Ayrshire Golf Association Yearbook 2024

2000­2002 Morgan Hall (West Kilbride)

2002­2004 Robin G. Baker (Troon Portland)

2004­2006 J.F. (Ian) Guthrie (Ballochmyle)

2006­2008 Ricky Magee (Caprington)

2008­2010 Alasdair J. Malcolm (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

2010­2012 David J Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie)

2012­2014 Milton Murray (Irvine)

2014­2016 James McMurdo (Ballochmyle)

2016­2018 John Rushbury (Royal Troon)

2018­2021 John W. Watt (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

2021­2023 Scott Gilchrist (Loudoun)

A Message from the President

Firstly, a warm welcome to 2024 and trust this finds you all both well and excited about the season ahead, I would like to at this point thank Past President Scott Gilchrist for his tireless support and dedication to the Association over the last two years in post.

2023 was a season of ‘firsts’ for us all involved in Ayrshire Golf and it is going to be a recurring theme throughout my report, for which I make no apologies.

Starting with the changes to the constitution that the member clubs voted in at the AGM, resulting in Ayrshire Golf Association becoming an all­inclusive representative body, an exciting year ahead indeed, with the first women’s competition to look forward to along with the all other Ayrshire County Events, 2023, was always going to be year to remember.

The boys teams, with the new team of Paul and Andy, in their ‘first’ year in charge, got off to a winning start in the season opener with the annual game against the South of Scotland.

The Youths had a wonderful year and won the league for the ‘first’ time in ten years. Congratulations to Robert Wilson, William Fleming and their squad.

The men’s A team again won their qualifying section for the Area Team Championship, a draw

away to Argyll and Bute followed up by a win at home to Dumbarton and away against the North, with three ‘first’ caps handed out on the way, saw them qualify for the finals day at Paisley Golf Club, when they saw off off the much­fancied Fife team in the semi finals. Against Lothians in the final, the team eventually lost out on the converted gold medal on the ‘first’ extra hole after a thunderstorm interrupted play.

The team lost out narrowly on countback, to Lanarkshire in the West of Scotland League, winning four and drawing the first game against Lanarkshire in the opening week.

We saw several ‘first’ time winners including Colin Goudie, Kevin Thomas, Audrey Thompson, Orla Moran, Gillian & Billy Pollock, Scott Newman, Connor Wills, Brian Fisher and Debbie Watt.

Finals day at Prestwick St Cuthbert saw the completion of various competitions, and again a few firsts. The Woman’s Handicap League was won by Caprington, and the men’s equivalent handicap competition was won by Auchenharvie 88, who also won the Presidents Putter. A third win for Auchenharvie 88 in the fourball saw them take home for the ‘first’ time, three converted Ayrshire trophies.

I would like to thank all the member clubs, as well as my fellow Executive members, for your continued support, enthusiasm and encouragement throughout the year, I’m sure you will agree that golf in Ayrshire is in a strong and exciting position going forward, throw in The Open at Royal Troon in July, what an exciting golf season ahead of us in 2024 we have to look forward to.

Yours in Golf

Andrew Gilligan

Ayrshire Golf Association President

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Honorary Life Presidents

R. Leslie Crawford (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Iain Harvey (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Alasdair J. Malcolm (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

President

Andrew Gilligan (Royal Troon)

Vice President

Barry O’Rourke (Caprington)

Immediate Past President

Scott Gilchrist (Loudoun)

Secretary/Treasurer

Alasdair J. Malcolm (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

Robert Wilson (Ballochmyle)

Debbie Watt (Ayr Belleisle Ladies)

Liz Keohone (Loudoun)

James McGhee (Loudoun)

Andrew Reid (Irvine)

Paul Kennedy (Irvine)

William Fleming (Ballochmyle)

John Shanks (Irvine)

Kirk Ramsay (Redburn)

Mike Hazlewood (Golf South Ayrshire)

Ayrshire Junior League Rep.

Andrew Reid (Irvine)

Paul Kennedy (Irvine)

2023 ­ REVIEW OF THE YEAR

Coaching

Andy Reid & Paul Kennedy took responsibility for the coaching scheme in 2023 and will continue in their role in 2024.

Prestwick golf club continued to provide exceptional support in 2023 for the coaching scheme, allowing use of their facilities throughout the programme.

Club coaching grants, to support individual coaching schemes within member clubs, were again available to develop ‘in house’ coaching schemes for member clubs and will be in place again in 2024.

Richard Gordon (Ayr Belleisle) and David Fleming (Prestwick), and fitness instructor Brian Milligan, enthusiastically continue to deliver and develop the coaching scheme along with The Association each year.

In 2024 the coaching scheme is being further enhanced with the establishment of a development squad, to involve promising youngsters in the county coaching development at a younger age. The development squad will, for the first time, include girls with coaching being delivered by assistant professionals Lee Hughes and Alan Todd.

In addition, the squads will benefit from coaching input from Ayrshire team player and Scotland senior internationalist Paul Moultrie of Mind Body Golf as part of the enhanced coaching delivery in 2024.

Youth Team

Robert Wilson and William Fleming managed the youth team in 2023, and both will continue in this role in 2024.

The highlight of the Youth teams season came in the West of Scotland Inter County League, where Ayrshire secured the title and trophy for the first time since 2013. The first match of the season saw a narrow 4.5 – 3.5 defeat at home to defending champions Lanarkshire at Loudoun, but the team then rallied with a 4.5­3.5 win over Renfrewshire at Irvine, a 5­3 win over Dumbartonshire at Windyhill, a 4.5­3.5 win over Glasgow at Troon Darley, and a 5.5 ­2.5 win over Stirlingshire at Stirling, to take the title ahead of Renfrewshire and Lanarkshire.

Ayrshire hosted the annual match with the South of Scotland in 2023 at Girvan in March, and the combined youths and boys team won the President’s Trophy, sharing the morning foursomes 3­3 before taking the afternoon singles by 7­5 to win the match 10­8 overall.

Boys Team

Andy Reid & Paul Kennedy led the boy’s team in 2023, and will continue in the post in 2024.

In the Scottish Boys’ Area Team Championship at Forrester Park, the Ayrshire team of Scott Newman, Ryan Kennedy, Connor Wills & Finlay Watt finished in tenth place behind the winners from Lothians, after struggling in the morning foursomes but fighting back in the afternoon singles to improve their finishing spot.

In the West of Scotland Under 18 league, Ayrshire finished runners up to defending champions Lanarkshire for the second year running. In the opening game at Rowallan Castle Ayrshire lost to Lanarkshire, but this was followed by successive wins, by 6­2 away to Dumbartonshire at Lenzie, and at home to Glasgow by 7.5­0.5 at Irvine Ravenspark, before the team signed off for the season with a 4­4 draw against Renfrewshire at Williamwood.

2024 will see the welcome return of Stirlingshire to the championship to restore the league to a six team event.

County A Team

Andrew Gilligan, assisted by John Shanks and Barry O’Rourke administered the A team in 2023.

In the Scottish Men’s Area Team Championship, Ayrshire again qualified for the finals weekend at Paisley GC in September, with their bid for their first national title since 2015 eventually being cruelly snatched from their grasp.

Ayrshire opened their qualifying campaign with a 4.5­4.5 draw with Argyll & Bute at Rothesay. The second fixture, at Dundonald Links against Dumbartonshire, saw Ayrshire win 5.5­3.5, Ayrshire winning the foursomes 2­1 and the singles 3.5­2.5. The final fixture of the qualifying section was an away match against The North at Moray, where a 5.5­3.5 win secured a semi­final place for Ayrshire.

