RENFREWSHIRE LADIES COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER -- ALYSON MCGINNIGLE LEADS THE WAY

From the RLCGA Website

Alyson McGinnigle

On a very cold, windy  and damp day at Paisley Golf Club today Alyson McGinnigle from Cowglen had the best
score of the day 77 in the Renfrewshire Ladies' County Championship qualifier 

Beth Paterson

Beth Paterson (Eastwood) was the winner of the handicap
award with a 2 under par 72

LEADING SCORES ( SSS 74, CSS 75)

1 Alyson McGinnigle (Cowglen) 77
2 Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) 78
3 Carol Whyte (Milngavie) 78
4 Lesley Robertson (Ranfurly Castle) 78
5 Beth Paterson (Eastwood) 80
6 Jennifer Rankine (Haggs Castle)  80
7 Donna Jackson (Troon Ladies) 82
8 Gillian McLeod (Williamwood) 82


Championship Knock out draw 9th May am
Alyson McGinnigle (Cowglen) v Fiona Armour (Renfrew)
Liz Stewart (Greenburn) v Fiona Cameron (Cowglen)
Beth Paterson (Eastwood) v Shirley Back (Douglas Park)
Jennifer Rankine (Haggs Castle) v Chris Fowler (Cowglen)
Gillian Kyle (East Renfrewshire) v Jan Macnab (Ranfurly
Castle) 
Gillian Mcleod (Williamwood) v Denise Cowan (Ranfurly
Castle) Carol Whyte (Milngavie) v Julie Wilson ( Williamwood)
Donna Jackson (Troon) v Gillian McGinlay (Troon Ladies)

Irvine Trophy Handicap Matchplay

Linda Ellery (East Renfrewshire) v Sheila Shaw (Caldwell)
Sandra Littlejohn (Erskine) v Marion Stewart ( Kilmacolm)
Lesley Anderson (Caldwell) v Morag Little (Whitecraigs)
Anita McMillan (Erskine) v Liz Hale (Caldwell)

Go to the RLCGA -- Results page

P AND K SQUAD PRACTICE AT BALLATER

PERTHSHIRE AND KINROSS LADIES'
COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER
 - RESULTS and DRAWS

Defending champion Jen Saxton from Muckhart was the leading qualifier for the P and K Ladies' County Championship at Alyth Golf Club today.
The top 16 scratch players and the next eight handicap players will play the finals at Alyth this weekend.  All spectators are welcome.

Championship Draw for Saturday 11 May

A. K. Rosebowl (Scratch) 1st Round
10:04  J. Saxton v A. Stockley
10:12  G. Lambie v M. Ashley
10:20  I. Moncrieff v S. Crolla
10:28  E. Aird v K. Brodie
10:36  L. Walker v J. Collins
10:44  Z. Morton v A. Mitchell
10:52  K. Knight v C. Muir
11:00  C. Henderson v K. Alexander

Note: The 2nd Round of the A. K. Rosebowl (Scratch) will start at 14:36

Gibb Trophy (Handicap) 1st Round
15:08  S. MacDougall v L. Pattinson
15:16  K. Miller v D. Rettie
15:24  A. Hendry v K. Duncan
15:32  V. Purdie v C Peebles

Results from the today's qualifying round at Alyth

Scratch
Jen Saxton 71
Katy Alexander 72
Laura Walker 74

Handicap
Susie MacDougall (27) 66
Catherine Peebles (22) 70
Katy Alexander (1) 71
The Par and SSS (Red Tees) was 71.  The CSS was 71 

   

Sunday, May 05, 2019

P AND K SQUAD PRACTICE AT BALLATER

Some of our Senior Squad decided to travel up to Ballater, book into the local Hostel and check out the golf course before the Jamboree in June.

Katy, Zoe, Kirsty, Isla, Steph, Jen and Laura

They even persuaded our Match Secretary, Caroline Henderson, to join them!

According to Laura's post on Facebook, they had a "Great first day up at Ballater... Battled the cold and the sleet, but loved the course."

Well done everyone.  It's great to see you all getting in some practice on the course in preparation for the Jamboree.  Hopefully, it's warmer in June!

ABERDEENSHIRE WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
@ Murcar Links
SCRATCH MATCH-PLAY
FIRST ROUND
F Campbell (McDonald Ellon) bt H Bycroft (Alford) 6 and 4.
R Fowlie (Edzell) bt M Adam (Hazlehead) 3 and 1.
D Pocock (Aboyne)) bt L Whyte (Aberdeen Ladies) 6 and 4.
K Beveridge (Aboyne) bt G Mackenzie (Banchory) 6 and 5.
C Wilson (Murcar Links) bt K Stalker (Cruden Bay) 2 and 1.
E Whyte (Aberdeen Ladies) bt R Mathieson (Hazlehead) 2 and 1.
S Leslie (Murcar Links) bt L Anderson (Duff House Royal) 8 and 6
C Griffiths (Aboyne) bt S Wood (Aberdeen Ladies) 6 and 4.

