ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON AMATEUR GOLF IN AYRSHIRE

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION AGM - John Rushbury elected President for 2016 - 2018 with John W Watt as his Vice President

AGA President
John Rushbury
The Annual General Meeting of the Ayrshire Golf Association was held on the evening of Tuesday 25th October 2016 at Caprington Golf Club with John Rushbury (Royal Troon) being elected as President for the next two years and John W Watt (Prestwick St Cuthbert) taking over as Vice President.


The meeting opened with outgoing President James McMurdo (Ballochmyle) highlighting a number of points contained in his Presidents report, whilst adding to his report the success last weekend of the Ayrshire team in retaining the West Of Scotland Inter County Championship, the trophy for which was on display during the meeting.

Further reports covering Finance, Coaching, Course rating and The Ayrshire Junior Golf League were accepted by the meeting.

Before stepping down, outgoing President McMurdo thanked the meeting for allowing him the honour of serving as President over the last two years, which had seen notable success for Ayrshire teams and players at a national level.

AGA Vice President
John W Watt



Following the adoption of the various reports, John Rushbury, a member of both Royal Troon and Rowallan Castle golf clubs, was elected as President of The Association for the next two years

In accepting the position, President Rushbury paid tribute to his predecessor  and presented james McMurdo with his Past Presidents badge.

John W Watt, a member of Prestwick St Cuthbert golf club, was elcted as Vice President of The Association for the next two years whilst Area Secretary Alasdair J Malcolm (Prestwick St Cuthbert) was re elected to the post he has held since 2009.





New Executive Member
Allan Coulter
Ricky Magee (Caprington), Peter Doyle (Troon Welbeck), Ian Hoynes (West Kilbride), Milton Murray (Irvine) were all re elected to The Executive for a further three year period, along with Allan Coulter (Ayr Belleisle) who was elected to The Executive for the first time, also for a three year period.

Past President Iain Harvey (Kilmarnock Barassie) was also re elected, and will serve a two year vacancy on The Executive.

The area per capita subsciption payable by member clubs was set at £2.60 for the forthcoming year.




No other matters were raised by attendees under A.O.C.B., and the meeting was concluded by President Rushbury

The Ayrshire Golf Association Executive 2016 - 2017

Back Row :- Milton Murray (Irvine), Gordon Boyle (Turnberry), Hugh McKenzie (Troon Welbeck),
Scott Gilchrist (Loudoun), Robert Wilson (Ballochmyle), Peter Doyle (Troon Welbeck), Allan Coulter (Ayr Belleisle),
Mike Hazlewood (Ayr Neptune) Allan Muir (Caprington)

Front Row :- Iain Harvey (Kilmarnock Barassie), Vice President John W Watt (Prestwick St Cuthbert),
President John Rushbury (Royal Troon), Immediate past President James McMurdo (Ballochmyle),
Secretary Alasdair J Malcolm (Prestwick St Cuthbert), Ricky Magee (Caprington)


Not present :- Willie McCormick (Ayr Seafield), Ian Hoynes (West Kilbride)


SCOTTISH GOLF - Championship changes for 2017


Scottish Golf has announced a number of changes to its national championships following a comprehensive review, with several to come into effect from the start of next season.

The governing body has engaged with players, clubs and other stakeholders to help shape the changes, helping to provide a better platform for the nation’s amateur golfers to perform on while showcasing some of the country’s outstanding courses.

The most significant developments concerns changes to the formats and timing of the major national match play championships, while the Scottish Youths Championship will be removed from the schedule, with the category no longer complimenting the national structure or international amateur calendar.

In line with a number of other countries, the Scottish Boys and Men’s Amateur Championships will change from straight knock-out to 36-hole stroke play qualifying, with the leading 64 players (and ties) reaching the match play stages. The Scottish Boys Championship also moves from its traditional April slot into the school summer holidays, to be played for the first time alongside the Scottish Girls Championship, running concurrently on two neighbouring courses, with Scotscraig and Drumoig named as the 2017 host venues. The boys’ field size will reduce to 180, with the girls at 64.

The Scottish Women’s Amateur Championship will be held at Royal Aberdeen (6 – 10 June) for the first time since former Solheim Cup star Janice Moodie won the event there 25 years ago, while Royal Troon’s Old Course will continue to host the prestigious Helen Holm Scottish Women's Open Stroke Play Championship accompanied by the Troon Portland course.

Also in Ayrshire, Prestwick will be joined by Prestwick St Cuthbert in hosting the stroke play qualifying for the Scottish Men’s Amateur Championship (31 July – 5 Aug) and Western Gailes welcomes the leading male amateurs for the Carrick Neill Scottish Stroke Play Championship in early June.

