Ayrshire's Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) missed out on creating history during the 100th Scottish Ladies Championship, played at Prestwick Golf Club this week, losing out in the final to Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw) on Saturday morning.
17 year old Jaffrey was bidding to be the youngest ever winner of the championship but lost out at the first extra hole of the final after the players finished all square after the regulation eighteen holes.
Jaffrey took the early lead with a par four at the opening hole but MacDonald hit back to square the match with a birdie at the long third hole before taking full advantage of Jaffrey's successive bogeys at the fifth and sixth to take a two hole lead. Indeed, over the closing holes of the outward half it looked as if MacDonald's lead would increase to three holes, but Jaffrey holed a couple of pressure putts for successive birdies to keep the deficit to two holes as the players turned for home.
Having birdied the eight and ninth, par at the long tenth was enough for Jaffrey to reduce the deficit to one hole and a two followed by a four at the eleventh and twelfth holes, her third and fourth birdies in five holes, saw Jaffrey take the lead for the first time since the opening hole.
A bogey five at the thirteenth from Jaffrey allowed MacDonald to square the match again and par fours from both players at the fourteenth, with Jaffrey getting up and down from a greenside bunker in some style, saw the match remain all square as the player entered Prestwick's famed closing loop of four holes.
At the fifteenth, Jaffrey found the high side of the green in two whilst MacDonald was short left. MacDonald chipped up to fifteen feet past the hole whilst Jaffrey, although hitting a good put, saw her effort for a three run eight feet past the hole. MacDonald's par putt slipped past the hole but Jaffrey's effort also stayed above ground and the match remained tied.
At the sixteenth Jaffrey, although a little short with her effort which held up in the wind, was unfortunate to see her approach spin back off the front of the green. MacDonald took full advantage, hitting a superb approach which pitched just on the top of the ridge running across the middle of the green, checked and ran down to within eighteen inches of the hole. With Jaffrey unable to complete the hole in two further shots, the hole was conceded and MacDonald went one hole ahead with two remaining.
Both players missed the seventeenth fairway on the right from the tee, with Jaffrey's ball lying in light rough on the upslope of the bank which runs across the fairway. With one of the best and bravest shots seen all week, Jaffrey hit a fairway wood over the Alps and the Sahara bunker to within a few feet of the hole. MacDonald, wider than Jaffrey from the tee, could only pitch out sideways in two and although she battled on, the second shot from Jaffrey ensured that she took the hole to square the match once again.
At the final hole, neither player showed any nerves as they matched each other from the tee, laying perfect tee shots in the centre of the fairway a short distance from the green. MacDonald played first and saw her pitch finish 20 feet past the hole whilst Jaffrey's effort came to rest pin high but fifteen feet right of the cup. MacDonald putted first and was a little bold with her effort which ran three feet past the hole. Jaffrey's putt for a birdie three and the championship slipped agonisingly past the right side of the hole ending just an inch or two from the cup, which left MacDonald needing to hole her put to take the match into extra holes, which she did with some confidence.
At the first extra hole, both players negotiated the potentially hazardous tee shot well, giving themselves a good opportunity of making the green in two. Although a good length, Jaffrey's approach drifted left of the green whilst MacDonald saw her effort pull up just short of the putting surface.
Whilst Jaffrey's chip pulled up agonisingly at the top of a slope down to the hole, MacDonald played a fine shot to within three feet of the hole. Jaffrey made a good attempt with her putt for par but the ball slipped past the hole and MacDonald stepped up and confidently holed her putt for a par and the 2014 Scottish Ladies Golf Championship title.
ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON AMATEUR GOLF IN AYRSHIRE
Saturday, May 24, 2014
AYRSHIRE FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Second round matches completed
David & George McCulloch (Brunston Castle), who won the competition in 2012, had a 2&1 win away from home against Tom Maxwell & Scott Moore (Irvine Ravenspark) to set up another away tie in the third round against Tom Reid & Doug Ainslie (Stewarton).