QUARTER-FINALS 
Fowlie bt Campbell at 19th
Beveridge bt Pocock 7 and 6
Wilson  bt  E Whyte at 19th
Leslie bt Griffiths at 19th

SUNDAY SEMI-FINALS
9.30 Fowlie v Beveridge
9.45 Wilson v Leslie


SCRATCH FINAL (Sunday, 2.15)


HANDICAP
QUARTER-FINALS
J Lees (Westhill) (4) bt  V Neish (Murcar Links) (16) 3 and 2
 L Watson (Deeside) (16)  bt L Mutch (Meldrum House) (19) 6 and 4.
 J Harrison (Cruden Bay) (6) bt C Macdonald (Aberdeen Ladies) (13) 4 and 2.
M Finnie (Aberdeen Ladies) (10) bt E Gissing (Murcar Links) (11) 3 and 2
SEMI-FINALS
Lees (4) bt Watson (16) 3 and 2
Harrison (6) bt Finnie (10) 2 holes.

HANDICAP FINAL (Sunday, 10am)
Lees (4) v Harrison (6)

Leading North-east District Competitions in 2019

Phillips Trophy

36 Hole Stroke Play

When: Sunday 26th May 2019

Closing Date: Friday 17th May 2019

Where: Murcar Links Golf Club

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Journal Cup

18 Hole Stroke-play - 3 Man Team

When: Saturday 13th July 2019

Closing Date: Thursday 4th July 2019

Where: Kemnay Golf Club

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North-east Senior Men's Championship

55 years or over on 7/6/2019

When: Friday 7th June 2019

Closing Date: Monday 27th May 2019

Where: Kings Links Golf Course

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North-east U18 boys' championship – sponsored by the Paul Lawrie Foundation

Under 18 years on 1/1/2019

When: Thursday 25th July 2019

Closing Date: Wednesday 17th July 2019

Where: Craibstone Golf Club

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Paul Lawrie North-east boys' Under-14 Championship

Under 14 years on 1/1/2019

When: Thursday 25th July 2019

Closing Date: Wednesday 17th July 2019

Where: Craibstone Golf Club

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Kings Links Golf Centre NE Open

Field of 72 with handicap ballot

When: Saturday 17th August 2019

Closing Date: Sunday 4th August 2019

Where: Portlethen Golf Club

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Simmers Trophy

18 hole foursomes (Max 2 per club) - £20 per team

When: Sunday 25th August 2019

Closing Date: Friday 16th August 2019

Where: Cruden Bay Golf Club

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Crieff's David Simpson is new P and K

match-play champion

By IAIN BUTCHART

Local star David Simpson won the Perth and Kinross county match-play championship at Crieff Golf Club where he finished two up in the final against  Strathmore junior member Alex Simpson.

A scrappy start with three-putts from David at the second and third holes and then a similar error from Alex at the fourth saw the boys all square on the fifth tee but both over par.

The fifth was halved in 5 and a missed tiddler by Dave at the sixth saw Alex go one up.

Way right off the seventh tee, Alex hit the shot of the round with a drilled punched "exocet," never more than 3ft off the ground from 160 yards out, to the left edge of the green  and he compounded the wound by chipping in for a 3 to go two up.

Alex gave Dave a lifeline at the eighth, however, by being right off the tee again and short right on the bank with his pitch. He could not get up and down, so back to only one up.

Long ninth was halved in par 5, and 10, 11, 12, shared in regulation, but the 13th was  crucial with Dave getting back to level terms when Alex again three-putted.

The 14th  was halved in regulation too.  Dave was through back on 15 and then  played his only poor chip from the wet lie, losing the hole and giving Alex control again.

It was not to last long however. At the 16th, both hit big tee shots with Dave's drive being 20 yds ahead of Alex's tee shot with a rescue club, but Alex lost control of the game when after a sound approach pin high, he again three-putted from 15 feet, and Dave got his 4, chipping dead from the right-hand back edge.

The 17th sealed it for David, as Alex blocked his tee shot and then hit a poor pitch from the bunker face and missed the putt. Dave, now tail up and one up,  boomed his drive down 18, pitched close and when  Alex mishit his pitch he conceded the match. David the winner by two holes.

 

Great show from Alex, big scalps and huge positives to take from series of games, and what will he be capable of when he replaces his driver and hits it even further?
Congratulations to David for his first county match-play championship. It's taken him 12 years to recover from the beating George Stubbs gave him  (we think in 2005).

Huge thanks to Crieff,  General Manager Anna Maclean, David Murchie and Hazel in the Pro shop, Charlie  MacDonald and all the greenstaff,  Wattie and Caroline behind the bar and and of course the members for allowing us the courtesy of the course which as always was in sparkling condition, but most of all to Morven in the clubhouse who looked after me so well! Food drink and all the extras.

Special mention to Brechin Golf Club and Old Ranfurly golf parties for their courtesy in waving the final through on seven separate  occasions. It was so  refreshing, and made for great fun as we chatted and compared swings

RESULTS
QUARTER-FINALS
A Simpson bt G Campbell at 19th.
S Michie bt J Barrett 2 and 1.
E D Farquharson bt A Jackson 1 hole.
D Simpson bt S McKendrick at 19th.