Like their match play equivalents, the Scottish Boys and Girls Stroke Play Championships will be played on the same dates, moving to the Spring (Easter) holiday slot of 10 - 12 April next year, with Monifieth welcoming the boys and Montrose staging the girls.

Eleanor Cannon, Chair of Scottish Golf, said: “Following our review, it is important that we embrace the traditions and history of the game, but equally vital that we look to the future and ensure our championships remain relevant to participants.

“The Scottish Golf Board is acutely aware on the increasing demands on people’s time, both the players and the parents of competitors, which has an impact on a number of our events, while consideration was given to why players compete in events, which is often different between male and female competitors.

“We stage national championships not only to give our players a great experience on courses which showcase their talents, but also to profile our clubs. Scotland has a fantastic variety of courses and we are hugely grateful to all member clubs who support our events, who can hopefully benefit from the spotlight being on them for that particular week.”

“Our member clubs provide us with their facilities free of charge to enable us to deliver quality championships, for players at all levels, whether competing at the very top of the amateur game or enjoying the experience of competing on the national stage for the first time.”

Details of dates and venues for the various Area, County and Club team championships will be confirmed later in the year, while Scottish Golf will also be announcing the schedule for its portfolio of national handicap championships once discussions with host venues and sponsors are concluded in the near future.

Online entries for national championships will be available at scottishgolf.org/events in January.

Scottish Golf National Championships Schedule 2017


DATE
VENUE
EVENT
1 - 2 April
TBC
Scottish Junior Tour U18
10 - 12 April
Monifieth Links
Scottish Boys Open Stroke Play Championship
10 - 12 April
Montrose, Medal
Scottish Girls Open Stroke Play Championship
21 - 23 April
Royal Troon & Troon Portland
Helen Holm Scottish Women's Open Stroke Play Championship
13 - 14 May
TBC
Scottish Junior Tour U16 & U14
2 - 4 June
Western Gailes
Carrick Neill Scottish Men's Open Stroke Play Championship
6 - 10 June
Royal Aberdeen
Scottish Women's Amateur Championship
21 - 23 June
Royal Burgess
Scottish Senior Men's Open Championship
28 June - 1 July
Blairgowrie
Scottish Senior Women's Open Championship
30 June - 5 July
Scotscraig & Drumoig
Scottish Boys & Girls Championship
11 - 13 July
Fairmont St Andrews, Kittocks
Scottish Boys U16 Open Championship
17 - 18 July
TBC
Scottish Girls U16 Open Championship
31 July - 5 Aug
Prestwick & Prestwick St Cuthbert
Scottish Men's Amateur Championship
13 - 14 Aug
Crail, Balcomie Links
Loretto School Scottish Boys & Girls U14 Championship

Monday, October 24, 2016

COURSE RATING - Scottish Golf seeking new volunteers to undertake National Golf Course Raters duties

Scottish Golf, the governing body of the amateur game, is seeking willing volunteers to join their team of national golf Course Raters.

As part of a fully trained team, Course Raters walk golf courses assessing the difficulty of each hole in line with the USGA Course Rating Framework which ensures consistency in the measurement of each course’s difficulty.
Course Raters play a critical role in establishing the Standard Scratch Score (SSS) which is used as the basis for the handicapping system and a key benefit of being a golf club member in Scotland.
Volunteers for these roles will benefit from a variety of benefits including:
·         Training in a recognised course rating accreditation programme

·         Be provided equipment and uniform

·         Get the chance to play new golf courses

·         Various additional benefits and giving something back to the game

F   Further information and application for the post can be found on the Scottish Golf websitem, via the link below :-


Sunday, October 23, 2016

US UNIVERSITY GOLF - Walker shines again for Missouri

Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) shone again for the University Of Missouri last week with a 12th place finish in Tennessee.


(Report and photograph courtesy of the scottishgolfview.com website)

Ayrshire's Euan Walker, a final-year student at the University of Missouri, finished 12th in a field of 84 at the Bank of Tennessee Collegiate tournament at Blackthorn Club, the Ridges, Jonesborough in Tennessee.
  
The Scot (pictured) shot three rounds of 70 over a par-72 course of 7,217yd for a total of six-under-par 210 - seven behind the winner by two, Charles Huntziner (Penn State) (66-68-69 for 203).

Charlotte's three freshman from Ireland and England, finished as follows:

Connor Purcell 74 69 75 for T33 on 218
Matty Lamb from Hexham 75 71 74 for 220 and T44
John Gough 78 71 72 for 221 and T48


Missouri (842) finished second to team title winners Virginia (829) with Kent State (848) third. Charlotte (863) finished seventh of the 15-team line-up.

