AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - final tables

All matches in the 2016 Ayrshire Scratch Leagues have now been completed.

In Division 1, Prestwick St Cuthbert took the championship for the first time with Ballochmyle slipping down to Division 2 next year.

In Division 2, West Kilbride took the championship title and promotion to Division 1 next season.

The final match scheduled in Division 2 was a relegation showdown between Troon Welbeck and Girvan, but Girvan were unable to raise a team for the agreed date and the subsequent concession of the match points consigned Girvan to the relegation place this year.

Largs won Division 3 whilst Ardeer drop down to the lower division after failing to fulfill their fixtures.

Divison 4 champions are Troon Portland whilst Tam O Shanter filled the relegation place.

Moorpark took the Division 5 trophy with Ayr dalmilling and Ayr Seafield both finishin joint bottom anfter failing to fulfill their fixtures.

The final league placings for 2016 were :-

2016 AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES – FINAL RESULTS

DIVISION 1	Played	For	Against	Points
PR. ST CUTHBERT	10	34.5	25.5	28
TURNBERRY	10	31	29	22
LOUDOUN	10	30	30	18
IRVINE	10	29.5	30.5	18
KIL. BARASSIE	10	26.5	33.5	18
BALLOCHMYLE	10	28.5	31.5	16

DIVISION 2	Played	For	Against	Points
WEST KILBRIDE	10	37.5	22.5	30
IRV. RAVENSPARK	10	31.5	28.5	24
AYR BELLEISLE	10	30	30	22
TROON WELBECK	10	30.5	29.5	18
TR. ST MEDDANS	10	26	34	16
GIRVAN	10	24.5	35.5	10

DIVISION 3	Played	For	Against	Points
LARGS	8	29	19	22
PR. ST NICHOLAS	8	27	21	16
KILBIRNIE PLACE	8	23.5	24.5	18
ROWALLAN CASTLE	8	24	24	16
CAPRINGTON	8	16.5	31.5	8
ARDEER	0	0	0	0

DIVISION 4	Played	For	Against	Points
TROON PORTLAND	6	22	14	20
BRUNSTON CASTLE	6	19	17	12
NEW CUMNOCK	6	17	19	10
TAM O SHANTER	6	14	22	6

DIVISION 5	Played	For	Against	Points
MOORPARK	2	8	4	6
CROSSHOUSE	2	4	8	2
AYR DALMILLING	0	0	0	0
AYR SEAFIELD	0	0	0	0

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Defeat for youths but senior team remain on course for title defence

Ayrshire faced Renfrewshire on the penultimate weekend of the West Of Scotland Inter County Championships on Sunday 9th October, with the youths team losing away from home and the A team defeating their visitors in the corresponding match at home.

The youths traveled to Erskine to play the Renfrewshire youths team but went down by 5.5 ties to 2.5.

Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) took the lead tie but defeats in the next three ties for Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert), Jack Thomas (Irvine) and Darryl Lynch (Ayr Belleisle) put Ayrshire on the back foot.

A crushing win by 7 & 7 by sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie)  and a half match gained by Robbie Fitzpatrick (Irvine) revived Ayrshire hopes but defeats in the final two ties for Louis Murray (Troon Welbeck) and Ally Berry (Irvine Ravenspark) sealed the win for the hosts.

Match details (Renfrewshire names first) :-

Stuart Cameron (Renfrew) lost to Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 1 hole
Graham Barr (Gleddoch) beat Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 3 & 2
Jack Curry (Greenock) beat Jack Thomas (Irvine) by 3 & 2
Stuart Thomas (Erskine) beat Darryl Lynch (Ayr Belleisle) by 3 & 1
Furhan Iqbal (Erskine) lost to Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 7 & 6
Callum Taggart |(Eastwood) halved with Robbie Fitzpatrick (Irvine)
Sean Burns (Caldwell) beat Louis Murray (Troon Welbeck) by 3 & 2
Euan English (Erskine) beat Ally Berry (Irvine Ravenspark) by 2 holes

RENFREWSHIRE YOUTHS  5.5  AYRSHIRE YOUTHS  2.5

In the corresponding A team match at Irvine GC Ayrshire needed a win to maintain any hope of retaining the championship title won last year.

