Ayrshire golfers miss out on title after Darley defeat

Oct 19 2012 by Mike Wilson, Ayrshire Post

Ayrshire have failed in their bid to win the West of Scotland Inter County League for the first time in many years.

Needing to win their remaining two matches, they fell at the first hurdle when they lost 6-4 to Glasgow at Troon Darley on Sunday.

Michael Smyth got the home side off to a winning start but Steven McEwan lost out narrowly on the final green when Jamie Savage had a closing eagle three to level the match score.

Ayrshire went behind when Tommy McInally lost to Steven Machin and in another pivotal moment, Keith Hamilton, who was one ahead with three holes to play, saw his opponent Graeme McDougall hole in one at the 16th to level the tie on his way to a one hole victory.

Ayrshire’s cause was further dented with George Robertson beaten 9&8 but wins from Steven Murray and Stuart Robin kept hopes alive. Despite a good win in the final tie by Steven Stamper, defeats for John Haggarty and Gary Bryden left Ayrshire’s hopes in tatters for another year.

Results: Michael Smyth (Roy Troon) beat James Hendrick (Pollock) 3&2; Steven McEwan (Loudoun) lost to Jamie Savage (Cawder) one hole; Tommy McInally (Loudoun) lost to Steven Machin (Cowglen) 3&2; Keith Hamilton (Belleisle) lost to Graeme McDougall (Bishopbriggs) one hole; Steven Murray (Welbeck) beat Allan Waugh (Cowglen) one hole; Stuart Robin (St Nicholas) beat David Curtis (Cathkin Braes) 5&3; George Robertson (Ravenspark) lost to Stuart Black (Cathcart Castle) 9&8; John Haggarty (Loudoun) lost to Martin Lamb (Cawder) 4&3; Gary Bryden (Girvan) lost to John McDonald (Cowglen) 3&2; Steven Stamper (Turnberry) beat Callum McLean (Cowglen) 5&4.

The ‘A’ team conclude their fixtures with a re-arranged match with Renfrewshire at Belleisle on Sunday.

Ayrshire youths finished with a 6.5-3.5 win over Glasgow at Haggs Castle. But it will be a few weeks before they know if it is enough for the title as other teams catch up on postponed fixtures.

Results (Glasgow names first): Blair Dalgleish (Paisley) lost to Euan Walker (Barassie) 8&7; Blair Cooper (Haggs Castle) beat Ciar Porciani (Belleisle) one hole; Jack Brown (Cathcart Castle) lost to Greg Vernon (Barassie) 2&1; Stuart Campbell (Williamwood) beat Greg Telfer (St Cuthbert) 2&1; Paul Loughlin (Cawder) lost to Alasdair Berry (Ravenspark) 3&2; Kevin Kilroy (Cawder) halved with Jack McCluskey (Belliesle); Glen Burrett (Haggs Castle) lost to Gary Morrison (Barassie) 3&2; Blair Crabb (Williamwood) beat Jordan Fraser (Belleisle) 3&2; Martin McKenna (Cathcart Castle) lost to Darryl Lynch (Belleisle) 5&3; Graeme Young (Williamwood) lost to Craig Telfer (St Cuthbert) 5&4.