SCOTTISH GIRLS' ORDER OF MERIT - Hazel McGarvie wins 2016 national title

Hazel MacGarvie (Troon Ladies) won the 2016 Scottish Girls’ Order Of Merit title with 902 points from four counting events, ahead of Jasmine Mackintosh (Hazlehead) with 834 points and Joanne Free (Gullane) with 759 points.

Following the announcement, McGarvie commented :-

“I am delighted to win the Girls’ Order of Merit especially since I didn't play in many counting events. I think this season has been successful. I really just wanted to do the best I could, bearing in mind I was sitting my Highers, my last one not being until the beginning of June.”

The 17 year-old Marr College pupil’s season included a win in the Scottish Girls Championship and a great performance in the Girls’ Home Internationals when she won all six of her matches.

On her national title win, McGarvie said :-


“I was really pleased to win the Scottish Girls, particularly finishing on three under and then going onto win with an eagle at the par four first. Next year I just want to continue to improve my game.”

AYRSHIRE ELITE SQUAD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME - Applications sought for Trials Day for 2016 - 17 programme

The Ayrshire Golf Association will be continuing an Elite Squad Development Programme over the winter months, with the first stage being a trials day on Sunday 6th November to allow the coaches and officials to finalise the participants to be invited to take part in the programme this winter.


For the Trials Day, at Brunsston Castle GC, The Ayrshire Golf Association will invite around 20 players as well as extending an open invite to any golfer who feels they meet the criteria required.

Self nominations are invited, with the general qualifying criteria being :-
Age – Under 16 - handicap  around 11 or lower
Age – Under 18 – handicap around 6 or lower

To secure a place in the Trials day, or obtain further information, players must contact the AGA Coaching Convener, Scott Gilchrist by email at asgil8@aol.com prior to the Trials Day.

Each player will be evaluated and be in discussion with regards to their coaching process, mindset, handicap info, goals and achievements and commitment to representing county and country.

After the trials day each player in attendance will then receive communication as to whether they have been selected to take part in the Elite Squad Development programme.

Whilst participation in the Elite Squad Development Programme would be an advantage, non selection does not mean that these players will not be selected or represent Ayrshire over the coming years, but it simply means they have been unfortunate to miss the programme this winter.

The Elite Squad Development Programme this year will be altered slightly from previous years with the intent to identify and support Ayrshires top junior golfers and provide a service that will help progress each golfer’s individual needs and goals as well as assisting the county to assess and identify who are the best players to represent the county.

It is also hoped to set up a Futures Squad Development Programme that will involve some coaching, to identify and make both Ayrshire Golf Association aware of want talent the county has at a younger age and let these younger golfers put their abilities on show.

Once the participants have been selected, Elite squad development programme sessions will take place at Brunston Castle and Prestwick golf clubs, where the squad will be evaluated and will be helped to progress their overall golf game through the winter season ahead.

During the winter months, the Elite Squad Development Programme will include two golf specific fitness sessions which will focus on giving the golfers an education and understanding of flexibility, core work and strength conditioning, directly aimed at improving their golfing ability, and four golf assessments including one on the course at Prestwick GC, which will help identify where each individual player can be assisted the most. This will also be used to deliver a record of progress over time.

The golf programme will be delivered by two of Ayrshire’s top teaching professionals David Fleming and Richard Gordon and will be further supported with other inputs on related subjects such as the rules.

There will be a financial contribution of £50 requested from players who are successful in gaining a place in the squad following the Trials day, which will cover a small percentage of the overall costs of the programme, with the remainder being met by the AGA.


It is important to stress that players who are already being coached by a professional external to the AGA’s coaching team are also encouraged to attend. Players can be assured that the team of coaching professionals will not interfere in any technical area unless specifically requested to do so by the player, but the AGA are confident that the additional non technical coaching available will benefit all players. 

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

US UNIVERSITY GOLF - Individual title win for Connie Jaffrey

Sunday, October 16, 2016

CHAMPIONS AGAIN - Ayrshire retain West Of Scotland Area title

Ayrshire retained the West Of Scotland Area Championship title in a winner take all showdown with Dumbartonshire in the final match of the five week series on Sunday 16th October at Cardross GC.

Having won all their previous matches, with the exception of a narrow defeat away to Stirlingshire, Ayrshire went into the final match of the series away to Dumbartonshire knowing that a win would see them overtake their hosts and league leaders.

