ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON AMATEUR GOLF IN AYRSHIRE

Sunday, August 28, 2011

AYRSHIRE GIRLS GOLF - Gilbert wins St Nicholas Trophy

Lauren Gilbert
with the St Nicholas Trophy
(Report and photos coutrtesy of June Kerr)

Lauren Gilbert (Largs) swept aside the rest of the field on her way to winning the St. Nicholas Trophy, which was played on Sunday 21st August at Brunston Castle GC.

Her nett 59 playing off 23 was undoubtedly 13 year old Lauren's best round to date and has now taken her handicap down to 18, having started the season at 33.

Some of the competitors in the
2011 St Nicholas Trophy competition
Results are as follows:-

Silver:       
1st Emma Hale (Troon Ladies)
77 (6) 71
2nd Grace Mackie (Troon Ladies)

84 (11) 73

Bronze:     
1st Lauren Gilbert (Largs)  
82 (23) 59
2nd Louise Duncan (West Kilbride)

111 (29) 82

Scratch Winner of The Telegraph prize: Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) 75

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Close finishes ahead in promotion and relegation battles

The Ayrshire Scratch Leagues are nearing a conclusion, as the final few matches are scheduled to be completed over the next four weeks, and in many cases there is likely to be close battles as teams bid for title glory or try to avoid relegation.

In DIVISION 1, reigning champions Kilmarnock (Barassie) remain on pole position to retain their title, with three fixtures remaining to be played, after a 4 - 2 home win over Ayr Belleisle. In the only other result posted recently, Troon Welbeck maintained their place in the top half of the league with a 5 - 1 win at Ayr Belleisle, a result which almost certainly sends the Belleisle team into Division 2 next seaso.

Present positions in Division 1 are :-

26 - KILMARNOCK BARASSIE (25/17)
20 - LOUDOUN (27.5/20.5)
18 - TROON WELBECK (26/22)
16 - IRVINE RAVENSPARK (25/29)
12 - IRVINE (25/23)
  4 - AYR BELLEISLE (15.5/32.5)

Remaining Fixtures

Barassie vs Loudoun
Irvine vs Belleisle
Welbeck Vs Barassie
Irvine Vs Loudoun
Belleisle Vs Barassie
Ravenspark Vs Welbeck

In DIVISION 2, Ballochmyle are almost certain of the title after completing their fixtures with a 4 - 0 home win over Caprington and a 3 - 3 draw at New Cumnock, to leave them on 30 points. West Kilbride maintained their slim hopes with a 5 - 1 home win over New Cumnock, who were also beated by 3.5 - 2.5 at Caprington. New Cumnock's relegation worries were eased a little witn a 4 - 2 win away to fellow strugglers Kilbirnie Place.

Present positions in Division 2 are :-

30 - BALLOCHMYLE (38/22)
16 - WEST KILBRIDE (21/15)
14 - ARDEER (17.5/18.5)
10 - CAPRINGTON (17.5/24.5)
10 - NEW CUMNOCK (18/30)
  8 - KILBIRNIE PLACE (20/22)

Remaining Fixtures

Ardeer Vs Kilbirnie
Caprington Vs West Kilbride
New Cumnock Vs Ardeer
Kilbirnie Vs West Kilbride
Caprington Vs Kilbirnie
Ardeer Vs West Kilbride
New Cumnock Vs west Kilbride
Ardeer Vs Caprington

In DIVISION 3, Prestwick Str Cuthbert took over top spot from Troon St Meddans after a home win over their closest rivals by 5.5 - 0.5. largs title hopes suffered a blow with a 3.5 - 2.5 defeat at tam O Shanter.

Present positions in Division 3 are :-

12 - PRESTWICK ST CUTHBERT (15.5 - 8.5)
10 - TROON ST MEDDANS (14.5 - 15.5)
  8 - LARGS (15/15)
  6 - TAM O SHANTER (9/15)

Remaining fixtures :-

Largs Vs St Cuthbert
St Cuthbert Vs Tam O Shanter
St Meddans Vs Tam O Shanter

In DIVISION 4, Ayr dalmilling lead the way in a very close section, whilst Moorpark appear destined for the bottom spot in the division.

Home wins by 4 - 2 over Moorpark and 5 - 1 over Maybole propelled Dalmilling to the top of the table whilst Prestwick St Nicholas maintained their challenge with a 3.5 - 2.5 home win over Turnberry.

Present positions in Division 4 are :-

20 - AYR DALMILLING (24.5/11.5)
14 - TURNBERRY (22.5/13.5)
12 - PRESTWICK ST NICHOLAS (16/14)
10 - MAYBOLE (14/22)
  0 - MOORPARK (7/23)

Remaining Fixtures :-

Moorpark Vs Turnberry
St Nicholas Vs Maybole
Moorpark vs St Nicholas
Turnberry Vs Dalmilling
Moorpark Vs Maybole
St Nicholas Vs Dalmilling

In DIVISION 5, Girvan have secured the title and promotion to Division 4, with two fixtures remaining, after nearest rivals Rowallan Castle crashed to a 5 - 1 defeat at Doon Valley in their latest fixture.