A 2&1 home win over James Gibb & George Ross (Malletsheugh) has secured John Beckett & Graeme Armsrong (Moorpark) an away tie in the last 16 against Robert Adams & Ian Pirrie (Abbotsford).
The remaining second round tie saw Jim Mitchell & Ian Fisher (Ballochmyle) cruise to an 8&7 home win over Shaun Armstrong & Gary Davidson (Prestwick St Cuthbert) to set up an away tie in round three against Blair Graham & Jamie Bryant (Ardeer).
The full third round draw is :-
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3rd Round
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To Be Played By:- 22nd June 2014
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ROBERT MARSHALL & PHILIP ROONEY
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Beith (3&2)
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DAVID GEMMELL & SCOTT WARD
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West Kilbride (3&2)
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THOMAS ALEXANDER & ALEX LEISHMAN
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Ayr Seafield (19th)
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WILLIAM McMEIKAN & ROBERT
GALLOWAY
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Turnberry Staff (6&5)
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VICTOR SPROAT & DAVID LEWIS
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Ayr Belleisle (19th)
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GARY JORDAN & PAUL FERGUSON
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Crosshouse (3&2)
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TOM REID & DOUGIE AINSLIE
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Stewarton (1 hole)
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DAVID McCULLOCH & GEORGE McCULLOCH
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Brunston Castle (2&1)
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HUGH FYFE & CALLUM WEIR
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Muirkirk
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ANDREW MACDONALD & ROBERT PATERSON
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Auchenharvie 88 (4&3)
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ALISTAIR McCALL & DAVID MOORE
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Fenwick (4&3)
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JIM PATERSON & DANNY MONAGHAN
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Loudoun (3&2)
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ROBERT ADAMS & IAN PIRRIE
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Abbotsford (7&6)
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JOHN BECKETT & GRAEME ARMSTRONG
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Moorpark (2&1)
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BLAIR GRAHAM & JAMIE BRYANT
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Ardeer (1 hole)
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JIM MITCHELL & IAN FISHER
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Ballochmyle (8&7)
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BELLHAVEN BEST SCOTTISH CAPTAINS AND SECRETARIES COMPETITION - Chase pair through to national final.
The Chase Golf Club duo of Captain Alan Smeeton and Secretary John Brodie are through to the final of the Bellhaven Best Captains & Secretaries competition after finishing runners up in the regional qualifying event staged at Hilton park on Wednesday 22nd May.The pair retuned a score of 66, four shots behind the winners from Strathaven.
Leading Scores :-
62 - Strathaven
66 - Chase (Alan Smeeton & John Brodie)
67 - Lochgilphead, Bonnybridge, Earlsgate
68 - Hilton Park, Southerness
69 - Vale Of Leven, Windyhill
Other Ayrshire Scores :-
70 - Saxone (Neil Black & Ian McKenzie)
72 - Stewarton (Darren Murdoch & Tom Reid)
73 - Troon St Meddans (John Nellany & Willie Stewart)
74 - Crosshouse (Davie Cocking & Archie Milligan)
80 - Troon Merchants (John Dodd & Tom McClements)
82 - Irvine Ravenspark (Gerry McKenna & George Millard)
84 - Glacier (James Chalmers & Ryan Parsons)
88 - Tam O Shanter (Laurie Yair & Douglas Owens)
The final is scheduled to take place on 9th September 2014 at Crail.
AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Ballochmyle secure first point of the season
In Division 1 of the Ayrshire Scratch Leagues, Ballochmyle secured their first point of the season last week with a 3 - 3 draw away to Irvine Ravenspark.
In Division 2, West Kilbride had a 4 - 2 win over their visitors from Ayr Belleisle.
In the other result posted this week, the Division 4 clash between Ayr Dalmilling and Troon St Meddans finished with honours even in a 3 - 3 draw.