SEMI-FINALS
A Simpson bt S Michie.
D Simpson bt E D Farquharson

FINAL
D Simpson bt A Simpson 2 holes.

Yorkshire and Hampshire  meet in title showdown  Yorkshire and Hampshire will meet tomorrow in a title showdown at the English Men’s County Finals at Sandwell Park Golf Club in Staffordshire.  They both won in today’s strong winds to make it two wins from two matches and set up the classic ‘winner-take all’ finale to the championship.  Both teams were wrong-footed in the foursomes and trailed 2-1 at lunch, but they came out with such determination in the singles that tomorrow’s head-to-head promises to be excellent.  Hampshire, which includes the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands, powered through the singles without losing a game and beat Warwickshire overall by 6.5-2.5.  Yorkshire’s singles challenge was spearheaded by Will Whiteoak, who won on the 13th, and the team went on to defeat Cornwall 5.5-3.5.  Hampshire’s win was a milestone in their recent history for it’s the first time in at least seven outings at County Finals that the team have won on the Saturday. “We always win on the first day then tie or lose on the second, so this is fantastic,” said team captain Martin Young. He played his own part in the success, teaming up with Billy McKenzie to get Hampshire’s sole point in the foursomes and the polishing off his singles 7/5.  “This morning was a bit disappointing, but Warwickshire had lost yesterday and they were really up for it and definitely putted better than us. But this afternoon it came down to ball striking and, from what I’ve seen, our players kept it straight,” said Young.  He added his point to those already scored by Tom Robson (3/2) and Ryan Harmer (5/4) and set the stage for McKenzie to clinch the team’s win when he finished 2/1. “I knew coming down the 17th that this was the clincher and it’s a nice feeling to do it,” said McKenzie, who has won all four of his games so far (pictured top, copyright Leaderboard Photography).  His match against Max Martin was extremely close over the front nine and he was four-under when he reached the turn all square, before winning 10, 11 and 12 to forge ahead. George Saunders (2 and 1) added another point while Jordan Sundborg squeezed a half out of his game with Gareth Jenkins.  Yorkshire’s plan for the afternoon was simple. Team captain Darryl Berryl told his players: “I want the first point on the board to be a Yorkshire point to level the game.”  Whiteoak (pictured right, copyright Leaderboard Photography) duly obliged. He was bogey free and three-under par when he won 6 and 5. “We needed a couple of players to get some early points and hopefully it would seep back to the bottom end,” he said.  Steve Robins quickly supported him. He was also bogey free and was four-under when he claimed the team’s second point 4 and 3 and maintained his own 100% winning record.  Kealan Lowe, the Yorkshire order of merit winner, showed tremendous class as he closed out his 4 and 2 win. First he played a remarkable shot out of thick rough behind the 15th green which finished inches from the hole; then he slotted a tricky, downhill birdie putt on the 16th for the win. Bailey Gill, who became the Yorkshire matchplay champion last week, sealed the team’s victory when he won 3 and 1. He had been three down after six but turned the tables with three consecutive birdies from the 10th which got him to one up and, as the match moved towards the closing holes, he played crucial shots close to the pin.  English champion Dan Brown holed a 25-ft birdie putt on 17 to go down the last one up – but his opponent Rob McGregor, replied by holing a 35-footer on the 18th for his own birdie and a halved result.  Darryl Berry commented on his team’s performance: “It was all about getting the momentum to feed the team and the guys have done what they needed to.”  Click here for full scores Lyndsey Hewison Press Officer England Golf pr@englandgolf.org 07825 752 193 .

Scottish women's county finals at Aboyne: Day 2 foursomes results

 

ABERDEENSHIRE lead DUNBARTONSHIRE and ARGYLL 2-1
FOURSOMES
S Leslie and S McWilliam bt A Laing and L McClymont 5 and 4
R Polson and C Wilson bt L Campbell and F Rattray 6 and 5
D Pocock and J Mackintosh lost to C Hargan and J Farrell 3 and 1. 

SINGLES
Six afternoon ties to be played

DUMFRIESSHIRE 1.5, MIDLOTHIAN 1.5


FOURSOMES
D Macdonald and Mirren Fraser halved with K McIntosh and W Nicholson.
E Greenlees and K McCracken lost to L Fraser and K Ferguson-Snedden 4 and 2.
G Batty and J Graham bt K Marshall and H Scott 2 and 1. 

