SCOTTISH BOYS & GIRLS UNDER 14 CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire well represented in starting field

Eight boys and five girls from Ayrshire will take part in the 2007 Scottish Boys & Girls Under 14 Championship, being held at Brunston Castle on Friday 13th July, on the day following the completion of the Under 16 Championship, at the same venue.

In a starting line up of 114 boys and girls, Kilmarnock (Barassie) provide three of the boys competitors in Thomas Gaunt, Jack McDonald and Ross Drain, with Troon Welbeck providing a further two, in Euan Walker and David Wilson.

The other three Ayrshire boys taking part are Patrick Timmons (Troon St. Meddans), Cameron McLean (West Kilbride) and Scott Liddle (Prestwick St. Nicholas).

West Kilbride have a strong representation in the girls event, with Connie Jaffrey, Rachel Howie & Mhairi MaKay all taking part.

The other two Ayrshire girls competing are Rachel Irvine (Largs) and Emma Hale (Troon Bentinck).

The competition will consist of 18 holes strokeplay.

WEST OF SCOTLAND LADIES INTER COUNTY JAMBOUREE - Ayrshire lose to holders on first day

Ayrshire lost to the holders, Renfrewshire, by 5 - 4 on the opening day of the 2007 West Inter County Jambouree, being held from 10th to 12th July at Prestwick St. Nicholas.

The other match between lanarkshire and Dumbarton & Argyll ended in a 4.5 - 4.5 draw.

For full reports on the matches, log on to www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

SENIORS EUROPEAN TOUR - Drummond is top scot on money list

Ross Drummond from Prestwick, in his first season on the European Seniors Tour, has made an impressive start to the season with a number of top 10 finishes.

Whilst still awaiting his first win on the seniors circuit, his early season form leaves him the top placed Scot in the seniors rankings, in fifth place overall behind leader Eduardo Romero (Argentina), and two places ahead of fellow Scot Sam Torrance.

The top placings, after the London Senior Masters event are :-

1 - Eduardo Romero (Argentina) - 159,870 euros
2 - Carl Mason (England) - 158,020 euros
3 - Juan Quiros (Spain) - 122,259 euros
4 - Constantino Rocca (Italy) - 111,717 euros
5 - Ross Drummond (Scotland) - 104,386 euros
6 - Bob Cameron (England) - 82,734 euros
7 - Sam Torrance (Scotland) - 80,854 euros
8 - Jose Rivero (Spain) - 71,583 euros
9 - Nick Job (England) - 66,418 euros

With no European event scheduled last week, due to the US Seniors Open, Drummond's next opportunity to record his maiden win on the tour will come in the Open De France Senior De Divonne, which will be held at the Golf Du Domaine De Divonne, Divonne Le Bains, France from 12th to 14th July.

SCOTTISH BOYS UNDER 16 CHAMPIONSHIP - 7 Ayrshire players in field at Brunston Castle

7 Ayrshire players will be amongst the field of 120 who will contest the 2007 Scottish Boys Under 16 Championship at Brunston Castle from Tuesday 10th to Thursday 12th July, over 54 holes of strokeplay.

The Kilmarnock (Barassie) trio of Fraser Kerr, Lloyd Smith and Andrew Wright are joined in the championship by Josh Nordbo (Largs), Chris Butler (Irvine Ravenspark), Craig Goodwin (Loudoun) and Sam Findlater (Troon Welbeck).

Play on Tuesday begins at 0730 hrs.

EUROPEAN BOYS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Stewart represents Scotland in Denmark

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) is a member of the 6 strong Scotland boys team who will contest the European Boys Team Championship at Rold Skov Golfklub in Denmark, from 10th to 14th July.

The Championship, involving the top 20 ranked countries in Europe, follows the same lines as the mens championship held last week at Western Gailes, with teams playing two rounds of strokeplay qualifying to determine which flight they will contest in the matchplay stages.

AYRSHIRE SUMMER LEAGUE - Competition for semi final places hots up as Turnberry withdraw from the competition.

As a result of difficulties in raising teams for matches, Turnberry have withdrawn from the 2007 Ayrshire Summer League competition.

Consequently, all points from the matches that Turnberry have already played have been cancelled.

Despite the withdrawal, competition for the four semi final places is keen, with the result of all four league still in doubt.

