AYRSHIRE GOLF: AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION DINNER - 40th event celebrated in style at Royal Troon

The 40th Ayrshire Golf Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of Prizes took place on Friday the 24th of February at Royal Troon, where a capacity audience were entertained by special guest speakers Richard Gordon, the well known Scottish television and radio broadcaster, and the 1999 Open Golf Champion Paul Lawrie.

Chaired by Ayrshire Golf Association President Scott Gilchrist of Loudoun Gowf Club, the company were welcomed to the host venue by club Captain John McGregor before enjoying an excellent meal.

Top table guests and officials
Back Row - Kenny McLean (Lanarkshire GA President), Andy Gilligan (AGA Vice President), Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon), Stephen Machin (Glasgow GU President), Lyall Campbell (Renfrewshire GU President), Stuart Miller (Active Office - sponsors), Frank Gloag (Dumbartonshire GU President), Alasdair J Malcolm (AGA Secretary)
Front Row - John McGregor (Royal Troon captain), Liz Munro (Scottish Golf President), Scott Gilchrist (AGA President), Paul Lawrie (Guest Speaker), Richard Gordon (Guest Speaker)

A review of the previous season followed by President Gilchrist, before the two guest speakers entertained the company with golfing stories and experiences from Paul Lawrie's career and golfing successes.

The Claret Jug adorned the top table during the evening and several attendees were fortunate enough to get photographs with the trophy and Paul Lawrie during the function.

For the first time the event also included a charity raffle and auction, to raise funds for The Association's preferred charity for 2023, Whiteleys retreat, and with the generosity of member clubs and several individuals there were plenty of prizes up for grabs in the raffle.

Raffle prize winners were:-

Ardeer Fourball Donated by Ardeer GC	Iain Brown
Ballochmyle Fourball Donated by Ballochmyle GC	Rodger Gray
Golf South Ayrshire Fourball Donated by Golf South Ayrshire	Allan Brownlee
Irvine Fourball Donated by Irvine GC	Billy Stewart
Loudoun Fourball Donated by Loudoun GC	Andy Reid
Kilbirnie Place Fourball Donated by Kilbirnie Place GC	David Johnstone
Routenburn Fourball Donated by Routenburn GC	Aiden Long
Rowallan Castle Fourball Donated by Rowallan Castle GC	John W Watt
Shiskine Fourball Donated by Shiskine GC	Mark Cheyne
Skelmorlie Fourball Donated by Skelmorlie GC	Kenny McLean
Lesson Voucher donated by David McLure (Prestwick St Cuthbert)	Stuart Herron
Bottle of Vodka Donated by Scott Gilchrist	Scott Singleton
A dozen AyrshirePro V’s Donated by the AGA	Joy Currie
Bottle of Jim Beam Donated by Barry O’Rourke	Richard Gordon
Ayrshire Umbrella Donated by the AGA	Frank Gloag
Bottle of Whisky Donated by Scott Gilchrist	Ian Yates
Ayrshire Holdall Donated b y the AGA	Jamie Miller
Bottle of Malt Whisky Donated by Jimmy McGhee	Robbie McFarlane
A dozen Ayrshire Wilson Staff Staff Model balls Donated by the AGA	Kevin Meek
Bottle of Gin Donated by Alasdair Malcolm	Alistair Belford
Ayrshire shoe bag Donated by the AGA	Grant Hood
Largs Fourball Donated by Largs GC	Paul Lawrie
Prestwick St Nicholas Fourball Donated by Prestwick St Nicholas GC	Derek Jolliffe
West Kilbride Fourball Donated by West Kilbride GC	Mark Watt
Bottle & golf balls Donated by Liz Keohone	Ian Yates
Bottle of vodka Donated by Debbie Watt		John Murdoch
Bottle of whisky Donated by Irvine Ravenspark GC		Ian Logan

Guest speaker Paul Lawrie also donated a signed golf shirt which was auctioned on the night, along with fourball vouchers for Troon Portland donated by Royal Troon GC, Dundonald Links donated by the course owners Darwin Leisure, and Prestwick donated by Prestwick GC.

In total the raffle and auction raised over £1,900 for Whiteleys Retreat, through the generosity of those who donated prizes and those who attended the dinner.

The evening concluded with the presentation of trophies and special awards to those players and clubs who had enjoyed success throughout the 2022 season.

Louise Duncan of West Kilbride, who could not be present on the night, was recognised with an award for her achievement in being selected for the Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup team in 2022 and the award was collected on her behalf by West Kilbride club Captain Kevin Meek.

Two Royal Troon members were selected at Senior international level for Scotland in 2022, playing in both the European men's Senior team Championship in Estonia ands well as the successful Scotland side that won the inaugural combined Woman's and Men's Home Internationals in Wales.

Doc Thom Salver winner Steven McEwan

Robert Jenkins was unable to attend, with his award being collected on his behalf by Royal Troon Captain John McGregor, whilst Paul Moultrie was in attendance and collected his award personally.

The evening progressed with the presentation of all the season's trophies and awards from 2022, culminating in the presentation of the Doc Thom Ayrshire Order of Merit salver to the 2022 winner Steven McEwan (Caprington).

Ayrshire Golf Association Vice President Andrew Gilligan (Royal Troon) brought a memorable evening to a close with a vote of thanks to all involved.