In Division 2, West Kilbride had a 4 - 2 win over their visitors from Ayr Belleisle.
In the other result posted this week, the Division 4 clash between Ayr Dalmilling and Troon St Meddans finished with honours even in a 3 - 3 draw.
AYRSHIRE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - Competition reached last 16.
Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) beat Scott McCune (Moorpark) by 5&3 at Moorpark to set up a home tie against fellow Ayrshire team member Gordon Boyle (Turnberry) who secured his place in the third round with a 1 hole away win over Kenny Milliken (Troon St Meddans).
Kenny Mackaskill (Turnberry Staff) will play host to Craig Robertson (Abbotsford) in the third round after a 4 & 2 win over Gary Steele (Maybole) in round two.
Adam Sweeney (Largs Routenburn) had a 5&4 home win over Colin Berry (Rowallan Castle) to secure a home tie in the thirds round against Iain Macdonald (Largs).
2013 runner up Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) was a 6 & 5 winner against Robbie Fulker (Kilmarnock Barassie) in the second round to earn a home tie in round three against Craig Young (Loudoun) who was taken to the 20th hole in his second round match away to Andrew Jess (Ayr Belleisle).
Frank Murdoch (Brunston Castle) is at home to Colin Craig (Troon Welbeck) in the third round after his 4 & 3 home win over Stephen Brown (Drongan) in the second round.
Sandy Walker (Ardeer) had a 5&4 home win over Brian Jamieson (Wallacetown) in the second round and has a home tie against John Shanks (Irvine) in the last 16 of the competition.
The remaining ties resulted in walkovers for Martin Riddall (New Cumnock) and Ian Girvan (Muirkirk) over Ewan McKinnon (Corrie) and Alan McLean (Kilbirnie Place) with the pair now pitchesd against each other in round three at New Cumnock.
The full third round draw is :-
| 3rd Round |
| To Be Played By:- 22nd June 2014 |
| MALCOLM PENNYCOTT (Whiting Bay) |
| GORDON BOYLE (Turnberry) |
| KENNY MACASKILL (Turnberry Staff) |
| CRAIG ROBERTSON (Abbotsford) |
| ADAM SWEENEY (Largs Routenburn) |
| IAIN MACDONALD (Largs) |
| CRAIG HAMILTON (Ballochmyle) |
| CRAIG YOUNG (Loudoun) |
| FRANK MURDOCH (Brunston Castle) |
| COLIN CRAIG (Troon Welbeck) |
| SANDY WALKER (Ardeer) |
| JOHN SHANKS (Irvine) |
| GORDON C. McKELVIE (Royal Troon) |
| GARY BRYDEN (Girvan) |
| MARTIN RIDDALL (New Cumnock) |
| IAIN GIRVAN (Muirkirk) |
Friday, May 23, 2014
BELLEISLE CUP - A few spaces left for Doc Thom counting event
Today is the closing date for this year`s Corum sponsored Belleisle Cup, which takes place on Sunday 1st June, a counting event in the Doc Thom Ayrshire Order Of Merit.
The draw is being made over the weekend, however a few spaces are still available.
Anyone wishing to enter may do so by contacting either
Robert Morrison (07708 861569) or Kevin Boyd (07900 050496) as soon as possible.
SCOTTISH LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP - Ayrshire girls to the fore at Prestwick
| Clark Rosebowl winner Emma Hale |
In Friday morning's semi final of the Clark Rosebowl, Hale faced Tara McTaggart (Minto), and, after winning the opening two holes, was never behind in the match which she closed out with a par four on the final hole for a one hole victory.
In the final on Friday afternoon Hale took on Carol Whyte (Milngavie). Hale lost the first hole in the final to par but squared the match at the second, only to go behind again at the third. This pattern persisted until the seventh hole when Hale won the hole to go ahead for the first time.
Hale maintained her advantage to the turn and went two ahead with a four at the long tenth hole, only to see Whyte reduce the deficit once again with a birdie two at the eleventh.