Jim Johnston (Ayr Belleisle) lost out in the lead match by 2 & 1 and John Shanks (Irvine) also suffered a defeat by the same score in the third tie, but Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) kept Ayrshire well place in the match with a 2 & 1 win in his tie.

With Tommy McInally (Loudoun) and Steven Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert) both winning comfortable, Ayrshire led 3 - 2 with three ties still on the course, though through fourteen holes the match could still have gone either way with the ties involving Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Cuthbert) and Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) all square whilst Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert), in his senior team debut was one down at the same stage.

Stuart Robin began a flourishing finish for Ayrshire, closing out his tie on the final green to give Ayrshire a crucial 4 - 2 lead, before both Greg Telfer then Charlie Macneal won three successive holes to close out their ties by 2 & 1 and 3 & 1 respectively and give Ayrshire a 6 - 2 win in the match and a second successive West Inter County title.

Match details (Dumbartonshire names first):-

Steven Stewart (Clydebank & District) beat Jim Johnston (Ayr Belleisle) by 2 & 1
David Lindsay (Lenzie) lost to Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) by 2 7 1
Chris Tursby (Clydebank & District) beat John Shanks (Irvine) by 2 & 1
Craig Bisset (Dumbarton) lost to Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Cuthbert)  by 2 holes
Richard Law (Lenzie) lost to Tommy McInally (Loudoun) by 5 & 4
Andy Campbell (Dumbarton) lost to Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 2 & 1
Richard Bridges (Dumbarton) lost to Steven Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 6 & 5
John McMahon (Cardross) lost to Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) by 3 & 1

DUMBARTONSHIRE A   2    AYRSHIRE A   6 


In the corresponding youths match, also played on Sunday 16th October, at Troon Darley, Ayrshire faced a Dumbartonshire side who had secured four wins from four in their previous matches in the competition this year.

In the lead tie, Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) had a 4 & 2 win  whilst sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) went one better with a 4 & 3 win in the third tie.

In the second tie, Jack Thomas (Irvine) was defeated on the final green, one of three Ayrshire players to suffer that fate during the match.

Louis Murray (Troon Welbeck) matched sandy Walker's winning margin of 4 & 3, and although Allan Watson (Ballochmyle) lost by the same score, a 7 & 5 win by Darryl Lynch (Ayr Belleisle) in the anchor tie gave Ayrshire a 4 - 2 lead with two matches remaining on the course.

Unfortunately for the home side both Robbie Fitzpatrick (Irvine) and Ally Berry (Irvine Ravenspark) lost out on the final green and the match was drawn 4 - 4.

The result saw Dumbartonshire crowned Youth league champions for 2016 and although the Ayrshire team finished in mid table, they could take plaudits from their performance in their final match, as the only team to take anything from Dumbartonshire during the five match series this year.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Rhys Thomson (Palacerigg) by 4 & 2
Jack Thomas (Irvine) lost to Euan McBride (Lenzie) by 2 holes
Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Stuart Boyd (Hayston) by 4 & 3
Louis Murray (Troon Welbeck) beat Danile Finnegan (Dumbarton) by 4 & 3
Robbie Fitzpatrick (Irvine) lost to Ian Taggart (Lenzie) by 1 hole
Ally Berry (Irvine Ravenspark) lost to Daniel Muir (Hayston) by 1 hole
Allan Watson (Ballochyle) lost to Neil Stewart (Clober) by 4 & 3
Darryl Lynch (Ayr Belleisle) beat Greg Fitzsimmons (Hilton Park) by 7 & 5

AYRSHIRE YOUTHS  4  DUMBARTONSHIRE YOUTHS  4

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION AGM - Notices and reports sent to clubs.

Notices and reports for the forthcoming Ayrshire Golf Association AGM have been emailed/posted to all member clubs today.

The AGM takes place at Caprington Golf Club, Kilmarnock, on Tuesday 25th October 2016 at 7.30 p.m.

Should any club not receive the notification and reports, they are requested to contact the Area Secretary at ayrshire.golf@btinternet.com as soon as possible.

The agenda for the meeting is as noted below :-

Please be advised that the Annual General Meeting of the Ayrshire Golf Association will be held in Caprington Golf Club, Ayr Road, Kilmarnock, on Tuesday 25th October 2016 at 7.30pm.

