AYRSHIRE MEN'S STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Competitors set to support partner charity Whiteleys Retreat as field is finalised.

The field for the 2023 Ayrshire Men's Strokeplay Championship, to be held on Sunday the 30th of April at Western Gailes Golf Club has been finalised, as the competitors line up to contest the men's county title this weekend.

The Ayrshire Golf Association are continuing to support the nominated partner charity for 2023, Whiteleys Retreat, throughout the 2023 events, and would be grateful if competitors at the championship could bring along a couple of pounds to drop in the collecting box at registration, to add their support to this excellent and very worthwhile local charity.

The draw for order of play on Sunday is:-

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Kilmarnock Barassie open with victory over Royal Troon

Kilmarnock Barassie opened their Scratch league Division 1 campaign with a 4.5 - 1.5 home win over Royal Troon.

In the match, played on Sunday the 23rd of April, Ben Gibson led from the front, taking the opening tie against Blair Morton by a single hole. Kilmarnock Barassie went 2 - 0 up with a 2&1 victory by Greg Vernon over Steven Machin, whilst Sandy Walker ensured at least a draw for the home side with a 4&3 victory over Robert Jenkins.

Victory for Kilmarnock Barassie was assured when Andrew Campbell halved his tie with Dylan Cairns, and although Stuart Russell reduced the deficit with a win against Stuart Miller in the penultimate tie, the 4.5 - 1.5 scoreline was completed by Adrian Orton with a 4&3 win over Dan Gaya in the anchor tie. 

PRESIDENT'S PUTTER - Tam O Shanter through to last sixteen

Tam O Shanter are the first club to win their second round match in the 2023 handicap club team knockout competition for The President's Putter.

Playing host to the team from Kilbirnie Place, the Tam O Shanter side won through to secure an away tie at either Irvine Ravenspark or Annanhill in the last sixteen. 

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Round one completed whilst Kilbirnie Place book place in round three.

The first round matches in the 2023 Ayrshire Fourball Championship have been completed, whilst Kilbirnie Place became the first club to secure their place in round three of the event.

Robin Gemmell & John Tully (Rowallan Castle) hosted Daniel Carroll & Stuart Wightman (Drongan) in the first round and emerged victory by 3&2 to progress.

The Girvan pair of James Earle & Ian Hamilton beat their visitors from Annanhill, Brian Griffin & Ross Griffin, to complete the second round line up.

George Brown & Gary Gargan (Kilbirnie Place) eased into round three with a 5&4 home win over Scott Muir & Graeme Gemmell (Loudoun) in their second round tie.

The full second round line up is:-  

AYRSHIRE MEN'S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - First round matches completed

The first round matches in the 2023 Ayrshire Men's Champion of Champions Trophy competition have been completed.

In the outstanding ties, Steven Machin (Royal Troon) edged through at the first extra hole against his visitor Stephen King (Prestwick St Nicholas).

The holder Blair Morton (Royal Troon) is also through to round two, courtesy of a 4&3 home win over 2022 Ayrshire Strokeplay Champion Scott Brown (Turnberry), whilst Barry McDonnell (Stewarton) also recorded a home win, by 2&1 against Steven Corrigan (Ayr Dalmilling), to progress to round two.

The other outstanding tie saw James McIntyre (Redburn) progress, courtesy of a walkover from Ted Gilligan (Troon St Meddans).

The full second round draw, with ties to be played by the 21st of May, is:-

SCOTTISH MEN'S AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire team named for first match at Rothesay

The six man Ayrshire team for the opening fixture in the 2023 Scottish Men's Area Team Championship qualifying leagues has been announced.

Ayrshire travel to play Argyll & Bute at Rothesay on Sunday the 7th of May as they open their bid to top their qualifying group and secure a place in the semi finals of the championship this year.

The recent winner of the Scottish Students title Jack Broun (Turnberry)  is joined in the team by John Shanks (Irvine), a two time winner of the event, 2021 West of Scotland Strokeplay winner Daniel Forbes (Irvine), John Haggarty (Loudoun), Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) and Steven Stamper (Turnberry).

The team will play three morning foursomes and six afternoon singles ties in the match.

