Ballochmyle's Hamilton is Ayrshire golf champion
CRAIG Hamilton (Ballochmyle) is the Ayrshire matchplay champion after beating John Cairney (Irvine Ravenspark) on the final green.
Despite putting well earlier in the round, Cairney missed from three feet to give Hamiton the lead for the first time in the match and with it the title.
In the semis, Hamilton beat Alex Walker (St Meddans) 3&2 while Cairney ousted Brian Moore (Largs) by one hole.
The hopes of strokeplay champion Steven Wallace (St Cuthbert) and holder Steven Murray (Welbeck) ended in the quarter-finals.
Wallace lost 2&1 to Hamilton, the Ballochmyle player closing the match with a winning birdie three at the 17th. Murray lost by one hole to Walker.
In the other quarter-final, 2006 Ayrshire champion of champions winner Brian Moore (Largs) had a 3&2 win over second seed Paul Moultrie (Troon Portland) while the present champion of champions title holder, John Cairney (Ravenspark) edged through by one hole against Colin Robinson (Largs).
DEFENDING champions Ballochmyle beat Dalmilling 5-1 to get off to a flying start in section 'C' of the Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship.
In section 'A', Troon Welbeck bounced back from their opening match defeat to crush local rivals St Meddans 5-1 in the second sectional match.
HOLDERS Irvine Bogside drew 3-3 in their opening league three tie in the Ayshire Summer league. Teams will play home and away matches in four league sections, by the end of July, with the section winners progressing to the semi finals.
THE Ayrshire champion of champions competition is up and running with Steven Dunn (Seafield) beating Jim McKinnon (Alton) 6-5. Nick Tindall (Tam O' Shanter) had a 3&2 away win over Billy Campbell (Ballochmyle).
Brunston Castle youngster Scott Brown, who also plays at Turnberry, beat Scott McCahill (Maybole) 2&1.
BILLY Alexander and Joe Kilpatrick (North Beach) are the first pair through to round three of the Ayrshire Fourball. The Prestwick duo booked their place with a one hole win away to Doon Valley's William Brown and William Hunter.
TWO former Ayrshire boys champions have qualified for the Scottish final of the Nick Faldo Series at The Roxburghe on August 22.
Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) and Cameron Gray (West Kilbride) won through in the under 21 section behind Craigielaw's Zack Saltman who headed the 24 qualifiers.
Saltman had a 73 over Carnoustie and a 75 over The Carrick at Cameron House to win by three shots, as well as returning the lowest total in all the categories.
Mackay was runner-up to Saltman, with 76 and 75 while Gray was third in the section with rounds of 79 and 75.
IT was a case of joy and despair for two Ayrshire golfers who carded 71 in the qualifying event for the Powerade PGA Assistants' Championship at Auchterarder.
With a field of 55 young assistants, 16 places were available for the championship to be held in August at The London Club, and the axe fell on two over par 71, with four from six on that score qualifying.
The leading score on the day was 68 and Stuart Robin (Kilmarnock Barassie) and David McLure (Troon Municipal) found themselves in the play off for the four remaining places.
One of the earlier starters, Stuart Winter (Callander), was not present when called for the start of the play-off and it was McLure who lost out after a bogey at the first play off hole. David Knapp (North Gailes) fired a three over par 72 leaving him one adrift of a place in the play off.
BELMONT Academy are the new South Ayrshire schools champions after winning at Ayr Dalmilling. The team of Callum Stewart, Adam Foley, Ross Donaldson and Craig Telfer beat the opposition to the title with Foley recording the best round of the day of 70.
Doley's efforts were rewarded with a place in the team to represent South Ayrshire in the Scottish Schools Championship at Inchmarlo in Aberdeenshire.
AYRSHIRE has only three representatives in the field of 96 to contest the Scottish Women's Championship over the Moray old course at Lossiemouth this week.
Flying the flag are former county champion Lesley Hendry (Largs Routenburn) and Barassie duo Gillian Lockhart and Charlie Taylor.
TWO Ayrshire players are in the Scottish Golf Union youths team to play Ireland in a friendly international at Scotscraig on May 27.
Newly crowned Scottish Boys champion Michael Stewart (Welbeck) steps up to the six man youth side and will be joined by Steven McEwan (Caprington).
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