Monday, February 29, 2016

GIRLS GOLF - Ayrshire draw with Lanarkshire in pre season friendly

The Ayrshire team (left) and the Lanarkshire team (right)
at Lanark Golf Club
(Photograph courtesy of the Lanarkshire Ladies County Golf Association)
An Ayrshire girls team traveled to Lanark Golf Club on Sunday 28th February to play a pre season friendly match against their counterpart from Lanarkshire.

The match, which was played in fine conditions, finished honours even, with a final score of 2 - 2.


Sunday, February 28, 2016

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION YEARBOOK - 13th edition launched at Ayrshire Dinner

The 13th edition of the Ayrshire Golf association Yearbook was launched at the Annual Dinner and Presentation Of Prizes.

The 40 page booklet, produced once again by Ayrshire Media Services in Troon, contains a wealth of useful information on golf in Ayrshire, including a review of the 2015 season, club contact details, championship winners and fixtures for the forthcoming 2016 season.

The yearbook will soon be available to view on line via this web page and will also be distributed, free of charge, to clubs and other golf sites throughout the county in the forthcoming weeks.

The Ayrshire Golf Association would like to take this opportunity to thank the advertisers within the yearbook for their continued support, which allows the publication to be produced and distributed to Ayrshire golfers year on year.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION ANNUAL DINNER - Full house at Loudoun to honour 2015 season winners

The Ayrshire Golf Association Annual Dinner & Presentation Of Trophies was held in the clubhouse of Loudoun Gowf Club on Friday 26th February, where the 2015 county competition winners were honoured for their achievements.



The attendees were also treated to a unique array of 'visiting' trophies this season, which Ayrshire players and teams either won or were members of the successful winning teams.

Pride of place went to the Walker Cup, won by Great Britain & Ireland against The United States Of America in 2015, with Ayrshire's Jack McDonald in the team. McDonald was also a member of the Scotland side who won the European Mens Team Championship in 2015, and the trophy was also on display at the dinner.

The successes of Ayrshire County sides in 2015 was also well represented with the magnificent Scottish Area Team Championship Trophy also on display, along with the West Of Scotland Inter County league Trophy and the Presidents Trophy which was won by the combined youths and boys team against The South Of Scotland.

President James McMurdo and Ronnie Potts
with the framed print presented to mark his
27 years of service to The Ayrshire Golf Association
After an excellent meal, the Ayrshire Golf Association President James McMurdo (Ballochmyle) gave a review of the year, which concluded with a presentation to long serving Ayrshire Golf Association Executive member and Past President, Ronnie Potts (Irvine Ravenspark), who retired from the AGA Executive in 2015 after 27 years of service. In appreciation, Ronnie was presented with a framed print of tain Golf Club, where he succesfully managed the Ayrshire team to the Scottish Area team Championship title in 2008.

The company was then very well entertained by the guest speaker of the evening, Ayrshire resident John Gilligan, with his witty after dinner offering.

The evening continued with the presentation of the trophies to the 2015 season winners, as well as commemorative medals to the winning team members in the West Of Scotland Inter County League competition.

The principal winners in 2015 were :-

SCOTTISH AREA TEAM CHAMPIONS
AYRSHIRE
Jack McDonald, Keith Hamilton, Tommy McInally, Stuart Robin, John Shanks, Scott Brown

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY A LEAGUE WINNERS
AYRSHIRE




Jack McDonald, Keith Hamilton, Tommy McInally, Stuart Robin, John Shanks  
Michael Smyth, Craig Telfer, Jim Johnstone, Seven Wallace, Scott Brown
Gordon Boyle, Craig Hamilton, Malcolm Pennycott








PRESIDENTS TROPHY
AYRSHIRE

AYRSHIRE BOYS CHAMPION
 CRAIG MCKENZIE (Troon Welbeck GC)

AYRSHIRE BOYS MATCHPLAY CHAMPION
ROBBIE MUIR (Kilmarnock Barassie GC)

JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT
EUAN FERGUSON (Turnberry GC)

