Ayrshire Ladies County Golf Association: 2024

AGM and Prize Giving

There was an excellent turn out of members at Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club on Tuesday evening for our Annual General Meeting and prize giving.

As always, fixtures for the new year are eagerly awaited and the Captain was very happy to announce the following -

Championship, Dundonald Links, April 28, 29, 30

Foursomes, Ballochmyle, May 19

Eleanor Taylor Trophy, McCall Salver qualifier, Irvine, June 17

Summer Meeting (Stableford), East Renfrewshire, July 16

Coronation Medals, Largs, August 12

Tri-am, Darley, September 9

The Captain was also delighted to confirm that retiring committee member Jean Capes (Largs) has agreed to take on the vacant role of Secretary.

Our Junior winners joined us after the meeting for the prize giving.

Junior Champion and winner of the Centenary Trophy this year was Orla Moran (Irvine)

Spring Salver winner Kirsty Howe (Irvine)

St Nicholas Trophy Mya Wilson (Royal Troon)

Our very talented up and coming Juniors

2024 Ayrshire Ladies County Champion, Sarah Ramsay (West Kilbride)

McCall Salver winner, Sheena Stewart, (Irvine)

Cairo Cup (Winter foursomes) winners, Janet Harkness and Elspeth Howie, (Skelmorlie)

Silver Quaich winner, Alison Jarvie, (Prestwick St Nicholas)

Bronze Quaich winner, Annette Toal, (Loudoun)

Coronation Medal silver winner, Colette Maule (West Kilbride)

Eleanor Taylor Trophy, JM Turner Scratch cup and Jean McCulloch Trophy, Gillian Pollock (Skelmorlie)

Dalmilling results

Sixty seven ladies braved the elements at Dalmilling yesterday, a difficult day but perhaps not quite as bad as forecast.

Winners of coronation medals -

Colette Maule (West Kilbride) 86 - 13 = 73

Maggie Johnston (Caprington) 106 - 27 = 79

Best Scratch -

Alison Jarvie (Prestwick St Nicholas) 82

Well done ladies!

Full list of scores can be found, as always, on HowdidIdo

Congratulations Orla

Orla Moran, Irvine, is one of our up and coming Juniors. She recently took part in the Stephen Gallacher Foundation Under 15 Championship at Kingsknowe Golf Club.

This was a three round event and Orla won the girls section with rounds of 76, 80 and 73 giving her a +13 total and a win by one shot over Holly McKenzie from Murcar.

Well done Orla

Freya pipped at the post

After rounds of 71 and 72 Freya tied for second place in qualifying for the match play stages of the Scottish Girls' Amateur Championship.

She made her way through the match play stages to set up a final against Arianna Virik the 9th qualifier who plays for Warwickshire.

It was a very close final, Freya had been in the driving seat but Arianna squared the match on the 18th and eventually won at the 20th hole.

Well done Freya another great tournament

Freya looking to finish on a high

Freya Russell (Royal Troon) will compete in her final Junior event in Scotland tomorrow when she tees it up at Forfar golf club tomorrow in the Scottish Girls Amateur Championship.

Starting tomorrow there are 36 holes of stroke play and the top 16 will go forward to compete in the match play on Thursday with the final being played on Friday.

Freya, who turned 18 earlier this year, will also be competing at the British Girls' Amateur Championship next month before heading to continue her studies at Florida State University.

Good luck Freya.

An interesting article can be read by clicking on the link below -

Read Scottish Golf article here

Good luck

A few of our younger members are in action this week at various events

Freya Russell is representing Scotland in the ladies European Team Championships in Spain

Sandi Rogerson (Barassie) and Jennifer Doyle (Turnberry) are playing in the Scottish girls under 16 open championship at Muckhart Golf Club.

Good luck to all

Kilmacolm Results

Eighty three ladies enjoyed a beautiful day at Kilmacolm yesterday for our summer outing. On a previous visit to the same venue the course had to be closed due to flooding!!

