WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Historic title hat trick for Ayrshire A team

The Ayrshire A team secured a historic third successive West Of Scotland Inter County League title on Sunday 29th October when they defeated their nearest challengers, Renfrewshire, in their re arranged fixture at Kilmacolm GC.

Ayrshire's win saw them win the title for three successive years for the first time since the championship began in 1936.

Craig Hamilton was beaten in the final green in the lead tie but a half from Steven Wallace in the second tie and wins for John Shanks, Michael Smyth and Scott Brown saw Ayrshire into a 3.5 - 1.5 lead. Although Euan walker lost his tie, Tommy McInally and Jim Johnston completed the scoring for Ayrshire with two wins, for a 5.5 - 2.5 victory in the match, and a clean sweep of five wins from five in this years championship.

Match details (Renfrewshire names first):-

Andrew Farmer (Kilmacolm) beat Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) by 1 hole
Stewart Watt (Old Ranfurly) halved with Steven Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert)
David Dickson (Bonnyton) lost to John Shanks (Irvine) by 5&4
Chris Conroy (Paisley) lost to Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) by 1 hole
David Sibbald (Eastwood) lost to Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 4&2
Craig Thomson (Earl Of Mar) lost to Tommy McInally (Loudoun) by 2&1
Ryan McKenzie (Erskine) beat Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 3&2
Ronnie Clark (Erskine) lost to Jim Johnston (Ayr Belleisle) by 4&3

RENFREWSHIRE A    2.5   AYRSHIRE A     5.5

In the corresponding re arranged youths match, played at Troon Portland, the Ayrshire team were narrowly defeated 4.5 - 3.5 by their visitors from Renfrewshire.

Shaun Hedger and Greg Telfer put points on the board for the home side in the two leading ties but a succession of narrow defeats in the next four ties left the hosts struggling to get anything from the match. Calum Irving recorded a third point for Ayrshire in the anchor tie but a half for Renfrewshire in the tie involving Ewan Milligan was enough to secure a win for the visitiors.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) beat Alex Ferguson (Paisley) by 1 hole
Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Stewart Sameron (Elderslie) by 4&2
Rory McGuire (Ayr Belleisle) lost to Stewart Thomas (Erskine) by 1 hole
Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Callum Taggart (Eastwood) by 3&2
Greg Vernon (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Ibrahim Hussain (Eastwood) by 2 holes
Robbie Muir (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Furhan Iqbal (Gleddoch) by 2&1
Ewan Milligan (Kilmarnock Barassie) halved with Kenan Ingram (Greenock) 
Calum Irving (Ayr Belleisle) beat Andrew Crusher (Eastwood) by 3&2

AYRSHIRE Y    3.5   RENFREWSHIRE Y   4.5

The youths team, still seeking their first points of the campaign, have one final re arranged match to play, when they host Glasgow at Loudoun next Sunday, 5th November. 

SCOTTISH GOLF LTD STRATEGY - EGM postponed but Ayrshire meeting goes ahead

Clubs will now be aware that Scottish Golf Ltd announced on Thursday 26th October that they will not now be proceeding with the EGM scheduled for 2nd December, and instead are 'extending the consultation period' until March regarding the proposed strategy and its implications.

The meeting on 2nd December will go ahead, as an open 'conference style' meeting for clubs, areas and counties as well as other interested parties. Ayrshire Golf Association representatives will be in attendance and will take the collective views of member clubs and The Executive to the meeting.

Going forward, representatives of the AGA and other area and county organisations will be meeting to try to engage with the governing body and influence any future proposals, on behalf of the member clubs.

Although the meeting of clubs arranged for Kilmarnock (Barassie) on Monday 30th October was convened specifically to address the imminent EGM, it is intended to proceed with the meeting in any case as it gives the clubs and Area association an opportunity to discuss the positives and negatives of the strategy proposals, which will undoubtedly form the basis of any new proposals, and will give area representatives a fuller understanding of the issues which are important to clubs, which can then be taken forward to any future area/counties discussions and negotiations with SGL.

A number of clubs had questions on the matter at the recent Ayrshire Golf Association AGM, which were deferred to the forthcoming meeting, and it is only fair that the clubs are still given this forum to discuss the issues.