David & George McCulloch
Brunston Castle GC


AYRSHIRE FOURBALL TROPHY
BRUNSTON CASTLE GC




Largs GC Captain Doreen McConnell




AYRSHIRE CLUB CHAMPIONS
LARGS G C








SCRATCH (SUMMER) LEAGUES

DIVISION 4
ROWALLAN CASTLE GC

Division 4 winners Rowallan Castle










DIVISION 3
TROON ST MEDDANS GC

David Power - Troon St Meddans












DIVISION 2
TURNBERRY GC

Turnberry Captain Clive Douglas














DIVISION 1
IRVINE GC

Division 1 champions Irvine GC













Seniors Champion Iain McKenzie




AYRSHIRE SENIORS CHAMPION
IAIN McKENZIE (Annanhill GC)







Matchplay winner Michael Smyth




AYRSHIRE MATCHPLAY CHAMPION
MICHAEL SMYTH (Royal Troon GC)







Strokeplay winner Tommy McInally




AYRSHIRE STROKEPLAY CHAMPION
TOMMY McINALLY (Loudoun GC)








Champion Of Champions
Paul Moultrie





AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS
PAUL MOULTRIE (Royal Troon GC)








Doc Thom Salver winner
John Shanks




DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT

JOHNN SHANKS (Irvine GC)







The evening concluded with a vote of thanks given by Ayrshire Golf Association Vice President John Rushbury (Royal Troon)

Saturday, February 27, 2016

NEW TEAM COMPETITIONS - Only two days remain until entries close for two new events

Entries for the two new Ayrshire Golf Association team knockout events, being introduced this season, close in tow days time, at the end of February.

The response from member clubs wanting to take part in both events has been very good, with 28 entries received so far for the scratch competition and 33 entries for the handicap event.

The clubs who have entered the team scratch competition to date (27th February) are :-

Abbotsford
Ardeer
Ayr Belleisle
Ayr Dalmilling
Ayr Seafield
Ballochmyle
Brunston Castle
Caprington
Crosshouse
Girvan
Irvine
Irvine Ravenspark
Kilbirnie Place
Kilmarnock Barassie
Largs
Loudoun
Moorpark
Muirkirk
New Cumnock
Prestwick St Cuthbert
Rowallan Castle
Royal Troon
Tam 'O' Shanter
Troon Portland
Troon St Meddans
Troon Welbeck
Turnberry
West Kilbride

Entries have been received to date (27th February) from the following clubs for the team handicap competition.

Abbotsford
Ardeer
Ayr Belleisle
Ayr Dalmilling
Ayr Neptune
Ayr Seafield
Ballochmyle
Braehead
Brunston Castle
Caprington
Crosshouse
Drongan
Girvan
Irvine Ravenspark
Kilbirnie Place
Kilmarnock Barassie
Largs
Loudoun
Moorpark
Muirkirk
New Cumnock
North Beach
Prestwick St Cuthbert
Rowallan Castle
Saxone
Skelmorlie
Stewarton
Tam 'O' Shanter
Troon Merchants
Troon Portland
Troon St Meddans
Troon Welbeck
Turnberry


Any further entry forms for the events must be in the hands of the Area Secretary, by 29th February 2016.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

SCRATCH & HANDICAP TEAM KNOCKOUT COMPETITIONS - Closing date rapidly approaching for two new events

The closing date for the two new Ayrshire Golf Association events being introduced to the calendar this year is fast approaching.

Entries close for both the Scratch team Knockout competition and Handicap Team Knockout competitions at the end of February

26 clubs have entered the Handicap event so far. 

Entries received to date, (23rd February) are :-

Abbotsford
Ardeer
Ayr Belleisle
Ayr Dalmilling
Ayr Neptune
Ballochmyle
Braehead
Brunston Castle
Crosshouse
Drongan
Girvan
Irvine Ravenspark
Kilmarnock Barassie
Loudoun
Moorpark
Muirkirk
New Cumnock
North Beach
Rowallan Castle
Saxone
Skelmorlie
Tam 'O' Shanter
Troon Merchants
Troon Portland
Troon St Meddans
Troon Welbeck

22 clubs have confirmed their participation in the scratch team event so far. 

