Tuesday, February 25, 2020

2020 AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION YEARBOOK - Seventeenth annual edition launched at Annual Dinner

The seventeenth annual edition of the Ayrshire Golf Association Yearbook was launched at the Ayrshire Golf Association Annual Dunner at Prestwick St Cuhtbert Golf Club on Friday 21st February.

The 36 page booklet includes information about The Association as well as historical records, a review of the 2019 championships and individual achievements during the 2019 season, and the fixture list for the 2020 season.

The association is grateful to all the advertisers and Ayrshire Media Services, who once again published the latest edition, for their continued support in producing the yearbook.

The yearbook is available to read on line via the link on the left of this page, and hard copies of the yearbook will be made available, free of charge, through member clubs an other outlets, in the near future.

AYRSHIRE MEMBER CLUBS - new name for CAAGS

The Civil Aviation Golf Society (CAAGS) Golf Club, a member club of the Ayrshire Golf Association for many years, will be operating under a new name from 2020.

The club, fiounded in 1973 and which draws its membership from current and past employees of the National Air Traffic Control Centre in Prestwick, will now be known as PRESTWICK CENTRE GOLF CLUB.

2020 AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION FIXTURE LIST - Championship schedule released

The 2020 Ayrshire Golf Association fixture list has been released, with all but a few venues for events now confirmed.

The county fixtures open on 19th April with the Junior Team Championship at Routneburn and is closely followed by the Ayrshire Strokeplay Championship at Prestwick St Cuthbert on 26th April.

Dundonald Links host their first county event when the Ayrshire Matchplay Championship takes place there in early May.

The Ayrshire Club Championship and Ayrshire Seniors Championship take place in July at Loudoun and Troon Fullarton respectively whilst the Finals day is scheduled to take place this year at Ayr Belleisle on 6th Sepetember.

Entry forms for all the Ayrshire county events will be made available to club secretaries, and will be publised on the AGA web page, in the near future.

The full fixture list is:-

THE AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION

FIXTURE LIST 2020

* Doc Thom Ayrshire Order of Merit Counting Event

** Woman’s & Girls’ events

*** Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit Event

FEBRUARY

21st - Annual Dinner and Presentation - Prestwick St Cuthbert

MARCH

22nd - Ayrshire A Vs Loudoun GC - Loudoun

29th - Ayrshire Vs South of Scotland - Southerness

APRIL

8th - 10th - *** Scottish Boys Open Strokeplay - North Berwick

8th - 10th - **Scottish Girls Open Strokeplay - Powfoot

17th – 19th - ** Helen Holm Scottish Open Strokeplay - Royal Troon

19th - Ayrshire Junior Team Championship - Routenburn

26th - * Ayrshire Strokeplay Championship - Prestwick St Cuthbert

MAY

4th - 7th - * Ayrshire Matchplay Championship - Dundonald Links

17th - * Hillhouse Cup - Royal Troon

TBC - * West of Scotland Strokeplay - TBC

23rd - * Stevenson Trophy - Girvan

24th - Ayrshire U18 Vs Dumbartonshire U18 - Largs

29th – 31st - * Scottish Men’s Open Championship - Muirfield

30th - * Ayr Seafield Open - Ayr Seafield

31st - * West Kilbride Men’s Open - West Kilbride

31st - * Belleisle Cup - Ayr Belleisle

JUNE

5th - 7th - ** Scottish Women's Championship - Ladybank

6th - *** Golf South Ayrshire Junior Open Strokeplay - Ayr Belleisle

15th – 20th - * The Amateur Championship - Royal Birkdale/West Lancs.

17th – 19th - Scottish Seniors Championship - Duff House

20th - * The McGilchrist Cup - Ardeer

23rd – 27th - **Woman’s Amateur Championship - Kilmarnock (Barassie)

23rd – 26th - **Scottish Senior Woman’s’ Championship - Pollok

TBC - Ayrshire U18 Vs Glasgow U18 - Away - TBC

28th - *** Byrne Howard Trophy - Royal Troon

29th - *** West of Scotland Boys Strokeplay - Rowallan Castle

30^th – 1st - *** West of Scotland Boys Matchplay - Rowallan Castle

JULY

2nd - *** Largs Junior Open - Largs

3rd - *** Troon Welbeck Junior Open - Troon Welbeck

5th - Ayrshire Club Championship - Loudoun

7th – 9th - Scottish Boys Under 16 Strokeplay - Dumfries & County

12th - Ayrshire U18 Vs Renfrewshire U18 - Ayr Seafield

12th - * The Gowf Cup - Loudoun

13th - *** Loudoun Junior Open - Loudoun

14th - Ayrshire Seniors Championship - Troon Fullarton

15th – 19th - *** Scottish Boys Championship - Haggs Castle

17th – 19th - **Scottish Girls Championship - Strathaven

21st - *** Harris Boys Open - West Kilbride

26th - * Rowallan Castle Open - Rowallan Castle

28th - *** Tom Lehman Junior Open - Troon Municipal

28th – 1st - ** Scottish Amateur Championship - Murcar/Portlethen

AUGUST

3rd - *** Turnberry Junior Open - Turnberry (KRTB)