In the semi­finals at Paisley Ayrshire were drawn to play Fife. The team of Steven McEwan, Craig Hamilton, John Shanks, Steven Stamper, Blair Morton & Scott Brown lost the morning foursomes 2­1 but fought back in the afternoon singles, taking four of the six ties to win the match 5­4 overall and take their place in the final against The Lothians, who defeated Lanarkshire 6­3 in the other semi­final.

In the final Ayrshire lost the morning foursomes 2­1 and defeats for Steven Stamper and Scott Brown

Presidents Trophy winning team

Scottish Men’s Area Team Championship finalists

in the afternoon singles gave Lothians a 4­1 lead, leaving Ayrshire needing to win the four remaining ties on the course.

Ayrshire led in all four of the remaining ties when fate and the elements played a part, localised thunder prompting an immediate suspension before heavy rain delayed the restart of play for almost an hour.

When play resumed John Shanks won his tie at the seventeenth, and Craig Hamilton extended his lead to two holes with four to play, but Blair Morton, one ahead with one to play lost the last hole and his tie wen to extra holes, where he lost out to his opponent, and the match was lost.

Though Craig Hamilton and Steven McEwan were both ahead in the latter stages of their ties, the rules of the competition dictated that both ties were declared halved, to give a final score of Lothians 6 Ayrshire 3.

In the Seniors Area team Championship at Monifieth Links in September, the team of Paul Moultrie, Robbie Stewart, John McKean, Stuart Miller, Alistair Belford and Brian Fisher finished in fifth place behind the winners from Lothians, with Paul Moultrie recording the best individual score of the day with a four under par 67.

In the West of Scotland league Ayrshire were undefeated but finished as runners up Lanarkshire. A 4­4 draw away to Lanarkshire at Colville Park in the opening fixture proved to be the decisive result. Ayrshire followed the draw with a 4.5­3.5 win over Renfrewshire at Renfrew, a 5.5­2.5 win over Dumbartonshire at Kilmarnock Barassie, a 4.5­3.5 win over Stirlingshire at Prestwick St Nicholas, and a 6­2 win over Glasgow at Glasgow Gailes. Despite the four wins, Ayrshire could only match Lanarkshire’ points total and lost out on the title by virtue of the tie difference over the five matches played.

Tournaments

1n 2023 Barry O’Rourke, along with Jimmy McGhee and William Fleming, oversaw the various Ayrshire County tournaments, which enjoyed a good level of entries.

During the year, nominated Ayrshire Executive members take on the task of the ongoing administration of extended competitions, including the Men’s and Women’s Champion of Champions, Fourball, Men’s and Women’s Handicap League Championships, Scratch Leagues, President’s Putter and Gary Bryden Memorial Salver competitions, to ensure their smooth and successful conclusion.

2023 saw the successful introduction of women’s events into the Ayrshire Golf Association portfolio with the Women’s Champion of Champions, Women’s Strokeplay Championship and Handicap Strokeplay Championship, Women’s Handicap League and a mixed greensomes knockout competition for The Ayrshire Jug being inaugurated.

2024 will see the events schedule being expanded with the Ayrshire Women’s Matchplay Championship and the Ayrshire Girls’ Strokeplay Championship.

Course Rating

Mike Hazlewood, assisted by Kirk Ramsay and John Rutherford implemented the course rating programme in Ayrshire in 2023. With Scottish Golf announcing their intention to administer all course rating matters centrally from 2024, the Ayrshire Golf Association will have no remit in this field in the future and Mike, Kirk and John have all stood down from their involvement in course rating. The thanks of all at The Ayrshire Golf Association are extended to Mike, Kirk, John and all who have assisted in course rating under the auspices of The Association since the scheme was introduced many years ago.

The Ayrshire Junior Golf League

Andy Reid and Paul Kennedy served as the AJGL representatives on the AGA Executive in 2023, and will do so again in 2024.

Membership and Administration

The membership of The Association remains healthy with 64 member clubs, representing over 13,000 Ayrshire golfers. Unfortunately, in 2023, The Association lost a member club with the demise of Maybole Golf Club, which was wound up after struggling in recent years with dwindling membership. A historic club dating back to 1905, which were very strong in the early years of the Ayrshire Junior Golf League in the 1970’s and 1980’s, the winding up of the club was met with much regret in local golfing circles.

The 2023 AGM saw the successful re­election to The Executive of John Watt, John Rushbury, Mike Hazlewood and Kirk Ramsay while Andrew Gilligan took over from Scott Gilchrist as President and Barry O’Rourke stepped up to the Vice Presidency.

Sponsorship

The Association continues to enjoy sponsorship of championship scorecards by local office supplies, business solutions, and workwear providers Active Office, and in 2024 a major five­

year sponsorship deal with local estate agents and property management company Lomond Property has been agreed, which will allow the further development and enhancement of the activities of the Ayrshire Golf Association, and thanks are extended to the sponsors for their valued support.

In 2023, a charity raffle and auction at the annual dinner, and collections at the Ayrshire Golf Association championships throughout the season resulted in a cheque being presented to The Association’s preferred charity for 2023, Whiteleys Retreat, for a total of £2,730.60.

President Andrew Gilligan has selected the preferred charity during his two year term of office to be Ayrshire Cancer Support.

In Memorium

As we look back over 2023, we remember friends and golfing colleagues who are no longer with us.

Charlie McGregor, a stalwart of junior golf in Ayrshire, passed away on the 1st of April 2023 at the age of 84.

A long­time member and Past Captain of Irvine Ravenspark Golf Club, Charlie's working life as well as his recreational time was spent in golf, being employed for many years in the Wilson factory in Irvine, in the production of golf equipment.

Charlie was the driving force behind the development of the junior section of his home club for many years, leading the club team to their two successes in the Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship in 1987 and 2002.

In recognition of his contribution to junior golf in Ayrshire, Charlie was elected an Honorary member of the Ayrshire Junior Golf League at the AGM in 2000, following in the footsteps of his uncle Matt McGregor, who was given the same honour in 1977.

Charlie suffered health issues over the last seven years and although not entirely unexpected, nevertheless his passing was a very sad loss to the Ayrshire golfing fraternity, where he will be remembered fondly by many as a good friend.

The golfing community in the West of Scotland and far beyond were shocked to learn of the very sudden passing of Glasgow Golf Union President Stephen Machin on the 18th of June at the age of 57.

Stephen was an exceptional golfer and more importantly was one of life's true gentlemen whose amiable manner and sense of humour made him life­long golfing friends throughout the world.

On the course he had many successes, including victories in both the Glasgow Golf Union county strokeplay and matchplay championships, and many club successes at both his golfing 'alma mater' at Cowglen Golf Club and the club he later joined and loved being a member of at Royal Troon. The pinnacle of his achievements at Royal Troon were his two Club Championship victories in 2018 and 2022.

Stephen was equally lauded for his commitment to various aspects of the administration of the game as he was for his on­course achievements. A Past Captain of the Cowglen club, he also managed his club team and the Glasgow Golf Union team. His commitment to golf was recognised in October 2022 when he was elected president of The Glasgow Golf Union.

Stephen's very sudden passing took from the golfing community one of the real 'good guys' who will be fondly remembered by golfers throughout Scotland and far beyond.

In October 2023, in memory of Stephen, the Cowglen club renamed the final hole of the course ‘Machin Hame’.