Half matches from Stuart Robin and Craig Hamilton and a defeat for Keith Hamilton in the opening three ties left Ayrshire trailing early on, but wins by John Shanks, Tommy McInally, Jim Johnston and Malcolm Pennycott in the next four ties gave Ayrshire the required win in the match. In the final tie on the course, Charlie Macneal lost on the final green to make the match score 5 - 3 in favour of Ayrshire.

Match details (Ayrshire names first) :-

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) halved with Craig Pirie (Renfrew)
Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) lost to Andrew Farmer (Kilmacolm) by 5 & 4
Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Cuthbert) halved with Stewart Watt (Old Ranfurly)
John Shanks (Irvine) beat Craig Thomson (Paisley) by 3 & 2
Tommy McInally (Loudoun) beat Chris Conroy (Paisley) by 4 & 3
Jim Johnston (Ayr Belleisle) beat David Dickson (Bonnyton) by 3 & 2
Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) beat Paul Dorrian (Greenock) by 3 & 1
Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) lost to David Sibbald (Bonnyton) by 1 hole

AYRSHIRE  A    5    RENFREWSHIRE   A     3

Following the match news filtered through that Stirlingshire had been defeated at home by Dumbartonshire in a top of the table clash, which leaved Ayrshire's match against Dumbartonshire at Cardross next Sunday, 16th october, as a winner takes all championship showdown.

The youths team close their 2016 campaign against Dumbartonshire youths next weekend at Troon Darley.   

SCOTTISH GOLFERS' ALLIANCE CHAMPIONSHIP - One - two for Ayrshire at irvine

Jim Johnston

The Scottish Golfers' Alliance Championship took place at Irvine Golf Club from 4th to 6th october with Ayrshire players enjoying success in the amateur scratch section of the event.

Whilst Chris Currie (Caldwell) overtook the six shot lead of John Henry (Clydebank and District) in the final round to take the professional prize with a 218 total, Ayrshire county player Jim Johnston (Ayr Belleisle) finished as the leading amateur on 224, carding rounds of 71, 73 and 80 to win the Clydesdale Bank Quaich by a single shot from Ayrshire county team mate Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) who recorded rounds of 75, 78 & 72.

Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) featured in the prizes as joint third in the handicap event, whilst Macneal and Johnston  provided two of the six counting scores that gave the West Alliance the Mountbatten Cup for the team event.

AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - Steven Stamper takes Doc Thom Salver for the first time.

Steven Stamper

Steven Stamper of Turnberry & Girvan Golf Clubs was confirmed as the winner of the 2016 Ayrshire Order OF Merit title recently, following the completion of the final event at Prestwick St Nicholas in mid September.

Stamper was fifth equal in the last event, The Arrol Cup, and finished well ahead of all his challengers on 453.75 points.

His points were collected in seven of the counting events including a win at the Brunston Castle Open and a second place in the West Of Scotland Strokeplay

Michael Smyth

Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) finished in second place in the Order Of Merit after a second equal finish at Prestwick St Nicholas.

His total of 402.5 points were collected in five of the counting events, including a second place in the Ayrshire Strokeplay and a win in the Belleisle Cup

Stuart Robin

Third place was secured by the 2013 winner Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Cuthbert) who pipped Ayrshire Strokeplay Champion Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by a mere 2.5 points in the race for the third place finish.

Robin gained points in just two of the counting events, but this included a win in the Gowf Cup at Loudoun.







