AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - latest results

A number of match results in the 2014 Ayrshire Scratch Leagues have been posted this week.

In DIVISION 1, Ballochmyle recorded their first win of the season with a resounding 5 - 1 home win over Irvine Ravenspark.

Present positions in Division 1 are :- 

	Played	For	Against	Points
Loudoun	2	10.5	1.5	8
Irvine Ravenspark	3	9.5	8.5	8
Irvine	1	4	2	4
Ballochmyle	2	5	7	4
Kilmarnock Barassie	3	7.5	10.5	4
Troon Welbeck	3	5.5	12.5	0

 

In DIVISION 2, West Kilbride consolidated their lead in the table with a 5.5 - 0.5 home win over Caprington, whilst Prestwick St Cuthbert had their first win of the campaign with a 5 - 1 win at Prestwick against Ardeer.

Present positions in Division 2 are :- 

	Played	For	Against	Points
West Kilbride	4	16.5	7.5	10
Caprington	5	10.5	19.5	8
Prestwick St Cuthbert	2	8	4	6
Ayr Belleisle	1	6	0	4
Girvan	3	6	12	4
Ardeer	1	1	5	0

 

In DIVISION 3, Turnberry made it two wins from two with a 6 - 0 home win against New Cumnock, who also lost by 5 - 1 away from home to Largs.

Present positions in Division 3 are :- 

	Played	For	Against	Points
Turnberry	2	10.5	1.5	8
Largs	1	5	1	4
Prestwick St Nicholas	2	7.5	4.5	4
New Cumnock	4	4.5	19.5	4
Kilbirnie Place	1	2.5	3.5	0

 

In DIVISION 4, The leading teams, tam O Shanter and Troon St Meddans, fought out a 3 - 3 draw at Troon.

Present positions in Division 4 are :-

	Played	For	Against	Points
Tam O Shanter	3	11	7	10
Troon St Meddans	2	7	5	6
Ayr Dalmilling	2	6.5	5.5	4
Rowallan Castle	0	0	0	0
Doon Valley	3	5.5	12.5	0

 

No further results have been posted in DIVISION 5 to date, the present positions being :- 

Moorpark	1	5	1	4
Brunston Castle	0	0	0	0
Abbotsford	0	0	0	0
Maybole	1	1	5	0

ST ANDREWS LINKS TROPHY - Top ten finish for Jack McDonald

Jack McDonald

Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) secured a top ten finish as Craigielaw’s Grant Forrest won the battle of the Scots to beat Bradley Neil from Blairgowrie at the first extra hole and claim the prestigious St Andrews Links Trophy on Sunday 8^th June.

(from the www.scottishgolf.org website)

On a superb day for Scottish amateur golf, the home pair put in excellent performances over the hallowed Old Course before Forrest edged out his SGU National Men’s Squad team-mate on the 1st green with a fine 25 foot birdie putt.

“Walking down the 18th at the Old Course is always special, to win against this international field is really special,” said Grant, 20.

Kilmarnock Barassie’s Jack McDonald and Jamie Savage (Cawder) also secured top-10 finishes, while Kilmacolm’s Matt Clark shared 15th spot after a fine week for the Scots at the renowned 72-hole stroke play event.

The World Amateur Golf Rankings rates the St Andrews Links Trophy as one of the strongest amateur tournaments in the world, based on strength of field, and it is arguably one of the strongest outside the Amateur Championship in the UK.

Forrest becomes the first Scotsman to win the event since Carnoustie’s Kier McNicoll in 2008 and joins a roll of honour that also includes Justin Rose, Tom Lewis, Oliver Fisher, Lloyd Saltman, Jamie McLeary, Steven O’Hara, Craig Watson and Barclay Howard.

Both he and Neil posted nine-under-par scores in the breezy conditions, with Forrest making a birdie at the famous 18th from the Valley of Sin to force the play-off. “My heart was pounding over the birdie putt on 18,” said Forrest, who also brilliantly chipped in from 30 yards for an eagle 2 in the third round at 18. ”It was a little bit right to left. I was delighted when it went in.”