In LEAGUE 1, Tam O Shanter restored their hopes, whilst denting Troon Welbeck's aspirations, with a 3.5 - 2.5 home win in their recent match.

present positions in the section are :-

LOUDOUN - played 3 / 8 pts (+6)

TROON WELBECK - played 4 / 8 pts (+ 3)
TAM O SHANTER - played 3 / 6 pts (- 4)
AYR BELLEISLE - played 4 / 6pts (-5)

REMAINING FIXTURES :- Welbeck Vs. Loudoun, Tam O Shanter Vs. Belleisle, Loudoun Vs. Tam O Shanter, Belleisle Vs. Welbeck & Tam O Shanter Vs. Loudoun.

In LEAGUE 2, a recent away 3 - 3 draw at Kilmarnock (Barassie) consolodated Irvine (Bogside)' splace at the top, whilst West Kilbride maintained their hopes with a 4 - 2 home win over Caprington

Present positions in the section are :-

IRVINE (BOGSIDE) - played 4 / 14 pts
WEST KILBRIDE - played 4 / 8 pts
KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE) - played 4 / 6 pts
CAPRINGTON - played 4 / 4 pts

REMAINING FIXTURES :- Caprington Vs. Barassie, West Kilbride Vs. Irvine, Barassie Vs. West Kilbride & Irvine Vs. Caprington

In LEAGUE 3, Ballochmyle beat Ardeer by 5.5 - 0.5 at home, and now require to win their final match, at home to Moorpark, to carry on the defence of their title. Present positions in the section are :-

BALLOCHMYLE - played 3 / 8 pts
ARDEER - played 3 / 6 pts
MOORPARK - played 2 / 2 pts

REMAINING FIXTURES :- Moorpark Vs. Ardeer & Ballochmyle Vs. Moorpark

In LEAGUE 4, the withdrawal of Turnberry leaves only three teams. A recent 4.5 - 1.5 home win for New Cumnock over Irvine ravenspark leaves all three teams in with a chance of the semi finals, with only two fixtures remaining. Present positions are :-

IRVINE RAVENSPARK - played 3 / 6 pts (+ 1)
NEW CUMNOCK - played 3 / 6 pts (-1)
TROON ST. MEDDANS - played 2 / 4 pts

REMAINING FIXTURES :- New Cumnock Vs. St. Meddans & St. Meddans Vs. Ravenspark

AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY - Cairney claims first semi final place

John Cairney (Irvine Ravenspark) claimed the first semi final place in the 2007 Ayrshire Champion Of Champions Trophy competition recently.

Cairney, the current holder of the Doc Thom Ayrshire Order Of Merit, beat David Glass (Prestwick St. Cuthbert), by 4 & 3 at Ravenspark, to claim the first of the four semi final places.

The remaining three quarter final ties are due for completion by 22 July 2007.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Under 18 team draw again

The Ayrshire Under 18 team made it two draws from two in the 2007 Inter County League, with a 4 - 4 home draw against Lanarkshire at Loudoun on Sunday 8th July.

With some players unavailable through other committments, Ayrshire took the opportunity to bring three players into the side for their first representative county matches, and all three performed well in a close match.

the individual match details were (Ayrshire names first) :-

DAVID CURRIE (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to BEN SLOAN (Colville P_ark) 2 & 1
KYLE SMITH (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat PETER SCANLON (Hamilton) by 1 hole
SCOTT BROWN (Turnberry) beat MARK McLEOD (Lanark) 4 & 3
JAMIE ACHISON (Largs) lost to MARK KELLY (Kirkhill) 2 & 1
ANDREW WRIGHT (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat RUDI McKENNA Colville Park) 7 & 5
LLOYD SMITH (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to STUART WYLLIE (Mount Ellon) 3 & 2
CHRIS BUTLER (Irvine Ravenspark) halved with ALAN WELSH (Torrance House)
JOSH NORDBO (Largs) halved with DECLAN DOOEY (Easter Moffat)

AYRSHIRE 4 LANARKSHIRE 4

Ayrshire's next scheduled match is on 19th Ayugust against Dumbartonshire at Vale Of Leven

CAMERON CORBETT VASE - McKnight best placed Ayrshire player in national event

Robert McKnight (Kilmarnock Barassie) was the best placed Ayrshire player in the 2007 Cameron Corbett Vase competition, played over the weekend at Haggs Castle.

The scottish youth cap returned a four rond total of 279, 9 under par, but was still some 8 shots adrift of the winner, Wallace Booth (Comrie).