THE AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION

www.ayrshiregolf.blogspot.com

MEMBER CLUBS

Abbotsford www.abbotsfordgolf.co.uk

Ailsa Craig

Alton

Annanhill www.annanhillgolf.club

Annanhill (East Ayrshire Leisure) www.eastayrshireleisure.com

Ardeer www.ardeergolfclub.co.uk

Auchenharvie 88 www.auchenharvie88.co.uk

Ayr Belleisle www.ayrbelleislegolfclub.co.uk

Ayr Belleisle Ladies

Ayr Carrick www.ayrcarrick.golf­club.website

Ayr Dalmilling

Ayr Neptune

Ayr Seafield www.ayrseafield.golf­club.website

Ballochmyle www.ballochmylegolfclub.com

Beith www.beithgolfclub.co.uk

Braehead

Brodick www.brodickgolf.com

Caprington www.capringtongolfclub.com

Carrick Speakers

Corrie www.corriegolfclub.com

Crosshouse

Doon Valley

Drongan

Dundonald Links www.dundonaldlinks.com

Girvan

Glacier

Golf South Ayrshire www.golfsouthayrshire.com

Irvine www.theirvinegolfclub.co.uk

Irvine Ravenspark www.irgc.co.uk

Kilbirnie Place www.kilbirnieplacegc.co.uk

Kilmarnock (Barassie) www.kbgc.co.uk

Lamlash www.lamlashgolfclub.com

Largs www.largsgolfclub.co.uk

Loudoun www.loudoungowfclub.co.uk

Machrie Bay www.machriebay.com

Malletsheugh

Moorpark

Muirkirk

New Cumnock

North Beach

Pontoon

Portmann

Prestwick www.prestwickgc.co.uk

Prestwick Centre www.pcgolf.club

Prestwick St Cuthbert www.stcuthbert.co.uk

Prestwick St Nicholas www.prestwickstnicholas.com

Redburn

Routenburn www.routenburngolfclub.co.uk

Rowallan Castle www.rowallancastle.com

Royal Troon www.royaltroon.com

Shiskine www.shiskinegolf.com

Skelmorlie www.skelmorliegolf.co.uk

Stewarton

Tam O Shanter

The Chase www.thechasegolfclub.co.uk

Troon Merchants

Troon Portland

Troon St Meddans www.troonstmeddansgolfclub.com

Troon Welbeck www.troonwelbeckgolfclub.com

Turnberry www.turnberrygolfclub.net

Turnberry Staff

Wallacetown

West Kilbride www.westkilbridegolfclub.com

Western Gailes www.westerngailes.com

Whiting Bay www.whitingbaygolf.com

Press and Publicity

The Ayrshire Golf Association web page was established in 2004 and continues to be an important vehicle for championship and other Association news. Association Secretary Alasdair Malcolm has administered the web page since its establishment and will again be assisted in publicity matters in 2023 by Scott Gilchrist and Barry O’Rourke.

Fixture lists, competition results and entry forms are all made available on the web page, which also features links to member clubs’ own websites and other useful golf links.

The web page is also used by local press as a source for articles, which are regularly reproduced in local papers and on golf related websites, enhancing wider publicity.

Clubs are encouraged to forward anything of interest to Alasdair Malcolm at ayrshire.golf@btinternet.com for possible inclusion on the web page.

A Facebook page and Twitter were added in 2015 and further enhance publicity.

The Ayrshire Golf Association Yearbook was produced again in 2023, its twentieth successive year. The Association are pleased that Ayrshire Media Services, Troon, have again produced a quality yearbook in 2024, in its 21st year.

Advertising opportunities in the yearbook are available each year by contacting Ayrshire media Services direct at info@ayrshiremedia.com

The Ayrshire Golf weblog can be accessed at www.ayrshiregolf.blogspot.com

The Association Secretary, Alasdair Malcolm, can be contacted at: ­

Post: 17 Auchincruive Avenue, Prestwick, KA9 2DT

E­Mail: ayrshire.golf@btinternet.com

Telephone: 01292 477657

Mobile: 07912 026341

great value for money. very happy with overall job.”

TOURNAMENTS AND COMPETITIONS 2023

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

West Kilbride Golf Club won the Matt Lygate Trophy and Ayrshire Junior Team Champions title by five shots in the season's opener at Caprington Golf Club on the 23rd of April, bridging a 25 year gap since they last won the trophy in 1998.

Nine member clubs contested the 2023 competition in increasingly breezy weather, with several good scores being returned despite the testing conditions.

Led by Dylan Scally who returned the best scratch score of the day with a 74, to win the individual Prestwick Circuits Trophy, The West Kilbride team of Scally, Finlay Watt, Darren Docherty & Euan Forrest posted a team total of 235, ahead of the defending champions Troon Welbeck on 240.

The handicap team title, and the Andrew D. Nimmo Trophy was won by the team of Adam Cowan, Connor McMillan, Harris Vennard & Thomas Carlyle, from Loudoun Gowf Club with a team total of 209, five ahead of Royal Troon in second place. A nett score of 65 from 32 handicapper Aran Cowan also saw the Loudoun player win the individual handicap award, the Carrick Trophy.

The final placings were – Scratch (Nett):­

235 (216) ­ WEST KILBRIDE

240 (225) ­ TROON WELBECK

244 (215) ­ IRVINE

246 (223) ­ KILMARNOCK BARASSIE

247 (214) ­ ROYAL TROON

255 (216) ­ PRESTWICK ST. NICHOLAS

262 (221) ­ AYR BELLEISLE

264 (235) ­ TURNBERRY

275 (209) ­ LOUDOUN

AYRSHIRE MEN’S STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Colin Goudie (Ayr Belleisle) won his first Ayrshire title on the 30th of April 2023 at Western Gailes Golf Club, when he took the 2023 Ayrshire Men's Strokeplay Championship by a single shot.

In the calm but mildly wet conditions in the morning, the best scores were posted by Aidan Long (Ayr Belleisle) and Steven Stamper (Girvan)

1. Carrick Trophy – Aran Cowan 2. Matt Lygate trophy – West Kilbride

3. Prestwick Circuits Trophy – Dylan Scally 4. A D Nimmo Trophy ­ Loudoun

Colin Goudie

who both shot 70, one ahead of Blair Morton (Royal Troon) and two better than Scottish senior internationalist Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) and Graeme Gimson (Prestwick St Cuthbert.

The eventual winner was five shots adrift after the morning round with his score of 75.

In the afternoon the weather and conditions brightened for the players which was reflected in the scoring.

Host club member Craig Chalmers set the early lead with a total of 144, with rounds of 73 & 71 which ultimately gave him fourth place in the championship.

Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) followed his morning 72 with an afternoon round of 71 to lead the field, but within a few minutes Colin Goudie, a + 3 handicapped former county player when he resided in England and who took up golf again once he had moved to Ayrshire, posted a superb afternoon round of 67, the best of the day by several shots, to set a 36 hole target of 142, which ultimately gave him the county title .

Leading scores:­

142 – Colin Goudie (Ayr Belleisle – 75/67

143 – Paul Moultrie (Royal Troon) – 72/71

143 – Blair Morton (Royal Troon) – 71/72

144 – Craig Chalmers (Western Gailes) – 73/71

144 – Aidan Long (Ayr Belleisle) 70/74

145 – Steven McEwan (Caprington) 73/72

AYRSHIRE MEN’S MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Kevin Thomas (Prestwick St Cuthbert) won the 2023 Ayrshire Men's Matchplay Championship, played at Loudoun Gowf Club in May, with a 2&1 victory over Blair Morton (Royal Troon), who lost at the same stage 12 months earlier, in the final.

Thomas took the lead for the first time at the fourth hole where he almost holed his tee shot before holing his putt for a winning birdie two. Morton squared the match at the fifth with a birdie four, before Thomas restored his lead by winning the sixth, and extended his advantage at the seventh with a winning par after Morton found trouble in the trees from the tee.

