Home-course win for John

Shanks in Ayrshire stroke-play



Irvine (Bogside) member John Shanks made the most of his local knowledge to win the Ayrshire stroke-play championship by nine shots over two rounds at his home club.
Shanks, picture right by courtesy of the Ayrshiregolf website, who was the title-winner at West Kilbride in 2007, got one hand on the trophy with a brilliant six-under-par first round of 65 to go five shots clear of his nearest rival, Ayshire boys' champion Scott Brown (Turnberry) at halfway.
A cold wind made the afternoon conditions more testing and Shanks had to settle for a one-over-par 72 for a total of five-under-par 137.
Distant runner-up was Stephen Murray (Troon Welbeck), Ayrshire's match-play champion in 2007 with a pair of 73s for 146. Ricky Black (Irvine) had the same total, made up of a 71 and a 75. He lost out on second place by having the poorer second round.
Best second round score was a 69 by Craig Mclaughlin (Largs) with a two under par 69.


LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 142 (2 x 71) CSS 73 73
137 John Shanks (Irvine) 65 72.
146 Stephen Murray (Troon Welbeck) 73 73, Ricky Black (Irvine) 71 75.
147 Joe Gilligan (Troon Welbeck) 76 71, John Haggerty (Loudoun) 75 72, Graham Rowan (Ballochmyle) 73 74.
148 Craig McLaughlin (Largs) 79 69, Stephen Spence (Irvine) 75 73, Gareth Lamb (Irvine) 74 74.
149 Ian Walker (Turnberry) 77 72, Billy Hunter (Troon Welbeck) 75 74, Paul Moultrie (Troon Portland) 72 77, Scott Brown (Turnberry) 70 79.