SINGLES
Six afternoon ties  

Gloucestershire are first time English women's county champions

Gloucestershire have won the English women's county championship for the first time by beating Yorkshire 5-4 on the final day at Waterlooville Golf Club 

TO READ THE REPORT AND DETAILS ON
THE ENGLAND GOLF WEBSITE

CLICK HERE 

Aberdeenshire start county finals with a win 

over title rivals Midlothian
 
By COLIN FARQUHARSON 
Hosts Aberdeenshire took a big step towards winning the Scottish women's county championship on home turf at Aboyne when they came from behind to beat Midlothian, on paper their strongest rivals, 5.5-3.5 on the opening day.
In the other tie, Dumfries-shire, inspired by +2 player Gemma Batty (Moffat) beat Dunbartonshire and Argyll 7-2.
Midlothian took the foursomes 2-1 but Aberdeenshire, even without the services of Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) and Rachel Polson (Kemnay) made up the deficit by winning the singles 4.5-1.5.
Sammy Leslie, Carol Wilson, Donna Pocock and Jasmine Mackintosh were afternoon winners for Aberdeenshire who face Dumfries-shire on Saturday.
English-born student Gemma, whose ambition is to play for Scotland through residential qualification, won both her foursomes (in partnership with Jordana Graham) and her singles. 
Dumfriesshire shaded the foursomes 2-1, then took the singles 5-1.


SCOTTISH WOMEN'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS
Aboyne Golf Club, Aberdeenshire
DAY 1

MIDLOTHIAN 3.5, ABERDEENSHIRE 5.5 FOURSOMES (2-1)
K McIntosh and H Scott bt S Leslie and C Wilson 6 and 5.
L Fraser and K Ferguson-Snedden bt J Lees and L Anderson 5 and 4.
K Marshall and W Nicholson lost to D Pocock and J Mackintosh 3 and 1.

SINGLES (1.5-4.5)
McIntosh lost to Leslie 3 and 1.
Fraser lost to Wilson 1 hole
A McBride lost to Pocock 3 and 2.
C Steedman lost to Mackintosh 7 and 6
Ferguson-Snedden bt Lees 5 and 4.
Scott halved with Anderson


DUMFRIESSHIRE 7, DUNBARTONSHIRE and ARGYLL 2

FOURSOMES (2-1)
G Batty and J Graham bt C Hargan and J Farrell 4 and 3.
D Macdonald and M Fraser bt A Laing and L McClymont 3 and 1.
K Malcolm jun and E Greenlees lost to F Rattray and L Campbell 2 holes.

SINGLES (5-1)
Batty bt McClymont 3 and 2.
D Macdonald bt Hargan 2 and 1.
Graham bt L McGeachy 8 and 6
Malcolm jun bt L Macdonald 3 and 2.
Fraser bt Rattray 4 and 3.
Greenlees lost to Anne Laing 5 and 4.


SATURDAY PROGRAMME
Dumfriesshire v Midlothian (Foursomes 9.30 and singles 1.30)
Aberdeenshire v Dunbartonshire and Argyll (Foursomes 9.52 and singles 2.16)

Ayrshire men's match-play championship at Western Gailes

Shanks birdies his way to maiden title with 5 and 3 win over defending champion Smyth

2016 Ayrshire Matchplay Champion
John Shanks

  FROM THE AYRSHIRE GOLF BLOG WEBSITE

John Shanks (Irvine) won the Ayrshire match-play championship for the first time at Western Gailes this evening.

He beating defending champion Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) in the final.
After difficult cold and windy conditions n the first three nights of the championship, the finalists and spectators enjoyed excellent sunny conditions for the final
Three times winner Michael Smyth took an early lead when he put his second at the opening hole to six feet from the hole, while Shanks pulled his tee shot left, was short in two and took three more to get down for an untidy bogey 5.
The match soon settled into the close encounter everyone expected between the two county players. The next three holes were halved in par 4s to leave Smyth one ahead after four.
Smyth had the chance to extend his lead at the fifth with Shanks bunkered to the left of the green in two and unable to make better than a bogey 5.

However, Smyth's first put came up a few feet short and his second putt spun out of the hole, allowing Shanks an unlikely half and leaving just one hole between them in the match.
At the par five sixth hole, Smyth played an excellent second shot to just off the left edge of the green but Shanks followed him with an even better second which came to rest on the green, fifteen feet from the hole. Smyth chipped up close but was powerless as Shanks slotted home his eagle putt to square the match.
Both players found the green at the par three seventh from the tee, but whilst Shanks secured his par three, Smyth's first putt went three feet past and he missd the return to give Shanks the lead in the match for the first time.

At the eight hole John Shanks found a bunker on the left from the tee whilst Smyth was in perfect position on the fairway, but good fortune saw Shank's bunker shot land full in the burn in front of the green before bouncing out backwards and coming to rest on the fairway just short of the burn. Shanks took full advantage of his good fortune, playing an excellent chip to a foot or so from the hole to give him an unlikely par and allow him to half the hole and maintain his one hole advantage in the match.

On the final hole of the outward half, Smyth misjudged his approach shot which came to rest long and right of the green, leaving him with a difficult chip back down to the hole, whilst Shanks' approach finished twenty five feet below the hole. Two putts from Shanks was good enough to take the hole with a winning par four, and extend his lead to two holes at the turn, after Smyth was unable to get up and down from the back of the green.

