AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Second title joy for Prestwick St Cuthbert after 29 year wait

Prestwick St Cuthbert Golf Club are the 2012 Ayrshire Junior Golf League Champions after beating holders Irvine Golf Club in the final, played at Prestwick St Cuthbert on Sunday 16th September. In winning the title, the St Cuthbert team ended a 29 year wait for their second success in the competition, follwing their only previous title win in 1973.

The 2012 Ayrshire Junior Golf League Finalists - Irvine & Prestwick St Cuthbert 

 In the lead tie, Ayrshire Boys Matchplay winner Greg Telfer (St Cuthbert) faced fellow county player Jack Thomas (Irvine). A birdie at the second hole put Thomas in front but Telfer birdied the fifth to square the match, only to go behind again at the following hole, losing it to a par four. Successive birdies at the seventh and eighth put Telfer one ahead, a lead which he held until the turn, ahving completed the first half in three under par.

 Telfer extended his lead to two with another birdie at the tenth and he edged away from Thomas further, winning the twelfth to go three up. Despite bbeing level par to that point, Thomas conceded a 4 & 2 victory to Telfer on the 16th green.

In the second tie, between Marc Reid (St Cuthbert)  and Stuart Easton (Irvine), there was some equally impressive golf and again it took birdies to separate the players. Reid had successive birdies at the third and fourth holes to go 2 up, but Easton responded with a birdie at the fifth to close the gap, only to see Reid birdie the sixth to restore his two hole advantage. Reid won successive holes at the eleventh and twelfth, the latter with another birdie, to increase his lead to 4 holes, on his way to a 5 & 4 victory. 

The third tie involved Daniel Webster (St Cuthbert) and Daniel Forbes (Irvine) and it was the St Cuthbert player who took the early advantage, going two up after four holes. With Forbes struggling from the tee, Webster took advantage to win the seventh and eighth to extend his lead to 4 holes before Forbes reduced the deficit to three at the turn with a birdie 2 at the ninth. Webster was not to be denied however, winning the tenth and thirteenth to go 5 up before closing out a 5 & 4 win at the fourteenth green.

St Cuthbert's first title win in 29 years was assured of the tie between Darren Nimmo (St Cuthbert) and Ross McDonald (Irvine). Nimmo began the tie in unstoppoable style, winning the first six holes with the help of three birdies. McDonald stemmed the tide over the next four holes and managed to reduce the deficit to 5 down with 8 holes remaining to play, but Nimmo bounced back to win the eleventh and twelfth holes to secure a 7 & 5 win.

With the overall result of the match known, the remaining irvine players still hoped to influence the St Cuthbert winning margin.

In the fifth tie, Chris Hewitson (St Cuthbert) faced Greg Cathie (Irvine) who was playing his final fixture in a long junior career for the Ravenspark and Irvine clubs, and it was fitting that Cathie should mark the occassion with a 2 & 1 win to record Irvine's first, and as it was to prove only, point in the final.

The last tie on the course featured Nathan Galloway (St Cuthbert) and Marc McLelland (Irvine). Despite the fact that the result was known long before the tie finished, a large following of spectators remained with the match to its conclusion.

McLelland forged a narrow 1 hole lead at the turn, but Galloway won the tenth and thirteenth holes to reverse the advantage. McLelland squared the match at the siteenth and as the player progressed to the final tee they remained all square. With both players on the final gren in the same number of shots, McLelland was first to putt but saw his effort run some distance past the hole. Galloway, putting for the hole and a win also saw his effort run past the hole but whilst McLelland was unable to hole the return, Galloway held his nerve and holed his putt for a one hole victory to give Prestwick St Cuthbert a 5 - 1 overall win in the match.

AJGL Chairman Bobby Caddis presenting the trophy to the winning Prestwick St Cuthbert team

MATCH DETAILS (Prestwick St Cuthbert names first)

Greg Telfer beat Jack Thomas by 4 & 2

Marc Reid beat Stuart Easton by 5 & 4

Daniel Webster beat Daniel Forbes by 5 & 4

Darren Nimmo beat Ross McDonald by 7 & 5

Chris Hewitson lost to Greg Cathie by  2 & 1

Nathan Galloway beat Marc McLelland by 1 hole

PRESTWICK ST CUTHBERT    5   IRVINE    1

The presentation was made by Ayrshire Junior Golf League Chairman Bobby Caddis (Prestwick St Cuthbert) to the new champions and it was fitting that in the year he steps down from Junior League involvement after 10 years as the Prestwick St Cuthbert Junior convenor, that he presented the League Championship Trophy to his home club once more, after such a long wait.