Final placings in the 2016 Ayrshire Order OF Merit were :-

453.75		STEVEN	STAMPER	Turnberry
402.5		MICHAEL	SMYTH	Royal Troon
237.5		STUART	ROBIN	Prestwick St Cuthbert
235		GREG	TELFER	Prestwick St Cuthbert
220.05		KEITH	HAMILTON	Ayr Belleisle
200.8		CRAIG	HAMILTON	Ballochmyle
175		CHARLIE	MACNEAL	Prestwick
165		TOMMY	McINALLY	Loudoun
150		WILLIAM	FLEMING	Ballochmyle
150		FRASER	INNES	Largs
150		JIM	JOHNSTON	Ayr Belleisle
135		GEORGE	ROBERTSON	Irvine
126.25		SHAUN	HEDGER	West Kilbride
113		GAVIN	NIMMO	Troon St Meddans
100		KEVIN	CLARKE	West Kilbride
100		WILLIAM	McMEIKAN	Girvan
87.5		BRIAN	McDONALD	Ardeer
75		JOHN	SHANKS	Irvine
75		PAUL	FERGUSON	Turnberry
63.75		STUART	MILLER	Kilmarnock Barassie
62.5		AIDAN	LONG	Ayr Belleisle
62.5		ALLAN	BROWNLEE	Brunston Castle
53		ALAN	McLEAN	Kilbirnie Place
50	EUAN		FERGUSON	Turnberry
50		MALCOLM	PENNYCOTT	Whiting Bay
38		ALISTAIR	BELFORD	Prestwick St Nicholas
38		IAN	SMITH	Troon Welbeck
35		ADRIAN	ORTON	Kilmarnock Barassie
35		GORDON	BOYLE	Turnberry
35		ALAN	BROWNLEA	Brunston Castle
35		DAVID	ORCHISON	Ballochmyle
35		JAMES	PERRIE	Troon St Meddans
35		KENNETH	HOUSTON	Troon Welbeck
35		SHAUN	RYAN	Ayr Dalmilling
35		WEIR	McCULLOCH	Brunston Castle
32.08		CRAIG	TELFER	Prestwick St Cuthbert
28.75		GRAEME	GIMSON	Prestwick St Cuthbert
28.75		JOHN	KIRKLAND	Ardeer
28.75		WILLIAM	GOODWIN	Ardeer
28.75		GEORGE	CABENA	Ardeer
28.75		SCOTT	AINSWORTH	Ardeer
21.67		IAIN	FRASER	Troon Portland
21.67		IAIN	BROWN	West Kilbride
21.67		SCOTT	WARD	West Kilbride
20		JACK	THOMAS	Irvine
20		IAIN	BROWN	West Kilbride
15		FRANK	MURDOCH	Brunston Castle
15		GORDON	JOHNSTON	Kilbirnie Place
15		NICK	TINDALL	Tam O Shanter
15		ROBERT	McCORMICK	Ayr Seafield
15		JOHN	NEILAN	Brunston Castle
15		KYLE	McCREADIE	Girvan
15		STEPHEN	JOHNSTON	Girvan
10		STUART	WHITE	Girvan
5		STEVEN	WALLACE	Prestwick St Cuthbert
5		PAUL	DENIM	Loudoun
5		DEREK	BALLANTYNE	Ardeer
5		IAIN	McKENZIE	Annanhill
5		WILSON	PITT	Turnberry
3.75		JIM	ANDERSON	Troon Welbeck
3.75		STEVEN	MURRAY	Troon Welbeck
3.75		CRAIG	McKENZIE	Troon Welbeck
3.75		CRAIG	DEVLIN	Troon Portland
3.33		GARY	MORRISON	Kilmarnock Barassie
3.33	WILLIAM		WILSON	Ballochmyle
1.25		SCOTT	BROWN	Turnberry
1.25		COLIN	GRAY	Irvine
1.25		CRAIG	O'CONNELL	Troon St Meddans
1.25		DAVID	DALTON	Ayr Belleisle
1.25		STUART	LAWRIE	Ayr Dalmilling
1.25		JAMES	McINTYRE	Moorpark

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION AGM - Initial notice distributed to member clubs.

