AYRSHIRE SENIOR MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP - Raymond Simons wins the Sandy Provan Trophy at Girvan

Raymond Simons (Golf South Ayrshire GC) is the 2024 Ayrshire Senior Men's Champion, winning the Sandy Provan Trophy at Girvan on Tuesday the 9th of July with the best score of the day.

Despite the weather forecast, the early starters enjoyed fine weather throughout the round, with only the later starters being affected by the rain which spread in during the afternoon.

Simons returned both the best nett and scratch score of the day with his 67 off his three handicap giving him a nett 64 to edge out the 2019 winner Stephen Lucas (Ayr Belleisle) by virtue of the better inward half to take the title, commemorative medal, and Sandy Provan Trophy for 2024.

Lucas had the consolation of taking the first prize in the 60-69 age category for his efforts, ahead of Dennis McCloskey (Loudoun) with a nett 65 and Michael Hopkins (Girvan) with a nett 67.

2021 champion Alistair Travers (Irvine Ravenspark) was first in the 50-59 age category with a nett score of 65, two ahead of Andrew Power (Troon Welbeck) and defending champion James McIntyre (Redburn) who both had nett 67's.

Robbie Yule (Irvine) topped the 70+ age group with a nett 67, ahead of Bill Matthews (Girvan) on 68 and yet another former winner, the 2015 champion Iain McKenzie (Troon St Meddans), with a nett 71.

With Raymond Simons winning the trophy, the best scratch prize went to Craig Robertson (Turnberry), with a scratch score of 68, by virtue of the better inward half.

The nearest the pin prizes both went to Kilmarnock Barassie members, Stuart Miller winning at the 7th with a distance of 8 feet and 3 inches and Mark Gallagher winning at the 18th with a distance of 7 feet and 3 inches.  

The qualifying scratch score for the Ayrshire Senior men's matchplay Championship was 71, with three from six players on that score qualifying by virtue of the better inward half.

The Ayrshire Golf Association would like to express sincere apologies to all competitors for the lack of catering and clubhouse facilities at the championship this year, which was outwith the control of both The Association and Golf South Ayrshire, with the closure of the facilities for the day only being discovered by AGA officials on arrival at the clubhouse on the day of the competition.

The full list of winners and scores returned is:-