AYRSHIRE GOLF

Sunday, March 03, 2024

2024 AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION FIXTURES - full fixture list now available and published

The 2024 Ayrshire Golf Association fixture list is now available and published, with several new competitions included this year, and events being held throughout the county.

This year sees the introduction of the Ayrshire Women's Matchplay Championship in July at Rowallan Castle, which will feature the players returning the eight best scratch scores in the 2024 Ayrshire Women's Strokeplay and Handicap Strokeplay Championship which will be held at Prestwick Golf Club in June.

Also new this year will be the Ayrshire Girls' Strokeplay Championship, which will take place in August at Annanhill golf course, on the same day as the Ayrshire Boys' Championship.

The Ayrshire men's matchplay Championship will also take place at Rowallan Castle, in May, following on from the Strokeplay Championship which will be held this year in April at Largs.

The full published list of fixtures is:-

THE AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION FIXTURE LIST 2024

* Doc Thom Ayrshire Order of Merit Counting Event

** Woman’s & Girls’ events

*** Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit Event

FEBRUARY

23rd Annual Dinner and Presentation Carlton Hotel, Prestwick

MARCH

APRIL

2nd – 5th Scottish Golf Under 16 Quadrangular Champs. Ayr Belleisle

10th - 13th *** Scottish Boys Open Strokeplay Irvine

10th - 12th **Scottish Girls Open Strokeplay Powfoot

14th Ayrshire Vs South of Scotland Wigtownshire County

19th – 21st** Helen Holm Scottish Open Strokeplay Royal Troon

21st Ayrshire Junior Team Championship Kilbirnie Place

28th * Ayrshire Strokeplay Championship Largs

MAY

5th Area Team Championship V Argyll & Bute Away

6th – 9th * Ayrshire Men's Matchplay Championship Rowallan Castle

19th * Hillhouse Cup Royal Troon

19th * West of Scotland Strokeplay Douglas Park

24th – 26th ** Scottish Women's Championship Nairn Dunbar

25th * St Cuthbert Open Prestwick St Cuthbert

26th * West Kilbride Men’s Open West Kilbride

TBC Ayrshire U18 Vs Lanarkshire U18 Kirkhill

31st – 2/6 * Scottish Men’s Open Strokeplay Muirfield

JUNE

1st * Ayr Seafield Open Ayr Seafield

2nd **Ayrshire Women’s Strokeplay Championship Prestwick

2nd * Belleisle Cup Ayr Belleisle

8th *** Golf South Ayrshire Junior Open Strokeplay Ayr Seafield

8th * Blue Monster Scratch Open Rowallan Castle

9th Area Team Championship V Glasgow Home

15th * The McGilchrist Cup Ardeer

17th – 22nd * The Amateur Championship Ballyliffin, Ireland

19th – 21st Scottish Senior Men’s Championship Moray

23rd Ayrshire U18 Vs Dumbartonshire Ayr Belleisle

24th – 29th **Woman’s Amateur Championship Portmarnock, Ireland

24th – 26th **Ayrshire Women’s Matchplay Championship Rowallan Castle

26th – 28th **Scottish Senior Women’s Championship Old Ranfurly

27th ***Largs Junior Open Largs

30th * The Gowf Cup Loudoun

JULY

5th *** Troon Welbeck Junior Open Troon Welbeck

7th Ayrshire Club Championship Caprington

7th ***West of Scotland Junior Strokeplay Wishaw

8th *** Loudoun Junior Open Loudoun

9th Ayrshire Senior Men’s Championship Girvan

9th-11th Scottish Boys’ Under 16 Championship Murrayshall

9th-11th **Scottish Girls’ Under 16 Championship Muckhart

14th Area Team Championship V Clackmannanshire Home

15th – 16th *** West of Scotland Boys Matchplay Wishaw

17th – 19th **Scottish Girls Championship Forfar

17th – 21st *** Scottish Boys Championship Scotscraig

18th – 21st THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP Royal Troon

25th *** Harris Junior Open & Girls Open West Kilbride

27th * Stevenson Trophy Girvan

28th Ayrshire U18 Vs Glasgow U18 Ralston

29th *** Kilmarnock Barassie Junior Open Kilmarnock Barassie