The provisional agenda for the 2016 Ayrshire Golf Association AGM was emailed to clubs recently.

Please be advised that the Annual General Meeting of the Ayrshire Golf Association will be held in Caprington Golf Club, Ayr Road, Kilmarnock, on Tuesday 25th October 2016 at 7.30pm.

The provisional agenda for the AGM is :-

1. Apologies
2. Minutes of AGM of 20/10/2015
3. Matters Arising
4. Presidents report – to be forwarded in due course
5. Financial report – to be forwarded in due course
6. Coaching report – to be forwarded in due course
7. Course rating report – to be forwarded in due course
8. Ayrshire Junior League Report – to be forwarded in due course
9. Election of President
10. Election of Vice President
11. Election of Secretary/Treasurer
12. Election of General Committee
13. SGL & Area Subscriptions
14. AOCB

In accordance with the constitution, there are four retiring members from the executive this year. It is likely there will remain at least three other vacancies, for varying periods of three, two and one year, on the Executive committee.

Clubs are requested to encourage interested members to make contact with the Secretary or Executive members for more information and if appropriate seek nomination for the vacant posts.

Under the constitution, Nominees must be a member of a club affiliated to The Ayrshire Golf Association and be proposed and seconded by members of affiliated clubs also.

The work of The Association Executive is varied and encompasses, amongst other things, Competitions, Course rating, handicapping, team administration at all age groups, rules and working with the National body and local agencies in the promotion of golf in the county.

All matters for the AGM, any proposals from member clubs and nominations for above positions and Executive posts should be in the hands of The Secretary, in writing, by  Friday 7^th October at the latest.  

It would be desirable if all member clubs could be represented by one or two appointed representatives at the Annual General Meeting. One representative will be permitted to vote on behalf of the club.

The final Agenda of the meeting, various reports, 2015 AGM minutes, annual balance sheet and budget proposals will be forwarded to clubs in shortly after 7^th October, and at this time clubs will be requested to advise if they will be represented at the AGM, and by whom if possible. All documentation will be forwarded by email in due course.

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - A team edge out Lanarkshire at West Kilbride but no joy for Youths at Bothwell Castle

In week three of the 2016 West Of Scotland Inter County Leagues programme, there was mixed fortunes once again for the Ayrshire teams.

The A Team were at home to Lanarkshire with the match being played at West Kilbride.

The Prestwick St Cuthbert dou of Steven Wallace and Stuart Robin put the first two points on the board with comfortable victories in their ties but final green defeats for Craig Hamilton and Michael Smyth levelled the score John Shanks put Ayrshire ahead with a 3 & 2 win and Jim Johnstone secured what would be a crucial half match in his tie.

A 3 & 2 defeat for Steven Stamper left the match ties at 3.5 - 3.5 with just Charlie Macneal's anchor tie left on the course and the Prestwick player edged a victory by the narrowest of margins to secure a 4.5 - 3.5 win for the home side.

Match details (Ayrshire names first) :-

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) lost to Craig Ross (Kirkhill) by 1 hole
Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Graham Rankin (Drumpellier) by 4 & 3
Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) lost to Steven Rennie (Drumpellier) by 1 hole
Steven Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Kenny Gallacher (East Kilbride) by 6 & 5
John Shanks (Irvine) beat Ross Hinshelwood (East KIlbride) by 3 & 2
Jim Johnstone (Ayr Belleisle) halved with Dominic Dougan (Airdrie)
Steven Stamper (Girvan) lost to Stewart Henderson (Hamilton) by 3 & 2
Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) beat Fraser Kane (Kirkhill) by 1 hole

AYRSHIRE    4.5   LANARKSHIRE   3.5

The corresponding youths match was subject to a late venue change at Bothwell Castle GC, and the Ayrshire team suffered defeat at the hands of their hosts by 5 - 3.