In June Ayrshire play host to Dumbartonshire at Dundonald Links in their second fixture of the series before travelling to play the Nort Area at Moray in July in the final qualifying fixture.

AYRSHIRE MIXED GREENSOMES KNOCKOUT - First round matches completed

All the first round matches in the inaugural Ayrshire Mixed Greensomes Knockout Trophy competition have been completed.

Liz & John Keohone (Loudoun) progressed courtesy of a walkover from Lynne Baxter & Stephen McCreadie (Belleisle Ladies/Ayr Belleisle), whilst Fran & Dave Hadden (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat their visitors John Watt and Alison Malcolm (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 3&2 to progress.

Brian Baird & Aileen Latona (Troon Welbeck) had a 3 & 2 win on their tie against Louise Thrippleton & Simon Johnson (Troon Welbeck/Golf South Ayrshire), and Jan Flint & Gary Burgess (Troon Welbeck) had a 2&1 away win against David & Sarah Harding (Rowallan Castle) to secure a place in round 2.

Two further second round ties have also been completed recently. a win at the 20th hole by Gillian & Billy Pollok (Skelmorlie) over their visitors Angela Hughes & Douglas Gillespie (Irvine / West Kilbride) seeing them through to round three while Kevin Flack & Angela Harkness (Skelmorlie) progressed courtesy of a walkover from Leslie & Doreen Aitcheson (Abbotsford / Belleisle Ladies)   

The full second round line up is:-

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - two results to be confirmed before round one is completed

With all the first round matches in the 2023 Ayrshire Fourball Championship due to be completed by Sunday the 23rd of April, just two results have still to be confirmed to complete the second round line up.

Alex Graham & Alex Martin (Stewarton) had a 2&1 home win over Kieran Reid & Thomas Freer Jr. (Alton) to progress to round 2 and a home tie against George Macdonald & peter Clark (Troon St Meddans)

Hamish Gaffney & Jordan Milne (Redburn) will be at home to Robert Martin & Andrew McMorland (Ayr Carrick) in the second round following the single hole victory over John Houston & John Hood (Troon Welbeck) in round one. 

Also through to round two are Daniel McBride & Greg Vernon (Kilmarnock Barassie) who beat their visitors Andrew Chapman & Thomas Alcroft (Prestwick Centre) by 4 & 2 to set up a visit to play les Knox & Wullie Young (Auchenharvie 88) in round two.

The full second round draw will be published once the results of the remaining two first round ties are confirmed.

AYRSHIRE MEN'S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY - results update

With all first round ties due to be completed by the 23rd of April, just four match results have still to be confirmed in this years competition first round.

David Robertson (Prestwick St Cuthbert) has a single hole victory on his visit to play Scott Martin (Troon Welbeck) and will now be at home to Andrew Thomson (Routenburn) in the second round.

David Nelson (Turnberry) beat his first round visitor Darryn Young (Crosshouse) by 2&1 and will be at home to either Stephen Machin (Royal Troon) or Stephen King (Prestwick St Nicholas) in round two.

A 3&1 win on his visit to play Kevin Cunning (New Cumnock) gives Mark McLelland (Girvan) a home tie in the second round against either Blair Morton (Holder - Roya Troon) or Ayrshire Strokeplay Champion Scott Brown (Turnberry).

Also through is David Pratt (Annanhill) who beat his host Murray McBride (Ayr Carrick) by 1 hole do secure a second round visit to play Robbie Macinnes (Rowallan Castle).

Aidan Long (Ayr Belleisle) beat his visitor Alan Burns (Moorpark) by a single hole and will be at home to either Barry McDonnell (Stewarton) or Stevie Corrigan (Ayr Dalmilling) in round two, whilst Ryan Morrison (Ayr Seafield) will be away from home against  Cameron Aitken (Largs) in round two following his first round walkover against Andrew Armour (Malletsheugh).

Once the remaining first round results are confirmed, a full list of the second round matches will be published. 

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - West Kilbride take the Matt Lygate Trophy in season opener

Ayrshire Junior Team Champions - West Kilbride GC

West Kilbride Golf Club won the Matt Lygate Trophy and Ayrshire Junior Team Champions title by five shots in the season's opener at Caprington Golf Club on Sunday the 23rd of April, bridging a 25 year gap since they last won the trophy in 1998.