30th – 3/8 * Scottish Amateur Championship St Andrews

AUGUST

1st *** Ayrshire Boys Strokeplay Championship Annanhill

1st **Ayrshire Girls’ Strokeplay Championship Annanhill

2nd Champion of Champions Semi Finals Royal Troon

4th * Viking Krus Largs

5th - 8th *** Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Prestwick

6th-8th Girls’ & Boys’ Home Internationals Conwy, Wales

7th-9th Women’s & Men’s Home Internationals Murcar, Scotland

8th *** Ayr Belleisle Junior Open Ayr Seafield

9th Men’s Champion of Champions Final Royal Troon

9th Senior Men’s Matchplay Championship Final Royal Troon

9th Women’s Champion of Champions Final Royal Troon

11th *** Byrne Howard Trophy Royal Troon

TBC AJGL Under 16 Knockout Final TBC

TBC AJGL Wallace Thornton Trophy Final TBC

12th-13th Scottish Under 14 Championship Dunfermline

12th *** Turnberry Junior Open Turnberry, King Robert the Bruce

12th *** Ballochmyle Junior Open Ballochmyle

13th *** Prestwick Junior Open Prestwick St Cuthbert

13th - 18th **Girls Amateur Championship Alwoodley & Moortown

13th - 18th *** Boys Amateur Championship Alwoodley & Moortown

17th * Troon St Meddans Open Troon Municipal

18th * Mainholm Cup Ayr Dalmilling

18th Ayrshire U 18 Vs Renfrewshire U18 Ayr Belleisle

24th * Ballochmyle Rosebowl Ballochmyle

25th *** Tom Lehman Junior Open Troon Municipal

TBC AJGL Champion of Champions Final TBC

TBC AJGL Junior League Championship Final TBC

30th – 1/9 ** Scottish Women’s County Finals Eyemouth

SEPTEMBER

1st Ayrshire Finals Day Ballochmyle

1st Ayrshire U18 vs Stirlingshire U18 Irvine

7^th *Troon Welbeck Open Troon Lochgreen

7th – 8th Scottish Men’s Area Team Championship Finals Hilton Park

8th *** Prestwick St Nicholas Junior Open Prestwick St Nicholas

15th Scottish Boys Area Team Championship Duff House Royal

15th Ayrshire A Vs Renfrewshire A Prestwick St Cuthbert

15th Ayrshire Youths Vs Renfrewshire Youths Fereneze

17th Scottish Senior Men’s Area Team Champs. Monifieth

17th-19th Women’s & Men’s Senior Home Internationals Castlerock, Northern Ireland

20th Scottish Mixed Championship Crail

21st * Arrol Cup Prestwick St Nicholas

22nd Ayrshire A Vs Dumbartonshire A Clydebank & District

22nd Ayrshire Youths Vs Dumbartonshire Youths Loudoun

23rd ***Irvine Junior Open Irvine

29th Ayrshire A Vs Glasgow A West Kilbride

29th Ayrshire Youths Vs Glasgow Youths Cowglen

29th Scottish Junior Team Championship Panmure

OCTOBER

6th Ayrshire A Vs Stirlingshire Away

6th Ayrshire Youths Vs Stirlingshire Youths Troon Portland

13th Ayrshire A Vs Lanarkshire A Ayr Seafield

13th Ayrshire Youths Vs Lanarkshire Youths East Kilbride

NOVEMBER

4th Ayrshire Junior Golf League Dinner TBC

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION EXTENDED COMPETITIONS - Draws and details circulated to competitors and club representatives

The draws and contact details for several Ayrshire Golf Association extended competition in 2024 have been circulated to all competitors and club representatives by email on Sunday 3rd March.

The competitions for which details have been sent out are

The Ayrshire Men's Champion of Champions Trophy

The Ayrshire Women's Champion of Champions Trophy

The Ayrshire Fourball Championship

The Gary Bryden Memorial Salver

The President's Putter

The Ayrshire Scratch Leagues

The Ayrshire Men's Handicap League Championship

The Ayrshire Women's Handicap League Championship

Should any competitor or club representative not have received expected details for any of the comeptitions, they should email the Area Secretary at

ayrshire.golf@btinternet.com

THE AYRSHIRE JUG - Entry deadline extended until Sunday 10th of March

The entry deadline for the Ayrshire mixed greensomes knockout competition, for The Ayrshire Jug, has been extended by a week, until next Sunday, the 10th of March.

