AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Matches continue as clubs strive for league titles

The matches in all three Ayrshire Scratch Leagues continue into August, as clubs strive to win the league titles and gain promotion, or avoid relegation or play off spots.

In DIVISION 1, defending champions Loudoun moved back to the top of the table with home wins over Ballochmyle and Kilmarnock Barassie by 5 – 1 and 4.5 – 1.5 respectively. Kilmarnock barassie bounced back with a 4.5 – 1.5 home win over Ballochmyle recently.

Present positions in Division 1 are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Loudoun	8	4	3	1	29	19	10	22
Prestwick St Cuthbert	8	4	2	2	28	20	8	20
Irvine	6	3	2	1	20	16	4	16
Kilmarnock (Barassie)	8	2	3	3	22	26	-4	14
Turnberry	5	1	2	2	13	18	-5	8
Ballochmyle	7	0	2	5	15	28	-13	4

In DIVISION 2, Troon Portland had a crucial 5 – 1 home win over Troon St Meddans in their final match, to move themselves away from the relegation spot.

With only one match remaining to be played, Troon St Meddans require a home win by a large margin to avoid the drop to Division 3 next year.

Present positions in Division 2 are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Royal Troon	8	6	0	2	28	20	8	24
Largs	7	4	1	2	25	17	8	18
Caprington	8	3	1	4	26	22	4	14
Troon Portland	8	3	0	5	20	28	-8	12
Troon St Meddans	7	2	0	5	15	27	-12	8

In DIVISION 3a, Ayr Belleisle moved back to top spot following a 3.5 – 2.5 win away to Girvan. With six fixtures remaining to be played, present positions in Division 3a are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Ayr Belleisle	6	4	0	2	19	17	2	16
West Kilbride	5	3	1	1	18	13	5	14
Girvan	6	2	1	3	19	17	2	10
Prestwick St Nicholas	5	2	1	2	14	16	-2	10
Redburn	6	1	1	4	15	22	-7	6

In DIVISION 3b, only one match result is awaited, between Irvine Ravenspark and Ardeer, with present positions being :-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Rowallan Castle	6	5	0	1	24	13	11	20
Routenburn	6	3	0	3	15	21	-6	12
Irvine Ravenspark	5	1	1	3	15	15	0	6
Ardeer	5	1	1	3	13	18	-5	6

 

HOME INTERNATIONALS - Junior and Senior teams win on day 1, but Woman's team lose out

The Scottish Seniors and Juniors teams both won on the first day of the combined Home Internationals matches, being played at Woodhall Spa, on Wednesday the 4^th of August, but the woman’s team were defeated in their opening fixture.

The boys’ and girls’ team opened with a 14.5 – 6.5 win over Wales.

In the morning foursomes Rachel Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas) won her tie and Ruben Lindsay (Turnberry) earned a half point, as Scotland took a commanding 5.5 – 1.5 lead into the afternoon singles. In the afternoon both Lindsay and Foster added a further point each to ensure victory for Scotland.

On day two, Scotland will play Ireland, who lost 19 – 2 to England on the opening day

In the seniors event, Scotland defeated Wales 5 – 2 with Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) contributed points in both the foursomes and singles as Scotland drew the morning foursomes 2 – 2 before securing victory in the afternoon singles.

Ireland and Scotland meet on day two, the Irish team having been defeated 8 – 4 by England on the opening day.

The only disappointment on day one for Scotland was the 3.5 – 5.5 defeat of the Woman’s team by Ireland.

The morning foursomes were shared 1.5 – 1.5, with Hazel MacGarvie (Royal Troon) contributing a point.

In the afternoon singles, having sat out the foursomes in the morning, Woman’s Amateur Champion Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) adding a point to the team total, but Hazel MacGarvie slipped to defeat along with three of her team mates, which left the final match result as a win for Wales.

On day two Scotland take on England, who won their opening match against Wales by 8 – 1.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Semi final draws published, ahead of finals dates switch

The semi final draws of three of the Ayrshire Junior Golf League competitions have been made, whilst it has also been agreed to switch the dates of the four competition finals in September.

In the JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY competition, Ryan Kennedy (Irvine) had a 2&1 victory over Jack Allan (Ballochmyle) to go through to the last four.

The tie between Dylan Cairns (Prestwick St Nicholas) and Cameron Shanks (Caprington) has still to be played, whilst David Blyth (Ballochmyle) and Kerr Brooks (Loudoun) received walkovers from Ruben Lindsay (Ayr Belleisle) and Ross McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) respectively, after their ties were conceded.

