LOMOND PROPERTY AYRSHIRE MEN'S STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - Alan McLean aces first county title at West Kilbride

Alan McLean (Largs GC) is the 2026 Ayrshire Men's Strokeplay Champions after a memorable win over the Wet Kilbride Golf Club links on Sunday the 26th of April.

A capacity field enjoyed excellent weather for the competition, on a course presented in superb condition by Rick Fulton and his greenkeeping staff, with some excellent scoring over the two rounds.

The best returns in the opening round were a pair of three under par 68's from the eventual winner Alan McLean and Euan Forrest (Turnberry), both of whome had seven birdies each in theor morning rounds.

Darren Mallinson (Irvine) was one shot further back after the morning round, while Matthew Allen (Western Gailes), Neil Clapperton (Ballochmyle), Craig hamilton (Ballochmyle), and Joe McSorley (Prestwick St Cuthbert) also posted sub par rounds in the morning with scores of 70.

In the afternoon Alan McLean continued where he left off from the morning, and was standing one under par on the ninth tee, where he then holed is tee shot at the 187 yard par three to go three under par at the turn.

This was Alan's sixth hole in one in his golfing career, though it was the first he had recorded away from Kilbirnie Place golf course where he has been a long time member.

In the inward nine Alan had a few bogey's but rallied to record a level par 71 in the the afternoon for a three under par 36 hole total of 139.

In the event the magical shot at the ninth hole proved decisive as Alan McLean ultimately won the championship by a single shot from Joe McSorley (Prestwick St Cuthbert) who recorded a second successive round of 70 in the afternoon for a 140 championship total.

Darren Mallinson (Irvine) took third place on 141 after a closing round of 72, while the remaining places in the prize list went to players with a 36 hole level par total of 142.

Michael Main (Largs) was fourth by virtue of the best second round, following his morning round of 74 with a best of the afternoon 68 in the second round, while Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) and Calum Nairn (Prestwick St Cuthbert) both returned rounds of 72 and 70, with paul Moultrie edging fifth place overall by virtue of the better inward half.

At the conclusion of the championship Ayrshire Golf Association President Barry O'Rourke (Caprington) thanked The West Kilbride Golf Club for hosting the event, the greens staff for the excellent condition of the course and the catering staff at the club for looking after all the competitors and officials on the day, and also expressed gratitude to the competitors for their contribution to a successful championship, before Joe Gilligan of championship sponsors Lomond Property presented the championshoip trophy to the 2026 winner Alan McLean.

In support of The Association's partner charity, Hillhouse, the competitors on the day donated a total of £308.55, while the support of the championship sponsors Lomond Property, through their 'Birdies for Charity' initiative saw a total of  six eagles and 292 birdies recorded during the day leading to a further donation of £322 towards the partner charity. Well done to all the competitors for their support of this worthwile local charity.

The list of prizewinners and final scores were :-