been inspired by the exploits of Neil and added: “There are four Scots in the top 100 in the WAGR right now, so you are playing in events thinking ‘C’mon let’s try and beat them’ which can help you get up the WAGR due to the category of the events.
“You see them doing well and it pushes you on. I’ve also been in groups playing with good players, like Graeme Robertson and Cormac Sharvin, and that helps too. I just want to keep pushing on. I’ve moved up the rankings every single week since I started playing this year. The top 50 towards the end of June are exempt for the US Amateur and that would be incredible to qualify for.”
The Carrick Neill Scottish Stroke Play continues an exciting year for Scottish amateur golf, with the St Andrews Links Trophy at ‘The Home of Golf’, The Amateur Championship at Carnoustie and the Fairstone Scottish Amateur Championship at Muirfield to follow this summer.
Moray Golf Club, which hosted the 77th Scottish Student Golf Championships while celebrating its 125th anniversary last year, is one of the most admired links courses in Scotland.
A series of course improvements have recently been made, which include the redevelopment of 24 bunkers, the introduction of three new bunkers and removing four, to enhance the much-loved routing of the Old Course which was first laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1889.
Carrick Neill, part of the Arthur J. Gallagher group and the SGU’s official insurance partner, continue to provide their support to the championship. “Having been partners of the Scottish Golf Union for 20 years, we are proud to sponsor one of their flagship events for the past five years and are looking forward to this week’s event at Moray,” said Grant Casey, Branch Director.
“Carrick Neill works with hundreds of golf clubs throughout Scotland and the rest of UK, providing specialist golf insurance to clubs and individual golfers, with market-leading claims service, expertise, and customer support.”
Entry is FREE for spectators at Moray so come along and enjoy the action!

P & H CHAMPIONSHIP - Largs pro & former Ayrshire county player scores biggest career win

Robinson Cruises to biggest win of career


(Report & photograph courtesy of the www.scottishgholfview.com website)

Skelmorlie-based Paul Robinson scored the biggest win and collected the biggest cheque, £6,000, of his six-year professional career today, writes Colin Farquharson 


The 26-year-old tour pro, pictured right with the trophy, at Largs Golf Club, led from start to finish over the 54 holes at The Renaissance Club, East Lothian to win the P and H Championship by four strokes with a five-under-par total of 206 over the par-71 course.

His boss at Largs, Andy Fullen, said:

"The hard work he did during the winter with coach Ross Aitken has paid off for Paul. He deserves it for his dedication. Paul won the Cawder pro-am and the Scottish better-ball championship with Jason McCreadie last year.
"He's definitely on the way up."

The long-hitting Robinson's first-round, six-under 65 gave him a three-shot lead which he maintained with a 70 and increased to a winning margin of four with a closing 71

If his rivals - and all the top Tartan Tour men were in the field, felt that Robinson's lack of experience of leading a tournament into the final round might open the door for one or more of them to surge past, then they had another think coming. 

Paul showed no signs of being under pressure andv after birdies at the 10th, 11th and 13th he was able to afford the luxury of bogeys at the 14th, 15th and a double bogey at the 18th.

Four players earned £3,375 each for a joint second place finish - Gareth Wright (West Linton), Sam Binning (Mearns Castle), Stephen Gray (Hayston) and David Orr (Eastwood).

 Orr was also runner-up last year when Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs) was the inaugural winner. 

Joint sixth placed Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf) had the best last round of 66 for a five-under total of 211. A second-round 75 left him with too much ground to make up.


ALL THE FINAL TOTALS AND PRIZEMONEY

Par213 (3x71)

