MAYBOLE GOLF CLUB - Bid to resume full SGL membership

Positive moves are under way to return Maybole Golf Club to full membership of  SGL, following recent discussions with other local clubs. After suspending their membership of the SGU a couple of years ago due to falling membership numbers, recent discussions with other clubs in the town looks likely to prompt the re establishment of the club as full Scottish Golf members.

The undernoted Daily Record article and picture is reproduced from the website www.dailyrecord.co.uk

Kevin Mckeown, Ruth Donnan, Cath Ramsay & Robert Green
Representing Maybole Golf Club (gents and ladies) and Pontoon Golf Club

The battle to prove there’s a future for golf in Maybole has begun.

The municipal Maybole Golf Club has been in existence since 1905 and at the Memorial Park since 1924, but its existence is being questioned due to ongoing budget cuts to South Ayrshire Council.

As with many nine hole golf courses, Maybole has struggled to retain members and with illustrious neighbours such as Turnberry, Royal Troon and Old Prestwick, membership at Maybole has steadily declined over the years.

With limited facilities and a lack of investment from South Ayrshire Council, the future of Maybole Golf Course and Golf Club will constantly be under scrutiny as a viable facility.

A source told the Ayrshire Post: “There is a strong desire among golfers in Maybole to do all they can to secure a future for Maybole Golf Club.

“At recent meetings the Maybole Golf Club Ladies, the Pontoon Golf Club and the Carrick Speakers Golf Club have agreed to resurrect the Maybole Gents Section as a SGU/AGU registered club.

“There will be a limited fixture of six competitions to be played during the week from May-August; three mixed Texas scramble events in June, July and August with a member from each club forming teams.

“The Maybole Open will be played on Sunday, May 29 and local sponsors will be sought to support the Open. All monies raised from the Maybole Open will be donated to local groups or charities.

“Membership of the Maybole Golf Club will be £20 to cover registration expenses. If you would like to register for the Maybole Golf Club membership please contact us.

“In addition to the above fixtures, members of Maybole Golf Club will be able to play handicap rounds with the Speakers Club and The Pontoon Club by giving notice to the Maybole Captain to ensure additional tee times are booked if required.

“It is essential that all golfers who play Maybole Golf Club, whether on a casual basis or in the above competitions, register for play at the Maybole Swimming Pool before commencing their round.

“Golfers need to do this to provide South Ayrshire Council with evidence that Maybole Golf Course is still being used as season ticket sales do not provide that evidence at present. The swimming pool’s opening hours are 7am-10pm, Mon-Friday.”

The Maybole ladies section are also holding a golf taster night for all ladies and girls (14 and over) golfers and beginners at Maybole Golf Clubhouse on Friday, April 1 at 6pm, all current and new members are welcome to attend.

Richard Gordon, golf professional at Belleisle Golf Course, will be there on the night to support the event. If interested contact lauramcsorley@hotmail.co.uk or lynrodge@aol.com
The Carrick Speakers Golf Club will also be holding their Open competition at Girvan Golf Club on Sunday, April 24.

This is an excellent Open competition with numerous prizes on offer. Again support of local golfers is encouraged. The Carrick Speakers Golf Club holds its regular fixtures at Girvan Golf Club on Sunday mornings, new members are welcome.

For more information in respect of any of these details, golf club membership for Maybole, Open Competitions, taster evenings, contact Robert Green on 0741 124 2061 or email at robertgreen2809@gmail.com.

Over the years, the club has produced some incredible talent such as Alistair Kidd, Tony McEwan and Laurence Hearton, all of whom achieved professional status; Derek McCulloch, Kirk Campbell, Scott McCahill, Harry McEwan, Winnie McCulloch, Ann McDowall, all who have achieved success in Ayrshire competitions; junior teams who have won the Ayrshire Championships on numerous occasions; Derek McCulloch who won the Ayrshire Champion of Champions; Scott McCahill and David Wallace who have won the Ayrshire Doubles and currently Jack Broun and Ewan Fergusson who are representing Golf at National Level, both of whom initially cut their golfing teeth at Maybole Golf Course.

The Clubgolf junior golf initiative has been very successful in Maybole and it is hoped that this can be continued as the short term future of the golf course has been agreed by South Ayrshire Council.