Girls can play in Ayrshire Junior Golf League next season

Dec 16 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

GIRLS will be allowed to take part in all Ayrshire Junior Golf League competitions next year.

Clubs agreed in principle to the proposal at the league's 44th AGM at Caprington.

The decision, which received support from both the Ayrshire Ladies County Golf Association and the Ayrshire Golf Association, will allow girls to be included in teams in the league championship, under 16 knockout and Wallace Thornton competitions.

It may also result in a girls' representative taking part in the junior champion of champions.

This will be the first time since the Ayrshire Junior Golf League was formed in 1968 that girls will be eligible to take part in the competitions administered by the league.

A sub committee has been set up to consider alterations to the constitution and rules of competitions, to be ratified by the member clubs prior to the start of the 2012 season.

League subscriptions are being kept at the same level as 2011. It was also agreed to write to clubs with junior sections who were not presently league members to ascertain if there would be any interest in joining.

The 2011 chairman, Gavin Scott (Loudoun) stood down and handed over the position in 2012 to Bobby Caddis (Prestwick St Cuthbert).

The vice chairmanship will be held by Annanhill. Robin Baker (Royal Troon) remains as treasurer, Billy Tait (Annanhill) retains his post as assistant secretary while John Nordbo (Largs) is league secretary.

Honorary membership of the league was conferred on Fred Helson (Ravenspark) and Bobby Caddis (St Cuthbert).

They follow in the footsteps of Andrew D. Nimmo (St Cuthbert), Matt McGregor (Ravenspark), Sam Coulter (Maybole), John Cowan, W. Kerr Ferguson (both St. Cuthbert), Robert F. Grassom, Iain Harvey, Russell Cameron (all Belleisle), William Tinsley (Ardeer), Charles McGregor (Ravenspark), Alastair A. Graham, Alasdair J. Malcolm (both St Cuthbert) and Brian Farrelly (Ardeer).

lTHE Ayrshire Golf Academy, which has been introduced as part of the Ayrshire Golf Association coaching programme, is getting into the swing for winter.

The first two sessions for a selected group of junior golfers have already taken place at the SportScotland National Centre at Inverclyde in Largs.

Over the winter months, the Academy programme will cover various spects of the game including coaching, skill levels, nutrition, fitness and psychological aspects of the sport in an effort to maximise the potential of the players.

Participants range from age 13 to 17 and were invited to take part after being selected on a strict handicap basis within certain age parameters. All the players selected possess at least a single figure handicap, ranging from nine to +1 while 13 of the 20 participants hold a category one handicap.

Taking part are Jack Thomas (Irvine), David Wilson (Welbeck), Euan Walker (Barassie), Callum Beveridge (Welbeck), Callum Gorrie, Blair Gavin (both Barassie), Stuart Easton (Irvine), Euan Henderson (Barassie), Jack McCluskey (Belleisle), Louis Murray, Murray McCrone (both Welbeck), Connor McKay (Loudoun), Ross McDonald (Irvine), Campbell Murray (Welbeck), Kieran Tumilty, Shaun Hedger (both West Kilbride), Sean Cook (Annanhill), Darren McCutcheon (Welbeck), Darryl Lynch and Jordan Fraser (Belleisle).

Reserves: Jordan Sweeney (Belleisle) and Craig Reid (Ravenspark).