Fellow Scottish cap, Steven McEwan (Caprington) was a further two shots adrift of McKnight, on 281.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)

271 - W Booth (Comrie) 69 66 67 69.
278 - R Kellett (Colville Park) 69 69 69 71.
279 - P Betty (Hayston) 68 69 71 71, R McKnight (Kilmarnock Barassie) 68 69 71 71, S Henry (Cardross) 67 69 67 76.
281 - C Watson (East Renfrewshire) 68 71 71 71.282 C Macaulay (Tulliallan) 72 70 74 66, J Mathers (Haggs Castle) 69 71 72 70, S McEwan (Caprington) 68 71 73 70.

THE EUROPEAN TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - Western Gailes hosts major amateur event

Western Gailes is the venue this week for the European Mens Amateur Team Championship, which takes place from Tuesday 3rd to Saturday 7th July.

Play on Tuesday and Wednesday is strokeplay to determin in which of three flights the 20 competing countries will be placed for the matchplay contests which begin on Thursday.

Live scoring is available throughout the championship, on the championship website which can be accessed by clicking on the link on the left of this page.

CLUBGOLF YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PRO AM - McLure leads team to victory

David McLure, assistant professional to Gordon McKinlay at the Troon Municipal courses, led the amateur trio of John Duncan (6), Neil Jarvis (5) and Tom McCabe (18) to victory in the Clubgolf Scottish young professionals' championship pro-am at Muckhart Golf Club on Tuesday 3rd July. The team returned a net score of 17-under-par 54.

TROON LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP - Murray wins in extra holes

Stephen Murray (Troon Welbeck) won the Troon Links beating BertFerguson on the 20th hole over the championship course at Royal Troon, on Sat 30th June.

Stephen, the reigning Ayrshire matchplay Champion, was 3 down on the 7th to Bert but made a great comeback and take the title on the tenth anniversary of the Troon Links Championship win of his father, Ian.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Fourball quarter line up completed

The 8 teams in the quarter finals of the 2007 Ayrshire Fourball championship are now known, after the remaining third round matches were completed this week.

D & G. McCulloch (Brunston Castle) travelled to meet the Braehead team of Sean Ingle & Andy Paton and it was the visitors who won at the second extra hole.

T. McFarlane & T. O'Connell (NACCO) also required extra holes, in their home match against John Bonar & Jim Graham (Loudoun), winning through to the last 8 at the first extra hole.

In the other outstanding match, home advantage saw Alistair Nicol and John Duncan (Troon Portland) through with a 2 & 1 win over Frank Greer & Eamon McFadden (Troon St. Meddans).

The full Quarter Final Schedule is :-

D. & G. McCulloch (Brunston Castle) Vs. S. McCahill & D. Wallace (Maybole)

W. Andrew & J. McMurdo (Ballochmyle) Vs. A. Poole & G. Tierney (Prestwick St. Nicholas)

S. Linwood & I. McKinlay (Drongan) Vs. T. McFarlane & T. O'Connell (NACCO)

J. Hobson & B. Gibson (Irvine Ravenspark) Vs. A. Nicol & J. Duncan (Troon Portland)

All quarter finals are due for completion

by 12th August 2007

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Drongan through to Fourball quarter finals

The Drongan pair of S. Linwood & Ian McKinlay became the fifth team to reach the quarter finals of the 2007 Ayrshire Fourball competition when they beat their visitors, Colin Brown & Martin Gray of Ardeer, by 2 & 1 in the third round.

The Drongan pair are now at home to the winner of the NACCO Vs. Loudoun tie, which is scheduled to be played on Friday (29th June)

SCOTTSIH YOUTHS Vs IRELAND - McKnight shines in Scots victory

Robert McKnight (Kilmarnock Barassie) contributed to 1.5 points from 2 as Scotland reversed last year’s 7-2 drubbing by Ireland at Blairgowrie by winning the annual youths international 6-3 at West Waterford Golf Club today.
2.5 - 0.5 ahead after the morning foursomes, the Scottish Under-21 team were stung early on in the singles when Seamus Power beat Newmachar’s Lewis Kirton 6 and 4 in the top singles.
Scott Borrowman (Dollar)won the second tie by 2 and 1 against Andrew Hogan, and despite Ireland securing a second win in the singles when Niall Kearney beat Philip McLean (Peterhead) on the last green, the last three Scots secured a further 2.5 points from 3, Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) halving his match against Neil O’Briain before Robert McKnight (Barassie) beat Dara Lernihand 3 and 2 and Ross Kellett won 2 and 1 over Fergal Rafferty.
The Scots team will now take part in the Irish youths open stroke-play championship at the same venue, starting on Thursday.