Despite pressure from Morton, Thomas maintained his two­hole lead at the turn, and a birdie three at the twelfth extended his lead

Kevin Thomas

further to three holes, with six to play. Thomas showed his fighting spirit over the next three holes, securing halves at all three to establish a dormie three lead.

Morton was not finished however, taking the sixteenth hole to reduce the deficit, but the destination of the title was only delayed, with Thomas securing a half in par threes at the seventeenth hole for a 2&1 victory in the match.

In the semi final Thomas beat Barry O’Rourke (Caprington) by 4&3 and Morton beat Aidan Long (Ayr Belleisle) by 2&1.

In the quarter final matches Thomas beat Mark Watt (Prestwick St Cuthbert) at the 19th, O’Rourke beat Brian Fisher (Largs) by 2&1, Morton beat Louis Alberts (Troon St Meddans) by 2 holes and Long beat Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon) by 3&2.

In winning the title Thomas becomes just the third member of Prestwick St Cuthbert GC to win the trophy following on from David Murdoch in 1982 and Craig Telfer in 2021.

AYRSHIRE WOMEN’S STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

32 players contested the inaugural Ayrshire Women's Strokeplay Championship which took place at Irvine Golf Club on Sunday the 9th of July, where Audrey Thompson (Loudoun) and Orla Moran (Irvine) took the Ayrshire Women's Strokeplay Championship and Ayrshire Women's Handicap Championship titles respectively.

Playing in the first group out in the morning, Audrey Thompson carded a scratch 79 in fine, but breezy conditions which made the course play very testing, and the score ultimately gave her the title by a single shot from Jennifer Linklater (Largs).

Liz Keohone (Loudoun) and Catherine Malcolm (Prestwick St Cuthbert) took the other two scratch prizes.

In the handicap category, it was the youngsters from Ayrshire that were very much to the fore, with 13­year­old Orla Moran carding a best of the day nett 70, off her 14 handicap, to capture the trophy by a single shot ahead of 11 year old, 31 handicapper, Jennifer Doyle (Turnberry).

Tammi Grady (Irvine) another 13 year old, playing off a handicap of 20, took the third nett prize with a 74, whilst the final nett prize went to Lynsie Bulloch (Irvine) with a 75 by virtue of the better inward half, off her 14 handicap.

Two nearest the hole prizes, at the 8th and 16th holes, were won by Catherine Malcolm and Audrey Thompson respectively.

THE AYRSHIRE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

Kilmarnock (Barassie) won the 2023 R.L. Crawford Trophy and Ayrshire Club Championship title at Prestwick Golf Club in July with a team total of 144 to edge out Royal Troon for the title, by virtue of the best third score.

Twenty member clubs were represented at the event, with the best two scratch scores from three counting towards the team score, with the third score being considered in the event of a tie.

In breezy but fine weather, the early scoring was extremely good, with several three over par 74's

Audrey Thompson

Orla Moran

being posted in the first few groups. Pride of place went to Steven Stamper (Girvan), his one under par score of 70, being the only sub­par score of the day.

Turnberry set the early target with 147 before Royal Troon surpassed their total by three shots, with counting scores from Cameron McGarvie (73) and Michael Smyth (71). The third team member, Harvey Broadfoot, was scoring well until he came to grief at the seventeenth, losing three balls and ending with, what ultimately proved to be, a very costly no return.

The only real challenge to Royal Troon looked likely to come from Kilmarnock Barassie, when Sandy Walker's score of 71 combined with Sean Addie's 73 saw Kilmarnock Barassie match Royal Troon's leading score of 144. Crucially the third member of the Kilmarnock Barassie team, John McCracken, returned a score of 79 which importantly gave his club the lead in the competition, and ultimately the title, by virtue of the best third score.

Final placings:­

144 – Kilmarnock Barassie (winners by best third score)

144 – Royal Troon

147 – Turnberry

147 – Prestwick

147 – Troon St Meddans

151 – Girvan

151 – Caprington

152 – Irvine

154 – Loudoun

156 – Ayr Belleisle

157 – West Kilbride

160 – Prestwick St Nicholas

161 – Troon Portland

161 – Kilbirnie Place

163 – Troon Welbeck

166 – Ardeer

166 – Ballochmyle

168 – Rowallan Castle

177 – Irvine Ravenspark

N/R – Prestwick St Cuthbert

THE AYRSHIRE SENIORS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

James McIntyre (Redburn) won the 2023 Ayrshire Senior Men's Strokeplay Championship and The Sandy Provan Trophy at Ayr Seafield on the 18th of July, with his scratch score of 67, off his handicap of four, giving him the best nett score of the day of 63.

The score was matched later in the day by both William Fleming (Loudoun) and Bobby Clark (Ballochmyle), but it was McIntyre who took the title by virtue of the better inward half over the other two players.

The best scratch score of the day was returned by scratch golfer Brian Fisher (Largs) with a 65.

A nett 65 gave Steven Capstick (Ballochmyle) first place in the 50 ­ 59 age category, whilst the two

Kilmarnock Barassie

63's by Fleming and Clark gave them first and second spots in the 6069 age group.

The 70+ age category was won by Ayrshire Golf Association past president John W Watt (Prestwick St Cuthbert, with a nett 65 off his 24 handicap.

The nearest the hole prizes, at the third and fifteenth, were won by Stephen Arrandale (Prestwick St Cuthbert) and Iain McFarlane (Kilmarnock Barassie).

THE AYRSHIRE SENIOR MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Brian Fisher (Largs) won the 2023 Ayrshire Senior Men's Matchplay Champion, beating defending champion Alistair Belford (Prestwick St Nicholas) by 3&1in the final at Royal Troon on Friday evening, the 11th of August.

The foundations of victory were laid by Fisher over the opening stretch of holes where he raced to a five hole lead after six in a match where both players struggled early on to find their form.

Alistair Belford reduced the deficit to four holes with a winning par at the seventh hole, only to see Brian Fisher birdie the short par three 8th, The Postage Stamp, to restore his five hole advantage.

Undeterred, Alistair Belford took full advantage of a poor approach chip by Fisher at the ninth to win the hole and reduce the deficit again to four holes at the turn.

The tenth and eleventh were exchanged in pars then the match then sprung to life over the next three holes.

A three putt by Fisher at the 12th allowed Belford to start a run of three holes won in succession to reduce the match score to a single hole in Brian Fisher's favour after 14.

The momentum seemed to be with Belford, but the turning point came at the 15th hole when both players were through the green in two but Fisher successfully chipped and putted to restore a two hole advantage with three to play.

A halved hole at the sixteenth left Fisher dormie two and he closed out the match at the seventeenth with a winning par three.

In the semi finals Fisher beat Stuart Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 3&2 and Belford beat clubmate Andrew Marshall by the same score.

In the quarter finals Fisher beat George Robertson (Irvine) by 4&2, Miller beat Ian McFarlane (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 3&2, Marshall beat James McIntyre (Redburn) by 1 hole and Belford beat Steven Capstick (Ballochmyle) by 5&4.

THE AYRSHIRE BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

Scott Newman (Royal Troon) won the 2023 Ayrshire Boys Championship at Largs GC in August, taking the 36 hole title by four shots.

In ideal conditions in the morning, and a course in excellent condition, Newman led the field after the first 18 holes with a 4 over par score of 74, three ahead of his closest challenger Ryan Kennedy (Irvine) on 77. Euan Forrest West Kilbride) was a shot further back on 78 whilst

Brian Fisher

Connor Wills (Royal Troon), Aidan Hay (Irvine), Adam Cowan (Loudoun) Jack Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck) and Harris Fleming (Royal Troon) were all still in the hunt after carding 79's.

