Auchinleck’s Garry Johnstone wins Ayr Bowling Tournament singles

Aug 10 2012 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

GARRY JOHNSTONE is celebrating victory at Northfield for the second time in a week.

Only six days after lifting the Scottish fours with Auchinleck, he returned to win the blue riband gents singles at Ayr Bowling Week.

Johnstone was pushed hard to secure a 21-20 win over Craigie's Wilson Duffy, who was beaten in the final 30 years ago.

In the semi-finals, Johnstone beat Billy Anderson (Glaisnock Valley) 21-18 while Duffy was a 21-20 winner over Mark Robson (Darvel).

Internationalist Joyce Dickey (Hawick) won the ladies singles for the third time, beating Sheila Cole (Kincaidston) 21-18.

In the semis, Dickey beat Susan Murray (Raploch) 21-16 while Cole beat Maureen Shimmons (Annbank) 21-15.

The mixed pairs went to Auchinleck's world star Claire Johnston and Newton Park's Derek McCabe who crushed husband wife William and Elaine McKenzie (Cumnock) 13-2 after 10 ends.

Claire made it a double in the ladies pairs when she teamed up with Cath Druggan (Sorn) to beat Hawkhill's Grace Hay and Ray Longair 14-5.

Prestwick's Darren Weir took the boys' singles with a 21-11 win over Reece Martin. The girls' singles went to Dawn Anderson (Kincaidston) who beat Carrie McLean (Catrine) 21-11.

Junior pairs: D. Weir and M. Conlan beat C. Bull and C. Reid.

Tournament director Jimmy Agnew has retired from the committee after 37 years of involvment with the event which is celebrating its 80th year. He was presented with an honorary director blazer from the committee.

There was also the launch of the new logo which sponsor's MKD Sports designed and added to bowling towels and key rings for the finalists.

Players presented Jimmy with £400 in gift vouchers for Thomson Cook and £60 in cash. He was very pleased with his jacket from Taylor Bowls.