Match scores
IRELAND 3 SCOTLAND 6

Foursomes
N Kearney & S Power lost to L Kirton & S Borrowman 3 and 1
A Hogan & D Lernihan lost to J Findlay & P McLean 7 and 6
N O’Briain & F Rafferty halved with R McKnight & R Kellett
(1/2-2 ½)

Singles
Power bt Kirton 6 and 4
Hogan lost to Borrowman 2 and 1
Kearney bt McLean 1 hole
O’Briain halved with Findlay
Lernihan lost to McKnight 3 and 2
Rafferty lost to Kellett 2 and 1
(2 ½-3 ½).

AYRSHIRE LADIES COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION - Ayrshire Girls triumph in Kennedy Salver

(Report courtesy of Gillan Kirkwood at www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk)

Ayrshire triumphed in the West Division Junior Inter-County matches played at Cowglen this week, which produced exciting golf played in lovely weather.

A new format was introduced which incorporated foursomes in the morning and singles in the afternoon, with each county playing against the other three. This format proved to be most successful.

Ayrshire were half a point ahead of Renfrewshire after the morning foursomes with D & A and Lanarkshire close behind. This close contest continued into the afternoon with the last two games on the course determining the overall result!

Pictured above is the winning Ayrshire team. From left to right:-Gillian Arnott, Hannah Gaunt, Alex Sargent, Sarah Hutton, Lynsey Weadon, Mhairi McKay, Linzi Allan

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Champion Of Champions Trophy quarter final draw

The draw has been made for the quarter finals of the 2007 Ayrshire Champion Of Champions Trophy competition.

Alan McLean (Kilbirnie Place) faces a home tie against Barry McDonnell (Caprington) for a place in the semi finals whilst Bert Ferguson (Royal Troon) needs to negotiate a home match against Andrew Kent (Troon Welbeck) to set up a semi final game over his home course.

John Cairney (Irvine Ravenspark) plays host to two times former winner David Glass (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) whilst Billy Campbell (Ballochmyle) will enjoy home advantage against Nicholas Tindall (Tam O Shanter) in the remaining quarter final tie.

All Quarter Final ties to be completed by 22nd July 2007, with the semi finals and final scheduled to be played at Royal Troon on Friday 3rd & Friday 10th August respectively.

QUARTER FINAL DRAW

Alan McLean (Kilbirnie Place) Vs. Barry McDonnell (Caprington)

Bert Ferguson (Royal Troon) Vs. Andrew Kent (Troon Welbeck)

John Cairney (Irvine Ravenspark) Vs. David Glass (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

Billy Campbell (Ballochmyle) Vs. Nicholas Tindall (Tam O Shanter)

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Glass ousts the holder as Champion Of Champion Quarter Final line up completed

With Barry McDonnell (Caprington), Andrew Kent (Troon Welbeck) and John Cairney (Irvine Ravenspark) already through to the last eight in the 2007 Ayrshire Champion Of Champions competition, the final five places were decided this week.

The holder, Brian Moore (Largs) was ousted by two time former winner David Glass (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) who won their clash at Largs by 2 & 1

Alan McLean (Kilbirnie Place) progressed by virtue of a walkover against Barry Crawford (West Kilbride).

Nicholas Tindall (Tam O Shanter) had the only home win of the remaining matches, beating Alan Harrington (Largs Routenburn) by one hole.

Bert Ferguson (Royal Troon) eased through to the last eight with a 5 & 4 victory on his visit to play David Robertson (Crosshouse).

In the remaining match, Billy Campbell (Ballochmyle) travelled to play Charlie Bell (Braehead) and went through courtesy of a 4 & 3 victory.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Summer League latest

There have been no matches this week in SECTION 1, with a number of matches scheduled to be played over the next few days. Present positions in the section are :-

TROON WELBECK.......played 3 - 8 pts
LOUDOUN.....................played 3 - 8 pts
AYR BELLEISLE...........played 4 - 6 pts
TAM O SHANTER.........played 2 - 2 pts

In SECTION 2, Irvine (Bogside) returned from their visit to Kilmarnock (Barassie) with a 3 - 3 draw, in the only result posted this week. Present positions are :-