Smyth was in danger of letting his title slip from his grasp, and things looked bleaker for him when Shanks' approach at the tenth came to rest twelve feet from the hole, but Smyth produced one of his best shots of the night under pressure, his second shot coming to rest just three feet from the pin to set up a winning birdie and reduce the deficit to one hole, after Shanks' birdie effort failed to drop.

The 11th hole marked the start of a remarkable run of holes which would ultimately see Shanks storm to an impressive title win. 

A little right from the tee, Smyth played a fine shot from a difficult lie to come up just short of the green in two, whilst Shanks was short and left of the plateau green, just slightly closer to the hole than Smyth. Playing first, Smyth chipped up to ten feet, only to see Shanks chip in from forty feet for a winning birdie three to restore his two hole advantage.

The position remained the same when both players had par fours at the following hole and at the thirteenth both players had excellent tee shots, Shanks finishing six feet away with Smyth just outside him, around eight feet from the hole. Smyth's effort pulled up just short of the hole and Shanks took advantage by holing his putt for a winning birdie two and a three hole lead.

Turning back towards the clubhouse, with the breeze slightly behind, the par five 14th was within range for both players in two shots. 

Smyth was unfortunate to see his second shot drift into the greenside bunker on the right while Shanks' second pulled up forty yards from the green, in the semi-rough. A superb chip to within two feet of the hole set up a second successive winning birdie for Shanks after Smyth's brave attempt saw his bunker shot finish six feet from the hole with his birdie attempt just slipping past.

With a run of three birdies in four holes, Shanks stood on the par three 15th tee dormie four up in the match, and maintained the pressure on Smyth with a tee shot that covered the flag all the way, coming to rest twenty five feet past the hole. 

Smyth played an equally good tee shot, which stopped just a little further from the hole, on the left of the green. Smyth's birdie attempt slipped three feet past the hole whilst Shanks rolled his birdie attempt to within eighteen inches of the cup. 

When Smyth failed to convert his par putt, he conceded Shanks' putt for a 3, giving Shanks his first ever Ayrshire match-play  title with a 5 and 3 victory, with excellent scoring of three under par when the match ended.
At the conclusion of play, Ayrshire Golf Association President James McMurdo presented vouchers to both players before handing over the trophy and commemorative medal to the 2016 Ayrshire matchplay Champion John Shanks.

Ayrshire men's match-play championship at Western Gailes

Michael Smyth v John Shanks in  final 

FROM THE AYRSHIRE GOLF BLOG WEBSITE

The Semi-finals of the 2016 Ayrshire Match-play Championship took place at Western Gailes on Wednesday 4th May, with defending champion Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) winning through to a final showdown against John Shanks (Irvine).


The first semi-final featured Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle), a former winner of the title over the Western gailes course, and John Shanks, who was seeking to add one of the few Ayrshire titles to his portfolio which has so far eluded him.

The players both opened with pars at the first two holes but successive birdies at the third and fourth gave shanks an early two hole lead, which was extended to three when Hamilton bogeyed the eigth hole.

Shanks was still three ahead playing the eleventh but let a few shots slip over the next three holes, allowing Hamilton to winn all three and square the match by the thirteenth.

Despite the setback, Shanks rallied with a winning birdie four at the fourteenth only to see Hamilton square the match again with a par three at the following hole.

The telling blow in the match came at the sixteenth where Shanks forged a winning birdie three to go one up in the match once again. The players matched each other with pars at the remaining two holes leaving Shanks the winner of the semi final tussle with a one hole victory.

The second semi final featured Michael Smyth and Adrian Orton (Kilmarnock Barassie)

Orton had stormed of to a great start in the opening two rounds of the championship earlier in the week, but was unable to produce the same form against Smyth in the semi finals, dropped shots at the second, fifth and sixth, coupled by level par figures by Smyth over the same run of holes, saw orton four down against the title holder. Despite winning the seventh with a par three, Orton dropped a further shot, and hole, at the eighth and with both players having pars at the ninth, Smyth turned for home with a four hole lead.

2016 Ayrshie Matchplay Finalists
John Shanks & Michael Smyth

Orton birdied the tenth to reduce the deficit to three but a further bogey at the twelfth from the Barassie player let Smyth restore his four hole lead with six to play.

Despite covering the next three holes in ten shots, including a birdie four at the fourteenth, Orton was unable to make any further inroads into Smyth's lead, and the title holder progressed to his second successive championship final with a 4 and 3 victory.

The final on Thursday evening at Western Gailes tees off at 5.00 p.m.

AYRSHIRE MATCH-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

AYRSHIRE MATCH-PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

 Quarter-final results

FROM THE AYRSHIRE GOLF WEBSITE

The quarter-finals of the 2016 Ayrshire matchplay Championship were completed at Western Gailes on Tuesday night, with players enjoying slightly less breezy and slightly warmer conditions that the previous evening.

The first match saw two times winner Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) take on former Ayrshire Boys Champion Jack Thomas (Irvine).