Entry is open to pairings of one male and one female member who are both members of clubs affiliated to The Ayrshire Golf Association. The players do not need to be members of the same club.

Entry is £10 per couple and the entry form should be available through club secretaries. It can also be downloade via the link on te left of this page, under the 'Entry Forms' heading, or can be obtained by contacting the Area Secretary, Alasdair Malcolm, by email at ayrshire.golf@btinternet.com

You can also access the entry form via the link below

Ayrshire mixed greensomes knockout competition entry form

Friday, March 01, 2024

2024 YEARBOOK LAUNCHED AT ANNUAL DINNER

The 2024 Ayrshire Golf Association yearbook was launched at the recent annual dinner of The Ayrshire Golf Association, with copies due to be distributed to member club in the next few weeks.

The 21st annual yearbook, produced again by Ayrshire Media services in Troon, has a welcome address by President Andrew Gilligan along with details of the competitions and winners in 2023, club contact details, fixtures for 2024 and historical records of The Association.

An on line version of the yearbook can aso be viewed by clicking on the link on the left of the Ayrshire Golf Association web page.

The Ayrshire Golf Association would like to thank the sponsors who have supported the yearbook this year, allowing the continued publication of this worthwhile record of The Association's work and the achievements of golfers in the county.

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION ANNUAL DINNER - 2023 winners honoured at Carlton Hotel

The successful teams and individuals in Ayrshire Golf Association events in 2023 were honoured on Friday the 23rd of february at the annual dinner and presentation of trophies oif The Ayrshire Golf Association, held in the Carlton Hotel in Prestwick.

Chaired by AGA President Andrew Gilligan, the event attracted a good crowd, who enjoyed and excellent three course meal in fine surroundings.

The evening culminated in the presentation of trophies and awards for the season.

The awards began with an appreciation to Past President John Rutherford for his services to course rating in Ayrshire since the inception of the scheme, from which he retired in 2023.

Presentations were also made to Robert Jenkins and paul Moultrie, in recognition of their selection to represent scotland Senior team in 2023.

The boys and youths team who won the President's trophy in the annual fixture with the South of Scotland were honoured, as were the youth squad players who won the West of Scotland Inter County Youths league for the first time in 10 years in 2023, many of whom were present to receive their commemorative medals.

The annual trophies were awareded to the various recipients, culminating in the presentation of the Doc Thom Salver and Ayrshire Order of merit title to Blair Morton of Royal Troon.

The evening concluded with a vote of thanks given by Ayrshire Golf Association Vice President Barry O'Rourke.

Service award to John Rutherford

Royal Troon Vice Captain
Graeme Johnston
accepts Robert Jenkins' award

Paul Moultrie's
international award

Fraser Innes with the
West of Scotland Club Team Trophy
won by Largs

Paul Kennedy accepting the
President's Trophy on behalf of
the Ayrshire Boys/Youths team

The winning West of Scotland Youth League squad

Robert Wilson & William Fleming
with the West of Scotland Youth League trophy

Fourball winners
Les Knox & Wullie Young
(Auchenharvie 88)

Sandy Walker
with the Club Championship Trophy
won by Kilmarnock Barassie

Loudoun Gowf Club
Captain David Johnstone
with the Gary Bryden Memorial Salver

President's Putter winners
Auchenharvie 88

Caprington Vice Captain Robbie Gibson
with the Ayrshire Women's Handicap League trophy

Men's Handicap League winners
Auchenharvie 88

Troon St Meddans Captain Alistair Tweedie
With the Scratch League Division 3 trophy

Prestwick St Cuthbert Captain Mark Watt
with the Scratch League Division 2 trophy

Steve McKnight accepts the
Scratch league Division 1 trophy
on behalf of Royal Troon

Senior men's Strokeplay winner
James McIntyre (Redburn)

Senior men's Matchplay winner
Brian Fisher (Largs)

Women's handicap Strokeplay winner
Orla Moran (Irvine)

Louodun's Liz Keohone
accepts the Ayrshire Women's Strokeplay trophy
on behalf of clubmate Audrey Thompson