The best nett return in the morning was posted by 20 handicapper Josh Erskine (Caprington) with a five under par nett score of 65.

In the afternoon Connor Wills posted the early target, adding a three over par score of 73 in the second round for a total of 152 which ultimately gave him third place overall.

Despite carding a triple bogey at the second hole in his afternoon round, Ryan Kennedy recovered to card a fine score of 72 for a total of 149 and championship runner up spot.

To Scott Newman’s credit he returned the best score of the day in the afternoon, a one over par 71, to ensure the title with a total of 145 and a four shot winning margin.

In the afternoon Josh Erskine bettered his morning nett score by a shot, his afternoon 64 adding to his morning 65 to give him a superb nett total of 129, eleven under par, to take the top net prize by a margin of fifteen shots from his nearest rival.

Scott Newman

AYRSHIRE BOY’S MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Connor Wills (Royal Troon) won the 2023 Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship with a final green victory in an intriguing final at Prestwick Golf Club in August.

Playing against Luke Jones (Prestwick St Nicholas) in the final, Wills had a slow start, finding himself three down after five holes. Wills settled into the match and by the turn had reduced the deficit to a single hole.

After Jones found trouble at the twelfth, the hole was conceded to Wills and the match was squared, and at the thirteenth Wills did enough to win the hole and take the lead in the match for the first time. Wills extended his lead to two holes at the fifteenth with a winning par four after Jones found trouble from the tee, but the lead was reduced to one again when Jones birdied the par four sixteenth to win the hole.

At the seventeenth both players holed pressure putts to take the final to the eighteenth hole, where Wills did well to two putt from 45 feet to secure a par to half the hole, and win the title with a single hole victory

In the semi­finals Wills beat Finlay Watt (West Kilbride) and Jones beat Euan Forrest (West Kilbride), with both matches concluding at the first extra hole.

(Loudoun) by 3&2, Wills beat Oliver Long (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 2&1 and Watt beat Liam Moran (Irvine) by 3&2.

MEN’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY COMPETITION

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) won the Ayrshire Men's Champion of Champions Trophy, for the second time, at Royal Troon in August, with victory over Cameron Aitken (Largs) at the third extra hole of an intriguing match. Hamilton last won the title in 2019, and was beaten finalist in 2013, while Cameron Aitken was making his first appearance in the final of a county championship.

Despite the gulf in experience, it was Aitken who took the early initiative, a birdie three at the first giving him the lead. A four at the 2nd was enough for Hamilton to square the tie, only to go one behind at the third after conceding the hole to Aitken, who retained his advantage until he increased his lead with a birdie two at the Postage Stamp and then won the ninth to take a three hole lead at the turn.

A birdie three from Hamilton at the 11th reduced the margin to two holes but a bogey at the 12th by Hamilton let Aitken restore his three hole advantage, which he maintained through fifteen holes to go dormie three in the match.

Hamilton showed his real matchplay fighting qualities though, finishing the round with three successive threes to take all three holes to square the match and take the tie to extra holes.

Despite the late fightback from Connor Wills Craig Hamilton

In the quarter finals Forrest beat Scott Newman (Royal Troon) by 1 hole, Jones beat Adam Cowan

Hamilton, Aitken did not lose focus and he secured his par to half the first extra hole and take the match to the 20th hole, the 18th on the course.

Again the players could not be separated, halving the hole in fours, and they returned to the first hole of the course to play out the 21st hole of the tie, which Hamilton won with a par four to secure the title in what proved to be an epic final.

A total of 46 players started out in the quest for the 2023 title. In the semi­finals Hamilton beat Sam Findlater (Braehead) by 4&3 and Aitken beat David Robertson (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 4&3.

WOMEN’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY

Debbie Watt (Ayr Belleisle Ladies) won the inaugural Ayrshire Women's Champion of Champions Trophy title following victory in the final at Royal Troon in August over Audrey Thompson (Loudoun).

On a breezy evening on the old course at Troon, Debbie had a 6&5 win over Audrey, who had enjoyed success earlier in the year when as the inaugural winner of the Ayrshire Women's Strokeplay Championship.

Wins at the 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th established a commanding lead for Watt over the opening stretch of holes, but Thompson stemmed the tide at the Postage Stamp, winning the short par three to reduce the deficit to three holes and then taking the ninth to turn for home two holes down.

When Thompson took three to get down from the left of the green at the 10th, Watt secured her par four to restore a three­hole advantage and a regulation par at the 11th was enough for Watt to go four up once again, and when Thompson again took three to get down from the edge of the 12th green, Watt extended her lead to five holes, with six to play.

At the 13th hole, which proved to be the last in the contest, Thompson found trouble to the left of the green with her approach which left Watt needing to get down in three putts from 25 feet to take the title. A first putt to 2 feet was enough to secure a concession, a 6&5 victory and the inaugural Ayrshire Women's Champion of Champions title for Debbie Watt.

In the semi­finals Watt beat Pauline Patrick (Irvine) by 1 hole and Thompson beat Jennifer Linklater (Largs) at the 20th hole.

FOURBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

A total of 44 pairs took part in the 2023 Ayrshire Fourball Championship, which culminated in the final at Prestwick St Cuthbert GC during Finals day in September.

The final paired Les Knox & Wullie Young of

Debbie Watt

Les Knox & Wullie Young

Auchenharvie 88 and Paul Giffney & Tom Gilbey of Ardeer.

The Auchenharvie pairing forged a lead at the turn and maintained their advantage in the inward half, holding a two hole advantage with two to play before closing out the tie on the 17th green for a 2&1 victory.

THE AYRSHIRE JUG

Gillian & Billy Pollock (Skelmorlie) won the inaugural mixed Greensomes knockout competition for The Ayrshire Jug, with a single hole victory in the final played at Rowallan Castle GC in September.

42 pairs entered the event in 2023 and the Skelmorlie pairing faced Jean and Ken Capes (Largs) in the final.

The match was close in the early stages with no more than one hole in it through the first six holes,

with the Largs pairing holding a single hole lead after six, which they extended to two holes at the seventh with a winning par four and maintained through the front nine.

The lead was extended to three holes at the tenth and the next two were shared, leaving the Capes’ three ahead with eight to play.

The lead remained as three holes with five to play, where the fourteenth proved to be the turning point of the match, after both the Capes’ lost their balls from the tee, with the Pollock’s taking the hole, and also the fifteenth to reduce the deficit to one hole. A half at the sixteenth took the tie to the penultimate hole with the capes’ still leading by one.

Finding the green from the tee at the seventeenth, the Pollock’s won the hole to square the match and in a nervy finish the Pollock’s managed to win the final hole to take the Ayrshire Jug in the inaugural year of the competition.

THE GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL SALVER

23 member clubs entered the 2023 scratch club team knockout competition for The Gary Bryden Memorial Salver with Ardeer and Loudoun winning through to contest the final during Finals Day at Prestwick St Cuthbert GC in September.

In the final the two singles ties were shared, John

Gillian & Billy Pollock

Loudoun

Haggarty beating Lewis Higgins by 7&6 to secure a point for Loudoun and Scott Ainsworth beating Steven Smith by 6&4 for Ardeer’s point, but the Loudoun pairing of Tommy McInally & Chris Bone dominated the foursomes tie against Callum Ainsworth & Craig Stewart, winning by 7&6 to secure the title and trophy for Loudoun for the first time since 2016.

The two singles ties were shared but Loudoun had a convincing win in the foursomes tie to win the trophy with a 2­1 match score.

