ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON AMATEUR GOLF IN AYRSHIRE

Monday, September 01, 2025

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Prestwick St Cuthbert and Caprington secure league titles

Prestwick St Cuthbert and Caprington have been confirmed as League Champions in their respective Ayrshire Scratch leagues, following recent results.

Prestwick St Cuthbert GC have been confirmed as retaining the Ayrshire Scratch league Division 1 title for 2025.

With all their matches completed, St Cuthbert’s title retention hopes hinged on Largs’ last two fixtures, with the North Ayrshire club still able to match the St Cuthbert points total with two victories in their outstanding fixtures.

In their penultimate fixture, at home to Irvine on Sunday the 31st of August, Largs shared the spoils in a 3 – 3 draw which confirmed that Prestwick St Cuthbert would retain the championship title in 2025.

With just one fixture outstanding, between Royal Troon and Largs, present positions in Scratch League Division one are:-

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

PRESTWICK ST CUTHBERT

12

9

0

3

46.5

25.5

21

36

AYR BELLEISLE

12

7

1

4

43.5

28.5

15

30

LARGS

11

7

1

3

38.5

27.5

11

30

IRVINE

12

5

2

5

36.5

35.5

1

24

ROYAL TROON

11

4

0

7

30.5

35.5

-5

16

KILMARNOCK BARASSIE

12

3

2

7

26.5

45.5

-19

16

TURNBERRY

12

2

2

8

24

48

-24

12

Caprington GC were crowned Ayrshire Scratch League Division 2 champions with confirmation that they won their final fixture of the campaign away to Prestwick St Nicholas by 4-2.

With just the fixture between Irvine Ravenspark and West Kilbride outstanding, present positions in Scratch League Division 2 are:-

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

CAPRINGTON

12

8

2

2

46

26

20

36

LOUDOUN

12

8

0

4

44.5

27.5

17

32

PRESTWICK ST NICHOLAS

12

5

2

5

32.5

39.5

-7

24

BALLOCHMYLE

12

4

3

5

39.5

32.5

7

22

WEST KILBRIDE

11

5

1

5

35

31

4

22

TROON PORTLAND

12

3

3

6

30.5

41.5

-11

18

IRVINE RAVENSPARK

11

1

3

7

18

48

-30

10

With several results still outstanding, the destination of the Scratch League Division 3 title is still unclear.


AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE - Kilmarnock Barassie take 2025 title at Ballochmyle

Kilmarnock Barassie GC are the 2025 Ayrshire Junior Golf League champions after victory ove Irvine GC in the final at Ballochmyle on Sunday the 31st of August.

In a tightly contested match five of the six ties were decided on the eighteenth green with the Kilmarnock Barassie side eventually emerging victorious by 4 tie to 2, to take the League Championship title for the first time since 2019 and the sixth time overall.

It was irvine who took the early lead in the match, the lead tie between Mason Chisholm and Zac McCallum being halved and Aidan Hay winning the second tie against Sandi Rogerson by a single hole to put Irvine 1.5 - 0.5 ahead.

The third tie saw Orla Moran and Adam Cunningham share the honours to make the match score 2-1 in favour of Irvine but soon after the match was all square when Sam Greig leveled the match with a 2 hole win over Liam Moran.

In the penultimate tie Stefi Rogerson secured a crucial 372 win over Dylan Gillespie to put Kilmarnock Barassie 3-2 ahead in the match and Harley Doherty completed the clear win for Kilmarnock barassie in the anchor tie, beating Frankie Crawford by a single hole to give Kilmarnock Barassie the 2025 League Championship title with a 4-2 winning margin in the final.

The league Championship trophy was handed over the the winning team at the conclusion of the final by Ayrshire Junior Golf League Charmen Billy Stewart (Ballochmyle)

Match details (Kilmarnock Barassie names first):-

Zak McCallum halved with Mason Chisholm

Sandi Rogerson lost to Aidan Hay by 1 hole

Adam Cunningham halved with Orla Moran

Sam Greig beat Liam Moran by 2 holes

Stefi Rogerson beat Dylan Gillespie by 3&2

Harley Doherty beat Frankie Crawford by 1 hole

KILMARNOCK BARASSIE   4   IRVINE   2  

WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY UNDER 18 BOY'S LEAGUE - Ayrshire face title showdown with Lanarkshire at Ayr Seafield

Ayrshire face a final day showdown with Lanarkshire in the West of Scotland Under 18 Inter County Boy’s league Championship for The Wishart Trophy as the last of the fourth round of matches were completed recently.