The players matched each other over the incoming holes and on reaching Prestwick's famed closing loop of four holes, hale remained one hole ahead. At the fifteenth a par four was good enough to give Hale a two hole advantage and fours at the sixteenth and seventeenth were good enough to close out the match by 2 & 1 and secure the Clark Rosebowl.
In the championship itself, Connie Jaffrey continued her good form to secuere a semi final place with a 2 & 1 win in her quarter final match against Lauren Whyte (St Regulus).
Jaffrey was two down after two holes in the quarter final match but reduced the deficit with a birdie four at the third hole and turned her early deficit into a two hole advantage by winning three successive holes from the fifth. Whyte fought back to square the match by the eleventh and won the thirteenth to leave Jaffrey one behind with five holes to play.
The fourteenth was halved in par fours but Jaffrey closed out the match taking the fifteenth with a birdie three to square the match again and winning both the sixteenth and seventeenth for a 2 & 1 win.
In the semi finals on Friday afternoon, Jaffrey faced Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) who was bidding to secure a final spot against her sister Megan Briggs, who contested the other semi final against Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw).
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| Connie Jaffrey (photo courtesy of Cal Carson Golf Agency) |
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| Gabrielle Macdonald (photo courtesy of Cal Carson Golf Agency) |
Three fours over the holes in the closing loop of holes was enough for Jaffrey to take the sixteenth and seventeenth for a 2 & 1 victory and a place in Saturday morning's final.
In further disappointment for the Briggs sisters, Meggan lost out in her semi final match against Gabrielle Macdonald by 3 & 2.
The final between Connie Jaffrey and Gabrielle Macdonald tees of at 9.00 am on Saturday morning.
SCOTTISH LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP[ - Top qualifier Jaffrey remains on course in title bid
Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) led the qualifiers after the strokelay rpond of the 100th Scottish Ladies Championship, being held this week at Prestwick GC, and safely negotiated her first two round of matchplay on Thursday, to book her place in the quarter finals.(Report from the SLGA website)
Lesley Atkins (Gullane) knocked out defending champion, Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), by 2 and 1 to make it through to the quarter-finals of the Scottish Ladies’ Championship at Prestwick.
The 19-year-old claimed it was a career best win and her reward is a last eight match against Kilmacolm’s Eilidh Briggs, who will be playing for GB and Ireland in next month’s Curtis Cup at St Louis Country Club.
Two down at the turn, Atkins, who is in her first year at Florida International University, drew level at the 14th and then crucially made a birdie at the 16th to edge one ahead. A bogey at the 17th was good enough to win both the hole and the match.
“I was nervous at the start and towards the end,” she admitted. “I’m loving my time in Florida and definitely feel my best golf is yet to come.”
Teenager Connie Jaffrey, the leading strokeplay qualifier, continued an impressive run through to the quarter-finals. Level par in the first round, the 17-year-old Scottish Girls’ Champion defeated her Troon Ladies’ clubmate Jane Finnie by 6 and 5 and was then three under par in ousting Hannah McCook (Grantown-On-Spey) by 5 and 4 at the last 16 stage.
In the second round, Jaffrey won the first two holes in par and then had a sparkling run – birdie, birdie, eagle – from the seventh to turn for home with the five hole advantage. The three at the ninth was quite straightforward – a drive, rescue club to five feet and a single putt.
In the quarter-finals, Jaffrey will face the 2012 Scottish Girls’ Champion, Lauren Whyte – the St Regulus youngster advanced with a 4 and 2 win over Milngavie’s Nichola Ferguson.
Megan Briggs, the older of the Kilmacolm sisters, kept up her hopes of repeating her 2009 triumph with a comfortable 5 and 3 victory over Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) and she now meets Rachel Walker (Dumfries and County).