It is still vitally important that clubs engage in the discussions and the process going forward, as the SGL will come back with revised plans, whether extensively altered or otherwise, before the AGM in March.

Therefore, for the avoidance of any doubt, the meeting at Kilmarnock Barassie on Monday 30th October at 7.00 p.m. will go ahead as planned and we look forward to meeting as many club representatives as possible there.

GOLF COURSE CLOSURES - Is Maybole next ?

Following the recent confirmation from South Ayrshire Council that there are plans being discussed to close Ayr Dalmilling golf course and replace it with housing and a public park, there are real fears that the local authority in South Ayrshire now have Maybole golf course in their sights for closure also.

The 9 hole course in the Carrick town is situated, along with the war memorial, the local swimming pool and outdoor bowling green, in the memorial park in the middle of the town, and it is understood that there are meeting scheduled this coming week to 'discuss the future' of both the golf course and the swimming pool in the town.

Maybole golf course has a long and successful history in the local golf scene, particularly in junior golf with teams from the club based there featuring regularly in Ayrshire Junior Golf league finals in the 1970's, 80's and 90's.

The threatened closure of two of South Ayrshire's eight municipal courses would be a huge blow to golf in the area, and would affect many of the member clubs of The Association attached to the two courses, and indeed those clubs attached to the other six courses who would no doubt suffer a knock on affect from an increased number of players chasing tee times at peak periods.

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Ayrshire A team win sets up title showdown next week

The Ayrshire A team continued their bid for a third successive West Of Scotland Inter County League win on Sunday 22nd October, when they won their rearranged match with Lanarkshire by 5.5 - 2.5 at East Kilbride.

Craig Hamilton got Ayrshire off to the best possibel start with victory in the lead tie, and despite Stuart Robin losing his tie on the final green, Ayrshire soon established a 3-1 advantage with wins by John Shanks & Steven Wallace.

Michael Smyth lost out on the final green in his tie but comfortable wins by both Tommy McInally and Jim Johnston ensured victory for Ayrshire. Scott brown finished off the match with a further half point for Ayrshire.

Match details (Lanarkshire names first):-

Dominic Dougan lost to Carig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) by 2&1
Gordon Yates beat Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 1 hole
Ross Hinshelwood lost to John Shanks (Irvine) by 1 hole
Kenny Gallacher lost to Steven Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 3&2
Alan Laird beat Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) by 1 hole
Brian Scott halved with Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert)
Stevie O'Brien lost to Tommy McInally (Loudoun) by 7&6
Gary McLetchie lost to Jim Johnston (Ayr Belleisle) by 4&3

LANARKSHIRE   2.5   AYRSHIRE   5.5

Ayrshire lead the table with four wins from four, just ahead of Renfrewshire with three wins and a draw so far.

The two leading teams meet at Paisley next Sunday, 29th October, in a title showdown.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION AGM

The AGM of The Ayrshire Golf Association will be held at Caprington GC, Kilmarnock on Tuesday, 24th October, at 7.30 p.m.

Documentation including the 2016 - 17 balance sheet, proposed budget for 2017 - 18, President's Report, Finance report, Course rating report, Coaching report and Ayrshire Junior Golf League report were emailed to all member clubs recently.

If any club is not in possession of the documentation, they should contact the Area Secretary.

The meeting will be called upon to adopt the various reports, and also elect the Area Secretary and members of the Area Executive.

The nominations received are :-

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

Election of General Committee
Retiring members in 2017, by rotation, are:-
Allan Muir, William McCormick & Mike Hazlewood.

4 Nominations received:-
Andrew Gilligan (Troon St Meddans) –
Proposed by M Stewart (Troon St Meddans) seconded by D Finch (Troon St Meddans)
Mike Hazlewood (Ayr Neptune) –
Proposed by A Malcolm (Prestwick St Cuthbert) seconded by R Wilson (Ballochmyle)
William McCormick (Ayr Seafield) –
Proposed by P Doyle (Troon Welbeck) seconded by J McMurdo (Ballochmyle)
Allan Muir (Caprington) –
Proposed by M Hazlewood (Ayr Neptune) seconded by R Magee (Caprington)

The meeting will also be called upon to set the per capita subscription level for 2017 - 18. The Area Executive propose that this remains at the same level as 2016 - 17.

