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Sunday, December 11, 2022

WOMEN'S COMPETITIONS - Valuable contributions from positive and successful forum meeting adds to drive for new women's events in 2023

The Ayrshire Golf Association held a very positive and constructive meeting with female representatives of member clubs on Thursday evening, the 8th of December, at Loudoun Gowf Club.

There were 20 present at the meeting, representing 10 Ayrshire clubs, and several suggestions for events were discussed, in addition to the four events already identified as possible focus for development in 2023.

As a consequence of the discussions, The Association will move forward with arrangements to introduce the following competitions in 2023, with several other suggested formats to be considered further in the future.

Work will now start to establish the following events next season:-

1 - THE AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

An 18 hole strokeplay event to be played on a weekend date. The main trophy to the scratch winner with prizes awarded on both scratch and handicap basis. Individual entry fee to be determined. If over subscribed, ballot on handicap basis will determine the starting field of 120 players.

2 - THE AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

18 hole scratch matchplay knockout event with the players returning the 16 best scratch scores in the Ayrshire Women's Strokeplay Championship qualifying to contest the matchplay event. Played on a home or away basis, depending on the draw, with the final to take place during Finals day in September. No entry fee applicable.

3 - AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY 

Scratch matchplay knockout competition open to the Women's Club Champions of all member clubs from the previous season. Draw for matches, to be played home or away depending on draw, throughout the season, with the final to take place at a nominated course in August. Entry fee to be determined.

4 - AYRSHIRE GIRLS' STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

18 hole strokeplay event with prizes on a scratch and handicap basis. Possibly to be played at the same venue and date as the 36 hole Ayrshire Boys Championship. Individual entry fee to be determined.

5 - AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

Inter club team competition played in sections with home and away matches and the section winners to progress to home and away knockout stages to determine the finalists, who will play off for the title on Finals day in September. Each team to comprise four players, though any number of members can take part to represent their club during the duration of the competition.

6 - AYRSHIRE MIXED KNOCKOUT CHAMPIONSHIP

A mixed greensomes handicap knockout competition open to any male and female members of Ayrshire Golf Association member clubs, to be played on a home or away basis throughout the season, with the final scheduled to take place during finals day in September. Entry will be limited to the first 64 teams entered. Team entry fee to be determined.

Other suggestions which will be tabled for further discussion by The Executive for consideration in the future include a mixed strokeplay competition open to male and female members of member clubs alike, and also a scratch mixed foursomes matchplay championship, with one pairing nominated to represent member clubs.

The above competitions are far from prescriptive and it is envisaged that more events will be introduced in the future as a result of feedback and suggestions received from member clubs, as has been the case with men's events in the past.

The Association would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who attended the meeting and took part in the discussions, which was an important step on the future development of the positive move to develop The Ayrshire Golf Association into a fully representative regional body for golf and golfers in Ayrshire.


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