Three opening pars and a birdie 3 at the fourth hole saw Hamilton take a three-hole lead early in the match but a par four at the fifth and a birdie 4 at the following hole allowed Thomas to reduce the deficit to one by the turn The inward half proved tight with only two holes exchanged by the 16th, leaving Hamilton still one in front.

 A birdie 3 at the 16th saw Thomas square the match for the first time since the opening hole, but Hamilton finished with successive pars and this was enough for a two-hole win and a place in the semi-finals.

The second match out was between Graeme Gimson (Prestwick St Cuthbert) and John Shanks (Irvine)

 
The players matched each other over the opening three holes but a birdie 3 at the fourth followed by a concession at the fifth gave Shanks a two-hole advantage. The next two holes were exchanged before a further concession saw Shanks tale a three-hole lead after eight.
Shanks could manage only a bogey five at the ninth which allowed Gimson to reduce the deficit to two holes at the turn.
Gimson took the 12th and 14th to square the match, only to fall behind again when Shanks had a birdie 2 at the 15th. With both players finishing with three successive pars,  Shanks secured a narrow victory by one hole and progressed to the last four.

Defending champion Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) faced Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) in the third tie of the night.

Some erratic driving early on from Hedger saw Smyth lead by three after four holes but a lost ball by Smyth at the sixth allowed Hedger to reduce his lead to two and a winning par four at the ninth by Hedger saw the players turn for home with Smyth one ahead.
A par 4 at the 11th was good enough for Hedger to win the hole and square the match and the two players matched each other over the next five holes to leave them still all square with two to play.

At the 17th, Hedger was through the back in two whileSmyth played an excellent approach to the centre of the green. Hedger chipped on but could do nothing more as Smyth holed his putt for a winning birdie 3 and a one-hole lead with one to play.
Hedger hit an enormous drive at the 377yd closing hole, to within yards of the green, but was unable to get up and down for the birdie needed to win the hole and take the match into overtime, with Smyth matching Hedger's closing par four to win the tie by one hole.

The final match on the course saw Alan McLean (Kilbirnie Place) up against Adrian Orton (Kilmarnock Barassie).

One under par after five holes, for the second successive evening, saw Orton lead by four holes. Although a superb birdie 4 by McLean at the sixth reduced Orton's advantage to three holes, the Barassie player restored his four-hole lead at the seventh with a birdie 2.
At the eighth Orton found the burn with his second and the resultant bogey 5 allowed McLean to reduce the lead to three once more, only to see Orton finish the half with another birdie 3 to restore his four hole advantage at the turn which he reached with two-under-par figures.

Orton let some shots slip over the opening three holes of the inward nine and McLean took advantage, winning the 10th and 12th to reduce the deficit to two holes, but a solid par 3 from Orton at the 13th after McLean had found a bunker from the tee allowed Orton to stem the flow and restore a three-hole advantage with five to play.
The 14th was halved in par 5s, both players hitting the hole with their birdie attempts, and at the 15th, McLean again showed his mettle, taking the hole with a par three 3 Orton was bunkered from the tee.
Two up with three to play, Orton produced his best drive of the night at the 16th, splitting the fairway and leaving himself a short chip from the green while McLean found a bunker on the left of the fairway from the tee.
With McLean unable to make better than a 5 and Orton safely on the green in two, Orton rolled his birdie attempt to the hole side, prompting a conceded 4 by McLean, and giving him a 3 and  2 victory in the tie.

The semi finals took place night (5pm start) at Western Gailes,

Craig Hamilton Vs John Shanks

Michael Smyth Vs Adrian Orton

On Thursday, we'll bring you the Ayrshire Golf website report of the semi-finals

Jack Currie is crowned Renfreshire boys' champion of champions at Paisley

RENFREWSHIRE GOLF UNION NEWS RELEASE
kgmcgee@hotmail.com

Jack Currie of Greenock Golf Club has become the winner of the Renfrewshire Golf Union Boys' Champion of Champions title, having defeated Jack Crawford (Mearns Castle Golf Club) in an enthralling final at Paisley Golf Club, played in a very friendly manner with good scoring from both players.

Currie, the current county men's match play champion was made to work all the way by his opponent before finally winning at the last hole, where Jack Crawford hit his drive into the right hand trees and could not make par from that position.

Prior to this Jack Currie (pictured right) was two up after two holes but birdies at the third and seventh by Crawford had the game all square and the game remained square at the turn. 

The game turned again when Jack Crawford had bogeys at the 14th and 15th to go two down, but he responded with a birdie at 16 and a solid par at 17 to be all square again, before his fatal drive at the last.

In the semi-finals Currie defeated local champion Ian Bradley of Paisley at the 19^th where he made birdie to go ahead in the game for the first time. This game only came alive in the final nine holes with Jack recovering from three down with eight to play, but still one down after Ian made a great birdie on the 17^th , however par by Jack at the 18^th squared the game.

In the other semi-final Crawford defeated Kenan Ingram of Port Glasgow Golf Club by 4 and 2 with the game seesawing over the first 12 holes but poor play by Kenan on 14, 15 and 16 saw him lose 3 holes in a row and the match.