Present positions in Division 5 are :-

24 - GIRVAN (30/6)
12 - ROWALLAN CASTLE (14/22)
10 - DOON VALLEY (15/15)
  6 - BRUNSTON CASTLE (15/21)
  4 - CROSSHOUSE (10/20)

Remaining Fixtures :-

Crosshouse vs Brunston Castle
Doon Valley Vs Girvan
Rowallan Castle Vs Crosshouse
Brunston Castle Vs Doon Valley
Rowallan Castle Vs Girvan
Crosshouse Vs Doon Valley

All remaining fixtures are due for completion by late September.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

LADIES GOLF - Greenlees update

Local clubs have been involved in a number of matches in the Greenlees West Of Scoltnad Inter Club Leagues over the last few weeks.

In DIVISION 1, Kilmarnock Barassie fought out a 4.5 - 4.5 draw at home to Kilmacolm but crashed to a 7.5 - 1.5 defeat away to near neihbours Troon Ladies.

Prestwick St Nicholas continue to struggle for survival, following a 7.5 - 1.5 defeat away to Whitecraigs.

Present positions in Division 1 are :-

38.5 - RANFURLY CASTLE
35.5 - MILNGAVIE
34.0 - KILMARNOCK BARASSIE
29.0 - TROON LADIES
27.5 - CATHKIN BRAES
26.5 - WHITECRAIGS
26.0 - KILMACOLM
13.5 - DOUGLAS PARK
12.5 - PRESTWICK ST NICHOLAS

In DIVISION 2, a recent 7 - 2 win at Cardross took West Kilbride to the top of the table ahead of near neighbours largs, who maintained the pressure with a 6 - 3 home win over Eastwood.

Present positions in Division 2 are :-

50.5 - WEST KILBRIDE
44.5 - LARGS
30.0 - HAGGS CASTLE
23.5 - CARDROSS
22.0 - EASTWOOD
21.0 - HILTON PARK
20.5 - ERSKINE
13.0 - WILLIAMWOOD
  9.0 - COWGLEN

 In DIVISION 3, Loudoun Gowf Club continue their march to promotion and the Division 3 Trophy with two recent away wins, by 5.5 - 3.5 at Cathcart Castle and 6.5 - 2.5 at Lanark, concluding their schedule of matches and maintaining their 100% record for the season to leave them a clear 17.5 points ahead of their nearest challengers.

Present positions in Division 3 are :-

57.0 - LOUDOUN GOWF
39.5 - OLD RANFURLY
32.0 - LANARK
28.5 - LENZIE
26.5 - BOTHWELL CASTLE
22.0 - EAST RENFREWSHIRE
21.5 - GREENOCK
20.5 - CAWDER
13.5 - CATHCART CASTLE

All remaining matches are due for completion by late September.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

US AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Stewart crashes out in first round of matchplay

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) crashed out of the US Amateur Championship at Erin Hills Golf Club in Wisconsin today, in the first round of the matchplay stages.

After the match was delayed overnight due to darkness, with Stewart one down to 13th qualifier Justin Thomas from Kentucky after two holes, the Scot fought back to level the match after six holes, only to slip behind again and turning for home three behind before eventually losing by 5 & 3.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

US AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Stewart qualifies for matchplay stages

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) has succesfully qualified for the matchplay stages of the 2011 US Amateur Championship, being played this week at Erin Hills Golf Club in Wisconsin.

After a weather delay in his second round, Stewart finished the two qualifying rounds on 141, one under par, to qualify in 49th place of the 64 matchplay qualifiers. The qualifying cut fell one shot further back on 142.

In the frst round of matchplay, Stewart faces the 13th qualifier, Justin Thomas, from Goshen, Kentucky.

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT - Wilson takes 2011 title

David Wilson
David Wilson (Troon Welbeck) is the winner of the 2011 Ayrshire Junior Order Of Merit, whilst the remaining prizewinning places will remain undecided until the final event is completed on Sunday 28th August.

With just the Kilbirnie Place Junior Open still to be played, Wilson has an unbeatable points total.

The remaining places in the top three will remain undecided however until the completion of the Kilbirnie Place Junior Open at the weekend. The 2010 title holder Charlie Macneal (Troon Welbeck) is presently in second place but has now returned to college in the USA, leaving the possibility of  the new Ayrshire Boys Champion Callum Beveridge (Troon Welbeck) leapfrogging him into second place if he won outright at Kilbirnie.

Callum Gorrie (Kilmarnock Barassie) could also edge himself into one of the three prizewinning positions, at the expense of Callum Beveridge, if he took full points at Kilbirnie this week.

