SCOTTISH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - McDonald leads 24 strong Ayrshire contingent at Muirfield

Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) leads a 24 strong contingent from Ayrshire clubs, bidding for the 2015 Scottish Amateur Championship, which takes place at the home of The Honorable Company Of Edinburgh Golfers at Muirfield from Monday 27th July to Saturday 1st August.

Twelve of the Ayrshire players in the 256 strong field begin their bid for the title with first round ties on Monday, with the remainder scheduled to start their title bids on Tuesday.

First off from the Ayrshire entrants on Monday is James Johnston (Ayr Belleisle) who plays Andrew Cunningham (Ranfurly Castle) at 07.17.

Former boys internationalist Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) is next off at 07.49, against Alistair Scott (Lanark) whilst Ayrshire Matchplay Champion Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) tees off at 08.21 against Sean Marc (Broomieknowe).

Ayrshire Order Of Merit title holder John Shanks (Irvine) follows two games behind Smyth, at 08.37, against Ross Brydon (Bruntsfield Links).

At 09.53 on Monday Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) starts his title bid agaisnt David T Miller (Duddingston), with M Dargie (Royal Troon) playing at 11.17 against Ed Wood (Criow Wood) and former Ayrshire Matchplay Champion Scott Brown (Turnberry) teeing off at 11.41 against Fraser Johnston (Longniddry).

On Monday Afternoon, Steven Stamper (Turnberry) starts at 13.05 against Colin Fraser (Peebles), Steven Spence (Royal Troon) plays at 13.29 against Stuart McKendrick (Dunkeld & Birnham) whilst the runner up in this years Ayrshire Matchplay Championship, Stuart Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) tees off in the following group at 13.37 against Darren Howie (Peebles).

The two other Ayrshire players scheduled to complete their opening round on Monday play in successive games in the late afternoon, Stuart Easton (Ivine) teeing off at 15.41 against Munro Ferries (Tain) and former Scottsih Boys Champion David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) playing at 15.49 against Fraser Fotheringham (Nairn)

On Tuesday 28th July Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) is first off amongst the Ayrshire representatives, teeing off at 07.33 against Alasdair Simpson (North Berwick).

Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) plays at 08.21 against Bryan Innes (Murcar) with Mark Robertson (Western Gailes) off two games later at 08.37 against Paul Gault (Haggs Castle).

Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) begins his bid for the title at 08.21 on Tuesday, in the only all Ayrshire first round clash, against Christopher Rossi (Western Gailes).

Bruce Caldow (Kilmarnock Barassie) is in the following match at 08.29, against Colin Riddle (Torwoodlee) and Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) is up against Conor Scott (Duddingston) in the following tie at 08.37.

George Robertson (Irvine) is scheduled to begin his championship bid at 11.25 on Tuesday, with a first round tie against Craig Howie (Peebles).

Four first round ties involving Ayrshire players are scheduled to begin on Tuesday afternoon.

The first of these, at 13.21, involves Sandy Buchanan (Prestwick St Nicholas) who plays Nicky Gold (Bonnyton), with James Bunch (Prestwick) playing two games later, at 13.37, against Stephen Roger (Cruden Bay).

John McMahon (Prestwick St Nicholas) plays at 13.45 on Tuesday against Bryan Fotheringham (Inverness) whilst Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Cuthbert) is the last Ayrshire player scheduled to start their first round match, playing in the penultimate tie of the round at 13.53 against Craig Wallace (Balbirnie Park).