On Sunday the 24th of August Dumbartonshire beat Glasgow 8-0 at Lenzie to move off the bottom of the table and on Sunday the 31st of August Lanarkshire made it four wins from four with a 4.5-3.5 home win over Renfrewshire at Kirkhill.

Present positions in the league are:-

 

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

LANARKSHIRE

4

4

0

0

20.5

11.5

9.0

16

AYRSHIRE

4

3

1

0

22.0

10.0

12.0

14

RENFREWSHIRE

4

1

2

1

19.0

13.0

6.0

8

DUMBARTONSHIRE

4

1

0

3

13.0

19.0

-6.0

4

STIRLINGSHIRE

4

1

0

3

12.5

19.5

-7.0

4

GLASGOW

4

0

1

3

9.0

23.0

-14.0

2

The final matches of the season all take place on Sunday the 7th of September and there will be a title showdown at Ayr Seafield where Ayrshire host Lanarkshire, with the home side needing a win to retain the championship title while a draw will be sufficient for Lanarkshire to win the 2025 title.

The other matches on the final weekend see Glasgow host Stirlingshire at Ralston and Renfrwshire host Dumbartonshire at Old Ranfurly.


FINALS DAY - Five county champions for 2025 crowned at Troon Portland

Five of the Ayrshire Golf Association extended competitions for 2025 were concluded on Sunday the 31st of August at Troon Portland golf course when Finals day took play in bright but windy conditions.

2025 Ayrshire Jug finalists
Neil & Sheila Kennedy & Kevin Hamilton & Karen Millar
with AGA President Andrew Gilligan

The first final to take place was the mixed greensomes knockout trophy competition for The Ayrshire Jug, between Kevin Hamilton and Karen Millar (Rowallan Castle) and Neil & Sheila Kennedy (Loudoun).

2025 Ayrshire Jug Winners
Neil & Sheila Kennedy

The Kennedys received three shots from their opponents and used the two shots received in the outward half to their advantage, winning both the second and sixth holes to counter their opponents wins at the first and fifth holes, as the final turned for home all square after nine holes.

The Kennedy's went ahead in the match for the first time at the eleventh and further wins at the thirteenth and fifteenth left then three up with three holes of regulation play to go. 

A half in fours at the sixteenth was enough to complete a 3&2 win for neil and Sheila Kennedy, winners of The Ayrshire Jug for 2025.




The second final of the day was the handicap club team knockout competition for The Presidents Putter which featured Irvine Ravenspark and Troon St Meddans, who were both bidding for their first win in te competition.

Presidents Putter finalists
irvine ravenspark & Troon St Meddans

Jack McNeil (16) led off for Irvine Ravenspark against Stephen Quinn (8) and secured the first point on the board for his club with a 5&3 victory.

2025 President's Putter winners
Irvine Ravenspark GC
Sammy Stephens (18) represented Irvine Ravenspark in the second singles against david Hunter (14) and he ensured a match win for his club with a 4&2 victory.


The foursomes match between Irvine Ravenspark's Colin McKinnon & Andy McGill (11) and Troon St Meddans' David Brown & David McCourt (9) was closely contested and after 18 holes the tie finished all square. As the overall match result was assured in Irvine Ravenspark's favour the foursomes tie was agreeed as a half, which gave irvine ravenspark the presidents Putter Trophy for 2025 with a 2.5 - 0.5 match score in the final.


The third final of the day was the scratch club team knockout competition for The gary bryden memorial salver, which featured two tome winners Prestwick St Cuthbert and Troon Portland who were bidding for their first success in the event.

Gary Bryden Memorial Salver finalsts
Prestwick St Cuthbert & Troon Portland

The first point secured in the final was in the foursomes tie between Prestwick St Cuthbert's Steven Gillies and Graeme Gimson and the Troon Portland pairing of Joe Gilligan and Robbie Stewart, with the Troon Portland duo winning by 5&4 to put their club 1-0 up in the final.

2025 Gary Bryden Memorial Salver winners
Prestwick St Cuthbert GC

The match score was levelled son after when Craig Telfer won his singles tie against Kris Kirk by 3&2, which left the trophy destination depending on the result of the lead singles tie between prestwick St
Cuthbert's Calum Nairn and Stephen Murray of Troon Portland.
In a very closely contested tie, Calum Nairn held a single hole lead going to the final hole and ultimatley took the final hole for a two hole victory in his tie to give Prestwick St Cuthbert the Gary Bryden Memorial Salver for 2025 with a 2-1 match score in the final.


The Women's Handicap League Championship final was the penumtimate final of the day, and featured a re-run of the 2024 with holder Largs again facing Caprington in the final.