As always, results are available on HowDidIDo but here are the main winners -

Best Scratch Alex Glennie (Barassie) 76

Divison One

1st Janet Harkness (Skelmorlie) 92 - 20 = 72 bih

2nd Sheila Adams (Loudoun) 88 - 16 = 72

Division Two

1st Elizabeth Mcconnell (Rowallan Castle) 97 - 31 = 66

2nd Julie Mackie (Troon Ladies) 90 - 22 = 68

Well done all

Commiserations and congratulations to Freya

Unfortunately Freya Russell (Royal Troon) wasn't able to progress to the match play stages after the stroke play qualifying for this years British Amateur Championship at Portmarnock golf club. She finished outside of the top 64 qualifiers with rounds of 83 and 90.

However, based on some great results Freya has been selected to represent the Scottish Ladies senior team at the European ladies team championship which is being held at Real Sociedad Hipica Espanola Club de Campro, Spain from 9 - 13 July.

Congratulations Freya and good luck!

Ladies amateur championship

Good luck to Freya Russell (Royal Troon) who is playing in the ladies amateur championship this week at Portmarnock golf club

Skelmorlie Results

The weather was kind to us for our Skelmorlie visit on Monday with 54 ladies taking part in the June Quaich.

The Skelmorlie girls certainly took advantage of the conditions and the local knowledge with some excellent scoring

1st Scratch Gillian Pollock (Skelmorlie) 75

Division One

1st Handicap Janet Harkness (Skelmorlie) 89 - 19 = 70bih

2nd Handicap Alyson Hutton (Skelmorllie) 88 - 18 = 70

Division Two

1st Handicap Irene Papworth (Skelmorlie) 87 - 21 = 66

2nd Handicap Jan Barr (Rowallan Castle) 124 - 49 = 75

All scores available on HowdidIdo

Qualifiers for McCall Salver to follow

Kennedy Salver

Ayrshire team that took part in the Kennedy Salver at Cochrane Castle on Monday

Unfortunately it wasn't to be a win for our girls but they had some great results on the day and they all enjoyed taking part. As with the senior matches the winners came down to Renfrewshire and Lanarkshire with Renfrewshire coming out on top.

All of the players that took part on the day -

Kennedy Salver team

Congratulations to the following girls who have been selected to represent Ayrshire at the Kennedy Salver. This is being held at Cochrane Castle golf club on Monday 17 June. The event is on all day so please come along and support

Jennifer Doyle

Alyssa Gillies

Kirsty Howe

Orla Moran

Sandi Rogerson

Stefi Rogerson

Mya Wilson

Good luck girls

Success for Ayrshire at the Inter County 4s final

The Inter County foursomes final was played at Balmore on Monday and, by all accounts, the course was in excellent condition and enjoyed by all the players. The weather stayed dry despite the black clouds and reasonably warm compared to recent days!

In the Scratch category the pairing of Pauline Patrick and Christine Halliday (Irvine) took second place and Tricia McTaggart and Yvonne Craig (Irvine) were 4th in the Handicap section.

Well done ladies

Good to see the girls wearing their Ayrshire colours!

Thanks to Gillian Pollock (Skelmorlie) for the pictures

Barrie Douglas Foundation Results

The Barrie Douglas Junior Masters event was taking place at Strathmore this weekend. This is a Stephen Gallacher Foundation event and Freya Russell (Royal Troon) was recently appointed 2024 SG Foundation Ambassador.

In this 3 round event Freya had scores of 77, 75 and 77 to finish tied 4th on 10 over par.

In the handicap section Jennifer Doyle (Turnberry) had a very respectable nett 12 over to finish in 13th place. Her best round coming in round 2 where she shot an 87 - 16 = 71

Well done girls.

Junior Centenary Trophy

Four of our Juniors took part in their centenary trophy competition today at Ardeer Golf Club.

Many congratulations to Orla Moran (Irvine) who won the trophy with an excellent stableford score of 37 points. Runner up was Tammi Grady (Irvine) with 29.

Good luck Freya

Good luck to Freya Russell (Royal Troon) and Jennifer Doyle (Turnberry) who are playing in the Barrie Douglas Junior Masters at Strathmore this weekend

Jamboree results

Another trying day on the golf course yesterday at West Kilbride for the final day of the West of Scotland Inter County matches. Unfortunately Ayrshire were not in the running this year for the title but the team were keen to get a result against holders Renfrewshire.