Neil carded a closing 68 while Forrest, the overnight leader, looked to have stumbled before recovering to score 71. The duo finished a stroke clear of four players on eight under, Thomas Rowland, Daniel Wasteney, Federico Zucchetti and Paul Howard.

McDonald, the Stirling University pure maths student, raced to three-under at the turn to launch himself into contention but bogeys at the 13th and 17th left him two back.

After Savage’s recent win at the Irish Open Stroke Play, the first Scot to win a premier 72-hole stroke play event on the GB&I calendar since 2009, Forrest has quickly followed him to add to the feelgood factor around Scottish amateur golf at present.

Forrest, the University of San Diego student, has also added to his three success on the US college circuit last season, and builds on his 2012 Scottish Amateur triumph at Royal Dornoch, as well as his 2010 Scottish Boys title.

“Winning the Scottish Amateur was big for me, but I think because of the strength of the field here this has to be the best,” he added. “I’ve only been back from the US for two weeks and I thought I would take a little more time to acclimatise, but It’s great to win back at home.”

Neil, 18, has continued his own fine season, having impressed in South Africa on the SGU winter performance programme, playing his part in Scotland’s European Nations Cup success at Sotogrande and finishing third at the Lytham Trophy.

Both he and Forrest are set for leaps up the World Amateur Golf Ranking, with Forrest sure to move well into the top 50 as the nation’s highest-ranked amateur.

Leading scores :-

278 - Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie) 68 71 71 68, Grant Forrest (Craigielaw) 66 68 73 71 (Grant Forrest won the play-off)
279 - Thomas Rowland (Prudhoe) 69 74 71 65, Paul Howard (Southport & Ainsdale) 70 70 69 70, Daniel Wasteney (Lindrick) 71 69 71 68, Federico Zucchetti (Italy) 64 73 73 69
280 - Mathieu Decottignies-Lafon (France) 68 73 70 69, Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) 70 70 69 71

Other Ayrshire players (missed Cut)

147 - Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) 73 74

149 - James Bunch (Prestwick) 71 78

SCOTTISH BOYS AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire well behind as Glasgow retain national title

Inspired by in-form George Burns, Glasgow retained the Scottish Boys Area Team Championship at Machrihanish Dunes on Sunday 8th June.

(From the SGU website)

Having won the event for the first time in 21 years at Prestwick St Cuthbert in 2013, Glasgow repeated the feat at the impressive venue on the west coast. The North East were runners-up like last year, with Renfrewshire in third place.

The Scottish Boys Area Team Championship saw Scotland’s 16 Area Associations competing for the prestigious title, with each Area represented by their four leading Under-18 boys players.
After the Lothians were victors on three occasions from 2010, it’s Glasgow who have their grip on the event now as their familar side took the honours.

Burns, recent winner of the Stephen Gallacher Foundation Trophy (pictured), returned alongside Williamwood clubmate Fraser Davren and Cawder’s Calum Fyfe, all members of the SGU Boys’ National Squad, with Glen Burrett of Haggs Castle coming in for Alan Waugh from last year’s victorious team.

After struggling a little in the foursomes to tie for fourth spot, Glasgow went up the gears in the singles with Burns catching the eye.

The 17-year-old won the Niagara Cup for the leading individual score, indeed he was the only player under par in the afternoon after his fine three-under effort of 69. With Fyfe posting 75 and Davren 76, Glasgow claimed success with a 375 total.

That was four better than the North East’s efforts, with Paul Lawrie’s son, Michael, among their number.

Renfrewshire had led after the foursomes thanks to scores of 77 and 72, but they had to settle for third place on 384, with the Lothians a stroke further back.

Glasgow’s Davren said on Twitter: “Amazing to win Scottish Area Teams 2 years in a row! Class effort from the lads!”