The courtesy of Paisley Golf Club given to the Renfrewshire Golf Union for the use of the course during the event and the sponsorship of the event by Greenlaw Garage over the years is much appreciated.

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Graham McGee  
President Renfrewshire Golf Union

Craig Pirie wins first Argyll and Bute 

match-play title, beating title-holder

 

 

Craig Pirie from Millport secured his first Argyll and Bute match-play title at a bright and breezy Machrihanish Golf Club.

Living up to the favourite billing, Craig eased to victory in the final over defending champion Graham Bolton with a comprehensive 5 and 4 victory.

Pirie's steady play over the weekend was enough for him to dismiss many of his rivals. The only game where he was tested was against local stalwart George McMillan with Craig emerging a one-hole victor in a seesaw battle which saw eight birdies shared.

This victory gives Craig a second area title and he holds both area titles, a feat achieved previously only by Bob MacIntyre and Graham Bolton.

The area executive would like to thank Machrihanish Golf Club for again hosting the event and in particular thank Fergus Walker for attending the final and to the green staff who presented the course in spectacular condition.

Yorkshire  start with a 9-0 whitewash of Worcestershire   Yorkshire were on sparkling form today, despite downpours on the first day of the England Senior Men’s County Championship, as they pulled off a 9-0 clean sweep against Worcestershire.  In the other – very close - match, BB and O (Berks, Bucks and Oxon) won the last game of the day on the 18th to beat Devon 5-4 at Robin Hood Golf Club, Solihull.  The weather played its part as the day unfolded. The foursomes were dry, but torrential rain delayed play for over an hour at the start of the singles and the teams were soaked throughout the afternoon. However, the sterling efforts of course manager Andy Wood and his team kept the course playable. BB&O captain Ashley Brewer said: “Robin Hood should be very proud. The course stood up very well and the green staff were magnificent. The whole presentation and the ambience of the competition is fantastic.” Yorkshire set off as they meant to go on, sweeping ahead in the foursomes and winning all three games.   However, their top pair of England senior international Stephen East and Peter Ward had to work for their point, holding on through a tight finish with a series of pars to finish one up. By contrast East and Ward both sped off in the afternoon. East played 13 holes in just a couple over par, despite the conditions, and won 6 and 5 to put Yorkshire’s first point on the board.  Ward, who had three birdies in his first six holes, soon followed him in, winning 5 and 4.  There were more big wins for Marshall Newman (6 and 4) and Chris Mear (5 and 4), while Steve Mason (image © Leaderboard Photography) and Ian Clarke both held their nerve to win on the last – with Clarke scoring a winning birdie.   “It was very exciting, very nerve wracking,” said Yorkshire captain John Grimbleby, as he recounted how his team worked to the whitewash.  “You always hope for it, but you don’t think it’s possible. A lot of things have to go for you and they did.” But he added: “It’s only one win.” Mason, who had been three down at one stage, had an additional reason to celebrate, when his first grandchild was born during the afternoon.  Mason’s son, James, was an England international in the early 2000s. The match between Devon and BB and O was extremely close all day.  Paul Vicary and Richard Ward put Devon 2-1 ahead after the foursomes when they turned their match around, getting in front for the first time on the 18th where they won one up.  But BB and O came out with great determination in the afternoon, winning two of the first three games to make the scoreline square – with three extremely tight games still to be decided. Phil Sewell had led over the outward half but was two down with four to play. He won the 15th and 17th to get back to all square and holed a good eight-footer on the last to hang on to the half. George Wilson secured another half in a nip and tuck game, sending his final chip close to the pin. Then Malcolm Reid sealed the BB and O’s fightback with a one-hole win. He was behind early on after his opponent, Rick Pillow, birdied two of the first three holes, but he turned his match around, securing a lead as he played the final holes. “We are delighted,” said Brewer. “We are sorry for Devon because they led all the way and it’s really been nicked from them against the run of play.” Tomorrow BB and O play Worcestershire; Yorkshire play Devon Click here for full scores.   Lyndsey Hewison Press Officer England Golf pr@englandgolf.org 07825 752 193