It would assist if clubs could advise the Area Secretary if they will be represented at the meeting, and if so by whom if possible.

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Ayrshire A team make it three wins from three

The Ayrshire A team made it three wins from three on Sunday 15th October when they defeated Glasgow by 5 - 3 at Sandyhills in their latest match in defence of their West Of Scotland inter county league title.

Three of the four Prestwick St Cuthbert players in the team, Stuart Robin, Scott Brown & Steven Wallace, opened for Ayrshire and set up a great chance for victory by taking their respective ties for a 3 - 0 lead.

Though John Shanks, Jim Johnston & Greg Telfer lost their ties, Euan Walker ensure a draw for Ayrshire with a comfortable win in his tie before Tommy McInally secured the overall victory for the visitors with a win on the final green in his tie.

Match details (Glasgow names first):-

Craig Chalmers (Cawder) lost to Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 6&4
Graeme Gregg (Cawder) lost to Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 2&1
Brendan McKenna (Cawder) lost to Steven Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 6&5
Steven Manning (Pollok) beat John Shanks (Irvine) by 3&2
Greg Brown (Cathkin Braes) beat Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 5&4
Blair Dalglish (Ralston) lost to Tommy McInally (Loudoun) by 1 hole
Stuart Sangster (Cathkin Braes) lost to Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 5&3
Ryan Woods (Cowglen) beat Jim Johnston (Ayr Belleisle) by 3&2

GLASGOW   3   AYRSHIRE   5

The current league positions are

Position                Area                 Played  Won      Lost        Drawn   For    Against    |Points

01           Ayrshire A                         3           3           0            0          17           7              6

02           Renfrewshire A                 3           2           0            1          15.5        8.5           5

03           Stirlingshire A                   4           2           1           1           18           14           5

04           Glasgow A                        5           2           3            0          19           21           4

05           Lanarkshire A                   4           1           3            0           12           20           2

06           Dumbartonshire A            3           0           3            0           6.5          17.5        0

Next week the Ayrshire A team are away to Lanarkshire at East Kilbride in the first of their outstanding two postponed fixtures, with the date and venue of the other postponed match against renfrewshire still to be decided.

The corresponding Ayrshire Youths match against Glasgow, which was due to take place at Loudoun on Sunday, was postponed due to course conditions and will be rescheduled.

The youths team have a weekend off next week, before taking on Renfrewshire in their rearranged fixture at Troon Portland the following Sunday, 29th October.

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - A team beat Dumbartonshire whilst youths suffer narrow defeat.

The Ayrshire A and youths teams faced Dumbartonshire on Sunday 8th October 2017, in the latest matches in the West Of Scotland Inter County League series.

Whilst the A team had a crushing 7 - 1 win at Prestwick St Nicholas, the youths team suffered a narrow 5 - 3 defeat at Douglas park.

The A team continued the defence of their title with none of their players being defeated, in a 7 - 1 win.

Scott Brown recorded the biggest win of the day with a 7&6 victory whilst the two players who recorded half matches were John Shanks & Tommy McInally.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) beat James Hamilton (Balmore) by 3&2
Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat David Lindsey (Lenzie) by 4&2
Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Steven Rettie (Milngavie) by 7&6
John Shanks (Irvine) halved with  Mark Hughes (Hilton Park)
Tommy McInally (Loudoun) halved with Andy Campbell (Dumbarton)
Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) beat Scott Moore (Clydebank & District) by 3&1
Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat ian McCalman (Clober) by 4&2
Jim Johnston (Ayr Belleisle) beat Cameron Bennie (Balmore) by 4&3

AYRSHIRE A      7    DUMBARTONSHIRE A    1

In the youths match the team, seeking their first win of the campaign, went down narrowly in the corresponding match at Douglas Park.

Sandy Walker lost the lead tie heavily but Rory McGuire, making his debut for the team, won his tie comfortably to square the match

A defeat for Jordan Sweeney was cancelled out by a win for Greg Vernon but Dumbartonshire took the lead again when Callum Irving was beaten, only for Murray McCrone to win his tie and square the match 3 - 3, with two ties remaining. Unfortunately for Ayrshire both ties were lost, Daryl Lynch losing out on the seventeenth and Ewan Milligan being defeated on the final green.