The Ayrshire team at Machrihanish Dunes
Murray McCrone, Jack Thomas, Jordan Fraser & Shaun Hedger

The Ayrshire team of  Murray McCrone (Troon Welbeck), Jack Thomas (Irvine), Jordan Fraser (Ayr Belleisle) & Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) were 18 shots adrift of the leaders Renfrewshire after the morning foursomes, the pairing of Hedger & McCrone posting an 86 and Fraser & Thomas scoring 81 for a 167 total.

In the afternoon Fraser (82), Thomas (89), Hedger (84) & McCrone (88) posted a singles team total of 154 for an overall team score of 421.

Team manager John Duncan commented "The team gave their best in brutal conditions on a traditional links course that wasn't very forgiving. The boys never stopped trying but would have found it difficult to get close to the top 3. Burns' score was unbelievable in those conditions". 

Final placings :-

375 - Glasgow

379 - North East

384 - Renfrewshire

385 - Lothians

393 - Fife

394 - South

404 - Lanarkshire, North

409 - Dumbartonshire

411 - Perth & Kinross

415 - Angus

416 - Stirlingshire

421 - Ayrshire

432 - Argyll & Bute

436 - Borders

D/Q - Clackmannanshire

AYRSHIRE SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP - Some times still remaining for Prestwick St Cuthbert

There are still some times available for the Ayrshire Seniors Championship at Prestwick St Cuthbert Golf Club on Tuesday 15th July.

The championship, for the Sandy Provan Trophy, has handicap prizes in three age group categories as well as a scratch prize, whilst the trophy is awarded to the player returning the best net score of the day.

Entry for the competition is £10. The entry form should be available through member clubs, and can be downloaded from this web page via the appropriate link on the left under the 'Mens Info' heading.

Although the closing date on the form is 5th July, all entries will be allocated start times on a first come first served basis.

WELBECK LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP - Entry forms now available for Doc Thom Ayrshire Order Of Merit counting event

Entry forms are now available for the 2014 Welbeck Links Championship, a counting competition in the Doc Thom Ayrshire Order Of Merit.

TROON WELBECK LINKS

 SUNDAY 10^th AUGUST

 ENTRY £15.00  

The above Scratch competition will be played over 36 holes, the first 18 holes over the Darley Golf Course, and the second 18 holes over the Lochgreen Golf Course.  

The Welbeck Links Putter is open to Amateur golfers who are members of one of the British Golf Unions,and who have a handicap of NOT MORE THAN 8, and the scores will count towards the

Doc Thom Ayrshire Order of Merit. 

PRIZE VOUCHERS   

  1^st £200  2^nd £130 - 3^rd £100 4^th £50  -  5^th £40  -  6^th £30           

In the event of a tie for any place,the winner or places will be decided on the “count back system” ,

I.e. last 9, last 6, last 3 as in Appendix 1, page 148 [c] in the R & A Rules of Golf.  

Under Rule 14-3 , Note to Exceptions, an artificial device that measures or gauges only distance may be used. Local rules will be advised on the day of competition. Driving clubs must conform as per the current list of Conforming Driver Head issued by the R & A. Penalty for breach of condition is disqualification.  

 The Match Committee reserves the right to vary the conditions of play or entry if necessary and their decision will be final in all disputes.

 ENTRY WILL CLOSE ON SUNDAY 27thJULY

Entry fee £15

AYRSHIRE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP - closing date reminder

Clubs are reminded that the closing date for the Ayrshire Club Championship for the R.L. Crawford Trophy, to be held on Sunday 6th July at Rowallan Castle GC, is

SATURDAY 21st JUNE

The entry form has been forwarded to all member clubs and is also available to download from tis web page, via the appropriate link on the left of this page, under the 'Mens Info' heading.

Only one entry is permitted per club and teams will comprise three players with the best two scores counting towards the team total. Entry fee is £25 per team.