Lancashire are English men's county champions Lancashire won their 12th English Men’s County Championship when they came through an intensely close final day at Wychwood Park, Cheshire.  They edged past Somerset on countback, winning the title by 1½ game points, after the two teams tied with two match wins apiece. Lancashire clinched it today with a 5-4 win over Hampshire, while Somerset beat Lincolnshire 5½-3½.  “It’s superb,” said team captain Paul Williams, who also steered Lancashire to their last victory in 2013. “But it was tight!” The Northerners were taken over the winning line by England international Sean Towndrow after an afternoon of excellent golf, nailbiting tension – and ever-changing calculations of the possible outcomes.  At the start of the day’s play any of the four finalists could have won the championship, but Lancashire and Somerset staked the strongest claims when they both won their morning foursomes.  Lancashire took two of the possible three points against Hampshire, while Somerset enjoyed a clean sweep over Lincolnshire. Both teams knew then that if they went on to win their overall match, the outcome would be decided on countback between them. England international Paul Kinnear led Lancashire out in the singles and gave a sign of what was to come when he started with an eagle three on the first.  He played 14 holes in four-under par, won by 5 and 4 – and completed his own perfect score of six wins from six matches.   “My star man,” said Williams.    But further down the order, Hampshire took control of the last three games and Lancashire attention focussed on Ciaran Doherty and Towndrow to provide the essential points. Doherty got to three up on Martin Young, but was pulled back to just one up before surging ahead again to win 3/1.  Towndrow’s match was always close with just one hole in it for most of the round. He holed a good putt on 16 to get to dormie two up, but Hampshire’s Darren Walkley holed a 20ft birdie putt on 17 to take the match down 18.  Towndrow played textbook stuff and was rewarded when his birdie was conceded for the win.  “I’ve got to congratulate all the team, they all pulled together” said Williams, whose mantra for the week was: “You have to believe and you will find a way.”  Meanwhile Somerset were making their bid for the title. After their successful morning they were thoroughly tested by Lincolnshire who came out on a mission in the singles. They set a storming pace from the start and were up in all six games over the opening holes.  Somerset captain Justin Lane commented: “Some of the golf Lincolnshire played was phenomenal. After nine holes I thought we were going to lose the match and for the guys to stop that and pull out the win was fantastic.” Matt Turner summed up Somerset’s determination when he won the top singles against England international Ashton Turner – with an eagle three on the last. Josh Hilleard, who was also down for much of the round, provided another point with a 2 and 1 win and Will Poole secured a half.  In the end although they won the match, the title was denied them. Lane said: “It was a win, but not quite enough. It’s always disappointing not to win but we are happy that we held our heads high. We are a county with only 29 clubs, so we are the smallest county here, and I am really, really pleased, the guys played so well. It’s been a great weekend.”  Final placings:  1 Lancashire 2 Somerset 3 Hampshire 4 Lincolnshire.  Click here for full scores Lancashire team image © Leaderboard Photography Lyndsey Hewison Press Officer England Golf pr@englandgolf.org 07825 752 193

English men's county title race is blown wide open by Lincolnshire and Somerset victories The title race at the English Men’s County Championship was blown wide open today when both Lincolnshire and Somerset won their matches at Wychwood Park in Cheshire. They join yesterday’s winners, Hampshire and Lancashire, on two points apiece – with one day’s play left in the round robin tournament. The eventual outcome is likely to be decided on countback, so all four counties will be on a mission to win as many games as possible in tomorrow’s deciders. Somerset and Lincolnshire will face each other in the top match, while Lancashire will play Hampshire. “This is great for county golf,” said Lincolnshire captain Steve Brattan, whose team beat Hampshire 6-3 on a perfect autumn day.  Somerset captain Justin Lane echoed him after his side defeated Lancashire 5-4: “This is great for the event, there’s nothing worse than having a dead rubber.” Both teams came out determined to make an impact in the foursomes, having each lost all three games on the first day. Today, Somerset managed to win two, but Lincolnshire were still on the back foot after they only secured one point from the morning’s play. Brattan remarked: “They fought in the foursomes but it went the wrong way at the wrong time. "But their performance was outstanding in the singles and it’s all down to the ability of the players and their grit and determination.” The Lincolnshire side started well, got ahead early and stayed there. England international Ashton Turner was taken to the last by Tom Robson but held on to his narrow advantage to win one up. Further down the order his team-mates were in control and the points steadily followed from boy international Billy Spooner, Adam Wainwright, Nick Watson and Sam Whittaker, who completed the scoreline when he defeated Hampshire’s anchorman Scott Gregory. Watson won both his matches today for Lincolnshire. “After yesterday, it’s a great feeling to be in this position and still going forward,” said Brattan, who added: “We have got to get the foursomes right tomorrow!” Somerset, meanwhile, made a quick start with their two foursomes wins and their lead proved critical when the singles were shared three apiece. “Yesterday I think the lads were a bit anxious, only one of them has played in this event before,” said Lane. “But they realised they are as good as the other counties and they performed beautifully today. They came out of the blocks very hot and just kept going.” His players had to withstand some spectacular play from Lancashire. In the foursomes Sean Towndrow holed the second shot on the eighth for a winning eagle and in the afternoon Ian Kenwright holed his approach to the 15th for another eagle two. However, Matt Turner kept his nerve to beat Kenwright on the last while Josh Hilleard and Will Poole (image © Leaderboard Photography) both won on the 17th. Hilleard and Poole both had a 100 per cent winning record today. Today’s results prompted the teams and their supporters to assess a range of permutations and possibilities from tomorrow’s matches.  At the moment, three teams – Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Hampshire – have all amassed 9½ game points, while Somerset have 7½. Hampshire captain Steve Williams summed up: “All four counties can win and all we can do is our best and hope that’s good enough. We will try and pick up every point – but all four counties are saying the same!” Click here for full scores    Lyndsey Hewison Press Officer England Golf pr@englandgolf.org 07825 752 193