Shaun Hedger halved the lead match but Sandy Walker, Daryl Lynch and Louis Murray all lost their ties to give Lanarkshire a good early advantage and an 8 & 7 defeat for Murray McCrone left Ayrshire unable to secure even a draw in the match.

Robbie Fitzpatrick halved his tie and wins for Ally Berry and Alan Watson gave a final score of 5 - 3 to Lanarkshire.

Match details (Lanarkshire names first) :-

Lewis Irvine (Kirkhill) halved with Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride)
John Woodhouse (East Kibride) beat Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 3 & 2
Greg Dalziel (Airdrie) beat Daryl Lynch (Ayr Belleisle) by 2 & 1
Johnathan Torrance (Drumpellier) beat Louis Murray (Troon Welbeck) by 3 & 2
Mitchell Ronald (East Kilbride) halved with Robbie Fitzpatrick (Irvine)
Jack McMorris (East Kilbride) lost to Ally Berry (Irvine Ravenspark) by 4 & 3
David Fair (Hamilton) beat Murray McCrone (Troon Welbeck) by 8 & 7
Kevin McVicar (East Kilbride) lost to Alan Watson (Ballochmyle) by 2 & 1

LANARKSHIRE YOUTHS 5   AYRSHIRE YOUTHS    3


Next Sunday the Ayrshire team will play Renfrewshire at Irvine GC whilst the youths team head to Erskine, for the corresponding youths fixture. 

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Turnberry win League Championship crown in first year

Newcomers Turnberry won the Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship title on Sunday 25th September at Kilmarnock (Barassie), in their first season in the competition.

The South Ayrshire side beat the host club and 2015 finalists Kilmarnock (Barassie) in the final by 4 - 2

The 2016 final was also the first to feature a girl in one of the teams, following the change in the competition rules introduced a few years ago.

Rachel Foster of Turnberry marked the event by getting up and down on the final hole for a par to half the hole against her opponent Andrew Bogle and take her tie with a one hole victory.

Match details (Kilmarnock Barassie names first):-

R Muir lost to E Ferguson by 1 hole

F Rigby lost to K Brown by 4&3

A Bogle lost to R Foster by 1 hole

R McDonald beat K Beauchamp by 3&1

B Watson lost to D Long by 2&1

F Wallace beat M Barclay by 3&1

KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE)   2    TURNBERRY   4

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Graeme Greer takes Champion Of Champions title

2016 Ayrshire Junior
Champion Of Champions
Graeme Greer

Graeme Greer (Prestwick St Nicholas) is the 2016 Ayrshire Junior Champion Of Champions title winner following a closely contested final at Kilmarnock (Barassie) GC on Saturday 24th September.

Greer, a Scotland Boys internationalists who also plays at Carluke Golf Club was up against the 2016 Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Champion Euan Ferguson (Turnberry) in the final.

Ferguson has the better of the early exchanges and raced to a three hole lead, taking successive holes from two through to four with par figures after the opening hole was halved in par.

A par at the fifth was good enough for Greer to reduce the deficit to two holes and further pars over the closing holes of the opening half from Greer saw him reduce the deficit to just one hole at the turn when he won the eighth hole in that run of four holes.

A birdie at the tenth hole saw greer level the match and he went ahead for the first time at the elevent with a winning par, only to see Ferguson win back the following hole to square the match once again.

A par at the fifteenth hole was good enough for Greer to take a one hole advantage again and it remained that way until the final hole where both players found the green in regulation. Putting first, Ferguson's birdie attempt from eighteen feet slipped past the hole, leaving Greer with the prospect of two putts for the championship from eight feet, which he duly secured for a one hole victory.

With driving rain and wind gusting to thirty five miles per hour at times during the match, the level of play and scoring was commendable and the match was played in a great spirit by both finalists.

At the end of the match Ayrshire Junior Golf League Chairman Craig Gilmour presented the trophy to the 2016 winner, Graeme Greer.