THE PRESIDENT’S PUTTER

The final of the handicap club team knockout for The President’s Putter brought together Auchenharvie 88 and Troon Portland when the destination of the trophy was decided during Finals Day at Prestwick St Cuthbert GC in September.

AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES

With 20 clubs entering the Ayrshire Scratch leagues in 2023, the format used the previous year was continued, with the top two league of six teams and with the remaining teams in league 3, playing in two sections.

Royal Troon won the Division 1 title for the first time, while Ballochmyle were relegated to Division 2.

Final placings in Division 1 were:­

The singles tie were shared with Andy McDonald (Auchenharvie 88) and Darren Murdoch (Troon Portland) beating John Paul Flannigan and David Johnstone respectively, both by 3&2, to secure point for their respective teams. However, a comprehensive 6&5 win by John Hargreaves & Brian King over Pete Clark and Vincent Gilligan in the foursomes secured a 2­1 win in the match for Auchenharvie 88.

Auchenharvie 88

Royal Troon

In Division 2, Prestwick St Cuthbert won the title, and promotion back to Division 1 at the first time of asking, while West Kilbride were relegated to Division 3.

Final placings in Division 2 were:­

Troon St Meddans won Division 3a and Ardeer won Division 3b, and progressed to the play off match for the title.

Final placings in Divisions 3a and 3b were:­

In the championship match, Troon St Meddans won their home leg by 5­1, but lost the away leg by 4­2, to take the title and trophy with a 7­5 aggregate win.

In the Division 1­2 play off, Loudoun retained their Division 1 place by the narrowest of margins, beating Turnberry 4­2 in their home fixture but losing by the same margin in the away leg. With the match score tied at 6­6, the play off was decided in Loudoun’s favour by virtue of the scores in the individual ties in the match.

In the Division 2­3 play off Troon Portland retained their place in Division 2, beating Ardeer 4.5­1.5 in the home tie and recording a 3.5­2.5 win at Ardeer for a final match score of 8­4

Prestwick St Cuthbert

THE AYRSHIRE MEN’S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

Auchenharvie 88 won the Ayrshire Men’s Handicap League Championship title during Finals day in September at Prestwick St Cuthbert GC, beating Ayr Seafield by 4–2 in the final.

David Wilson put the first point on the board for Ayr Seafield with a 5&4 win over Stevie Hay and William Hughes added a second point for Ayr Seafield with a 473 win over Andy McNaught.

In the anchor tie Willie Bark had a 4&3 win over Andy Kilday for Auchenharvie to make the match score 2­1 and 3&2 wins by Brian McCandless and Brian Robertson over David McAlpine and Callum McPike respectively gave Auchenharvie a 3­2 lead with just one tie remaining on the course.

A win by David Hughes for Ayr Seafield would have secured a 3­3 draw and the title for Ayr Seafield on the countback over the individual ties, but in the event it was Ross Howie who won the tie by a single hole for Auchenharvie to secure a 4­2 victory overall in the final.

A total of 27 clubs entered the championship in 2023, with seven sections in operation, the winners of each section and best overall runner up progressing to the quarter finals.

The qualifying sections were:­

Section A – Ardeer, Kilbirnie Place, Kilmarnock Barassie, Royal Troon

Section B – Alton, Ayr Belleisle, Prestwick St Cuthbert, Troon St Meddans

Section C – Auchenharvie 88, Ayr Seafield, North Beach, Stewarton

Section D – Ballochmyle, Routenburn, Rowallan Castle, West Kilbride

Section E – Annanhill, Caprington, Moorpark, Prestwick St Nicholas

Section F – Portmann, Redburn, Troon Portland, Troon Welbeck

Section G – Irvine Ravenspark, Loudoun, Tam O Shanter

Following completion of the sections the quarter final results, played over two legs, were Ardeer 6

Annanhill 6 (Ardeer won on countback), Alton 7.5

Portmann 4.5, Auchenharvie 88 6.5 Irvine

Ravenspark 5.5, Ayr Seafield 6.5 West Kilbride 5.5.

In the semi finals Auchenharvie 88 beat Ardeer by 9.5 – 2.5 and Ayr Seafield beat Alton by 6.5 – 5.5.

THE AYRSHIRE WOMEN’S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

Caprington won the inaugural Ayrshire Women’s Handicap League Championship, beating Kilmarnock Barassie in the final at Prestwick St Cuthbert GC during Finals Day in September.

Eight clubs entered the championship in 2023, drawn into two sections, with the section winners progressing to the final.

Kilmarnock Barassie contested Section A along with Loudoun, Troon Welbeck and Prestwick St Cuthbert, while Caprington were in Section B along with Ballochmyle, Largs and Ayr Belleisle Ladies.

Auchenharvie 88

Caprington

In a very close final Kilmarnock Barassie took the early initiative, Clair McGinty beating Alison Jarvie by 3&1 and Sheena Hope beating Anne Young by a single hole to put Kilmarnock Barassie 2­0 up. Maggi Johnston beat Fran Hadden by 3&2 in the anchor tie to reduce the deficit for Caprington, and when Linda Pearson secured a single hole victory over Lisa Nielson to level the match score for Caprington, it was the Caprington team that took the title by 6­5 on the countback over the individual ties.

THE DOC THOM ORDER OF MERIT

Blair Morton (Royal Troon) won the Doc Thom Salver and Ayrshire Order of Merit title for the first time in 2023, gaining points in six of the seventeen qualifying events.

including maximum points at Largs, Turnberry, Prestwick St Cuthbert and the Tom Lehman Junior Open.

Finlay Watt (West Kilbride) took the runners up spot in the Order of Merit with Liam Moran (Irvine) finishing in third place.

Leading final places were:­

602.50 – Sean Hillis (Kilmarnock Barassie)

408.33 – Finlay watt (West Kilbride)

330.00 – Liam Moran (Irvine)

295.00 – Ryan Kennedy (Irvine)

251.83 – Euan Forrest (West Kilbride)

Harvey Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck), the 2021 Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit winner, was sixth in the final qualifying event, the Arrol Cup, which moved him up to second place in the order of merit table, less than 40 points behind Blair Morton, and just under fifty points ahead of Steven Stamper (Turnberry) in third place.

Leading final places were:­

342.50 ­ Blair Morton (Royal Troon)

303.75 – Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon)

255.00 – Steven Stamper (Turnberry)

240.00 – Colin Goudie (Ayr Belleisle)

176.25 – Harvey McDonald (Turnberry)

167.50 – Ruben Lindsay (Turnberry)

THE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT TROPHY

Sean Hillis (Kilmarnock Barassie) won the 2023 Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit title with points in nine of the twenty­three qualifying events,

251.00 – Oliver Long (Kilmarnock Barassie)

221.25 – Connor Wills (Royal Troon)

215.00 – Scott Newman (Royal Troon)

207.50 – Harris Fleming (Royal Troon)

163.75 – Graeme Gimson (Prestwick St Cuthbert)

150.00 – John Shanks (Irvine)

147.50 – Aidan Long (Ayr Belleisle)

137.50 – Steven McEwan (Caprington)

121.50 – Scott Brown (Turnberry)

OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES DURING THE YEAR

Ayrshire players had several notable performances at a national level during 2023, with the county also being represented in various international squads during the year.

Ruben Lindsay (Turnberry) won the 2023 West of Scotland Men’s Strokeplay Championship at Largs GC in May, his one under par score of 69 securing the title by a single shot.