IRVINE (BOGSIDE)....................played 4 - 14 pts
KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE).......played 4 - 6 pts
CAPRINGTON.............................played 3 - 4 pts
WEST KILBRIDE.........................played 3 - 4 pts

In SECTION 3, Kilbirnie Place conceded their match to Ardeer, due to a fixture clash. This being Kilbirnie's second conceded match of the season, under the rules of the competition they have been withdrawn from the competition and the results of their previous matched declared void.
Present positions in the section are :-

ARDEER..................played 2 - 6 pts
BALLOCHMYLE......played 2 - 4pts
MOORPARK............played 2 - 2 pts

In SECTION 4, Turnberry conceded their match at New Cumnock, due to lack of players. Present positions are :-

IRVINE RAVENSPARK.....played 3 - 10 pts
TROON ST. MEDDANS.....played 3 - 8 pts
NEW CUMNOCK.................played 3 - 6 pts
TURNBERRY.......................played 3 - 0 pts

TENNANT CUP - Booth wins rain shortened competition

Robert McKnight (Kilmarnock Barassie) was the best placed Ayrshire player in the 2007 Tennant Cup competition held at Glasgow Golf Club over the weekend.

McKnight finished joint 7th on 213 (71, 72, 70), 9 shots behind Wallace Booth (Comrie) who compiled a three round total of 204 (69, 71, 64), before torrential rain washed out the final round over the Killermont course on Sunday afternoon.

Chris Harkins (Ayr Belleisle) also secured a top 20 place in the event with a three round total of 219 (76, 75, 68)

WORLD BOYS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Scotland finish 12th

Scotland finished well down the field in the World Boys Team Championship in Japan, ending the event in 12th place of the 14 competing countries.

Scotland's final total of 872 was a full 49 shots behind the winners Sweden, whose 823 shot total gave them a 9 stroke victory over runners up, and defending champions, Norway

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) carded a final round 76 for an individual total of 287, leaving him one shot behind fellow Scot James Byrne, and 17 shots adrift of the individual winner, A. Kristiansen (Norway)

LONDON SENIORS MASTERS - Torrance wins as Drummond finishes well placed again

Despite a closing 74, Prestwick's Ross Drummond finished in the top 6 of the London Seniors Masters tournament at The London Golf Club this week.

Two strokes behind the leader, fellow Ayrshireman Sam Torrance, after two rounds, Drummond's closing 74 pushed him down to 6th place on 212, whilst Torrance closed with a 70 for 206, claining the title with a one shot victory over Spaniard Jose Rivero.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Two more through to Foursomes quarter finals

Two more teams have secured their place in the last eight of the 2007 Ayrshire Fourball competition.

Scott McCahill and David Wallace (Maybole) had a home win by 2 & 1 over Kevin Nisbet and Robert Ross (New Cumnock), and now face a trip to visit the winners of the Braehead Vs. Brunston Castle tie.

Also through are Joe Hobson and Brian Gibson (Irvine Ravenspark) who won 2 & 1 on their visit to play George and John Mathieson (West KIlbride). The Ravenspark pair will host the winners of the Troon St. Meddans Vs. Troon Portland tie in the last eight.

EUROPEAN TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - would you like to help ?

The SGU are looking for some help for local Ayrshire club members at the forthcoming European Team Championships from Tuesday 3rd to Saturday 7th July.

A small number of volunteers are sought to man the scoreboards throughout the week of the event.

If you would be interested in helping out, please e-mail Alasdair Malcolm at aj-malcolm@fsmail.net in the first instance, along with contact details / phone numbers etc.

It would be best if the volunteers were available for the duration of the event, but even if people are only available for a few of the days, there may be slots available.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION - Ballchmyle and St. Nicholas through to Fourball quarter finals

The first two places in the quarter finals of the 2007 Ayrshire Fourball competition have been claimed by Ballochmyle and Prestwick St. Nicholas.

Both sides required extra holes in their respective third round ties. Billy Andrew and James McMurdo (Ballochmyle) were taken to the 19th hole by Luke Facchini and Chris Todd (Ayr Belleisle) over the Ballochmyle course, whilst Alan Poole and Gary Tierney (Prestwick St. Nicholas) won away from home, beating John Broadfoot and Duncan McFarlane (Turnberry) at the 21st hole.

The quarter final draw pairs Ballochmyle and St. Nicholas, who will play off at Ballochmyle for a semi final place.