Nine member clubs contested the 2023 competition in increasingly breezy weather, with several good scores being returned despite the testing conditions.

Led by Dylan Scally who returned the best scratch score of the day with a 74, to win the individual Prestwick Circuits Trophy, The West Kilbride posted a best three scores from four team total of 235, ahead of the defending champions Troon Welbeck on 240.

Handicap team winners - Loudoun GC

The handicap team title, and the Andrew D. Nimmo Trophy was won by the team from Loudoun Gowf Club with a team total of 209, five ahead of Royal Troon in second place. A nett score of 65 from 32 handicapper Aran Cowan also saw the Loudoun player win the individual handicap award, the Carrick Trophy.

Final results:-

The Carrick Trophy (Best individual nett) - Aran Cowan (Loudoun) 97 - 32 = 65

The Prestwick Circuits Trophy (Best individual scratch) -  Dylan Scally (West Kilbride) 74

The Andrew D. Nimmo Trophy (Best nett team) - Loudoun Gowf Club (Adam Cowan, Chris Downie, Aran Cowan, Zak McCallum) - 209

The Matt Lygate Trophy (best scratch team) - West Kilbride Golf Club (Dylan Scally, Finlay watt, Darren Docherty, Euan Forrest) - 235

Final team returns were:-

235 (216) - WEST KILBRIDE (Dylan Scally, Finlay Watt, Darren Docherty, Euan Forrest)

240 (225) - TROON WELBECK (Jack Broadfoot, Harris Fleming, Noah O'Brien, Euan Stirling)

244 (215) - IRVINE (Mason Chisholm, Liam Moran, Aidan Hay, Lewis Trundle)

246 (223) - KILMARNOCK BARASSIE (Oliver Long, Sean Hillis, Connor Sloan, Katie Ronie)

247 (214) - ROYAL TROON (Oliver Kane, Harry Amphlett, Jake McLaughlin, Callum McFadzean) 

255 (216) - PRESTWICK ST. NICHOLAS (Luke Jones, Jamie Robb, Connor Hunter, Myles King)

262 (221) - AYR BELLEISLE (Adam Brown, Connor McMillan, Harris Vennard, Thomas Carlyle)

264 (235) - TURNBERRY (Gregor Hay, Findlay Andrew, Ben Slatter)

275 (209) - LOUDOUN (Adam Cowan, Kris Downie, Aran Cowan, Zak McCallum)

Individual scores:-

Best individual nett
Aran Cowan

Aran Cowan 97 - 32 = 65

Oliver Kane 76 - 08 = 68

Jake McLaughlan 80 - 12 = 68

Dylan Scally (jnr) 74 - 05 = 69 Lowest Gross Score

Zac McCallum 93 - 24 = 69

Aidan Hay 80 - 09 = 71

Myles King 100 - 29 = 71

Oliver Long 76 - 04 = 72

Connor Hunter 83 - 11 = 72

Best individual scratch
Dylan Scally

Thomas Carlyle 88 - 16 = 72

Euan Forrest 80 - 08 = 72

Lewis Trundle 82 - 10 = 72

Mason Chisholm 86 - 14 = 72

Luke Jones 80 - 07 = 73

Euan Stirling 81 - 08 = 73

Harris Fleming 78 - 05 = 73

Connor McMillan 83 - 09 = 74

Findlay Andrew 83 - 09 = 74

Liam Moran 82 - 08 = 74

Connor Sloan 84 - 09 = 75

Darren Docherty 81 - 06 = 75

Adam Brown 101 - 26 = 75

Kris Downie 104 - 29 = 75

Katie Ronnie 86 - 10 = 76

Harry Amphlett 91 - 13 = 78

Adam Cowan 85 - 06 = 79

Noah O'Brien 85 - 06 = 79

Jamie Robb 92 - 13 = 79

Ben Slatter 91 - 12 = 79

Callum McFadzean 94 - 15 = 79

Finlay Watt 85 - 05 = 80

Sean Hillis 86 - 06 = 80

Harris Vennard 91 - 10 = 81

Jack Broadfoot 81 - 00 = 81

Gregor Hay 90 - 08 = 82

 

RICKY MAGEE - Presentation to county stalwart to mark his retirement after thirty years

Ayrshire Golf Association President Scott Gilchrist and Secretary Alasdair Malcolm met up with past President Ricky Magee at Dundonald Links on Thursday the 20th of April to make a presentation on behalf of The Association and the member clubs to mark Ricky's retirement from the Ayrshire Golf Association Executive at the 2022 Annual General meeting after thirty years continuous service to The Association.