6th - *** Ayr Belleisle Junior Open - Ayr Seafield

6th - *** Ayrshire Boys Championship - Irvine

7th - Ayrshire Champion of Champions Semi Finals - Royal Troon

7th - *** Prestwick Junior Open - Prestwick St Cuthbert

8th - * Troon St Meddans Open - Troon Municipal

9th - 10th - Scottish Boys Under 14 Strokeplay - Kirkcaldy

9th - 10th - **Scottish Girls Under 16 & 14 Strokeplay - Stirling

10th - 13th - *** Ayrshire Boys Matchplay - Prestwick

10th - *** Ballochmyle Junior Open - Ballochmyle

11th - 16th - *** Boys Amateur Championship - Moortown/Alwoodley

14th - Ayrshire Champion of Champions Final - Royal Troon

16th - Ayrshire U 18 Vs Stirlingshire U18 - Troon Lochgreen

16th - * Viking Krus - Largs

16^th - * Mainholm Cup - Ayr Dalmilling

22nd - * Ballochmyle Rosebowl - Ballochmyle

28th – 30th - ** Scottish Woman’s County Finals - TBC

30th - *** Prestwick St Nicholas Junior Open - Prestwick St Nicholas

SEPTEMBER

6th - Ayrshire U18 vs Lanarkshire U18 - Colville Park

6th - Ayrshire Finals Day - Ayr Belleisle

6th - AJGL Under 16 Knockout Final - Irvine

6th - AJGL Wallace Thornton Trophy Final - Irvine

4th - 6th - SGL Men’s Area Team Championships - TBC

5th - * The Stone Trophy - Routenburn

19th - * Arrol Cup - Prestwick St Nicholas

20th - Ayrshire A Vs Dumbartonshire A - Hilton Park

20th - Ayrshire Youths Vs Dumbartonshire Youths - Ballochmyle

21st - ***Irvine Junior Open - Irvine

27th - AJGL Champion of Champions Final - Irvine

27th - AJGL Junior League Championship Final - Irvine

27th - Ayrshire A Vs Glasgow A - Ayr Belleisle

27th - Ayrshire Youths Vs Glasgow Youths - Away -TBC

OCTOBER

4th - Ayrshire A Vs Stirlingshire A - Away - TBC

4th - Ayrshire Youths Vs Stirlingshire Youths - Prestwick St Nicholas

11th - Ayrshire A Vs Lanarkshire A - Troon Portland

11th - Ayrshire Youths Vs Lanarkshire Youths - East Kilbride

18th - Ayrshire A Vs Renfrewshire A - Turnberry (KRTB)

18th - Ayrshire Youths Vs Renfrewshire Youths - Away - TBC

NOVEMBER

2nd - Ayrshire Junior Golf League Dinner - Irvine

Friday, February 21, 2020

COUNTY MATCH - Ayrshire defeated by Royal Troon in season opener

An Ayrshire select were beaten 3 - 1 by Royal Troon over the Championship Course at Troon on Sunday 16th February in the first representative match of the season.

The Ayrshire side got off to a bad start when two of the selected players failed to appear for the match, handing the Royal Troon team a one point advantage before the match started.

In very windy conditions the players of both teams performed well but in the end it was the host club team that prevailed in the match.

Match details (Royal Troon names first)

Michael Smyth & Hazel McGarvie beat John Shanks (Irvine) & Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) by 4&3.

Robert Jenkins & Paul McKellar lost to Tommy McInally (Loudoun) & Ruben Lindsay (Ayr Belleisle) by 1 hole.

John Finnigan & Stephen Machin beat Darren Mallinson (Irvine) & Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 3&1.

John Rushbury & Stephen Spence W/O Stephen Stamper & Robbie Muir Scr.

ROYAL TROON 3 AYRSHIRE 1

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION ANNUAL DINNER - Limited number of tickets still available for 21st February event

There are still a limited number of tickets available for the 2020 Ayrshire Golf Association Annual Dinner & Presentation of Trophies which takes place on Friday 21st February at Prestwick St. Cuthbert Golf Club.

