AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION EXTENDED COMPETITIONS 2024 - Entry forms forwarded to Club Secretaries

The entry forms for the individual and club team extended Ayrshire Golf Association competitions in 2024 have been emailed to member club secretaries on the 31st of December 2023.

The competitions for which the entry forms have been sent include:-

THE AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

THE GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL SALVER

THE AYRSHIRE MEN'S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY

THE AYRSHIRE MEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

THE PRESIDENT'S PUTTER

THE AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES

THE AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S CHAMPION OF CHAMPUIONS TROPHY

and 

THE AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

Entries for all competitons should be submitted to the Area Secretary by Sunday the 11th of february 2024, along with the appropriate entry fees.

If any Club Secretary has not received the entry forms, they should contact the Ayrshire Golf Association Secretary, Alasdair Malcolm, by email at ayrshire.golf@btinternet.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

Wishing all members of our member clubs, and the wider golfing community in Ayrshire, a very merry Christmas, and a happy and enjoyable New Year in 2024

SCOTTISH GOLF - Clubs invited to attend Regional Forums in January

Scottish Golf are inviting member clubs to attend the reinstated Regional Forums which are taking place in January 2024.

The forums, appear in the articles of Scottish Golf as a commitment to the membership and are a valuable opportunity to engage, discuss and consult on a variety of important topics. They are open to all Scottish Golf-affiliated organisations

The South West forum is scheduled to take place on

Monday 15 January at Troon Links Golf Club 

There will be two sessions that day, at 14:00 & 18:00 hrs to give a level of flexibility which will enable paid club staff as well as volunteers to attend. 

Clubs should have been notified dirrectly, and club officials can register via the link provided by Scottish Golf in the relevant communication.

Scottish Golf  will use the opportunity to consult on proposed amendments to Scottish Golf's Articles, presenting affiliation fee proposal for 2024/25 and accompanying business plan, and the topic of one Golfer One Fee.

Prospective attendees are also requested to identify specific topics for discussion at the forum. On the registration link there is an opportunity to choose from pre-selected topics or add other ones. Clubs and attendees are requested to register and submit these by Monday 8 January, to allow time to confirm the agenda and circulate it in advance of the forum.

At the recent Special General Meeting of Scottish Golf, held at Stirling University, the proposals tabled to amend the Scottish Golf  Articles failed to attract the necessary 75% of votes cast to allow the proposal to pass. 

All member clubs are encouraged to engage in the voting process going forward, to ensure that their votes add to as comprehensive a voting process as possible to map out the direction of Scottish Golf in the future.

Prior to the Special General Meeting there was a workshop for officials and volunteers regarding woman and girls participation in golf. This was a very worthwhile exercise, highlighting some of the challenges and many of the examples of good paractices already in place throughout the country. In various capacities, a total of six Ayrshire Golf Association Executive members attended, and took part in, both the EGM and workshop.

Scottish Golf also recently gave an update on the development of The Board of Scottish Golf.

Earlier in 2023 Sara Bishop was co-opted on to the SGL Board due to the resignation of other directors, which caused there to be a gap in membership and skillset in the Finance and Management (Audit and Risk) Committee. As per the Articles, confirmation of her appointment will require formal agreement at the next AGM.

After four years Pauline Lockhart has resigned from the board due to the growth pressures her successful business. Scottish Golf extended thanks for Pauline’s fantastic service to golf in Scotland in this and previous roles over the last fifteen years or so. 

In addition, Catriona Matthew will be standing down from the board at the next AGM, however it is great that she will continue to play an important role in working directly with Scottish Golf's Performance team and especially the Ladies' and Girls' squads.  

With these recent and impending changes, Scottish Golf will be seeking applications for three new SGL non-executive directors, the details of which wil be circulated early in 2024, along with a full role descriptors in due course.

THE HISTORY OF THE OPEN - Limited spaces left for event at Dundonald Links

There are very limited spaces left for the History Of The Open event at Dundonald Links on Thursday the 16th of November.

Two sessions are now understood to be full, with a very limited number of slots still available to attend the 11.00 am session.

Places need to be pre booked.

Contact details to secure a place are available on the poster for the event.

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.

Andrew D Nimmo Trophy winners
Loudoun GC

Matt Lygate trophy winners
West Kilbride GC

Carrick Trophy winner
Aran Cowan

Prestwick Circuits trophy winner
Dylan Scally

Junior Order of Merit winner
Sean Hillis

Junior Order of Merit Runner Up
Finlay Watt 

Junior Order of Merit - third
Liam Moran

Wallace Thornton Trophy winners
West Kilbride GC

Wallace Thornton Trophy Runners Up
Irvine GC

Under 16 Knockout Trophy winners
West Kilbride GC

Under 16 Knockout Trophy Runners Up
Irvine GC

Champion of Champions Trophy winner
Ryan Kennedy

Champion of Champions Trophy Runner Up
Jack Broadfoot

Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship Runners Up
Troon Welbeck GC

Ayrshire Junior Golf League Champions
Irvine GC 

THE HISTORY OF THE OPEN - R & A presentation and display scheduled for Dundonald Links on the 16th of November

A unique opportunity will be available at Dundonald Links on Thursday the 16th of November 2023 when Angela Howe, The R & A Museum and Heritage Director will explore the history of The Open and it's West Coast connections.