The last of the quarter-finals is Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie) versus Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw), who won an all East Lothian tie 2 and 1 against last year’s beaten finalist, Clara Young (North Berwick).
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHPLAY RESULTS
FIRST ROUND
Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) beat Jane Finnie (Troon Ladies) by 6 & 5.
Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) beat Louise MacGregor (Glenbervie) by 1 hole.
Nichola Ferguson (Milngavie) beat Cara Thompson (Royal Dornoch) by 2 & 1.
Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) beat Kimberley Beveridge (Aboyne) by 4 & 2.
Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) beat Katie Wright (Stranraer) by 7 & 6.
Lesley Atkins (Gullane) beat Kirsty Brodie (Strathmore) by 4 & 2.
Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) beat Rachel Polson (Peterculter) by 5 & 4.
Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) beat Lauren D'Ambrosio (Carluke) by 5 & 4.
Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) beat Eilidh Watson (Muckhart) by 2 & 1.
Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) beat Jordana Graham (Southerness) by 7 & 6.
Karen Marshall (Baberton) beat Noni Stephen (Wentworth) by 1 hole.
Rachel Walker (Dumfries and County) beat Claire Robertson (Carnoustie Ladies) at the 19th.
Clara Young (North Berwick) beat Sheena Wood (Aberdeen Ladies) at the 20th
Gabrielle MacDonald (Craigielaw) beat Susan Wood (Drumpellier) by 4 & 3.
Hazel MacGarvie (Troon Ladies) beat Elaine Moffat (St Regulus) by 6 & 4.
Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) beat Jess Meek (Carnoustie Ladies) by 3 & 2.
SECOND ROUND
Jaffrey beat McCook by 5 & 4.
Whyte beat Ferguson by 4 & 2.
Atkins beat McKechin by 2 & 1.
E Briggs beat McWilliam by 4 & 3.
M Briggs beat McIntosh by 5 & 3.
Walker beat Marshall by 5 & 4.
MacDonald beat Young by 2 & 1.
Summers beat MacGarvie by 3 & 2.
QUARTER FINAL DRAW
Friday 23 May 2014
08.30 Connie Jaffrey v Lauren Whyte
08.40 Lesley Atkins v Eilidh Briggs
08.50 Megan Briggs v Rachel Walker
09.00 Gabrielle MacDonald v Ailsa Summers
The semi finals on Friday afternoon will start at 1.30 and 1.50 pm.
The 18 hole final on Saturday will start at 09.00 am.
In the Clark Rosebowl, Emma Hale (Troon ladies) is through to the semi finals on Friday morning.
Results from Thursday in the Clark Rosebowl are:-
FIRST ROUND
Carol Whyte (Milngavie) beat Isla Moncrieff (Pitlochry) by1 hole.
Katie Reid (Monifieth) beat Nicola Robertson (Stirling) by 5 & 3.
Heather Munro (Monifieth) beat Louise Fraser (Kingsknowe) by 3 & 2.
Kirsten Brown (Strathaven) beat Linzi Allan (West Kilbride) by 2 & 1.
Jillian Farrell (Cardross) beat Jenny Potter (Cathkin Braes) by 1 hole.
Tara Mactaggart (Minto) beat Ruth Rankin (Lanark) by 4 & 3.
Alison McBride (Harburn) beat Ellie Bryce (Strathaven) by 1 hole.
Emma Hale (Troon Ladies) beat Joanne Free (Gullane) by 4 & 2.
QUARTER-FINALS
Whyte beat Reid at the 20th.
Munro beat Brown by 3 & 2.
Mactaggart beat Farrell by 2 holes.
Hale beat McBride by 3 & 1.
The semi final matches on Friday morning are
09.20 Carol Whyte v Heather Munro
09.30 Tara Mactaggart v Emma Hale.
The final of the Clark Rosebowl will be on Friday afternoon, teeing off at 2.10 pm
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
SCOTTISH LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP - Jaffrey leads the way at Prestwick
Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies ) leads the way with a 73 after round one of the Scottish Ladies Championship at Prestwick on Tuesday 20th May.