Guest speaker during the evening is former football manger and well known after dinner speaker Jim Leishman MBE.

The evening gives the Ayrshire Golf Association and their member clubs the opportunity to honour the players and teams who have succeeded in county competition and further afield during the past year.

Tickets are priced at £17.50 each and are available from the Ayrshire Golf Association Secretary, Alasdair Malcolm, on a first come first served basis, who can be contacted by email at ayrshire.golf@btinternet.com

THE AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL DINNER

PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES

PRESTWICK ST CUTHBERT GOLF CLUB

FRIDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2020

6.30 P.M. FOR 7.00 P.M.

SPEAKER

Former football manager

JIM LEISHMAN MBE

TICKETS PRICED AT

£17.50 EACH

ARE AVAILABLE FROM

THE AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION SECRETARY

ALASDAIR J. MALCOLM

17 AUCHINCRUIVE AVENUE

PRESTWICK

KA9 2DT

Tel. 01292 477657

Email – ayrshire.golf@btinternet.com

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Format for 2020 competition confirmed

Nineteen clubs will contest the 2020 Ayrshire Scratch leagues, with a change in format affecting the lower divisions being confirmed for the forthcoming year.

There will be no change in the format of Division 1 in 2020, with six clubs contesting the title. As in previous years the bottom club at the end of the season will be relegated and the second bottom team will go into the Division 1/2 play off.

The teams contesting Division 1 in 2020 will be :-

Loudoun
Irvine
Prestwick St Cuthbert
Turnberry
Ballochmyle
Kilmarnock Barassie

With division two being reduced to five team last year following the withdrawal of one team during the campaign, and some negative feedback over the small number of teams that contested division 4 last year, again due to a mid season withdrawal, it has been decided that there will be format changes to divisions two and three this year, and there will be no division four competition in 2020.

In 2020 Division 2 will remain as a five club league, with the winning team gaining promotion and the second placed team going into the division 1/2 play off.

At the foot of the table only the bottom club will be relegated and two clubs will be promoted, to restore Division 2 to a six club league for the following season.

The clubs who will contest Division 2 in 2020 are:-

Troon Portland

Caprington

Largs

Royal Troon

Troon St Meddans

The remaining eight clubs have been drawn into Divisions 3a and 3b with four clubs contesting each division.

This year, the winners of these two divisions will play off on a home and away basis for the Division 3 title, but both will gain promotion to Division 2 regardless of which one wins the play off.

The teams to contest Divisions 3a and 3b were drawn as:-

DIVISION 3a

Ayr Belleisle

Kilbirnie Place

Irvine Ravenspark

Rowallan Castle

DIVISION 3b

Prestwick St Nicholas

West Kilbride

Routenburn

Girvan

Going forward it is intended that Divisions 1 and 2 will remain as six club leagues each year, and the composition of Divisions 3 and 4 will be fluid and will depend on the number of entries received

Competition details will be emailed to club representatives in due course.

AYRSHIRE HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP - Seven qualifying sections in place for 2020 competition.

Twenty eight clubs have entered the 2020 Ayrshire Handicap League Championship competition, with the draw and format for the season being confirmed recently.

With feedback from a number of clubs after the 2019 event, requesting fewer qualifying section matches, it has been decided that there will be seven qualifying sections this year, with four clubs in each section.

The winner of each qualifying section will go forward to the quarter finals, with the best runner up over all seven qualifying sections also going forward to the latter stages as the eight quarter finalist.

Defending champions Kilbirnie Place were drawn in Section G alongside Irvine Ravenspark, Rowallan Castle and Troon Welbeck, whilst Section F features a local derby between Moorpark and Auchenharvie 88.

The full qualifying section draw is:-

SECTION A – Royal Troon, Stewarton, Annanhill & Prestwick St Cuthbert

SECTION B – Kilmarnock Barassie, Troon Merchants, Ayr Belleisle & Beith

SECTION C – Routenburn, Turnberry, Tam O Shanter & Ballochmyle

SECTION D – Troon Portland, Caprington, Prestwick St Nicholas & Ayr Seafield

SECTION E – Ayr Dalmilling, Loudoun, West Kilbride & Alton

SECTION F – Redburn, Troon St Meddans, Moorpark & Auchenharvie 88

SECTION G – Irvine Ravenspark, Kilbirnie Place, Rowallan Castle & Troon Welbeck

The quarter final line up, to be played on a home and away basis, will be:-

1 - Winner of section A Vs Winner of Section E

2 – Winner of Section B Vs Winner of Section F

3 – Winner of Section C Vs Winner of Section G

4 – Winner of Section D Vs Best Overall Qualifying Sections Runner Up

The semi final line up, also played on a home and away basis, will be

Winner of A/E Vs Winner of C/G

Winner of B/F vs Winner of D/Best Q/F Sections Runner Up

The final is scheduled to be held during Finals Day in early September.