With just the one event remaining, the present positions are :-


805.83
DAVID WILSON
WELBECK
612.5
CHARLIE MACNEAL
WELBECK
525.5
CALLUM BEVERIDGE
WELBECK
432.92
CALLUM GORRIE
BARASSIE
220
STEPHEN HILL
ST CUTHBERT
203
LOUIS MURRAY
WELBECK
184.58
GREG VERNON
ANNANHILL
160
JACK THOMAS
IRVINE
125
CHRIS HOBSON
IRVINE
125
STUART EASTON
IRVINE
109.17
JACK MCCLUSKEY
BELLEISLE
100
SANDY WALKER
ARDEER
100
DONALD SWINLEY
ROYAL TROON
92.17
GREG TELFER
ST CUTHBERT
77.5
DARRYL LYNCH
BELLEISLE
55
CALLUM NAIRN
ST NICHOLAS
53.33
DARREN YOUNG
ANNANHILL
50
ALLAN WATSON
BALLOCHMYLE
47.5
BLAIR GAVIN
BARASSIE
45
ROSS MCSHERRY
ROYAL TROON
41.67
EUAN HENDERSON
BARASSIE
35
BEN JACKSON
IRVINE
35
DANIEL FORBES
ARDEER
28.75
JOHN MONTGOMERY
WEST KILBRIDE
28.75
EUAN WALKER
KIL. BARASSIE
25
STEWART RUSSELL
BARASSIE
23.75
JACK McDONALD
BARASSIE
15
RUDI MARSHALL
WELBECK
15
JONATHON STEVENSON
WELBECK
15
GREG CATHIE
IRVINE
11.67
STUART EASTON
IRVINE
7.5
ROBBIE BLACKWOOD
BARASSIE
5
STUART HOPE
BARASSIE
3
ROBBIE FITZPATRICK
IRVINE
3
IAN NAPIER
BELLEISLE

DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - Smyth remains firm favourite with two events remaining

With only two counting events remaining in the chase for the 2011 Ayrshire Order Of Merit for the Doc Thom Salver, Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) remains the firm favourite to take the title.

Although he can still mathimatically be caught, the Ayrshire Matchplay Champion remains well ahead, with only the Welbeck Links at the Troon Municipal courses on 28th August and the Arrol, Cup at Prestwick St Nicholas on 17th September to be completed.

Although the chances of catching Smyth are slim, there is plenty to play for amongst a dozen or more players who still have a realistic chance of filling one of the three prizewinning places at the top of the table, particularly as Jamie Mackay who is presently lying in second place has recently turned professional.

With a maximum of 150 points available to the winner of each of the closing 36 hole events, and points awarded to the top seven places in qualifying competitions, there is still plenty to play for over the remaining events.

Present positions are :-

412.5
Michael
Smyth
Royal Troon
187.5
Jamie
Mackay
Kil. Barassie
175
Michael
Stewart
Troon Welbeck
174
John
Haggarty
Loudoun
150
Tommy
McInally
Loudoun
108.75
Keith
Hamilton
Ayr Belleisle
108.75
Craig
Hamilton
Ballochmyle
100
Scott
McCahill
Maybole
100
Craig
Adams
Ardeer
100
Iain
Macdonald
Largs
77.5
Marc
Smith
Troon Welbeck
75
John
Cairney
Ravenspark
75
David
Kelso
Tam O Shanter
75
James
Russell
Ardeer
74
Scott
Gilchrist
Loudoun
71.25
David
McLellan
Largs
62.5
Scott
Davidson
Largs
62.5
Gregor
Dickson
Largs
58.75
Gary
Bryden
Girvan
42.5
Stephen
Spence
Irvine
42.5
David
Tierney
Ayr Belleisle
42.5
Kenneth
Campbell
Ayr Carrick
42.5
James
Donnelly
Ardeer
35
Stephen
Murray
Troon Welbeck
27.5
Robbie
Fulker
Kil. Barassie
27.5
David
Macdonald
Largs
24
Stuart
White
Girvan
24
Paul
Denim
Loudoun
24
S
Muir
Loudoun
20
George
Robertson
Ravenspark
11.67
Josie
Gillon
Tam O Shanter
11.67
Alex
Jack
Ayr Seafield
11.67
Stephen
Coulter
Ravenspark
11.67
Robin
McCaig
West Kilbride
11.67
Kevin
McCormack
Ardeer
11.67
Andrew
Muirhead
Ardeer
10
Carl
Thomas
Largs
8.75
Denis
Larman
Annanhill
8.75
Richard
Easterbrook
Ballochmyle
8.75
William
Wilson
Ballochmyle
8.75
Neil
McCormack
New Cumnock
7.5
Stuart
Miller
Kil. Barassie
7.5
Gavin
Wilson
Loudoun
5
Graeme
Rowan
Ballochmyle