Entries received to date (23rd February), are :- 

Abbotsford
Ardeer
Ayr Belleisle
Ayr Dalmilling
Ballochmyle
Brunston Castle
Crosshouse
Girvan
Irvine
Irvine Ravenspark
Kilmarnock Barassie
Loudoun
Moorpark
Muirkirk
New Cumnock
Rowallan Castle
Royal Troon
Tam 'O' Shanter
Troon Portland
Troon St Meddans
Troon Welbeck
West Kilbride


Entry forms for both competitions must be in the hands of the Area Secretary by the closing date.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

NEW AYRSHIRE COMPETITIONS - Good support for two new club team events introduced this year

The two new Ayrshire Golf Association club team events which are being introduced this year are proving popular, with an ever increasing entry in both the scratch and handicap events.

The events, which will be played on a straight home or away knockout basis will feature teams of four players representing each competing club, with the match consisting of two singles and one foursomes tie. All ties will be played to a finish, with extra holes as necessary, on a sudden death basis.

The entry letters and outline of the format were sent to all member clubs by email a few weeks ago. Should any club not have received the documentation, they should contact the Area Secretary by email to have further copies sent.

Closing date for entries to both competitions is 29th February, and in this first year of the event, entry will be free to all competing clubs.

21 have entered the handicap competition so far, with 19 entries received for the scratch event.

To date (16th February) the entries to the two events are as follows :-

SCRATCH TEAM KNOCKOUT ENTRIES

Ardeer
Ayr Belleisle
Ayr Dalmilling
Ballochmyle
Brunston Castle
Crosshouse
Girvan
Irvine
Irvine Ravenspark
Kilmarnock Barassie
Loudoun
Moorpark
Muirkirk
Rowallan Castle
Royal Troon
Troon Portland
Troon St Meddans
Troon Welbeck
West Kilbride

HANDICAP TEAM KNOCKOUT ENTRIES


Ardeer
Ayr Belleisle
Ayr Dalmilling
Ayr Neptune
Ballochmyle
Braehead
Brunston Castle
Crosshouse
Drongan
Girvan
Irvine Ravenspark
Kilmarnock Barassie
Loudoun
Moorpark
Muirkirk
Rowallan Castle
Skelmorlie
Troon Merchants
Troon Portland
Troon St Meddans
Troon Welbeck

URGENT APPEAL FOR SUPPORT TO SAVE HISTORIC GOLF SITE - Letters of objection needed by today

THIS ARTICLE IS COPIED FROM THE SOCIETY OF HICKORY GOLFERS WEBSITE

The famous pub adjacent to the Old Course at Musselburgh, Mrs Foremans, is in real and imminent danger of being swept from the landscape, as a result of an imminent planning application. The proposed development is also likely to have a severe effect on the course itself.

In a local context, the proposed development would be akin to someone wanting to demolish the Red Lion Hotel in Prestwick to build a house on the site, sweeping away with it all the historical connections with early golf and the early Open Golf Championships.

Objections need to be with the relevant department TODAY (17th February)

Should anyone wish to support the attempts to save Mrs Foremans they can simply copy the text below, add their details and sign and email to environment@eastlothian.gov.uk and copying to planning@eastlothian.gov.uk


HELP SAVE MRS. FORMAN'S PUB!!

by SoHG
February 15, 2016

It is one of the oldest and most historic of golf pubs in the world and it is threatened by a developer who wants to turn it into a private home. There is scant time to act. The following letter was sent by Mungo Park, descendant of the famous Park family of Musselburgh, to members of the British Golf Collectors Society. He is doing his best to rally support to save the historic pub. So, please, have a read and follow Mr. Park's suggestion of emailing the suggested form letter to the email address that is given at the start of the suggested letter, below Mr. Park's letter. Be sure to add your name and address to the letter.
If you Google Mrs. Forman's Pub you will see other articles on the threatened historic pub.
You might also want to copy the letter, email, to  planning@eastlothian.gov.uk
Please read and act swiftly!!