Blair Morton

Sean Hillis

Ruben Lindsay

Leading final scores:­

69 ­ Ruben Lindsay (Turnberry)

70 ­ Richard Elrick (Fereneze)

70 ­ Andrew Campbell (Dumbarton)

71 ­ Iain Brown (West Kilbride)

71 ­ Fraser Innes (Largs)

There was also Ayrshire success in the Club Team Championship when the Largs team of Cameron Aitken, Gregor Dickson, Fraser Innes posted a team total of 220 to win the trophy by seven shorts from the teams from Irvine and Royal Troon.

Royal Troon members Paul Moultrie and Robert Jenkins both represented Scotland at senior international level again during 2023, playing in the European Senior Men’s Championship in the Czech Republic in September and the Senior’s Home Internationals at West Kilbride in the same month where Scotland won the men’s competition. In addition Paul Moultrie finished in the runners up spot for the third successive year in the the Scottish Senior Men’s Open which was held in June at Stirling GC

In junior golf, Dylan Cairns and Freya Russell (Royal Troon) were members of the Scotland teams that competed in the European Boys Team Championship in Slovakia and the European Girls Team Championship in France in July and the Boy’s & Girl’s Home Internationals at Lindrick in August.

In addition Freya Russell reached the final of the Clark Rosebowl in the Scottish Women’s Championship at Ladybank in May, while fellow

Fraser Innes (Largs) with AGA President Scott Gilchrist

Paul Moultrie & Robert Jenkins

Dylan Cairns & Freya Russell

John RushburyDavid LoganJack Broun

Ayrshire golfer Luisa Gibson (Irvine) qualified for the knockout stages of the championship in second place, before losing in the quarter finals.

Ayrshire Golf Association Past President John Rushbury (Royal Troon) was again appointed as Scottish Men’s Team Manager in 2023, and will continue in this roll in 2024.

In 2023 Turnberry Golf Club awarded Past Captain David Logan the title of Honorary President, in

recognition of his outstanding service to the club over the 50 years of his membership.

Jack Broun (Turnberry) won the Men's Scottish Universities Student Championship in March at Moray Golf Club. An opening two under par round of 69 was followed by rounds of 73, 72, and a four under par final round of 67 for a three under par total of 281 to win the trophy by three shots from Glenbervie's George Cannon.

THE AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE

Eight teams contested the 2023 Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship, with the two qualifying sections being won by Irvine and Troon Welbeck.

In the final, played at Ayr Belleisle in August, Irvine, who had lost in the last two finals, beat Troon Welbeck by 4.5 – 1.5 to win the title for the first time since 2011.

The Irvine team went on to finish runners up to Braehead in the Scottish Junior team Championship competition at Elderslie in September.

West Kilbride won the Wallace Thornton Trophy in October at Ayr Belleisle, their first win in the competition since 1997, drawing the final 2­2 against Irvine but winning on the countback over

the individual ties, and West Kilbride repeated the feat in the the Under 16 Knockout Trophy, winning the trophy for the first time since 2012, and again beating defending champions Irvine in the final at Ayr Belleisle on the countback after a 2­2 draw in the match.

The Champion of Champions trophy was won by Ryan Kennedy (Irvine) who beat Jack Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck) by 2&1 at Ayr Belleisle in the final in August.

Since 1989, The MacRobert Thistle Junior Golfer of the Year Trophy has been presented to a junior boy golfer in Ayrshire, considered by a sub­committee as the most deserving of nominees from a short list submitted for consideration. An identical award for girls was introduced in 2013.

In 2023 the boys’ award was won by Finlay Watt (West Kilbride). In a very impressive season Finlay competed in club, county and national competitions. His achievements during the season included winning the West Kilbride Junior Club Championship, a semi final spot in the Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Championship, winner of the Ballochmyle Junior Open, runner­up in the Prestwick St. Cuthbert Junior Open, runner­up in the Irvine Junior Open, and runner­up in the Ayrshire Junior Order of Merit. Finlay also represented Ayrshire on several occasions with an unbeaten record. He set a great example to club junior members and is well respected amongst his peers both within and out with West Kilbride Golf Club.

The 2023 girls’ award was won by Orla Moran (Irvine) who had a very active and successful 2023 season, during which she reduced her handicap index from 16.3 to 7.9.

Orla was successful in club events and several junior open competitions during the season, was and an integral part of the successful Irvine Junior teams, and in the highlight of her season was the

inaugural winner of the Ayrshire Woman’s handicap Strokeplay Trophy over her home course in July.

Irvine golf club enjoyed another junior success in 2023 with the young golf sixes team of Jack Anderson, Luka Dickson, Roan leavy, Charlie Thomson, Callum Easter, and Oliver Brown winning their Ayrshire league qualifying event and going on to win the South of Scotland regional final at Douglas Park in September to qualify for the national final in Perth in October where the team finished in third place in the national event, which attracted entries from 208 clubs from throughout Scotland.

1. League Champions ­ Irvine

2. West Kilbride 3. Ryan Kennedy 4. West Kilbride 5. Finlay Watt 6. Orla Moran

Irvine golf sixes team

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

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 Wigtonshire 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 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

JULY

5th *** Troon Welbeck Junior Open Troon Welbeck

6th * The Gowf Cup Loudoun

7th Ayrshire Club Championship Caprington

7th ***West of Scotland Junior Strokeplay Wishaw

8th *** Loudoun Junior Open Loudoun

9th Ayrshire Senior Men’s Championship Girvan

9th­11th Scottish Boys’ Under 16 Championship Murrayshall

9th­11th **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

23rd *** Kilmarnock Barassie Junior Open Kilmarnock Barassie

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

28th Ayrshire U18 Vs Glasgow U18 Ralston

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

AUGUST

1st *** Ayrshire Boys Strokeplay Championship Largs

1st **Ayrshire Girls’ Strokeplay Championship Largs

2nd Champion of Champions Semi Finals Royal Troon

3rd * Stevenson Trophy Girvan

4th * Viking Krus Largs

5th *** Turnberry Junior Open Turnberry, King Robert the Bruce

5th ­ 8th *** Ayrshire Boys Matchplay Prestwick

6th­8th Girls’ & Boys’ Home Internationals Conwy, Wales

7th­9th 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

11th AJGL Under 16 Knockout Final TBC

11th AJGL Wallace Thornton Trophy Final TBC

12th *** Ballochmyle Junior Open Ballochmyle

12th­13th Scottish Under 14 Championship Dunfermline

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 U18 Vs Renfrewshire U18 Ayr Belleisle

24th * Ballochmyle Rosebowl Ballochmyle

25th *** Tom Lehman Junior Open Troon Municipal

25th AJGL Champion of Champions Final TBC

25th 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 Renfrewshire U18 Irvine

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 Away

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

17th­19th 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 Away

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

HISTORICAL RECORDS

AYRSHIRE CHAMPIONS (Since 2011)

AYRSHIRE MEN’S STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

2011J. Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie)

2012D. Wilson (Troon Welbeck)

2013S. Robin (Prestwick St Nicholas)

2014J. Shanks (Irvine)

2015T. McInally (Loudoun)

2016G. Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert)

2017A. Connery (Irvine)

2018J. Johnston (Ayr Belleisle)

2019 M. Smyth (Royal Troon)

2020No Competition

2021J. Broun (Turnberry)

2022S. Brown (Turnberry)

2023C. Goudie (Ayr Belleisle)

AYRSHIRE WOMEN’S STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

2023A. Thompson (Loudoun)

AYRSHIRE MEN’S HANDICAP STROKEPLAY

2017W. Brown (Rowallan Castle)

AYRSHIRE WOMEN’S HANDICAP STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

2023O. Moran (Irvine)

AYRSHIRE MEN’S MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

2011M. Smyth (Royal Troon)

2012D. Wilson (Troon Welbeck)