Match details (Dumbartonshire names first):-

Reece Thomson (Dullatur) beat Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 6&4

John Taggart (Lenzie) lost to Rory McGuire (Ayr Belliesle) by 6&4

Grant Penman (Hayston) lost to Greg Vernon (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 2&1

Cameron Black (Cardross) beat Jordan Sweeney (Ayr Belliesle) by 3&2

Craig Bisset (Dumbarton) beat Ewan Milligan (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 2 holes

Callum Burns (Balmore) beat Callum Irving (Ayr Belliesle) by 3&2

Daniel Finnegan (Dumbarton) lost to Murray McCrone (Troon Welbeck) by 3&1

Craig Fitzimmons (Hilton Park)beat Daryl Lynch (Ayr Belliesle) by 2&1

DUMBARTONSHIRE YOUTHS   5   AYRSHIRE YOUTHS   3

Next Sunday, 15th October, the A team are away to Glasgow at Sandyhills, whilst the youths entertain Glasgow at Loudoun in the corresponding youths fixture.

BEITH GOLF CLUB TO CLOSE - EGM decides to wind up historic club

At an EGM last week, the members of Beith Golf Club, one of the oldest clubs in Ayrshire, decided to wind up the club, effective in just two months time.

The club, which was instituted in 1896 has suffered a decline in membership in recent years, to the point where the membership were not in a position to guarantee future losses.

The club moved to their present course in 1907, as a nine hole layout, with the present clubhouse being opened in 1974 and the course being extended to 18 holes in 1995.

Options including continuing until the end of the club year in February 2018 and reducing the course back to nine holes were considered but the membership had little appetite for the options and agreed to wind up the club.

It is with great sadness that The Ayrshire Golf Association learned of the decision, which will be a real loss to the game in the north of the county and further afield and the hope is that, in some form or another, golfers in the local area will find a way to continue involvement in the game

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Ayrshire fixtures washout

The two Ayrshire fixtures in the West Of Scotland Inter County leagues which were due to be played on Sunday 1st October were postponed due to course closures.

The A team were due to play Renfrewshire at Paisley GC whilst the Youth team were scheduled to host Renfrewshire in the corresponding match at Kilbirnie Place.

Both matches will now be rescheduled to late October.

Next Sunday, 8th october, the A team are at home to Dumbartonshire at Prestwick St Nicholas whilst the Youths team travel to Douglas Park in the corresponding fixture.

AYRSHIRE SENIORS LEAGUE - Largs edge out Kilbirnie for title with last match win

Largs GC are the 2017 Ayrshire  Seniors League champions following an extremely close battle with Kilbirnie Place, which was only decided at the last fixture of the season.

In the final match of the season, Largs needed a victory over Troon Welbeck at Troon to take the title ahead of Kilbirnie and the Largs team delivered with a 4 - 1 win in the match to secure the championship on points difference, after ending the table tied with Kilbirnie Place on 20 points.

The final standings in the 2017 Ayrshire Seniors League are:-

Team	P	W	L	D	Games For	Games Against	Points
Largs	12	10	2		43.5	16.5	20
Kilbirnie Place	12	10	2		41	19	20
West Kilbride	12	8	3	1	41	19	17
Kilmarnock Barassie	12	7	5		29.5	30.5	14
Ardeer	12	5	4	3	31	29	13
Troon St. Meddans	12	5	5	2	27.5	32.5	12
Prestwick St. Nicholas	12	5	6	1	26.5	33.5	11
Irvine Ravenspark	12	5	7		29	31	10
Ballochmyle	12	4	6	2	27.5	32.5	10
Troon Portland	12	5	7		25.5	34.5	10
Loudoun	12	2	7	3	27	33	7
Prestwick St. Cuthbert	12	3	8	1	23	37	7
Troon Welbeck	12	2	9	1	18	42	5

Club representatives should note that the Annual General Meeting of the Ayrshire Seniors league will take place at Ardeer Golf Club on Wednesday 4th October at 7.30 p.m.