The agenda for the AGM is :-

  1. Apologies

  1. Minutes of AGM of 20/10/2015

  1. Matters Arising

  1. Presidents report – J McMurdo

  1. Financial report – A J Malcolm

  1. Coaching report – S Gilchrist

  1. Course rating report – A Muir

  1. Ayrshire Junior League Report – S Gilchrist

  1. Election of President
One nomination received – John Rushbury (Royal Troon)
Proposed by J McMurdo (Ballochmyle) seconded by M Murray (Irvine)

  1. Election of Vice President
One nomination received – John W Watt (Prestwick St Cuthbert)
Proposed by J Rushbury (Rpoyal Troon) seconded by R Magee (Caprington)

  1. Election of Secretary/Treasurer
One nomination received –  Alasdair J. Malcolm (Prestwick St Cuthbert)
Proposed by  J McMurdo (Ballochmyle) seconded by J Rushbury (Royal Troon)

  1. Election of General Committee
Retiring members in 2016, by rotation, are :-
R. Magee, I. Harvey, I. Hoynes, P. Doyle.
M. Murray also completes his two year term as immediate Past President.

Consequently, there are five vacancies for three years, two vacancies for two years and one vacancy for one year.

Five nominations received:-

Ricky Magee (Caprington)
Proposed by J McMurdo (Ballochmyle) seconded by J Watt (Prestwick St Cuthbert)

Peter Doyle (Troon Welbeck)
Proposed by J McMurdo (Ballochmyle) seconded by S Gilchrist (Loudoun)

Milton Murray (Irvine)
Proposed by J McMurdo (Ballochmyle) seconded by J Rushbury (Royal Troon)

Ian Hoynes (West Kilbride)
Proposed by J McMurdo (Ballochmyle) seconded by Allan Muir (Caprington)

Iain Harvey (Kilmarnock Barassie)
Proposed by J McMurdo (Ballochmyle) seconded by J Rushury (Royal Troon)


  1. SGL & Area Subscriptions

  1. AOCB


Monday, October 10, 2016

USA UNIVERSITY GOLF - Walker shines for Missouri at The Prairie Club

Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) put up another good showing for his university team recently, helping the side to runners up spot in the Jackrabbit Invitational Tournament.

(Report courtesy of Colin Farquarson - From The University Of Missouri Website)

VALENTINE, Nebraska - After a hard-fought last round, Mizzou (Missouri University) Men's Golf came away from The Jackrabbit Invitational as team runners-up, nearly downing No. 13 Clemson on the final day at The Prairie Club. 

Trailing Clemson by seven strokes going into the third round of play on the Dunes Course, head coach Mark Leroux's group mounted a tremendous comeback, tying the leaders with just six holes to go.




Led by final-year student  Euan Walker  (pictured) from Troon,  Scotland and his strong play, the Tigers eventually yielded to Clemson down the home stretch to come up just short of winning a second consecutive team trophy to start the USA college season.

The tight team finish was sparked by a handful of great individual Mizzou performances, especially by Walker. Coming off a Turning Stone tournament, in which he tied for the team lead and nabbed a third-place overall finish, it seemed improbable that Walker would better himself at the Jackrabbit.
But the Scot from Ayrshire did just that, shooting a 7-under-par tournament score of 209 (68-71-70) for a new college career low. Walker's play marked the first time in his career that he shot every round in the same tournament under-par.


He again paced Mizzou's traveling roster, and his second-place overall finish at the Jackrabbit matches his career best.  With two quality showings under his belt this season, Walker's talent is on full display.  

AYRSHIRE SENIORS LEAGUE - Ardeer pip Loudoun to 2016 title

The destination of the 2016 Ayrshire Seniors league went to the final game of the season this year, with Ardeer eventually edging out Loudoun in the race for the 2016 league title.

Loudoun went into the final match at Kilbirnie Place looking for a 4 - 1 win to snatch the title from league leaders Ardeer, but in the event the final match ended in a 2.5 - 2.5 draw, giving Ardeer the league championship by a clear margin.

The final placings in the 2016 Ayrshire Seniors League were :-


Team
P
W
D
L

For
Against
Diff

Points
Ardeer
10
8
0
2
30.5
19.5
+11
16
Loudoun
10
7
1
2
29.5
20.5
+9
15
Ballochmyle
10
7
0
3
29.5
20.5
+9
14
West Kilbride
10
6
0
4
26.5
23.5
+3
12
Prestwick St. Nicholas
10
5
1
4
27
23
+4
11
Kilbirnie Place
10
4
2
4
26.5
23.5
+3
10
Kilmarnock Barassie
10
5
0
5
25.5
24.5
+1
10
Irvine Ravenspark
10
4
0
6
19.5
30.5
-11
8
Troon Welbeck
10
3
1
6
23.5
26.5
-3
7
Prestwick St. Cuthbert
10
2
1
7
19
31
-12
5
Troon St. Meddans
10
1
0
9
18
32
-14
2