 

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Victory for youths at Rowallan Castle but A team lose out at Glenbervie

Ayrshire faced Stirlingshire on Sunday 25th September in the second week of matches in the 2016 West Of Scotland Inter County A & Youths League competitions.

The Youths team, defeated last week at Cowglen, were at home this week, with the match being played at Rowallan Castle GC.

Jack Thomas (Irvine) and Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) set the home side up with 5 & 4 wins in their ties. 

A 4 & 2 win for Robbie Fitzpatrick (Irvine) and 3 & 2 wins for both Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) and Sandy Buchanan (Prestwick St Nicholas) ensured a win for Ayrshire overall and despite defeats for Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) and Craig McKenzie (Troon Welbeck), Sandy walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) won his tie on the final green to complete a comfortable 6 - 2 win for the Ayrshire Youths side.

Match details (Ayrshire names first) :-

Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) lost to Stuart Irving (Falkirk) by 2 holes

Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) beat Stuart Murray (Falkirk) by 3 & 2

Jack Thomas (Irvine) beat Jamie Hunter (Falkirk) by 5 & 4

Sandy Buchanan (Prestwick St Nicholas) beat Thomas Craig (Falkirk) by 3 & 2

Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Gran Kirkwood (Falkirk Tryst) by 1 hole

Craig McKenzie (Troon Welbeck) lost to David Hood (Strathkendrick) by 3 & 2

Robbie Fitzpatrick (Irvine) beat Scott Johnston (Falkirk Tryst) by 4 & 2

Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Bradley Ferguson (Falkirk Tryst) by 5 & 4

AYRSHIRE YOUTHS   6   STIRLINGSHIRE YOUTHS  2

In the corresponding A team fixture at Glenbervie, Ayrshire were looking to make it two wins from two in their bid to retain the title they won last year, but lost out narrowly to the hosts by 4.5 - 3.5.

Jim Johnston (Ayr Belleisle), John Shanks (Irvine) and Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) all recorded wins whilst Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Cuthbert) halved his tie, but defeats for Keith hamilton (Ayr Belleisle), Charlie Macneal (Prestwick), Scott Brown (Turnberry) and Stuart Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) allowed the home side to secure a win and maintain their own unbeaten record in the series so far.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) lost to Graeme Robertson by 3 & 2
Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) lost to Tom Beattie by 2 & 1
Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Cuthbert) halved with Mark Hyslop
Jim Johnston (Ayr Belleisle) beat Allan Watson by 2 & 1
John Shanks (Irvine) beat Richard Johnston by 4 & 3
Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) beat David Guthrie by 2 holes  
Scott Brown (Turnberry) lost to Ben Liddell by 5 & 4
Stuart Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Colin Mundie by 3 & 2

AYRSHIRE   A     3.5     STIRLINGSHIRE  A   4.5

Next Sunday, 2nd October, the A Team entertain Lanarkshire at West Kilbride whilst the Youths team travel to Airdrie.

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Largs duo win 2016 title at Ballochmyle

The winning pairing from Largs with tournament administrator
and match referee, John Watt

The 2016 Ayrshire Fourball Champions are David and Iain Macdonald of Largs GC, who won a very tight final on Friday 23rd September at Ballochmyle against the pairing representing Doon valley GC.





In the final the Macdonald brothers faced the challenge of  David Sloan & John Barr Jnr. of Doon Valley GC and the match proved to be close throghout, with the destination of the title not being decided until the final green.

The Ayrshire Fourball Championship finalists
From Doon Valley (Left) and Largs (Right)

The lower handicapped Macdonalds gave a number of shots to both their opponents but the teams were well matched, with only three holes in the outward nine being won and the other six halved.

It was the Largs pair who took the lead by winning the fourth hole, but the Doon Valley duo hit back to square the match at the seventh and also take the ninth hole to turn for home one ahead.

The Macdonalds squared the match again at the tenth, only to lose the eleventh and go behind in the match once more.