The semi final line up, to be completed by the 30^th of August is:-

Dylan Cairns (Prestwick St Nicholas) or Cameron Shanks (Caprington) Vs. David Blyth (Ballochmyle)

Kerr Brooks (Loudoun) vs. Ryan Kennedy (Irvine)

In the UNDER 16 KNOCKOUT TROPHY quarter finals, West Kilbride and Prestwick St Nicholas were conceded walkovers by Caprington and Turnberry respectively, Whilst Irvine had a 3 – 1 away win at Ayr Belleisle and Troon Welbeck overcame Prestwick St Cuthbert 4 – 0.

The semi finals, to be played by the 5^th of September, are:-

Irvine Vs. West Kilbride

Prestwick St Nicholas vs. Troon Welbeck

In the WALLACE THORNTON TROPHY competition, the tie between West Kilbride and the East Ayrshire team has still to be completed.

The semi finals, to be played by the 5^th of September, are:-

Irvine Vs. Kilmarnock Barassie

Troon Welbeck Vs. West Kilbride or East Ayrshire

In the AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP, qualifying section A has been won by Irvine, following Kilmarnock Barassie’s recent 6 – 0 loss away to West Kilbride. With only one fixture, between West Kilbride and Irvine, still to be played, present positions in Section A are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Irvine	3	2	1	0	11	7	4	10
Kilmarnock Barassie	4	1	1	2	9	15	-6	6
West Kilbride	3	1	0	2	10	8	2	4

Conversely, in Section B, only one of the six fixtures have been played so far, with Ayr Belleisle winning 4 – 2 at home to Troon Welbeck. Present positions in Section B are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Ayr Belleisle	1	1	0	0	4	2	2	4
Prestwick St Nicholas	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Troon Welbeck	1	0	0	1	2	4	-2	0

To allow the 2021 Ayrshire Junior Golf League champions to represent Ayrshire in a national team event later in September, it has been agreed that the scheduled final dates will be switched.

The League Championship and Champion of Champions Trophy finals, originally scheduled to take place at Irvine GC on the 26^th of September will now be held on the 5^th of September whilst the Under 16 Knockout Tyophy and Wallace Thornton Trophy finals, originally due to take place on the 5^th of September, will now be rescheduled to the 26^th of September.

HOME INTERNATIONALS - Five Ayrshire players selected in three teams

Scottish Golf have announced the teams for a revised and consolidated schedule of Home Internationals matches, with the boys, girls, woman’s, senior men’s, and senior woman’s events all being held at the one venue at the same time, when they take place at Woodhall Spa from the 4^th to the 6^th of August.

The Men’s Home Internationals were held earlier in the year as part of the preparations for the Walker Cup.

Ayrshire players feature in three of the four teams selected for the series of matches.

Ruben Lindsay (Turnberry) has been selected for the eight strong boy’s team. The full team is:-

Archie Finnie (Royal Burgess)

Cameron Adam, Royal Burgess)

Connor Graham (Blairgowrie)

Gregor Graham (Blairgowrie)

Daniel Bullen (Auchterarder)

Ross Laird (Glenbervie)

Ruben Lindsay (Turnberry)

Calum Scott (Nairn)

The six strong Girl’s team features Rachel Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas). The full team is:-

Grace Crawford (Noth Berwick)

Megan Docherty (Bishopbriggs)

Rachel Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas)

Robyn Fowlie (Forfar)

Katie Graham (Hamilton)

Carmen Griffith (Aboyne)

 

The Scottish Woman’s team has two Ayrshire representatives in Woman’s Amateur Champion Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) and Hazel MacGarvie (Royal Troon). The full team is:-

Hannah Darling (Brommieknowe)

Louise Duncan (West Kilbride)

Chloe Goadby (St Regulus)

Hazel MacGarvie  (Royal Troon)

Tara McTaggart (Minto)

Lorna McClymont (Milngavie)

 

The Scottish Senior Woman’s team is the only one which does not feature an Ayrshire player. The full team is:-

Non Playing Captain Fiona de Vries

Karen Ferguson-Sneddon (Mortonhall)

Karen Marshall ( Barberton)

Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire)

Elaine Moffat ( St Regulus)

 

Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) is in the four strong Scottish Senior Men’s team. The full squad is:-

Playing Captain Ronnie Clark (Erskine)

Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon)

Derek Paton (Dunnikier Park)

Stewart Henderson (Hamilton)

 

HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP - Quarter final line up confirmed

The quarter final line up for the 2021 Ayrshire Handicap League Championship has been confirmed, and circulated to club representatives by the competition administrator.

Though there are still a small number of results still outstanding, those that have not yet been reported will not affect the qualification places.

Ballochmyle secured the best runner up place, joining section winners Moorpark, Rowallan Castle, Loudoun, Auchenharvie 88, Prestwick St Nicholas, Redburn, and Troon Welbeck in the knockout stages.