(Report and photographs courtesy of John Nordbo)

The winning Prestwick St Cuthbert team in 1973

For the record, Prestwick St Cuthbert's only other Championship win was in a two leg final against Ayr Belleisle, having been runners up to near neighbours Prestwick St Nicholas the previous year.

29 years after their success, who can name the succesful St Cuthbert boys pictured in 1973 ?.

 

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Gorrie wins Champion Of Champions title



2012 Junior Champion Of Champions
Callum Gorrie

Callum Gorrie (Kilmarnock Barassie) is the 2012 Ayrshire Junior Golf League Champion Of Champions Trophy winner after winning the final match at Prestwick St Cuthbert GC on Sunday 16th September.

Gorrie faces Louis Murray (Troon Welbeck) in the final with challenging strong winds from the west and frequent squalls of rain making conditions testing.

In a match befitting the prestige of the title at stake, a host of birdies were shared in a closely  fought contest.

Gorrie opened up an early lead taking the second and third holes but was soon pulled back when Murray won the fifth and sixth to square the match.

2012 finalists
Louis Murray & Callum Gorrie

Gorrie edged back in front at the par 3 seventh but another birdie from Murray at the par 5 eighth hole levelled the match once more.

Murray missed an opportunity to take the lead at the ninth, missing with his putt, and the players turned for home all square.

Gorrie misseed an opportunity to take the lead at the tenth but a birdie at the long par 4 eleventh put him ahead in the match once again, only to see Murray birdie the twelfth hole to square the match once again.

Bobby Caddis presenting the trophy
to winner Callum Gorrie

In the conditions, the golf was outstanding and it was hard to predict a winner with a third of the round remaining, but Gorrie made a significant move with successive birdies to go two up after fourteen holes.

Although Murray made every effort to fight back again, he could not reduce the lead and Gorrie held on for a 2 & 1 win and the Champion Of Champions title.

The Champion Of Campions Trophy was presented to Callum Gorrie by by Bobby Caddis (Prestwick St Cuthbert), Chairman of the Ayrshire Junior Golf League at the conclusion of the match

(Report & photos courtesy of John Nordbo)

 

DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - Wilson takes title as Robin wins final event

David Wilson

David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) is the 2012 winner of the Doc Thom Salver and Ayrshire Order Of Merit title after the final counting event of the season, the Arrol Cup, was played at Prestwick St Nicholas on Saturday 15th September.

With rounds of 76 and 67 for a 143 total, Wilson finished in joint third place in the competition to consolidate his lead at the top of the Order Of Merit table.

The final counting event was won by host club member Stuart Robin with rounds of 70 and 69 for 139, giving him the Arrol Cup by one shot from clubmate Alastair Belford who had rounds of 72 and 68 for a 140 total.

Leading scores in the Arrol Cup were :-

139 - S. Robin (Prestwick St Nicholas) 70 - 69
140 - A. Belford (Prestwick St Nicholas) 72 - 68
143 - D. Wilson (Troon Welbeck) 76 - 67, G. Beaton (Bonnyton) 74 - 69
144 - S. McEwan (Loudoun) 73 - 71
145 - R. McKenzie (Erskine) 73 - 72
146 - S Henderson (Hamilton) 76 - 70, G. Wilson (Loudoun) 75 - 71, G. Robertson (Irvine Ravenspark) 73 - 73, J. Lamb (Lanark) 71 - 75

In the event, David Wilson finaly secured the Doc Thom Salver with a winning margin of over 100 points from second placed Tommy McInally (Loudoun), who edged Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) into third place by less than 36 points.