2013M. Smyth (Royal Troon)

2014C. Hamilton (Ballochmyle)

2015M. Smyth (Royal Troon)

2016J. Shanks (Irvine)

2017C. Hamilton (Ballochmyle)

2018M. Smyth (Royal Troon)

2019M. Smyth (Royal Troon)

2020No Competition

2021C. Telfer (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

2022S. Hedger (West Kilbride)

2023K. Thomas (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)

AYRSHIRE MEN’S ORDER OF MERIT

2011Michael Smyth (Royal Troon)

2012David Wilson (Troon Welbeck)

2013Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Nicholas)

2014John Shanks (Irvine)

2015John Shanks (Irvine)

2016Steven Stamper (Turnberry)

2017Michael Smyth (Royal Troon)

2018 Jim Johnston (Ayr Belleisle)

2019Michael Smyth (Royal Troon)

2020No Winner

2021Michael Smyth (Royal Troon)

2022Steven McEwan (Caprington)

2023Blair Morton (Royal Troon)

AYRSHIRE MEN’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY

2011S. Brown (Turnberry)

2012S. McEwan (Caprington)

2013S. McEwan (Loudoun)

2014G. Bryden (Girvan)

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Division 1

Troon Welbeck

Loudoun

Loudoun

Irvine

Irvine

Prest. St Cuthbert

Prest. St Cuthbert

Prest. St Cuthbert

Loudoun

No Competition

Irvine

Irvine

Royal Troon

Division 2

Ballochmyle

West Kilbride

Ballochmyle

Prest. St Cuthbert

Turnberry

West Kilbride

Irvine Ravenspark

Troon Portland

Ballochmyle

No Competition

Royal Troon

Ballochmyle

Prest. St. Cuthbert

2015P. Moultrie (Royal Troon)

2016J. Sloan (Doon Valley)

2017M. Smyth (Royal Troon)

2018P. Denim (Loudoun)

2019C. Hamilton (Ballochmyle)

2020 No Competition

2021S. McEwan (Caprington)

2022B. Morton (Royal Troon)

2023C. Hamilton (Ballochmyle)

Division 3

Prest. St Cuthbert

Largs

Girvan

Turnberry

Troon St Meddans

Largs

Troon Portland

Largs

Royal Troon

No Competition

Rowallan Castle

Ayr Belleisle

Troon St. Meddans

AYRSHIRE WOMEN’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

2023D. Watt (Ayr Belleisle Ladies)

AYRSHIRE FOURBALL TROPHY

2011Kilbirnie Place

2012Brunston Castle

2013Maybole

2014Brunston Castle

2015Brunston Castle

2016Largs

2017Troon Welbeck

2018 Brunston Castle

2019NB Parkstone

2020No Competition

2021Prestwick Centre

2022Ayr Dalmilling

2023Auchenharvie 88

THE AYRSHIRE JUG

2023G. & W. Pollock (Skelmorlie)

AYRSHIRE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

2011Ballochmyle

2012Girvan

2013Turnberry

2014Prestwick

2015Largs

2016Prestwick St. Cuthbert

2017Ballochmyle

2018Troon Welbeck

Division 4

Prest. St Nicholas

Girvan

Turnberry

Troon St Meddans

Rowallan Castle

Troon Portland

Largs Routenburn

Royal Troon

Prest. St Nicholas

2019Irvine

2020No Competition

2021Prestwick St. Cuthbert

2022Caprington

2023Kilmarnock (Barassie)

Division 5

Girvan

Rowallan Castle

Doon Valley

Brunston Castle

No Competition

Moorpark

tgigolftravel.com

AYRSHIRE MEN’S HANDICAP

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

2017Ayr Dalmilling

2018 Ballochmyle

2019Kilbirnie Place

2020No Competition

2021Moorpark

2022Moorpark

2023Auchenharvie 88

AYRSHIRE WOMEN’S HANDICAP LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

2023Caprington

AYRSHIRE SENIOR MEN’S CHAMPIONSHP

2011Tom McKay (Annanhill)

2012Billy Moore (Loudoun)

2013Andy Gilchrist (Loudoun)

2014 Allan J Merry (West Kilbride)

2015Iain McKenzie (Annanhill)

2016Allan J Merry (West Kilbride)

2017Alex MacNeil (Rowallan Castle)

2018John Paterson (Loudoun)

2019Stephen Lucas (Ayr Belleisle)

2020No Competition

2021Alastair Travers (Irvine Ravenspark)

2022Derek Joliffe (Ayr Dalmilling)

2023James McIntyre (Redburn)

AYRSHIRE SENIOR MEN’S MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

2022Alastair Belford (Prestwick St Nicholas)

2023Brian Fisher (Largs)

GARY BRYDEN MEMORIAL SALVER

2016Loudoun

2017Prestwick St Cuthbert

2018Royal Troon

2019Royal Troon

2020No Competition

2021Prestwick St. Cuthbert

2022Largs

2023Loudoun

PRESIDENT’S PUTTER

2016Brunston Castle

2017Ballochmyle

2018Brunston Castle

2019Alton

Published

2020No Competition

2021Auchenharvie 88

2022Moorpark

2023Auchenharvie 88

AYRSHIRE BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

2011Callum Beveridge (Troon Welbeck)

2012Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie)

2013Louis Murray (Troon Welbeck)

2014Jack Thomas (Irvine)

2015Craig McKenzie (Troon Welbeck)

2016Jack Broun (Ayr Belleisle)

2017Jack Broun (Ayr Belleisle)

2018Sean Addie (Ayr Belleisle)

2019Kerr Brooks (Irvine)

2020No Competition

2021Harvey Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck)

2022Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon)

2023Scott Newman (Royal Troon)

AYRSHIRE BOYS’ MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

2011Callum Beveridge (Troon Welbeck)

2012Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert)

2013Louis Murray (Troon Welbeck)

2014Jack Thomas (Irvine)

2015Robbie Muir (Kilmarnock Barassie)

2016Euan Ferguson (Turnberry)

2017Euan Ferguson (Turnberry)

2018Euan Ferguson (Turnberry)

2019Ross McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie)

2020No Competition

2021Harvey Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck)

2022Harvey Broadfoot (Royal Troon)

2023Connor Wills (Royal Troon)

AYRSHIRE JUNIOR ORDER OF MERIT TROPHY

2011David Wilson (Troon Welbeck)

2012 Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert)

2013 Connor McKay (Loudoun)

2014Jack Thomas (Irvine)

2015Euan Ferguson (Turnberry)

2016Jack Broun (Ayr Belleisle)

2017Ewan Milligan (Kilmarnock Barassie)

2018John McCracken (Kilmarnock Barassie)

2019Ross McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie)

2020No Winner

2021Harvey Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck)

2022Jack Broadfoot (Troon Welbeck)

2023Sean Hillis (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Ayrshire Media Services produce the Going Out series of magazines delivered to Troon, Prestwick, Alloway & Doonfoot and Girvan, reaching a combined total of 25,000 households.

We also publish a range of annual publications, and can provide leaflets, banners and other print services.

At home in Ayrshire

Kings Meadow

IRVINE

An exciting development of 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes

In Ayrshire and across the country the Dawn Homes reputation has few equals. Beautifully designed family homes, in the places where people want to live, built in a variety of house types to an unwavering standard of excellence. Our latest major development in Ayrshire, Kings Meadow, Irvine is now under way and we look forward to finding you your dream home.

For more information contact our Sales Consultants on Tel: 01294 507698 Email: kingsmeadow@dawn-homes.co.uk

Also building at: Bellshill, Cambuslang and Glenmavis

www.dawn-homes.co.uk