Several specially loaned pieces from the museum will be available for viewing, including the famous Claret Jug.

There are three sessions organised, at 0930, 1015 and 1100 a.m., and numbers are limited for each session.

Pre booking for the event is essential.

Places can be booked by telephoning 01294 314000 to secure the chance to attend this special event.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION A.G.M. - Andrew Gilligan elected president of The Association

President
Andrew Gilligan

Andrew Gilligan (Royal Troon) is the new President of the Ayrshire Golf Association, following his election at the recent Annual General Meeting of The Association.

At the A.G.M., held at Loudoun Gowf Club  on Tuesday the 17th of October, Royal Troon member Andrew, a former Club Captain and Club Champion of the Troon St. Meddans club, was elected to the presidency for the period 2023 - 2025,  following the retiral of immediate Past president Scott Gilchrist (Loudoun).

Barry O'Rourke (Caprington) was elected Vice president for the next two year period, and Alasdair J Malcolm (Prestwick St Cuthbert) was re-elected as Secretary/Treasurer of The Association.

Vice President
Barry O'Rourke

Kirk Ramsay (Redburn), Mike Hazlewood (Golf South Ayrshire) John Rushbury (Royal Troon) and John W Watt (Prestwick St Cuthbert) were all re-elected to the executive Committee.

In presenting his President's Report, before demitting office, Scott Gilchrist paid tribute to all that had been achieved during his two year of Presidency, making The Association a more diverse and inclusive organisation than ever before, and thanked the individuals, clubs and club members who have supported the work of improving all aspects of golf in Ayrshire.

Scott highlighted the introduction of competitions for women members of member clubs, which will be further expanded and enhanced in 2024, as well as the successes of individuals and teams including the win by the youths team in the West of Scotland inter County Championship and the runner up place by the men's team in the Scottish Men's Area Team Championship.

Scott also highlighted the decision to confer the title of Honorary President on the serving Secretary, Alasdair J Malcolm, during the year, for his services to golf in Ayrshire, as well as thanking all the clubs for providing facilities and taking part in the various events administered by The Association during the season.

The minutes of the 2022 A.G.M were circulated prior to the meeting along with reports in relation to Finance, Coaching, Course Rating and The Ayrshire Junior Golf League, and an update on the Governance of The Association, which were all discussed and approved at the meeting.

The proposal to retain the Ayrshire Golf Association per capita sum at £2.50, with no rise for the forthcoming year, was passed with a show of hands, while President Gilligan advised the meeting that the Scottish Golf per capita level would remain at £14.50, pending any forthcoming EGM set by Scottish Golf prior to next year's AGM.

Under any other competent business, in response to a question regarding handicapping and course rating, it was confirmed to members that the very successful and well supported Ayrshire Course Rating team, developed under the auspices of The Ayrshire Golf Association and with the excellent work of Mike Hazlewood and Kirk Ramsay, would cease to exist following the A.G.M.. This was a direct result of Scottish Golf directing that all course rating arrangements in Scotland would now be governed centrally, including course visit schedules and organisation and employment of volunteer raters.

 Mike Hazlewood confirmed that he was standing down as a Team Leader as a result, which left no team Leader's in the Ayrshire area after the retiral of the two other long standing post holders and the failure of Scottish Golf to progress the appointment of several other individuals suggested as potential post holders.

Mike stated that he would be happy to advise any clubs going forward on course rating matters, in an unofficial capacity, though all enquiries in relation to all course rating and handicapping matters should now be sent directly to Scottish Golf for any advice or decision.  

The meeting closed at 20.04 p.m., with a vote of thanks to The Chair.

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Lanarkshire secure first A league title since 2000

Lanarkshire are the 2023 West of Scotland Inter County A League winners for the first time since 2000, beating Ayrshire on tie difference over the series of five matches, after both teams won four of their five fixtures. 

Lanarkshire beat Dumbartonshire 7.5-0.5 at Kirkhill on Sunday the 22^nd of October to win the West of Scotland Inter County A league, by tie difference, from Ayrshire, who finished their campaign with a 6-2 away win over Glasgow at Glasgow Gailes. In the other outstanding fixture, Renfrewshire beat Stirlingshire 4.5-3.5 at Stirling.

Lanarkshire’s win is their first in the A League since their successes in 1999 and 2000.