The Doon Valley team also won the twelfth hole to take a two hole lead in the match, only to see their advantage reduced to one when the Largs team won the thirteenth.

Sloan and Barr remained ahead until the fifteenth when the Macdonald brothers won the hole to square the match once again.

The position remained the same over the next couple of holes and the teams went to the final hole all square.

At the last the Largs team secured a closing par five which ultimately proved enough to win the final hole of the tie and take the trophy and title for 2016 with a narrow one hole win.

At the conclusion of the final the tournament administrator and match referee, John Watt, presented vouchers to all four finalists before handing over the trophy and medals to the 2016 winners, David and iain Macdonald of largs GC.

SCOTTISH MENS' CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP - Prestwick St Cuthbert finish eighth at Stranraer

Ayrshire's representatives in the 2016 Scottish Mens' Club Championship, Prestwick St Cuthbert GC, finished in eighth place of the 16 teams when the competition was played at Stranraer on Sunday 18th September.



The team of Craig Telfer, Greg Telfer and Stuart Robin finished with a team total of 303, 23 over par, to trail the winners Balmore by by 21 shots.

Craig Telfer  opened well in the morning round, recording three birdies in the opening six holes but a double bogey at the ninth followed by a triple bogey at the tenth undid his good work as he eventually carded a round of 74.

With seven bogeys, a triple bogey and one solitary birdie during his round, Greg Telfer's opening round of 79 was the discarded morning round of the three.

Stuart Robin had two birdies and three bogeys over the first nine holes of his morning round but three bogeys on the inward nine along with a double bogey at the short fifteenth hole took his morning total to 76, giving Ayrshire a 150 total for the team score going into the second round.

In the afternoon Craig Telfer recorded an eagle two at the sixth hole and a birdie at the eighth as well as four bogeys in his outward nine of 36, but despite a closing birdie he could only record a 78 in the second round following two double bogeys over the inward half.

Stuart Robin
Best for St Cuthbert at Stranraer

Greg Telfer struggled again in the afternoon, two double bogeys, a triple bogey and a quadruple bogey contributing to a second round total of 83.

Despite two bogeys over the early holes, Stuart Robin was out in 36 in the afternoon following a run of three birdies on four holes but the inward half proved testing again in the afternoon for Robin with two bogeys and two double bogeys in the closing holes for a total of 75 in the afternoon.

The afternoon counting scores gave a total of 153 and an overall team score for the competition of 303 and eighth place out of the sixteen competing clubs.

The winning Balmore team will now go forward to represent Scotland in the European Club Championship competition later this year.

GLASGOW YOUTHS AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Fourth place for Ayrshire as Shaun Hedger is individual runner up

Shaun Hedger
Individual runner up at Ralston

Ayrshire finished in fourth place in the Glasgow Youths Team Championship at Ralston on Saturday 17^th September 2016, with Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) taking the runner up spot in the individual event.

Rounds of 69 and 70 gave hedger a total of 139, leaving him six shots adrift of the runaway leader Calum Fyfe who followed his opening round of 69 with a second round of 64 for a total of 133.

Calum Irving (Ayr Belleisle) carded a 78 and a 72 for a total of 150 whilst Andrew Gordon (Ayr Belleisle) returned a total of 158 with rounds of 82 and 76.

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Ayrshire A team open title defence with win over Glasgow but youths suffer opening day defeat

The Ayrshire A Team got off to a winning start in their defence of the West Of Scotland Inter County League title on Sunday 18^th September, opening their campaign with a 6 – 2 home win over Glasgow at Troon Portland.

With some established first team players unavailable, the strength in depth of the present Ayrshire squad was clearly illustrated during the match, with only one defeat and two half matches surrendered to the Glasgow team by the home side in the eight ties.

Host club member Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) led off for Ayrshire with a 2 & 1 win over Fraser Grant whilst both Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) and Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) secured half matches against John Lawrie and Alan Waugh respectively, in the following two ties.