Ayrshire Women's Handicap League Championship finalists
Largs & Caprington

2025 Ayrshire Women's
Handicap league Champions
Largs GC

Jean Capes (15) put the first point on the board for Largs against Pamela McGuire (14), with a 3&2 victory in the opening tie, and Largs were soon 2 - 0 ahead when Leigh Duff (16) beat Mary White (16) by 5&4 in the second tie.


Ann Young (25) got a point back for Caprington with a 2 hole victory over Jane Ashdown (22) before irene Hodge (26) secured the league title and a clear 2.5 - 1.5 win in the final for Largs, when she halved the anchor tie with June Peter (30) to ensure that largs reatined the title they won last year. 

 



The last final of the day was the Ayrshire Men's Handicap League Championship final which featured defending champions Moorpark against Beith, who were appearing in the final of the event, in the first year of entering the competition.


2025 Ayrshire Men's Handicap League Championship finalists
Beith & Moorpark

Moorpark's Jamie Ralston (12) put the first point on the board for Moorpark in the lead tie against Lee Jenkins (0) when the tie was conceded to Ralston after he went eight up after eight holes. As his opponent retired early, the tie score was determined as a 10&8 victory for countback purposes, as per the rules of the competition.

Andrew Armstrong (13) put Moorpark 2-0 ahead with victory by 6&4 in the third tie against Chris Simpson (12) before Duncan Knox (12) reduced the defecit to 2-1 for Beith with a 473 win over Bob Paterson (13) in the second tie of the final.

2025 Ayrshire Men's
Handicap League Champions
Moorpark GC
A 4&3 win by Alan Burns (14) over Andrew Lawrence (16) put Moorpark 3-1 ahead in the match before John Carroll (21) reduced the defecit to 3-2 for beith with a 372 win over Stuart Gordon (15) in the penultimate tie.

In the anchor tie Norrie Clancey (26) beat Neil Gordon (21) by 5&3 to give Moorpark their fourth point and the 2025 Ayrshire Men's Handicap League title with a 4-2 match score, retaining the trophy they won in 2024.


The Association would like to express sincere thanks to Royal Troon Golf Club for hosting the finals over the portland course and also to Troon Portland Golf Club for allowing the use of their facilities to host the finals and cater for players and officials throughout the day. 

Friday, August 29, 2025

AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION FINALS DAY - Five events to be concluded at Troon Portland

Five of the Ayrshire Golf Association extended competitions in 2025 will reach a conclusion on Sunday the 31st of August when Finals Day takes place over the Troon Portland golf course.

With the first final teeing off at 11.00 a.m., the schedule of finals are:-

11.00 am

AYRSHIRE JUG FINAL ( Mixed greensomes Knockout)

Kevin Hamilton & Karen Miller (Rowallan Castle) Vs. Neil & Sheila Kennedy (Loudoun)

11.10 am

PRESIDENTS PUTTER FINAL (Handicap club team knockout)

Irvine Ravenspark Vs. Troon St Meddans

11.30 am

GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL SALVER FINAL (Scratch club team knockout)

Prestwick St Cuthbert Vs. Troon Portland

12.00 Noon

AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Caprington Vs Largs

12.40 pm

AYRSHIRE MEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Moorpark Vs. Beith


The remaining outstanding final, The Ayrshire Men's Fourball Championship between Paul Kytzia & Joe McSorley (Beith) and Alan & Stuart Pole (Abbotsford) has been postponed due to prior commitments by players from both finalist teams, and will take place on Sunday the 14th of September at a venue to be confirmed.



WORLD AMATEUR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - Freya Russell selected for Scotland team in Singapore

Freya Russell (Royal Troon) has been selected to represent Scotland in the World Amateur team Championships in Singapore in October.

The Men’s World Amateur Team Championship, for The Eisenhower trophy, will take place at the Tanah Merah Country Club from the 8th to the 11th of October while the women’s event, for the Espirito Santo Trophy, will take place at the same venue the week before, from the 1st to the 4th of October.  

Russell, a student at Florida State University, has been runner up in the Scottish Women’s Amateur Championship for two years in succession and is also a member of the SAcotland team in 2025 for the European Ladies team Championship and The Home Internationals.

The full teams for both events are:-

Men’s team - Cameron Adam (Royal Burgess), Connor Graham (Blairgowrie) and Niall Shiels Donegan (Mill Valley)

Women’s team - Abigial May (St Andrews), Freya Russell (Royal Troon) and Jennifer Saxton (Dunfermline)

A.G.A. CHARITY GOLF DAY - 2025 event cancelled due to lack of entries

It is with regret that The Ayrshire Golf Association have had to take the difficult decision to cancel the forthcoming Ayrshire Golf Association Charity Golf Day due to the low level of entries received.