Men's Strokeplay Champion
Colin Goudie (Ayr Belleisle)

Men's Matchplay Champion
Kevin Thomas (Prestwick St Cuthbert)

Debbie Watt (Ayr Belleisle Ladies)
with the Women's Champion of Champions Trophy

Men's Champion of Champions winner
Craig hamilton (Ballochmyle)

Men's Order of Merit runner up
Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon)

Doc Thom Salver and Order of Merit winner
Blair Morton (Royal Troon)

Thursday, February 22, 2024

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Twenty clubs entered as competition format changes

Twenty member clubs have entered the 2024 Ayrshire Scratch Leagues, with the format of the event undergoing some changes in 2024.

For the 2024 competition the top two leagues will increase from six teams to seven teams, and clubs will no longer play off on a home and away basis, but will be allocated either a home or away fixture against each of the other teams in the league by a random draw.

In 2024 there will be no play offs, with two teams being automatically promoted, and two teams automatically relegated between the three leagues.

As a consequence of the changes the 2024 competition will have two leagues of seven teams and one league of six teams.

2024 AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES

DIVISION 1 (7 teams)

Royal Troon, Kilmarnock Barassie, Largs, Irvine, Loudoun, Prestwick St Cuthbert, Ballochmyle

Bottom two teams relegated to Division 2 the following season.

DIVISION 2 (7 teams)

Turnberry, Caprington, Ayr Belleisle, Troon Portland, Troon St Meddans, Ardeer, West Kilbride

Top two teams promoted to Division 1 and bottom two teams relegated to Division 3 the following season.

DIVISION 3 (6 teams)

Girvan, Prestwick St Nicholas, Irvine Ravenspark, Troon Welbeck, Rowallan Castle, Redburn

Top two teams promoted to Division 2 for the following season.

All league matches to be completed by the 31^st of August 2024

Relevant details will be distributed to nominated club representatives in the near future.

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - draw made for 2024 competition

The draw has been made for the 2024 Ayrshire Fourball Championship, wit pairings from forty one member clubs taking part this year.

Play will continue throughout the season, with the final scheduled to take place during Finals Day at Ballochmyle on the first of September.

The draw for the opening two rounds is:-

PRESIDENT'S PUTTER - Thirty five clubs chase handicap club team knockout championship crown

Thirty five member clubs featured in the draw for the President's Putter competition, which was made recently.

With just three first round ties to be played, defending champions Auchenharvie 88 were drawn at home to Ardeer in round two.

The draw for the firast two rounds of the 2024 competition is:-

AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP - Royal Troon boost entry for 2024 competition

Royal Troon have entered the 2024 Ayrshire Women's Handicap League Championship, boosting the entry to nine member clubs this season.

Clubs will play home and away matches throughout the season, with all sectional matches due to be completed by the 4th of August.

There will be two qualifying sections, and the draw made recently was :-

SECTION A - Largs, Kilmarnock Barassie, Ballochmyle, Prestwick St Cuthbert, Loudoun

SECTION B - Caprington, Ayr Belleisle, Troon Welbeck, Royal Troon

In a change to the latter stages this year, the two two teams in each section will qualify for a single match semi final in which the top team in section A will play the runner up in Section B and the top team in section B will host the runner up in section A.

The semi final winners will then play off for the championship on Finals Day at ballochmyle on the 1st of September

AYRSHIRE MEN'S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY - 47 bid for place in final at Royal Troon

47 players will contest the 2024 Ayrshire Men's Champion of Champions Trophy competition, chasing a place in the final at Royal Troon on the 9th of August 2024.

The draw for this years championship was made recently, and details will be forwarded to all competitors soon. The holder Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) faces a first round match away to George Paton (Troon Merchants) in his defence of the trophy.

The draw for the opening two rounds of the 2024 event is:-

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL SALVER - 22 clubs chase scratch club team knockout crown

Twenty two member clubs will contest the 2024 scratch club team knockout competition for the Gary Bryden Memorial Salver.

In the draw made recently, defending champions face a first round match in their defence, at home to Girvan.

Details wiill be forwarded to nominated club representatives in the near future.

The draw for the first two rounds of the 2024 competition is:-

AYRSHIRE MEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP - Record entry of 32 clubs to contest the 2024 event

A record entry of 32 clubs will contest the 2024 Ayrshire Men's Handicap League Championship, in eight qualifying sections, the draw for which has been made.