The presentation was originally scheduled to be made at the recent annual dinner of The Association at Royal Troon, but unfortunately Ricky had an  unexpected stay in hospital the day before the dinner which prevented his attendance, and it was decided to postpone the presentation until a suitable future date.

 A member of Caprington Golf Club, Ricky first joined the Ayrshire Golf Association Executive in 1990 and although he stood down after a couple of years he rejoined a year later and served for 30 years continuously before retiring in October 2022. 

During his service Ricky filled many positions, including holding the coaching portfolio, managing the men's team and assisting in delivery of the events, including refereeing many competitions and matches, and latterly taking on the role of one of the team leaders in the local course rating volunteer group. 

His service also included a term as president of The Association from 2006 to 2008.

President Gilchrist presented Ricky with a painting of Blairgowrie Golf Club, commissioned from well known local golf professional and artist Billy Lockie, as Blairgowrie was the scene of the triumph for the Ayrshire men's team in the Scottish Area Team Championship in 2015, in which Ricky was part of the management team.

Though retired from executive duties, Ricky still hopes to help out when he can at Ayrshire Golf Association championship and events in the future.

US COLLEGE GOLF - John McCracken shines for Southern Union State College

Ayrshire county player John McCracken (Kilmarnock Barassie) has been putting in some notable performances recently in the USA, two individual tournament wins in the current season being added to recently when he helped his college team, The Bisons, win the NJCAA Alabama State Conference Championship at Gadsden, Alabama.

In only the second year of the golf programme at the Southern Union State College, the golf team enjoyed their team success, in hot and windy conditions, with John finishing in 11th place individually, whilst helping his college team to a four shot victory over runners up Wallace State.

The championship was the tightest for many years, with just 12 shots separating the top seven colleges after 12 scoring rounds each.

19-year-old Sophomore McCracken has now committed to Young Harris College in Georgia for seasons 2023 - 2025 to complete his Major in Business Management. He joins a growing number of European players at the ambitious college, located 100 miles north of Atlanta.

 

AYRSHIRE MIXED GREENSOMES KNOCKOUT CHAMPIONSHIP - First round ties update

The first round of the inaugural Ayrshire Mixed Greensomes Knockout Trophy is well under way, with six of the ten first round ties already completed, and the remainder due for completion by the 23rd of April. 

The first tie completed in the competition saw Rodger & Shirley MacMillan (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beating Jean Phillips & Ralph Griffiths (Ballochmyle) by 4&3 to set up a visit to either Ayr Belleisle or Loudoun in round two.

Gillian & Billy Pollock (Skelmorlie) won by 3&2 on their first rounds visit to play Alistair & Alex Glennie (Kilmarnock Barassie) and will now be at home to Angela Hughes & Douglas Gillespie (Irvine/West Kilbride) who beat their visitors David Orchiston & Hazel Roddie (Ballochmyle) in round one.

Lester Magill & Susannah Black (Irvine) had a 5&4 home win over Joy & David Currie (Loudoun) to book their place in round two whilst Scott Gilchrist & Sally Hamilton (Loudoun) progressed courtesy of a walkover against Charlie & Maria Watson (Troon Welbeck).

Also through to round two are Jean Tannock & Robert Dalziel (Troon Welbeck) who had a 7&6 home win over Jamie & Linda Bryant (Irvine) to progress.

The first pairing through to round three are Ken & Elizabeth Goodwin (Prestwick / Belleisle Ladies) who won their home tie in round two against Graham & Alyson Hutton (Skelmorlie) at the first extra hole.