The event was due to take place on Friday the 12th of September at Troon Lochgreen golf course but despite the best efforts of the organisers the level of entries received forced the cancellation of the event.

The Association would like to thank those teams who did enter and support the event, and send sincere apologies to those teams for the unfortunate cancellation of the event.

The Association will consider in due course if the event will take p,lace again in 2026. 

DOC THOM AYRSHIRE MEN'S ORDER OF MERIT - John Shanks leads with two events remaining

John Shanks (Irvine) still leads the chase for the Doc Thom Salver and Ayrshire Men's Order of Merit title with just two events remaining.



In the latest qualifying competition, the Ballochmyle Rosebowl, Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon) kept the pressure on John Shanks by taking maximum points with a five under par round of 65, five shots ahead of Shanks who was in joint fourth place with a level par round of 70.

John Haggarty (Loudoun) moved up to fourth in the table, just behoind Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) after his second place at Ballochmyle which was assisted by a hole in one at the par three third hole.

The remaining counting events are The Arrol Cup at Prestwick St Nicholas on Saturday the 20th of September and the Troon Golf Weekender over the weekend of the 27th and 28th of September.


Present positions in the Ayrshire Men's Order of Merit for the Doc Thom Salver are:-



AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Euan Forrest leads with one counting event to go.

Euan Forrest (Turnberry) leads the chase for the Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit with just one counting event, The Irvine Junior Open, remaining to be played this year.

Oliver Kane (Royal Troon) took top points in the recent Troon Junior Open for the Tom Lehman Trophy with a scratch score of 69 over the Troon Lochgreen course, a single shot ahead of Euan Forrest in second place.

The final counting event takes place over the irvine Bogside course on Monday the 22nd of September.

Present positions in the Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit are:-






AYRSHIRE MEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP - Moorpark and Beith in title decider at Troon Portland

The final of the 2025 Ayrshire Men's Handicap League Championship competition, which takes place on Sunday the 31st of August at Troon Portland, will be between defending champions Moorpark and beith, who are bidding for their first championship win.

In the first semi final Moorpark fought back from a 3.5-2.5 first leg defeat away to Portmann to win their home leg by the same margin for a 6-6 draw overall, and narrowly progressed to the final by virtue of a countback over the individual tie scores in the two legs of the semi-final.

In the second semi-final Beith suffered a 3.5-2.5 away to Rowallan Castle in the first leg but won their home tie by 4-2 to secure their place in the final with a 6.5-5.5 victory overall.  

AYRSHIRE WOMEN'S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP - Largs and Caprington in final re-run

The 2025 final of the Ayrshire Women's Handicap League Championship, to be held durung Finals day at Troon Portland on Sunday the 31st of August,  will be a re-run of the 2024 final after Largs and Caprington won through there respective semi-finals recently.

As winners of their qualifying sections Caprington and Largs were at home in their semi finals against Loudoun and Kilmarnock Barassie respectively, and both teams won through to the final with 4-0 semi-final wins. 

GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL SALVER - Prestwick St Cuthbert and Troon Portland meet in 2025 final

The 2025 final of the scratch club team knockout competition for The Gary Bryden Memorial Salver will be contested between two time winners Prestwick St Cuthbert and Troon Portland, who are seeking their first success in the event.

In their semi-final match at home to Caprington the Prestwick St Cuthbert team, who have previously won the trophy iin 2017 and 2021, ran out winners by 3-0.

Troon Portland hosted Turnberry in their semi-final and won by 2-1 to ensure an appearance in the final over their home course during Finals day on Sundaty the 31st of August. 

PRESIDENT'S PUTTER - Troon St Meddans join Irvine Ravenspark in 2025 final

The 2025 final of the handicap club team knockout competition for The President's Putter during Finals day at Troon Portland on Sunday the 31st of August will be between Irvine Ravenspark and Troon St Meddans.

The Troon St Meddans team hosted Alton in their semi final match recently and won through to the final with a 2-1 victory in the match.

THE AYRSHIRE JUG - Rowallan Castle and Loudoun pairings through to mixed greensomes knockout final

The final of the 2025 Ayrshire mixed greensomes knockout competition for The Ayrshire Jug, which will be held during Finals day at Troon Portland on Sunday the 31st of August, will feature pairings from Rowallan Castle GC and Loudoun GC.

In the first semi-final Kevin Hamilton & Karen Miller (Rowallan Castle) hosted Alistair & Jane Bleford (Prestwick St Nicholas) and emerged winners by 2&1.

In the second semi-final Neil & Sheila Kennedy (Loudoun) hosted George & Grace Meikle (Kilmarnock Barassie) and secured their place in the final with a 6&5 victory.