The final Order Of Merit placings are :-

480		DAVID	WILSON	TROON WELBECK
365.83		TOMMY	MCINALLY	LOUDOUN
330		CRAIG	HAMILTON	BALLOCHMYLE
238.3		STUART	ROBIN	ST NICHOLAS
200		KEITH	HAMILTON	AYR BELLEISLE
150		STEVEN	WALLACE	ST CUTHBERT
127.5		JOHN	SHANKS	IRVINE
100		JACK	McDONALD	KIL. BARASSIE
100		MALCOLM	PENNYCOTT	WHITING BAY
100		ROBBIE	FITZPATRICK	IRVINE
100		COLIN	ROBINSON	LARGS
100		ALASTAIR	BELFORD	ST NICHOLAS
97.5		STEVEN	McEWAN	LOUDOUN
87.5		STEVEN	SPIERS	BRUNSTON CASTLE
85		JOHN	HAGGARTY	LOUDOUN
82.47		GEORGE	ROBERTSON	IRVINE RAVENSPARK
75		STEVEN	DUNN	AYR SEAFIELD
75		ALAN	SMEATON	CHASE
75		CHRIS	BONE	LOUDOUN
75		STEVEN	DONNELLY	ARDEER
75		W	MCMEIKAN	GIRVAN
75		GREGOR	DICKSON	LARGS
63.3		PAUL	MOULTRIE	ROYAL TROON
62.5		JOHN	CAIRNEY	RAVENSPARK
55.8		GAVIN	WILSON	LOUDOUN
53.3		ROBBIE	FULKER	KIL BARASSIE
53.3		MICHAEL	SMYTH	ROYAL TROON
46.67		DAVID	ORCHISTON	BALLOCHMYLE
45		SCOTT	MCCAHILL	BRUNSTON CASTLE
35		SCOTT	BROWN	TURNBERRY
35		JAMES	WALLACE	BRUNSTON CASTLE
35		CHARLES	BELL	AYR DALMILLING
35		DAVID	MCLELLAN	LARGS
30		CHRIS	RUSSELL	ARDEER
30		JOHN	RUSHBURY	KIL. BARASSIE
30		PAUL	GIFFNEY	ARDEER
30		IAN	McKENZIE	ANNANHILL
27.5		JOHN	SLOAN	DOON VALLEY
27.5		MARK	DUNSMORE	BALLOCHMYLE
27.5		LEX	LINDSAY	BALLOCHMYLE
26.67		GRAEME	ROWAN	BALLOCHMYLE
25		STEPHEN	MURRAY	TROON WELBECK
15		GORDON	BOYLE	AYR BELLEISLE
15		DAVID	KELSO	TAM O SHANTER
15		DARREN	MALLINSON	RAVENSPARK
12.5		STEVEN	STAMPER	TURNBERRY
11.25		STEPHEN	SPENCE	IRVINE
7.5		BARRY	MCDONNELL	CAPRINGTON
7.5		ANDREW	CAMPBELL	ROWALLAN CASTLE
5		JOSIE	GILLON	TAM O SHANTER
5		BILLY	ANDREW	BALLOCHMYLE
5		CRAIG	ADAMS	ARDEER
1.25		GAVIN	NIMMO	ST MEDDANS
1.25		DARREN	MCCONNELL	KIL BARASSIE
1.25		KENNY	MACKASKILL	TURNBERRY

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Ayrshire A open with draw against Siirlingshire as youths record first match win

Ayrshire opened their challenge for the 2012 West Of Scotland Inter County League titles on Sunday 16th September with matches against Stirlingshire.

The A team travelled to Kilsyth Lennox in their opener and recorded a creditable 5 - 5 draw against their hosts.

5 - 2 behind after the first 7 ties were concluded, Ayrshire looked like they were heading for defeat, but wins by Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Nicholas) and Steven Stamper (Turnberry) kept Ayrshire hopes alive and a 2 & 1 win by John Rushbury (Kilmarnock Barassie) in the final tie on the course gave Ayrshire a share of the spoils.

Match details (Stirlingshire names first) :-

Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) beat Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) by 3 & 1
Tommy Morrison (Kilsyth Lennox) lost to Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 2 & 1
Ryan Campbell (Falkirk) beat David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) by 2 & 1
David Buchanan (Falkirk Tryst) lost to John Haggarty (Loudoun) by 5 & 4
Mark Cox (Glenbervie) beat Scott Gilchrist (Loudoun) by 4 & 3
Steven Aitken (Falkirk Tryst) beat Barry McDonnell (Caprington) by 6 & 5
Eric Gall (Falkirk Tryst) beat Chris Bone (Loudoun) by 3 & 1
Tommy Wilson (Glenbervie) lost to Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Nicholas) by 5 & 4
Stuart Haddow (Falkirk) lost to John Rushbury (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 2 & 1
Ian Munro (Stirling) lost to Steven Stamper (Turnberry) by 4 & 3

STIRLINGSHIRE A     5     AYRSHIRE  A    5


In the corresponding youth team match at Brunston Castle the home side were looking to avenge a whitewash defeat in the same fixture 12 months ago, and Ayrshire started well, taking the first three ties before Stirlingshire recorded their first point in the match.