The quarter final line up, to be played on a home and away basis, and due to be completed by the 15th of August is:-

MOORPARK Vs. PRESTWICK ST. NICHOLAS

ROWALLAN CASTLE Vs. REDBURN

LOUDOUN Vs. TROON WELBECK

AUCHENHARVIE 88 Vs. BALLOCHMYLE

The winners of the four quarter finals will progress to the semi finals, which should be completed by the 31st of August, with the final scheduled to take place during Finals day at Kilmarnock Barassie on the 5th of September.

The semi final draw is:-

Moorpark or Prestwick St Nicholas Vs. Loudoun or Troon Welbeck

Rowallan Castle or Redburn Vs. Auchenharvie 88 or Ballochmyle

GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL SALVER - Semi final line up for scratch club team knockout competition

The semi final line up in the scratch club team knockout competition for The Gary Bryden Memorial salver has been confirmed, with the last quarter final match being played last week.

In the first Semi final the holders Royal Troon, victors by 2-1 on their trip to play Irvine in the quarter finals, have a home tie against Ardeer.

In the second semi final, Irvine Ravenspark are rewarded for their 2 - 1 home win over Kilmarnock Barassie in the last eight, with a home tie in the semi finals against Prestwick St Cuthbert, who reached the last four with a 2-1 win in the quarter finals away to Troon Portland.

The semi finals are due to be played by the 29th of August, with the final scheduled to be held on Sunday the 5th of September at Kilmarnock Barassie during Finals Day.

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Quarter final line up

With the Frank Grant & Hugh Wales (Ardeer) getting through their tie with Brian Wilson & Fraser McCall (Troon Portland), the quarter final line up in the 2021 Ayrshire Fourball Championship has been confirmed.

The full quarter final draw is:-

 

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY - Semi final line up confirmed.

The line up for the semi finals of the 2021 Ayrshire Champion of Champions Trophy competition, which take place at Royal Troon on Friday the 6th of August, has been confirmed, with all the quarter final matches being completed recently.

The first semi final will be a re-run of the 2013 final of the competition. 2012 and 2013 winner Steven McEwan (Caprington), who this weekend won the Caprington Club Championship by breaking the course record with a 63 then equaling it in the second round, booked his place in the Champion of Champions semi final with a 4&3 home win over Andy Carroll (Drongan). In the semi  final Steven will be up against the title holder, Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle), who beat Stuart Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 3&2 at Ballochmyle in their quarter final tie.

2018 title winner Paul Denim (Loudoun) had a 5&4 away win against Sam Findlater (Braehead) in the quarter finals, to set up a semi final match with Gordon Munro (Caprington), who beat Scott McIlwraith (Prestwick St Cuthbert) at the first extra hole in their quarter final tie, over the St Cuthbert course, and in doing so kept the possibility of an all Caprington final this year alive.

The semi finals will teew of at 5.00 p.m. on Friday the 6th of August, with the final scheduled to take place, again at Royal Troon, the following friday, the 13th of August.

SCOTTISH MEN'S AREA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire announce a strong squad for 2021 at Inverness

The Ayrshire team for the 2021 Scottish Men's Area Team Championship, to be played at The Kings Club, Inverness, from  the 3rd to the 5th of September, has been announced.

The six man team selected have been drawn from three member clubs, Turnberry, Royal Troon and Irvine providing the players who will be bidding to win the premier men's team event in the country for a fourth time for Ayrshire, following previous successes in 1986, 2008 and 2015.

Five times Ayrshire Matchplay Champion Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) is the sole survivor from the team who lost out in the final of the competition when it was last played, in 2019 at Leven in Fife, and is joined by clubmate Blair Morton, who is making his first appearance in the Area Team Championship, following an outstanding season which saw him become the first player ever to win the Hillhouse Cup, Troon Links Championship and Royal Troon Club Championship in the same year.

Scottish internationalist Stuart Easton (Irvine) will bolster the strength of the team alongside his clubmate John Shanks, a veteran of Ayrshire's Men's Area team Championship squad, with two winners medals and having the distinction of holing the winning put the last time the trophy was won by Ayrshire, at Blairgowrie in 2015.

The new Ayrshire Men's Strokeplay Champion Jack Broun (Turnberry) will make his second appearance at the Men's Area Team Championship, having previously played in 20018 at Cawder, when the team were leading qualifiers going into the matchplay stages but lost out in the semi finals, the team chances having been badly hampered when they lost a player through injury before the matchplay rounds commenced. 

Alongside Jack Broun, fellow Turnberry member Ruben Lindsay completes the team of six who will represent Ayrshire. The winner of the Scottish Boys' Championship in 2019, Ruben is presently the leading junior golfer in Europe and recently qualified with an exemption to play in the US Junior Amateur Championship.

The players will take part in strokeplay qualifying rounds on the first day, with the top eight of the sixteen Area teams qualifying to go forward to the matchplay stages which will take place over the following two days.