Competition details will be emailed to all club representatives in due course.

PRESIDENT'S PUTTER - Thirty three clubs contest 2020 handicap club team knockout event

Thirty three clubs will contest the 2020 handicap club team knockout competition for the President's Putter, with the draw for this year's competition being made recently.

There is only one first round tie, which sees Ayr Dalmilling playing host to Ballochmyle, with the winner being at home to Ballochmyle in the second round.

Title holders Alton host Drongan in round two, as they open the defence of the trophy they won in 2019.

Ties will be played throughout the season, culminating in the final on Finals Day in early September.

Competition details will be emailed to club representatives in due course.

The draw for the first two rounds of the competition is:-

1st Round	2nd Round
Played By:- 26th April 2020	Played By:- 31st May 2020
AYR DALMILLING
BALLOCHMYLE
	KILMARNOCK BARASSIE

	MUIRKIRK

	LOUDOUN

	TROON MERCHANTS

	AYR SEAFIELD

	PR. ST NICHOLAS

	ABBOTSFORD

	ARDEER

	WEST KILBRIDE

	ALTON

	DRONGAN

	KILBIRNIE PLACE

	CROSSHOUSE

	TROON ST MEDDANS

	PR. ST CUTHBERT

	CAPRINGTON

	TROON PORTLAND

	ROYAL TROON

	MOORPARK

	TROON WELBECK

	GIRVAN

	AUCHENHARVIE 88

	SKELMORLIE

	REDBURN

	STEWARTON

	THE CHASE

	TAM O SHANTER

	AYR BELLEISLE

	ROWALLAN CASTLE

	IRVINE RAVENSPARK

	BRAEHEAD

GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL SALVER - Draw published for Scratch club team knockout competition

The draw has been made for the 2020 scratch club team knockout competition for the Gary Bryden Memorial Salver.

Eighteen clubs will contest this years event which culminates in the final, scheduled to be played on Finals day at the beginning of September.

The first round matches see Troon St Meddans hosting Turnberry and a local derby between Ayr Dalmilling and Ayr Belleisle clubs, at the dalmilling course.

Defending champions Royal Troon, who are bidding for a third successive win in the event, received a bye into round two, where they will host Kilmarnock Barassie.

Relevant competition information will be emailed to club representatives in due course.

The draw for the first two rounds is:-

1st Round	2nd Round
Played By:- 24th May 2020	Played By:- 28th June 2020
TROON ST. MEDDANS

TURNBERRY

AYR DALMILLING

AYR BELLEISLE

	LOUDOUN



	TROON PORTLAND



	CROSSHOUSE



	GIRVAN



	LARGS



	BALLOCHMYLE



	PR. ST NICHOLAS



	CAPRINGTON



	IRVINE



	PR. ST CUTHBERT



	ROYAL TROON



	KILMARNOCK BARASSIE



	ROWALLAN CASTLE



	IRVINE RAVENSPARK

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY - Draw for 2020 competition

Forty four players will contest the 2020 Ayrshire Champion of Champions Trophy competition, with the draw having been made recently.

Title holder Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) faces a first round tie at home to Aidan Long (CAAGS) whilst the other former title holder in the field, Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) hosts Colin Wallace (NB Parkstone) in the first round.

Contact details will be sent direct to competitors by email in due course.

The draw for the first two rounds is:-

1st Round	2nd Round
Played By:- 19th April 2020	Played By:- 17th May 2020
CAMPBELL McCLUSKIE (Crosshouse)
ADAM CAMBERS (Ayr Dalmilling)
ALAN GRAY (Tam O Shanter)
JOHN DOOLAN (Ayr Carrick)
CRAIG HAMILTON (Holder)
AIDAN LONG (CAAGS)
GEORGE PATON (Tr. Merchants)
STUART ROBIN (Rowallan C.)
STEVEN KNOX (Malletsheugh)
PAUL O'NEIL (Beith)
ROBERT CRUICKSHANKS (Moorpark)
GORDON MUNRO (Caprington)
MICHAEL SMYTH (Royal Troon)
COLIN WALLACE (NB Parkstone)
ALASDAIR BERRY (Ravenspark)
JOHN ANDERSON (Skelmorlie)
ANDREW MacDONALD (Auchenharvie)
KEVIN THOMAS (Tr. Welbeck)
TOM REID (Stewarton)
JOHN SHANKS (Irvine)
JOHN HAGGARTY (Loudoun)
JAMES RAESIDE (Glacier)
SIMON BERRIE (Pr. St Nicholas)
CRAIG MENZIES (Muirkirk)
	GAVIN CHESNEY (Kilbirnie Pl.)