206 P Robinson (Largs) 65 70 71 (£6,000)-
210 G Wright (West Linton) 69 73 68, S Binning (Mearns Castle) 70 70 70, S Gray (Hayston) 68 71 71, D Orr (Eastwood) 68 70 72 (£3,375 each)
211 G Fox (Clydeway Golf) 70 75 66, G Hay (Nairn Dunbar) 70 72 69, C Kelly (unatt) 71 72 68 (£1,750 each)
212 P Wardell (North Berwick) 69 70 73 (£1,250)
213 N Fenwick (Dunbar) 76 70 67 (£1,000)
214 K McNicoll (Gullane) 71 74 69, G Hutcheon (Paul Lawrie GC) 71 73 70, C Everett (Caldwell) 71 71 72, S Henderson (Kings Links) 69 73 72,  G McBain (Paul Lawrie GC) 72 67 75 (£760 each).
215 R Arnott (Bishopbriggs) 70 76 69, A Welsh (Cathkin Braes) 73 72 70, G Paxton (Ralston) 70 73 72 (£558 each).
216 P Shields (Kirkhill) 69 77 70, L Gaughn (Bathgate) 71 73 72, M Isaacs (Gamola Golf) 71 73 72 (£475  each).
217 M Hillson (Tandridge) 72 71 74, F Mann (Carnoustie GC) 73 69 75, M Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy) 74 68 75 (£410 each)
218 J Lomas (Caprington) 73 75 70, G Brown (Montrose Links) 74 73 71, P McKechnie (Braid Hills) 69 76 73, C Gillies (unatt) 69 74 75, C Currie (Caldwell) 69 73 76 (£360 each).
219 C Marr (Musselburgh) 72 76 71, R Clarke (Gamola Golf) 74 73 72, C Robinson (Portpatrick Dunskey) 69 76 74, P Walker (Ballumbie Castle) 75 70 74 (£320 each)
220 J McGhee (Bishopbriggs) 71 77 72, C Farrell (Cardross) 74 71 75 (£295 each)
221 I Taylor (Drumpellier) 75 72 74, S McAllister (McAllister Golf) 71 71 76 (£275 each)
223 S Williamson (Clydeway Golf) 72 75 76, R Munro (Duddingston) 74 72 77 (£245 each)
224 D Wood (Hirsel) 77 70 77 (£230)

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Defending Champions Irvine get off to winning start

The 2015 Ayrshire Scratch leagues are all under way as six team in each of the four divisions battle it out for their respective league titles this season.



In DIVISION 1, defending champions Irvine got off to a winning start with a 5 - 1 home win over Ballochmyle. Newly promoted Prestwick St Cuthbert opened with two away games and are still looking for their first points of the campaign following defeats by 4.5 - 1.5 at Kilmarnock Barassie and 3.5 - 2.5 at Irvine Ravenspark.

Present positions in Division 1 are :-


Played
For
Against
Points
Irvine
1
5
1
4
Kilmarnock Barassie
1
4.5
1.5
4
Irvine Ravenspark
1
3.5
2.5
4
Loudoun
0
0
0
0
Pr. St Cuthbert
2
4
8
0
Ballochmyle
1
1
5
0

 In DIVISION 2, West Kilbride opened with a 4 - 2 home win over Ayr Belleisle in the only fixture completed in the division so far. 

Present positions in Division 2 are :-

Played
For
Against
Points
West Kilbride
1
4
2
4
Troon Welbeck
0
0
0
0
Ayr Belleisle
1
2
4
0
Ardeer
0
0
0
0
Turnberry
0
0
0
0
Girvan
0
0
0
0

 In DIVISION 3, Kilbirnie Place and Troon St Meddans lead the way, St Meddans had an early home win over Prestwick St Nicholas by 3.5 - 2.5 whilst Kilbirnie won by 4 - 2 at Caprington and the teams also fought out a 3 - 3 draw at Kilbrinie. The only other match played in the division so far saw new Cumnock drawing 3 - 3 with their visitors, Caprington.

Present positions in Division 3 are :-

Played
For
Against
Points
Kilbirnie Place
2
7
5
6
Troon St Meddans
2
6.5
5.5
6
New Cumnock
1
3
3
2
Caprington
2
5
7
2
Largs
0
0
0
0
Pr. St Nicholas
1
2.5
3.5
0

 In DIVISION 4, Ayr Dalmilling lead the way following an opening home win over Brunston Castle by 4.5 - 1.5. newcomers Troon Portland gained their first point with a 3 - 3 draw away to Tam O Shanter, who also drew 3 - 3 in their recent away tie at Brunston castle.