The updated first and second round line ups are:-

1st Round	2nd Round
Played By:- 23rd April 2023	Played By:- 21st May 2023
LYNNE BAXTER & STEPHEN McCREADIE  (Belleisle Ladies / Belleisle)
LIZ & JOHN KEOHONE  (Loudoun)
JEAN PHILLIPS & RALPH GRIFFITHS  (Ballochmyle)	RODGER & SHIRLEY MacMILLAN (Pr. St. Cuthbert)
RODGER & SHIRLEY MacMILLAN   (Pr. St Cuthbert) 4/3
ALISTAIR & ALEX GLENNIE   (Kil. Barassie)	GiILLIAN & BILLY POLLOCK (Skelmorlie)
GiILLIAN & BILLY POLLOCK  (Skelmorlie) 3/2
ANGELA HUGHES & DOUGLAS GILLESPIE  (Irvine/W. Kilbride)	ANGELA HUGHES & DOUGLAS GILLESPIE (Irvine/W. Kilbride)
DAVID ORCHISTON & HAZEL RODDY  (Ballochmyle)
FRAN & DAVE HADDEN  (Kil. Barassie)
JOHN D. WATT & ALISON MALCOLM  (Pr. St Cuthbert)
LESTER MAGILL & SUSANNAH BLACK  (Irvine) 5/4	LESTER MAGILL & SUSANNAH BLACK (Irvine)
JOY & DAVID CURRIE   (Loudoun)
LOUISE THRIPPLETON & SIMON JOHNSON  (Tr. Welbeck/GSA)
BRIAN BAIRD & AILEEN LATONA  (Tr. Welbeck)
SCOTT GILCHRIST & SALLY HAMILTON (Loudoun) w/o	SCOTT GILCHRIST & SALLY HAMILTON (Loudoun)
CHARLIE & MARIA WATSON   (Tr. Welbeck)
DAVID & SARAH HARDING   (Rowallan Castle)
JAN FLINT & GARY BURGESS   (Tr. Welbeck)
JEAN TANNOCK & ROBERT DALZIEL  (Tr. Welbeck) 7/6	JEAN TANNOCK & ROBERT DALZIEL  (Tr. Welbeck)
JAMIE & LINDA BRYANT  (Irvine)
	CAROL MOFFAT & JAMES McGHEE  (Caprington/Loudoun)
	SUSAN SMITH & RODDIE MIDDLETON  (Loudoun)
	KEN & ELIZABETH GOODWIN   (Prestwick/Belleisle Ladies) 19th
	GRAHAM & ALYSON HUTTON (Skelmorlie)
	PAULINE & BOB CAMERON   (Belleisle Ladies/Belleisle)
	WILLIAM DUFFY & LINDA THOMPSON  (Kil. Barassie/Pr. St Nicholas)
	PATRICIA HARRIS & NEIL WILSON  (Ballochmyle)
	GRAEME MUIR & BARBARA BECKETT  (Loudoun)
	ALISTAIR & JANE BELFORD  (Pr. St Nicholas)
	MICHAEL MOORE & SHEENA MOORE  (Abbotsford/Belleisle Ladies)
	ALASDAIR & CATHERINE MALCOLM  (Pr. St Cuthbert)
	IAIN CAMPBELL & SHIRLEY CAMPBELL  (Pr. St Cuthbert)
	ARLENE SINCLAIR & STUART WALLACE  (irvine)
	NEIL & SHEILA KENNEDY   (Loudoun)
	ANNE McGILLIVRAY & BILL CUMMMING  (Pr. St Nicholas)
	JOAN McMURDO & WILLIAM FLEMING  (Ballochmyle)
	KEVIN FLACK & JANET HARKNESS  (Skelmorlie)
	LESLIE & DOREEN AITCHISON   (Abbotsford/Belleisle Ladies)
	DAVID TIERNEY & DEBBIE WATT  (Belleisle/Bellesile Ladies)
	MICHAEL & PATRICIA DUFFY   (Loudoun/Pr. St Cuthbert)
	JEAN & KEN CAPES  (Largs)
	ROSE M. & ALEXANDER CRAWFORD  (Ballochmyle)