AYRSHIRE JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS - Scott Newman and Orla Moran take Ayrshire junior titles

Scott Newman (West Kilbride) and Orla Moran  (Irvine) won the Ayrshire Boys' and Ayrshire Girls' Strokeplay Championships respectively when the 2024 competitions were held at Annanhill GC on Thursday the 1st of August. 

In the Boys' event, over 36 holes, Scott Newman defended the title that he won 12 months ago at Largs from the front, having the joint best first round scratch score of 72, alongside Jack Broadfoot (Royal Troon) Despite pushing his playing partner in the early stages of the afternoon round, Broadfoot's serious challenge for the title faded away, while Newman improved on his morning round by one, his two round total of  143 giving him the 2024 title by a full nine shots, ahead of Jack Broadfoot. Quntin Dunlop (Turnberry) was third scratch with 155 and Oliver Long (Kilmarnock Barassie) was four shots further back with 159 for a fourth place scratch prize.

For the first time this year a trophy was introduced for the best nett score returned, the Hilmarton Trophy donated by AGA Executive member Mike Hazlewood, and the inaugural award went to Adam McIntyre (Irvine) with rounds of 70 and 69 off his 21 handicap.

Rory McKie (Prestwick St Cuthbert) was second nett with a two round total of 142, just ahead of Aran Cowan (Loudoun) on the same score by virtue of the best second round score, whilde Arran Lee (West Kilbride) won the last nett voucher with a two round total of 146

The Ayrshire Golf Association also inaugurated the Ayrshire Girls' Strokeplay Championship this season, with trophies and proizes presented on both a scratch and handicap basis.

Orla Moran (Irvine) won the inaugural Ayrshire Girls' Strokeplay Champion  with a superb scratch score of 72, two under par. The score was all the more remarkable, as indeed was the winning score of Scott Newman in the boys event, as both the winners played the course for the first time ever during the competition.

Kirsty Howe (Irvine) was second scratch with a score of 87, while the Prestwick Salver, for the best nett score in the Girls' Championship, which was presented by Honorary President of The Ayrshire Golf Association Alasdair J Malcolm, went to Alyssa Gillies (Ballochmyle) with a nett score of 74 off her handicap of thirteen, jus tthree ahead of second handicap prize winner Stefi Rogerson (Kilmarnock Barassie) with a 77.

The competitors and officials were well looked after all day by the Annahill GC, an dthe course itself was presented in excellent condition, which received many positive comments from the competitors.

The Association would like to thank Annanhill Golf Club and East Ayrshire leisure for their support in hosting the championship this year.

The list of winners in both events and the final scores are:-