Dear Member,

Mrs Forman’s the Musselburgh pub is under threat of development. Neil Laird, David Hamilton, and I have been putting together a case to oppose its change of use to residential. We feel that it should remain as a pub, or another public facility that will tell the story of Musselburgh, and its place in the history of men’s and women’s golf.

Two planning Applications are being submitted. They are as follows: -

15/01035/P Simple conversion from pub / restaurant to residential use. Letters of opposition are needed by the 17th February.

16/00059/P Conversion of pub, plus construction of two new houses in the garden. (just submitted programme to follow)

Our opposition is based on three concerns: -

If the change of use is permitted it will open the way to the second application. From what we have seen this will involve the partial or total demolition of the garden wall. The historic view of Mrs Forman’s and its boundary wall, which has featured in so many pictures of the Links, will be lost.

It is likely that the safety risk posed by the golf course to a private dwelling will require East Lothian District Council either to modify the course, or to put up a large protective netting, with detrimental effects on two holes of the Old Course, ‘Mrs Forman’s’ and possibly the ‘Sea Hole’.

Mrs Forman’s itself will no longer be accessible to the public, and the opportunity for a public visitor centre, or pub / museum telling the story of Musselburgh’s golf history will be lost.

We are hoping to get as many letters of opposition to the planners before 17th February (this Wednesday), to prevent the Change of Use application from being permitted. If it is, then the principle or residential use is established, making it more difficult to argue against the construction of 3 houses on the site.

If anyone wishes to oppose this application, please do so before the 17th February. Mungo Park has been through the Local Plan and made a detailed case for opposing Conversion and Change of Use, based on specific policies. Neil Laird has prepared a more prosaic case based on his own historical research. What is needed is a large number of letters opposing this application No 15/01035/P (please refer to the number).

Below is a template letter for you to adapt or modify as you wish...or simply sign and send. We hope you do not mind this mass mailing; we feel that it is a matter about which most members will want to be informed.

Regards

Mungo Park, Neil Laird, David Hamilton



*** LETTER START ***

environment@eastlothian.gov.uk  

Planning Department, John Muir House
Brewery Park
Haddington
East Lothian
EH41 3HA.

Attn Ms Stephanie McQueen

Dear Ms McQueen,
PLANNING APPLICATION No. 15/01035/P

‘Change of Use and Conversion of Mrs Forman’s, 2 Ravensheugh Road, Musselburgh from

I write to oppose the above application for the following reasons: -

I believe that the application contravenes the following Planning Policies, as set out in the Local Plan: -

C8 Damage to Musselburgh Old Golf Course and its setting
DP4 Requirement for a Design Statement on sensitive sites
ENV1 & DP7 Section 3, retention of boundary features and Section 4 retention of important physical features
DP14 Trees on and near development sites
DP16 Development in areas at risk of flooding (as shown on SEPA Floodmap)
DP22 On-street parking is discouraged, but no parking is shown on the site.

A number of general policies and vision statements also apply to this proposal, in particular those relating to tourism, historical sites and local natural and built environment and heritage.

Musselburgh Links and Mrs Forman’s are historically significant for the following reasons: -

1) Musselburgh Links is the oldest golf course in the world in continuous use.
2) It was the scene of Open Championships in 1874, 1877, 1880, 1883, 1886 and 1889
3) The town was one of the two most important centres in the history of early golf before the first world war.
4) Mrs. Forman’s is of the oldest golf pub in the world
5) It has been central to the history of golf for the 194 years since it was built.
6) It is important to the continued reputation of the Old Course and Musselburgh.
7) It is known and valued by golfers throughout the world.
8) The application is incomplete and further modifications are needed which could impact adversely on the character and viability of the Old Course. No alteration of use should be allowed until the complete plan is available for the entire plot and the Council can be certain that there will be no adverse impact to the look of the Old Course or its viability.

No change of use should be allowed until all avenues to retain Mrs Forman’s use as a heritage centre or public house of some sort have been pursued.

I urge the Committee to refuse this application, so that the opportunity to celebrate Musselburgh’s remarkable golfing history is not lost.

Yours,