Euan Brown wins Ayrshire matchplay golf title

May 14 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

EUAN BROWN (Kilmarnock (Barassie) is the new Ayrshire matchplay champion after beating the 2008 champion Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) 6&5 at Western Gailes.

In the semi-finals, Brown, the 2007 Ayrshire boys’ champion and winner of the Ayrshire boys’ matchplay in 2005, beat Gordon Boyle (Ayr Dalmilling) 2&1 while Hamilton beat Stephen Spence (Irvine) 5&4.

First round: Tommy McInally (Loudoun) lost to John Shanks (Irvine) 4&3; Mark Anderson (Irvine) lost to Spence one hole; Chris Bone (Loudoun) lost to Hamilton 3&2; Graeme Gimson (St Cuthbert) beat Gary Cochran (Ravenspark) 1 hole; Brown beat Walter Meiklem (Welbeck) 4&3; Iain McDonald (Largs) lost to Marc Smith (Welbeck) 5&4; Scott Gilchrist (Loudoun) beat Steven Murray (Welbeck) 5&4; Stephen McBlain (St Cuthbert) lost to Boyle 2&1.

Quarter-finals: Spence beat Shanks two holes; Hamilton beat Gimson 2&1; Brown beat Smith 6&5; Boyle beat Gilchrist at 19th.

lRACHAEL McQUEEN (Troon Ladies) and reigning county champion Lesley Hendry (Largs Routenburn) are the only two Ayrshire players in the 75 strong field for the 97th Scottish Womans (Close) Amateur Championship at Craigielaw GC, Aberlady, from May 18 to 22.