AYRSHIRE GOLF: AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE ANNUAL DINNER - 2023 winners honoured at Prestwick St Cuthbert

The 2023 Ayrshire Junior Golf League annual dinner was held at Prestwick St Cuthbert Golf Club on Monday the 6th of November, where the winners of the various junior events in 2023 were honoured.

Chaired by Ian Yates (Ayr Belleisle), the evening was attended by Ayrshire Golf Association President Andrew Gilligan along with other Ayrshire Golf Association representatives, several Ayrshire Junior Golf League honorary members and junior conveners and golfers from the members clubs.

After an excellent meal and the usual raffle for a large number of prizes, Ayrshire Junior Golf League Secretary Gavin Scott read out the names of the winning individuals and teams from the 2023 season, with the prizes being presented to the winners by Ayr Belleisle Golf Club Captain, Stephen Lucas.

Along with the various awards for the winning teams and individuals, The MacRobert Thistle Junior Golfer of the year trophies for both boys and girls were presented.

Boy Golfer of the Year - Finlay Watt

The 2023 boys' winner was Finlay Watt (West Kilbride).

In a very impressive season Finlay competed in club, county and national competitions as well as Junior Tour Scotland and Junior Golf Scotland events. His achievements during the season included winning the West Kilbride Junior Club Championship, a semi final spot in the Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship, winner of the Ballochmyle Junior Open, runner-up in the Prestwick St. Cuthbert Junior Open, runner-up in the Irvine Junior Open, and runner-up in the Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit.

Finlay also represented Ayrshire on numerous occasions with an unbeaten record, and was also a member of the Stephen Gallacher west squad, in which he also mentors two of West Kilbride's younger junior members throughout the year.

He sets a great example to our junior members and is well respected amongst his peers both within and out with West Kilbride Golf Club.

Girl Golfer of the year - Orla Moran

The 2023 girls' award winner was Orla Moran (Irvine).

Orla had a very active and successful 2023 season, playing every weekend she could at her home club of Irvine, supporting the weekly junior competitions, and competing across Ayrshire in many of the Junior Open events.

Orla started off the 2023 season with a handicap index of 16.3 which was reduced to 7.9, through hard work, practice, and dedication to her golf.

At her home club of Irvine Orla won the Junior July medal, and alongside her brother Liam, won the Junior match play fourball title.

Orla was an integral part of a successful season for the Irvine Junior teams who were finalists in all three Ayrshire Junior Golf League extended team events, and was also part of the Irvine team who finished second at the Scottish Junior Team Championship at Elderslie Golf Club in September.

Orla also play for the Irvine Ladies Greenlees inter club league team and contributed to the team’s success in winning their division title and promotion.

Away from her home club Orla was selected to represent both the Ayrshire ladies County Golf Association girls' team and the West of Scotland girls during the season, and in individual play had several successes including winning the girls scratch trophy at the Tom Lehman Junior Open, the best overall nett winner in the Troon Welbeck Under 14 open, the best nett girls winner in the irvine Junior Open, the best nett girl in the Strathaven Junior Open, the overall Under 16 trophy winner and best nett girls winner in the Prestwick St Cuthbert Junior Open.

In her season's highlight, in the inaugural Ayrshire Golf Association Women's Strokeplay Championship Orla, aged just 13, won the nett trophy and title with a four under par score of 70.

The trophies and awards were presented to all the successful teams and individuals, culminating in the presentation of the Ayrshire Junior Golf League title and trophy to the 2023 winners, Irvine Golf Club.

The evening concluded with a vote of thanks by Ayrshire Junior Golf league Secretary, Gavin Scott, who also received grateful appreciation from the assembled company for his own hard work and contribution to a successful evening.