Ayrshire were not to be denied however, with Alasdair Berry (Irivne Ravenspark) marking his county debut with a 6 & 5 win and heralding a run of 4 wins and a half in the remaining 6 matches to give Ayrshire a comfortable 7.5 - 2.5 match win.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Greig Nicol (Glenbervie) by 4 & 3
Greg Vernon (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Alistair Graham (Falkirk Tryst) by 1 hole
Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Blair Carneigie (Dunblane) by 1 hole
Darryl Lynch (Ayr Belleisle) lost to Ben Craggs (Glenbervie) by 3 & 1
Alasdair Berry (Irvine Ravenspark) beat Liam Haldane (Stirling) by 6 & 5
Gary Morrison (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Andrew Gault (Dunblane) by 4 & 3
Steven Hill (Prestwick St Cuthbert) halved with Callum Bissett (Glenbervie)
Jordan Fraser (Ayr Belleisle) beat Peter Maxwell (Glenbervie) by 1 hole
Jonathan Stevenson (Troon Welbeck) lost to Stuart Irving (Falkirk) by 3 & 2
Jack McCluskey (Ayr Belleisle) beat Dariusz Kunacki (Stirling) by 4 & 3

AYRSHIRE YOUTHS 7.5   STIRLINGSHIRE YOUTHS  2.5

Next Sunday, 23rd September, the Youths team travel to Airdrie to meet Lanarkshire Youths whilst the A team play host to Lanarkshire at Prestwick St Cuthbert. 

GLASGOW YOUTHS CHAMPIONSHIP - Third place for Ayrshire as Walker takes individual crown

Ayrshire finished in third place in the Glasgow Youths Team Championship at Ralston on Saturday 15th September, with Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) winning the individual title

In the morning round, Louis Murray (Troon Welbeck) and Euan Walker both returned rounds of 72 for a 144 team total, the 74 by Jack McCluskey (Ayr Belleisle) being discarded as the third score.

In the afternoon, Murray faded to an 81 but McCluskey returned a 72 and walker a 67 to give Ayrshire an overall team total of 283.

The score left Ayrshire just one shot adrift of both Stirlingshire and Glasgow, with Stirlingshire taking the title by virtue of the best second round totals.

In the individual event, Euan Walker took the trophy with his total of 139, by virtue of the better second round.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - Welbeck Vs Barassie in final on Sunday

The final of the Ayrshire Junior Campion Of Champions Trophy competition, scheduled to take place at Prestwick St Cuthbert GC on Sunday 16th September, will be between Callum Gorrie (Kilmarnock Barassie) and Louis Murray (Troon Welbeck).

In the semi final Gorrie beat Ayrshire Boys Matchplay winner Callum Beveridge whilst Murray had a one hole victory over Sandy Walker (Ardeer) to book his place in the final.

WEST OF SCOTLAND LEAGUES - Ayrshire begin title bids this weekend

The Ayrshire Youths and Ayrshire A team begin their bids for the West Of Scotland Inter County titles this coming Sunday.

Over five successive weeks the two teams playe fellow West Of Scotland area teams from Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Dumbartonshire, Lanarkshire and Stirlingshire.

The ficture schedule for the matches is :-

Sunday 16 September
Ayrshire A Vs Stirlingshire A (Kilsyth Lennox)
Ayrshire Youths Vs Stirlingshire Youths (Brunston Castle)

Sunday 23 September
Ayrshire A Vs Lanarkshire A (Prestwick St Cuthbert)
Ayrshire Youths Vs Lanarkshire Youths (Airdrie)

Sunday 30 September
Ayrshire A Vs Renfrewshire A (Ayr Belleisle)
Ayrshire Youths Vs Renfrwshire Youths (Renfrew)

Sunday 7 October
Ayrshire A Vs Dumbartonshire A (Milngavie) (1230)
Ayrshire Youths Vs Dumbartonshire Youths (West Kilbride) (1200)

Sunday 14 October
Ayrshire A Vs Glasgow A (Troon Darley)
Ayrshire Youths Vs Glasgow Youths (Haggs Castle)

First tee off in all matches is 11.00 a.m. (unless otherwise stated)