 

LANARKSHIRE Vs DUMBARTONSHIRE

Lewis Irvine (Kirkhill) beat C Clark Bearsden) by 7&6

Dylan Burt (Colville Park) beat C Bissett (Dumbarton) by 5&4

Mark O’Donnell (Hamilton) halved with G. Roger (Clober)

Scott MacPherson (Bothwell Castle) beat S. Brown (Clydebank & District) by 4&3

Kieran McVicar (East Kilbride) bear C. Smith (Clober) by 2&1

Stewart Henderson (Hamilton) beat D. Lindsay (Lenzie) by 7&6

Gregg Watson (Hamilton) beat C. McAteer (Clydebank & District) by 5&4

Callum Connacher (Wishaw) beat M. McCluskey (Lenzie) by 2&1

 

LANARKSHIRE 7.5 DUMBARTONSHIRE 0.5

 

GLASGOW Vs AYRSHIRE

Alan Waugh (Cowglen) halved with Blair Morton (Royal Troon)

Fraser McNeil (Haggs Castle) lost to Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon) by 1 hole

Gordon Sangster (Cathkin Braes) lost to John Shanks (Irvine) by 2&1

Blair Dalgleish (Ralston) halved with John Haggarty (Loudoun)

Neil Macrae (Glasgow) lost to Scott Brown (Turnberry) by 1 hole

Jonny McLeish (Cathcart Castle) lost to Steven Stamper (Turnberry) by 6&4

Greg Brown (Cathkin Braes) beat Louis Alberts (Troon St Meddans) by 3&2

Scott Wearing (Bishopbriggs) lost to Calum Nairn (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 5&4

 

GLASGOW 2 AYRSHIRE 6

 

STIRLINGSHIRE Vs. RENFREWSHIRE

James Donaldson (Stirling) beat Paul Dorrian (Greenock) by 3&2

Alex Marshall (Grangemouth) lost to Stewart Watt (Old Ranfurly) by 2&1

Greg McLellan (Stirling) halved with Michael Dailly (Erskine)

Mark Hyslop (Glenbervie) halved with Martyn Paton (Gleddoch)

Callum Davidson (Dunblane) beat Willie McMillan (Bonnyton) by 5&4

Ben Liddell (Stirling) lost to Owen Lavelle (Paisley) by 3&1

Craig McGann (Dunblane) halved with Derek Anderson (Cochrane Castle)

Lee Wilson (Stirling) lost to Davy Miller (Fereneze) by 3&2

 

STIRLINGSHIRE 3.5 RENFREWSHIRE 4.5

 

The final placings in the A league in 2023 were:-

2023 A LEAGUE

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Dif.	Pts.
LANARKSHIRE	5	4	1	0	27.5	12.5	+15	18
AYRSHIRE	5	4	1	0	24.5	15.5	+9	18
RENFREWSHIRE	5	3	0	2	22.5	17.5	+5	12
DUMBARTONSHIRE	5	1	1	3	14	26	-12	6
STIRLINGSHIRE	5	1	0	4	18	22	-4	4
GLASGOW	5	0	1	4	13.5	26.5	-13	2

In the remaining youth league matches, also played on Sunday the 22^nd of October, Dumbartonshire lost 5 – 3 at Lenzie to their visitors from Lanarkshire, while Renfrewshire beat Stirlingshire 6-2 at Greenock

 

DUMBARTONSHIRE YOUTHS Vs. LANARKSHIRE YOUTHS

Sam Somerville (Bearsden) lost to Scott Thomson (Drumpellier) by 1 hole

David Hood (Cardross) lost to Luke Robertson (East Kilbride) by 1 hole

Fergus Allan (Windyhill) beat Rudy Brown (Torrance House) by 4&2

Greg Chambers (Cardross) lost to Alan Woodhouse (East Kilbride) by 2 holes

Grant Wilson (Balmore) beat Alastair Riddell (Strathaven) by 5&4

Adam McGarry (Clydebank & District) lost to Euan Bogle (Lanark) by 2 holes

Anthony Sheridan (Windyhill) lost to Tyler Sneddon (Lanark) by 5&4

David Gilmour (Cardross) beat Ben Paterson (Bellshill) by 4&2

 

DUMBARTONSHIRE YOUTHS 3 LANAKRSHIRE YOUTHS 5

 

RENFREWSHIRE YOUTHS Vs. STIRLINGSHIRE YOUTHS

Kevan Ingram (Greenock) beat Scott Johnston (Falkirk Tryst) by 7&6

Stuart Dickson (Fereneze) beat Liam McKinnon (Glenbervie) by 4&3

Jamie Sinnamon (Gourock) lost to Adam Smith (Stirling) by 2&1

Hugh Shiels Jr. (East Renfrewshire) lost to Thomas Kelly (Stirling) by 1 hole

Lewis Wilkie (Greenock) beat Cameron Russell (Dunblane new) by 7&6

Struan Brooksbank (Kilmacolm) w/o

Callum McLelland (Fereneze) w/o

Neil Rainey (Erskine) w/o

 

RENFREWSHIRE YOUTHS 6 STIRLINGSHIRE YOUTHS 2

 

The final placings in the 2023 West of Scotland Inter County Youths League were:-

 

2023 YOUTHS LEAGUE

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Dif.	Pts.
AYRSHIRE	5	4	0	1	23	17	+6	16
RENFREWSHIRE	5	3	1	1	23.5	16.5	+7	14
LANARKSHIRE	5	3	1	1	22.5	17.5	+5	14
STIRLINGSHIRE	5	1	1	3	18	22	-4	6
GLASGOW	5	1	1	3	16	24	-8	6
DUMBARTONSHIRE	5	1	0	4	17	23	-6	4