(Report from the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association website)
| Connie Jaffrey |
(Report from the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association website)
Connie Jaffrey, the Scottish Girls’ Champion, had a superb one under par 73 to head the field after the opening round of the Scottish Ladies’ Amateur Championship at Prestwick.
The Troon Ladies’ member finished runner-up at the Helen Holm Scottish Open Strokeplay Championship last month and she again showed great form to surge into a four shot lead at the halfway stage of the strokeplay qualifying.
But defending champion Alyson McKechin sounded a warning that she is ready to stage a serious defence of the title. The Elderslie golfer lifted the trophy at Longniddry last year and she was tied for second place on 77.
Also on the four over par mark was last year’s beaten finalist, Clara Young (North Berwick), and a former Scottish girl international, Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe).
Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) will be heading out to St Louis Country Club to represent GB and Ireland in defence of the Curtis Cup next week and she opened with a solid 78.
Jaffrey, who recently left Kilwinning Academy, had a real mixed bag. She dropped a shot at the first hole and had another three bogeys in the opening half. But she also birdied the third, eighth and ninth.
Another bogey at the start of the inward half put the teenager on two over par but she then had a sparkling run of three birdies in a row from the 11rth and then another at the 15th. It meant she could afford to drop a shot at the 18th and still finish under par.
After another rounds of strokeplay, the top 32 players qualify for the knock-out stage of the Championship. The next 16 compete for the Clarke Rosebowl. Round 1 CSS 79
DOC THOM AYRSHIRE ORDER OF MERIT - Holder boosts defence with win in the Hillhouse Cup
| Stuart Robin |
Robin, who was a member of the Ayrshire side beaten in the quarter finals of the SGU Scottish Area Team Championships on Saturday morning, bounced back with a fine score of 73 over the championship links at Troon to take the trophy by two shots from the new Ayrshire Strokeplay champion John Shanks (Irvine)
Four players shared third place on 76, George Robertson (Irvine Ravenspark), Michael Smyth (Royal Troon), Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) and Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle).
With three of the 16 counting events now completed, Strokeplay Champion John Shanks leads the table. Present standings in the Doc Thom Ayrshire Order Of Merit are :-
| 225 | JOHN | SHANKS | IRVINE | |
| 135 | STEPHEN | SPENCE | ROYAL TROON | |
| 103.75 | CRAIG | HAMILTON | BALLOCHMYLE | |
| 100 | STUART | ROBIN | PR. ST CUTHBERT | |
| 85 | SCOTT | BROWN | TURNBERRY | |
| 75 | MARK | ANDERSON | IRVINE | |
| 50.42 | GEORGE | ROBERTSON | IRVINE RAVENSPARK | |
| 50 | STEVEN | WALLACE | PR. ST CUTHBERT | |
| 28.75 | MICHAEL | SMYTH | ROYAL TROON | |
| 28.75 | KEITH | HAMILTON | AYR BELLEISLE | |
| 21.67 | STEVEN | MCEWAN | LOUDOUN | |
| 21.67 | EWAN | MCKINNON | CORRIE | |
| 0.83 | GREG | VERNON | KIL. BARASSIE | |
| 0.83 | IAIN | MACDONALD | LARGS | |
| 0.83 | STEPHEN | MCBLAIN | TROON PORTLAND | |
| 0.83 | A D | WRIGHT | ROYAL TROON | |
| 0.83 | STEVEN | MURRAY | TROON WELBECK | |
| 0.83 | GORDON | BOYLE | TURNBERRY |
The next counting event is the Scottish Strokeplay Championship from 30th May to 1st June at Panmure.
Local counting competitions due to be played soon include The Belleisle Cup (1st June), The Ayr Seafield Open (7th June), The ballochmyle Open (14th June) and the McGilchrist Cup at Ardeer (21st June)
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