Ayrshire name team to defend Scottish Area Team 

Championship at Dalmahoy

The Ayrshire team who will defend the Scottish Area team Championship title at Dalmahoy from 2 – 4 September 2016 has been announced, with three of the team who won in 2015 at Blairgowrie returning to try to retain the trophy this year

Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle), who contributed crucial points in the foursomes last year is back in the side along with Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Cuthbert), who was undefeated in his singles ties during the 2015 competition, netting 2.5 from a possible 3 points in the Matchplay rounds.

Also returning from last years team is 2015 Doc Thom Ayrshire Order Of merit winner and current Ayrshire Matchplay Champion, John Shanks (Irvine), who had the satisfaction of sinking the winning putt for Ayrshire in the final of the 2015 competition.

2015 Ayrshire Matchplay Champion and current club champion at his home club, Michael Smyth (Royal Troon), returns to the Area Team Championship side following his last appearance in the event 2014 and he is joined in the side by two players making their debut in the event as part of the county side.

Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) secured his place following some solid performances on the Scottish amateur circuit over the last twelve months, whilst Steven Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert), a former Scotland Boys Internationalist, will Add another chapter to his golfing record by playing in the Area Team Championship, following some fine performances over the last twelve months which included a 100% record, with five wins from five, as Ayrshire won the West Of Scotland Inter County Championship in 2015, for the first time in 27 years.

The Area team Championships starts with strokeplay qualifying on Friday 2^nd September, with the best eight of the 16 competing teams progressing to Matchplay on Saturday 3^rd and Sunday 4^th September.