The winners of the championship will go forward to represent Ayrshire in the Scottish Club Championship finals on 14th September at Lundin Links.

Entries received to date from :-

West Kilbride
Loudoun
New Cumnock
Prestwick St Cuthbert
Ardeer

DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - Buchanan & Boyle share top points at Ayr Seafield Open

Sandy Buchanan (Prestwick St Nicholas) and Gordon Boyle (Turnberry) shared the top points at the latest counting event for the 2014 Doc Thom Ayrshire Order Of Merit, the Ayr Seafield Open, which was held on Saturday 7th June.

The pair tied on 67 scratch to share the points available for the first two places.

Leading scores :-

67 - Sandy Buchanan (Prestwick St Nicholas), J. Gordon Boyle (Turnberry)
69 - Shaun Ryan (Ayr Belleisle), Jm Johnston (Ayr Belleisle)
70 - Alan Dunsmore (Ayr Belleisle), Lee Hughes (Ayr Belleisle)
71 - Lorimer Shaw (Ayr Seafield)

SSS- 67 CSS - 69 (+2)

Present position in the Doc Thom Ayrshire Order Of Merit, as of 9th June, are :-

375		JOHN	SHANKS	IRVINE
135		STEPHEN	SPENCE	ROYAL TROON
103.75		CRAIG	HAMILTON	BALLOCHMYLE
100		STUART	ROBIN	PR. ST CUTHBERT
91.25		KEITH	HAMILTON	AYR BELLEISLE
88.33		GORDON	BOYLE	TURNBERRY
87.5		SANDY	BUCHANAN	PR. ST NICHOLAS
85		SCOTT	BROWN	TURNBERRY
85		STEVEN	WALLACE	PR. ST CUTHBERT
75		MARK	ANDERSON	IRVINE
62.5		JOHN	SLOAN	DOON VALLEY
50.42		GEORGE	ROBERTSON	IRVINE RAVENSPARK
42.5		SHAUN	RYAN	AYR BELLEISLE
42.5		JIM	JOHNSTON	AYR BELLEISLE
36.25		MICHAEL	SMYTH	ROYAL TROON
21.67		STEVEN	MCEWAN	LOUDOUN
21.67		EWAN	MCKINNON	CORRIE
15		ALAN	DUNSMORE	AYR BELLEISLE
15		LEE	HUGHES	AYR BELLEISLE
5		LORIMER	SHAW	AYR SEAFIELD
0.83		GREG	VERNON	KIL. BARASSIE
0.83		IAIN	MACDONALD	LARGS
0.83		STEPHEN	MCBLAIN	TROON PORTLAND
0.83		A D	WRIGHT	ROYAL TROON
0.83		STEVEN	MURRAY	TROON WELBECK

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayr Belleisle through to quarter finals.

The latest club to book their place in the quarter finals of the 2014 Ayrshire Fourball Championship are Ayr Belleisle.

Victor Sproat & David Lewis of the Belleisle club had a 5 & 4 victory at home, over Gary Jordan & Paul Ferguson (Crosshouse), to secure their place in the last eight of the competition.

In the quarter finals the Ayr Belleisle duo will be at home to either Tom Reid & Dougie Ainslie (Stewarton) or the former winners George & David McCulloch (Brunston Castle)

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Two defeats on the road for Troon Welbeck

Troon Welbeck suffered successive defeats away from home in the latest Ayrshire Scratch League matches played.

In DIVISION 1 of the Scratch Leagues, Welbeck lost out by 4 - 2 at Kilmarnock (Barassie) and went down by 4.5 - 1.5 on their visit to Irvine Ravenspark.

Presentl positions in Division 1 are :-

	Played	For	Against	Points
Loudoun	2	10.5	1.5	8
Irvine Ravenspark	2	8.5	3.5	8
Irvine	1	4	2	4
Kilmarnock Barassie	3	7.5	10.5	4
Ballochmyle	1	0	6	0
Troon Welbeck	3	5.5	12.5	0