Top golfers chase Ayrshire strokeplay championship

Apr 16 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

SIXTY-NINE of the best golfers in Ayrshire will contest the 62nd Ayrshire Strokeplay Championship at Prestwick St Cuthbert on Sunday, April 25.

John Shanks (Irvine) defends the trophy he won over his home course last year.

The players returning the best 16 scratch aggregate scores in the 36 hole strokeplay event will go forward to contest the Ayrshire Matchplay Championship over Western Gailes from Monday to Thursday, May 3 to 6.

Draw details: 0745 & 1245: Stephen McBlain (St C), Kenny Houston (Welb), Darren McConnell (Bar); 0753 & 1253: Tommy McInally (Loudoun), John Sloan (Doon Vall), Gary Bryden (Girvan).

0800 & 1300: Paul Moultrie (Troon Port), John Shanks (Irvine), Stephen Murray (Welb); 0808 & 1308: Mark Anderson (Irvine), Chris Bone (Loudoun), Craig Telfer (St C); 0815 & 1315: Gordon Cree (Welb), Kirk Russell (Doon Vall), Stuart Miller (Bar); 0823 & 1323: Kevin Fergusson (St C), Scott Brown (Tberry), Stephen Spence (Irvine); 0830 & 1330: Andrew Kent (Welb), Darren Mallinson (Rvnspk), Fraser McCall (Troon Port); 0838 & 1338: John Haggerty (Loudoun), Billy Hunter (Welb), Ewan McKinnon (Corrie); 0845 & 1345: Gareth Lamb (Irvine), Graeme Gimson (St C), Joe Gilligan (Welb); 0853 & 1353: Scott Clark (Bell), Del Chamberlain (Welb), Euan Walker (Bar).

0900 & 1400: Stephen King (St N), Charlie Macneal (Welb), Gary McTaggart (Annhill); 0908 & 1408: Frank Henderson (Welb), George Robertson (Rvnspk), Ian Yates (Bell); 0915 & 1415: Walter Meiklem (Welb), J Boyle (Dalm, Craig McLaughlin (Largs); 0923 & 1423: Gary Tierney (St N), Colin Robinson (Largs), Colin Gray (Irvine); 0930 & 1430: Adam Foley (Bell), Kevin Ward (May), Paul Robinson (Largs); 0938 & 1438: George Higgins (Ardeer), Paul Denim (Loudoun), Robert Marshall (Beith); 0945 & 1445: Wullie McGill (Rvnspk), Paul Giffney (Ardeer), Scott Gilchrist (Loudoun); 0953 & 1453: Jamie Acheson (Rtnburn), Lee Jenkins (Beith), Craig Adams (Ardeer).

1000 & 1500: Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay), Gary Cochran (Rvnspk), Euan Brown (Bar); 1008 & 1508: Marc Smith (Welb), Rory Acheson (Rtnburn), Graeme Rowan (Ballmyle); 1015 & 1515: Drew Wallace (St C), Iain Fraser (St Medd), Tommy Keddie (New Cum); 1023 & 1523: Kenny Milliken (St Medd), Craig Hamilton (Ballmyle), Scott McCahill (May); 1030 & 1530: Kevin Ottley (Bell), Neil McCormack (New Cum), David Power (St Medd).

lBRAVE Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) battled to the semi-finals of the Scottish Boys' Championship at West Kilbride.

McDonald, who reached the last eight a year ago, had a 5&3 win over Conor O'Neil (Pollock) in the quarter-finals.

But he met his match in the semis when he lost by two holes to fellow Scotland boys' internationalist Grant Forrest (Craigielaw).

lMALLETSHEUGH have withdrawn from the Ayrshire Summer (scratch) League.

Draw details: league one: Caprington, Maybole, Irvine, Irvine Ravenspark; league two: Loudoun, Ballochmyle, Troon Welbeck, Prestwick St Cuthbert. Winners of leagues one and two to play off in the semi final.

League three: Troon St Meddans, Ayr Belleisle, Turnberry, New Cumnock; league four: West Kilbride, Kilbirnie Place. Winners of leagues three and four to play off in a quarter final.

League five: Beith, Tam O’Shanter, Largs; League six: Ardeer, Annanhill, Kilmarnock Barassie. Winners of leagues five and six 6 to play off in a quarter final.

lANNANHILL will host PGA supervised golf training and tuition on Sunday, May 9 and Sunday, May 16 as part of the Land of Burns Festivals.

The aim of the session is to give children an introduction into golf with skills challenges, coaching and free golf gift on attendance.

The cost of the coaching will be £10 but as part of Annanhill’s junior recruitment the £10 will be refunded to each child who affiliates to the club’s junior section, if the child wishes to do so.

Details from Billy Tait (tel: 07880 782654) or John Young (tel: 07866 410800).

lIRVINE Ravenspark will hold the inaugural Irvine Ravenspark Seniors Open on Thursday, September 23. There will be three age categories and the competition will be played in a stableford format.