Ayrshire tees up a bumper year of golf

Jan 16 2009 by Mike Wilson

AYRSHIRE is looking forward to a bumper year of golf. The Open Championship at Turnberry, The Scottish Amateur at Royal Troon and the Ladies Home Internationals at Irvine (Bogside) are among the highlights.

Troon St Meddans and Loudoun Gowf Club both celebrate their centenary year in 2009 as does The Ayrshire Ladies Golf Association.

lAYRSHIRE Golf Association will kick off their new season fixtures with a trip to play South of Scotland on March 22.

The Ayrshire Boys’ Team Championship is at Ardeer on April 19 followed a week later by the Ayrshire Strokeplay Championship at Irvine.

Other fixtures: May: 4-7: Ayrshire Matchplay Championship (Prestwick); 24: Ayrshire U18 v Lanarkshire U18 (Ballochmyle); 24: Area Team v Stirlingshire (away - TBC).

June: Ayrshire U18 v Dumbarton U18 (away - TBC).

July: 5: Ayrshire Club Championship (Loudoun); 12: Ayrshire U18 v Glasgow U18 (Annanhill); 21: Ayrshire Seniors Championship (Kilmarnock Barassie).

August: 2: Area Team v North East (Largs); 6: Ayrshire Boys Championship (Irvine Ravenspark); 7: Champion Of Champions semi-finals (Royal Troon); 13-15: Ayrshire Boys Matchplay (Prestwick); 14: Champion of Champions final (Royal Troon); 23: Ayrshire U18 Vs. Renfrewshire U18 (Eastwood).

September: Ayrshire U18 v Stirlingshire U18 (away – TBC); 20: Area Team v Borders (away - TBC); TBA: Ayrshire Fourball final.

October 10: Ayrshire 'A' v Dumbartonshire 'A' (St Cuthbert); 10: Ayrshire Y v Dumbartonshire Y (away - TBC); 17: Ayrshire 'A' v Glasgow 'A' (away - TBC); 17: Ayrshire Y v Glasgow Y (Belleisle); 24: Ayrshire 'A' v Renfrewshire 'A' (East Renfrewshire); 24: Ayrshire Y v Renfrewshire Y (Caprington); 31: Ayrshire 'A' v Stirlingshire 'A' (St Nicholas); 31: Ayrshire Y v Stirlingshire Y (away - TBC).

November 7: Ayrshire 'A' v Lanarkshire 'A' (away - TBC); Ayrshire Y v Lanarkshire Y (Brunston Castle - TBC).