Present positions in Division 4 are :-

Played
For
Against
Points
Ayr Dalmilling
1
4.5
1.5
4
Tam O Shanter
2
6
6
4
Troon Portland
1
3
3
2
Brunston Castle
2
4.5
7.5
2
Rowallan Castle
0
0
0
0
Moorpark
0
0
0
0


BELLEISLE CUP - Draw for Doc Thom order Of merit event

The Belleisle Cup, sponsored by Corum, takes place on Sunday 31st may over the Ayr Belleisle course.


The event has attracted a capacity field this year, with additional times having been added to accommodate more competitors and a waiting list still being required.

The draw for the 36 hole scratch event is :-

Game
Rd 1
Rd 2
Player
Club



J Sloan
Doon Valley
1
7:10
11:40
Sc Brown
Turnberry


G Cochrane
Irvine Ravenspark


S Wallace
Prestwick St Cuthbert
2
7:20
11:50
S McBlain
Troon Portland


G Gimson
Prestwick St Cuthbert


I Morrison
Prestwick St Cuthbert
3
7.30
12.00
S McClements
Kilmarnock Barassie


Cr Robertson
Abbotsford


G Robertson
Irvine
4
7.40
12.10
J Shanks
Irvine


T McInally
Loudoun


K Hamilton
Ayr Belleisle
5
7.50
12.20
C Watson
East Renfrewshire


B Caldow
Kilmarnock Barassie


A McLean
Kilbirnie Place
6
8.00
12.30
B O'Rourke
Kilbirnie Place


G Bolton
Bute


R Muir
Prestwick St Cuthbert
7
8.10
12.40
N Black
Rowallan Castle


A Orton
Kilmarnock Barassie


J Rushberry
Rowallan Castle
8
8.20
12.50
C McKirdy
Ballochmyle



C Nairn
Prestwick St Nicholas



S Low
Prestwick St Nicholas
9
8.30
1.00
L Halbert
Irvine


M McCrone
Troon Welbeck


I Forbes
Ayr Belleisle
10
8.40
1.10
C Wedgeworth
Pollock


A Fairbairn
Cawder


S Manning
Pollock
11
8.50
1.20
B McDonnell
Caprington


C Hamilton
Ballochmyle


C Telfer
Prestwick St Cuthbert
12
9.00
1.30
K Fergusson
Prestwick St Cuthbert


S Clare
Turnberry


C Rigby
Prestwick St Nicholas
13
9.10
1.40
C Robertson
Prestwick St Nicholas


F Rigby
Kilmarnock Barassie


D Low
Ayr Belleisle
14
9.20
1.50
C Hume
Ayr Belleisle


G Telfer
Prestwick St Cuthbert


L Breslin
Fereneze
15
9.30
2.00
S Buchanan
Ayr Belleisle


B Reid
St Meddans


W Fleming
Ballochmyle
16
9.40
2.10
S Geddes
Erskine


D Muir
Ballochmyle


J Brown
Haggs Castle
17
9.50
2.20
N Tindall
Tam O'Shanter


M Smyth
Royal Troon


Jack Broun
Ayr Belleisle
18
10.00
2.30
G Nimmo
Troon St Meddans


A Cunningham
Ranfurly Castle


S Ryan
Ayr Belleisle
19
10.10
2.40
D Booth
Turnberry


M Reid
Prestwick St Cuthbert


D Brown
Ayr Belleisle
20
10.20
2.50
E McGrath
Cawder


C Cameron
Ayr Belleisle


J Sweeney
Ayr Belleisle
21
10.30
3.00
H Devine
Turnberry


A Connor
Turnberry


C Hughes
Drumpellier
22
10.40
3.10
A Gordon
Ayr Belleisle


G McInroy
Haggs Castle


C Irving
Ayr Belleisle
23
10.50
3.20
R Kilpatrick
Ayr Belleisle


G Rae
Turnberry


D Kerr
Turnberry
24
11.00
3.30
J Smith
Prestwick St Nicholas


A Long
Ayr Belleisle


R Cunningham
Ayr Belleisle
25
11.10
3.40
R Meddings
Ayr Belleisle


P Ferguson
Turnberry


S Allan
Turnberry
26
11.20
3.50
R Long
Tam O'Shanter


R Meikle
Ayr Belleisle


J Johnstone
Ayr Belleisle
27
11.30
4.00
S Stamper
Turnberry


J Sykes
Ayr Belleisle