The clubs will play home and away matches in the qualifying sections throughout the season, with the top team in each section progressing to the knockout quarter final stages.

The draw for the eight qualifying sections is :-

SECTION 1 - Alton, Troon Portland, Routenburn, Tam O Shanter

SECTION 2 - Irvine, Ayr Dalmilling, Golf South Ayrshire, Kilmarnock Barassie

SECTION 3 - Wallacetown, Ayr Seafield, Ardeer, Troon St Meddans

SECTION 4 - Moorpark, Ballochmyle, Royal Troon, Annanhill

SECTION 5 - Prestwick St Cuthbert, Redburn, North Beach, Caprington

SECTION 6 - West Kilbride, Prestwick St Nicholas, Kilbirnie Place, Largs

SECTION 7 - Rowallan Castle, Troon Welbeck, Stewarton, Auchinharvie 88

SECTION 8 - Loudoun, Portmann, Ayr Belleisle, Irvine Ravenspark

All qualifying section matches will be completed by the 14th of July when the championship will progress to the quarter final knockout stages:

The quarter final line up (played home and away) to be completed by the 4th of August will be:

1 - Winner of League 4 Vs Winner of League 1

2 – Winner of League 5 Vs Winner of League 8

3 – Winner of League 6 Vs Winner of league 2

4 – Winner of league 3 Vs Winner of League 7

The semi-final line up, to be completed by the 25th of August, will be:-

Winner of tie 1 Vs Winner of tie 2

Winner of tie 3 Vs Winner of tie 4

The Final will be played on the 1st of September at Ballochmyle

Relevant details will be forwarded to appointed club representatives in due course

AYRSHIRE WOMENS CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY - Draw for 2024 competition

The draw has been made for the 2024 Ayrshire Women's Champion of Champions Trophy competition, with the entry boosted to 10 players for the second annual championship.

The players will play 18 hole scratch matchplay knockout ties throughut the season, culminating in the final over the championship course at Royal Troon on the 9th of August.

The draw for the opening two rounds of the 2024 championship, details of which will be sent to the competitors soon, is:-

Saturday, February 17, 2024

SCOTTISH GOLF - Three Ayrshire Golf Association Executive members appointed to posts with the national body

Three serving members of the Ayrshire Golf Association executive have been appointed to posts within the national body for the forthcoming season.

John Rushbury (Royal Troon), Association President from 2016 - 2018 will serve for a second successive year as Scotland Men's Team manager in 2024.

Immediate past President Scott Gilchrist (Loudoun), who managed the Ayrshire Boys' team to successive West of Scotland league titles in 2018 and 2019, has been selected by Scottishgolf as an Under 18 team selector for the forthcoming season, while Executive member Liz Keohone (Louodun) will take up a chaperone post within the national organisation.

Monday, February 12, 2024

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION ANNUAL DINNER - Last call for tickets for the 2024 event

There are only three days remaining for purchase of tickets to the 2024 Ayrshire Golf Association Annual Dinner & Presentation of Prizes, with final numbers required to be submitted by Thursday the 15th f February.

The annual dinner, to be held this year at the Carlton Hotel, Prestwick on Friday the 23rd of February 2024, gives the opportunity to honour the winning teams and individuals in Ayrshire Golf Association events in 2023.

Guest speaker this year is former UEFA international football referee John Rowbotham.

Tickets for the event are priced at £30, which covers a three course meal and coffee, and are available from the Area Secretary, Alasdair Malcolm, who can be contacted by email at

ayrshire.golf@btinternet.com

to reserve spaces., which will be available until Thursday the 15th of February.

The dinner is open to any member, male or female, of Ayrshire Golf Association member clubs to attend.

Wednesday, February 07, 2024

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION ANNUAL DINNER - Spaces still available for 2024 Annual Dinner on the 23rd of February.

Tickets for the 2024 Ayrshire Golf Association Annual Dinner & Presentation of Prizes, to be held at the Carlton Hotel, Prestwick on Friday the 23rd of February 2024, are still available for purchase.

The Annual dinner gives the opportunity to honour the winning teams and individuals in Ayrshire Golf Association events in 2023.