	ALAN WATSON (Ballochmyle)

	MARK WATT (Pr. St Cuthbert)

	ALAN BAILLIE (Routenburn)

	PAUL GIFFNEY (Ardeer)

	STUART CAMPBELL (Ayr Seafield)

	FRANK DRUM (Tr. St Meddans)

	STEVE ARRANDALE (The Chase)

	DAVID PRATT (Annanhill)

	ROBERT ADAMS (Abbotsford)

	CALLUM IRVING (Ayr Belleisle)

	SHAUN HEDGER (W. Kilbride)

	STUART WHITE (Girvan)

	SCOTT DAVIDSON (Largs)

	CONNOR MARTIN (Braehead)

	ANDREW CARROLL (Drongan)

	STEVEN STAMPER (Turnberry)

	STUART MILLER (Kil. Barassie)

	SCOTT BUNYAN (Doon Valley)

	STEPHEN MURRAY (Tr. Portland)

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Draw published for 2020 competition

Forty five pairs will contest the 2020 Ayrshire Fourball Championship, the draw for which was made recently.

The club pairings will contest knockout matches throughout the season, with the final due to take place on Finals day in early September.

Contact details will be sent by email direct to competitors in due course.

The draw for the first two rounds is:-

1st Round	2nd Round
Played By:- 26th April 2020	Played By:- 31st May 2020
Mark McKinnon & Michael Brannan
CROSSHOUSE
Steven Kirk & Colin Steele
GLACIER
Tom Wilson & David Bolland
ANNANHILL
Paul Donnelly & Tom McAlinden
PR. ST CUTHBERT
Evan Armstrong & Andrew McFarlane
AYR BELLEISLE
Paul Robertson & Colin Frater
WALLACETOWN
Mark Cowan & Drew Robertson
W. KILBRIDE
Derek McEwan & Alan Young
TR. WELBECK
Andy Hayne & Neil Gibson
LARGS
Steven Gray & Scott McNeil
AYR CARRICK
Eddie Gilmour & Steph Holland
BRAEHEAD
Billy Pollock & Sandy Riddell
SKELMORLIE
Francis McNeillie & Grant Wilson
AYR SEAFIELD
Alan Stewart Jr. & Alan Stewart Sr.
STEWARTON
Kevin O'Neill & Matt Blakely
ALTON
Hugh Moorhead & John Arlow
MUIRKIRK
Russell Wood & Gordon McKie
KIL. BARASSIE
Keith McKenzie & Colin Yair
AYR NEPTUNE
Colin Wallace & Gordon Jess
NB PARKSTONE
Robert Conner & John Cunningham
ABBOTSFORD
William Sloan & Adam Holland
DOON VALLEY
John Cairney & Mick Savage
MALLETSHEUGH
William McIlvanney & Graeme Hamilton
TR. MERCHANTS
Jim Brennan & Sandy McLaughlan
IRVINE
Stuart Thorburn & Sean Thorburn
AYR DALMILLING
Gordon Johnston & Alan Chesney
KILBIRNIE PL.

	Graeme Conn & Kevin Jennings
	ROYAL TROON

	Derek Wilson & Ryan Tweedie
	ROUTENBURN

	Scott Gilchrist & Archie Gilchrist
	LOUDOUN

	Drew Parsons & Mark Gallagher
	ROWALLAN C.

	Hyland Hamilton & Scott brown
	ARDEER

	Alan Gray & Shaun Smith
	TAM O SHANTER

	Michael McMaster & Stevie Johnstone
	GIRVAN

	Aidan Long & John Trainer
	CAAGS

	Brian Wilson & Fraser McCall
	TR. PORTLAND

	Colin Gilmour & David Hannah
	DRONGAN

	John McGinn & Jim Brown
	NEW CUMNOCK

	Gordon Wilson & Mark Meney
	PR. ST NICHOLAS

	Jamie Rankin & Derek McMurdo
	BALLOCHMYLE

	Marc Smith & Mark Provan
	CAPRINGTON

	Joseph Abercrombie & Colin Craig
	RAVENSPARK

	Robert Cruickshanks & david Gilmour
	MOORPARK

	Brian Lawson & Stuart Pennington
	TR. ST MEDDANS

	David Connor & Dougie Beattie
	THE CHASE

	William Bark & Scott Turner
	AUCHENHARVIE 88