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) made it 3 – 1 for Ayrshire with a 2 & 1 win over Craig Brown before John Shanks (Irvine) and Jim Johnstone (Ayr Belleisle) ensured the match win for Ayrshire with single hole victories over Steven Manning and Graeme Cross respectively.

The penultimate tie saw Steven Stamper (Turnberry) record a 3 & 2 win over Brendan McLeman to give Ayrshire six points from seven.

Ayrshire suffered their only defeat in the anchor tie, Stuart Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) losing out to Steven Mechin of Cowglen, who is also a member of the host club, by 4 & 3.

In the corresponding youths match, also played on Sunday 18^th September at Cowglen GC, Ayrshire suffered a 5.5 – 2.5 defeat to the Glasgow youth side.

In the lead tie Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) halved with Chris Grant (Ralston) and Ayrshire took a 1.5 -.0.5 lead when Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Matthew Hendrick (Pollock) by 3 & 2.

Louis Murray (Troon Welbeck) was unfortunate to lose by the narrowest of margins on the final green to Ross Douglas (Ralston) in the third tie and Glasgow edged ahead with Jack Williams (Sandyhills) inflicting a 3 & 2 defeat on Robbie Fitzpatrick (Irvine).

Ally Berry (Irvine Ravenspark) had a 4 & 3 win over Allan Murray (Ralston) to make the match score 2.5 – 2.5, but Ayrshire were unable to take anything from the three remaining ties and lost out by 5.5 – 2.5 overall.

Stuart McLean (Ralston) beat Jack Purdie (Largs) on the final green by one hole, Blair Fleming (Troon Welbeck) was beaten 4 & 3 by Chris McMillan (Bishopbriggs) and Charlie Cameron (Ayr Belleisle) was beaten 5 & 3 by Alex Melrose (Haggs Castle).

Next Sunday, 25^th September, the A team travel to face Stirlingshire at Glenbervie whilst the Youths entertain the Stirlingshire Youths side at Rowallan Castle.

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Last match win in Division 1 sees Loudoun avoid relegation and gives title to Prestwick St Cuthbert

Loudoun Gowf Club rallied in their final fixture of the 2016 Ayrshire Scratch League Division 1 to avoid relegation and in the process ensure that Prestwick St Cuthbert won the Division 1 title for the first time.

A 6 – 0 win over title hopefuls Turnberry in their final home fixture of the season, on Sunday 18^th September, allowed Loudoun to overtake Ballochmyle at the foot of the table, consigning the Mauchline club to Division 2 next season in the process, and indeed in one of the closest league campaigns to date, Loudoun eventually finished in third place in the table on the back of their last match win.

Turnberry went into the match with Loudoun knowing that they needed at least a draw to maintain their title hopes into their own last fixture next week against league leaders Prestwick St Cuthbert, but in the event their defeat ensured that Prestwick St Cuthbert were crowned Division 1 champions for 2016, with one fixture remaining to play.

The present positions in Division 1 are :-

	Played	For	Against	Points
PR. ST CUTHBERT	9	31.5	22.5	26
TURNBERRY	9	28	26	20
LOUDOUN	10	30	30	18
IRVINE	10	29.5	30.5	18
KIL. BARASSIE	10	26.5	33.5	18
BALLOCHMYLE	10	28.5	31.5	16

The destination of the Division 3 title was also confirmed on Sunday 18^th September when Largs had a 4.5 – 1.5 home win over title rivals Prestwick St Nicholas to win Division 3 and promotion to the second flite next season, with one match still to be played.

Present positions in Division 3 are :-

	Played	For	Against	Points
LARGS	7	26	16	20
KILBIRNIE PLACE	8	23.5	24.5	18
PR. ST NICHOLAS	8	27	21	16
ROWALLAN CASTLE	7	21	21	14
CAPRINGTON	8	16.5	31.5	8
ARDEER	0	0	0	0