Off to a great start in the foursomes with the first 2 matches - Sarah Ramsay and Jennifer Linklater, Joanne Sharp and Caitlyn Bilham - winning their games followed by a halved match from Roz Purdom and Luisa Gibson in the last game.

As in 2023 Refrewshire came out fighting in the afternoon and were too strong for our girls taking the singles 5 matches to one and winning overall by 5.5 to 3.5

Captain Sara and committee member Linda Grieve watching the afternoon singles matches teeing off at the first on West Kilbride

A rare bit of blue sky and sunshine to capture a team picture!

In the other match between Lanarkshire and Dunbartonshire & Argyll a win for Lanarkshire would ensure a clean sweep at this years event.

They took a healthy lead into the afternoon singles and booked their place at the Scottish Finals with a 6-3 win.

Well done Lanarkshire and good luck at Eyemouth in August when they represent the West.

Day 2 summary

Well, the weather did dry up for the most part but there was a bitterly cold wind at West Kilbride today for the second day of the Inter County matches.

After the morning foursomes Ayrshire were trailing D&A by 2 points to one and Renfrewshire trailed Lanarkshire by 2.5 to 0.5.

Some close games in the afternoon singles and it looked like Ayrshire could edge the overall match with the last 2 games still out on the course but bunker trouble for Pauline Patrick off the tee at 18 and a fighting half from Joanne Sharp resulted in an overall score of 5.5 to 3.5 in favour of D&A.

In the other matches Lanarkshire again proved to be a force winning 5 out of the 6 singles matches to win their tie by 7.5 points to 1.5

Ayrshire face Renfrewshire tomorrow and if Lanarkshire beat Dunbartonshire and Argyll they will progress to the Scottish Finals.

Not a great forecast for tomorrow so spectators wrap up!!

Day 2

It's a miserable, cold, wet and windy morning at West Kilbride with Arran appearing and disappearing!

The foursomes are well underway, a medal for all the players and spectators braving the elements

Day one at Inter County matches

Today was the first day of play at the annual Inter County jamboree. Ayrshire were up against a very strong Lanarkshire team and trailed by 2 points to one after the morning foursomes. With 6 points available in the afternoon singles it was all to play for. Despite some valiant efforts by the girls Lanarkshire were too strong and won the singles by 5.5 to 1.5 making the overall score for today Lanarkshire 7.5 Ayrshire 1.5

In the second flight of matches it came down to the last match out on the course. Renfrewshire and Dunbarton and Argyll were all tied at 1.5 each after the morning foursomes. Renfrewshire had 3 points in the bag and Dunbarton and Argyll 2 before 12 year old Sabrina Wong, playing her first Jamboree, secured a half point against the new Scottish Ladies champion Lorna McClymont resulting in a 5-4 win for Renfrewshire.

Tomorrow Ayrshire take on D&A and Renfrewshire will play Lanarkshire.

Spectators welcome

Ayrshire captain announces jamboree team

The following have been selected to represent Ayrshire at this years Inter county matches which are being held at West Kilbride on June 3, 4 and 5.

Caitlyn Bilham, Loudoun

Luisa Gibson, Irvine

Jenny Linklater, Largs

Pauline Patrick, Irvine

Rosalind Purdom, St Nicholas

Sarah Ramsay, West Kilbride

Lorna Ronnie, Barassie

Joanne Sharp, Barassie

Congratulations on your selection and good luck in your matches.

Supporters welcome, wearing Ayrshire yellow and green 💛 💚

Freya finishes runner up

Freya Russell finished as runner up in this years Scottish women's amateur championship. Up against a very tough and experienced opponent her winning streak came to an end on the 15th hole at Nairn this afternoon.

A fantastic tournament for Freya, well done from all at ALCGA

Freya reaches the final

Freya Russell has continued her winning streak with a 2&1 win over Robyn Fowlie this morning in the semi final of the Scottish Ladies Amateur championship at Nairn, Dunbar.

Freya now faces another West girl, Lorna McClymont (Milngavie) in this afternoons final. Can she repeat the Ayrshire win of 2017 when Connie Jaffrey won at Royal Aberdeen?

Good luck Freya

Well done Freya!

Many congratulations to Freya Russell who has booked her place in tomorrow's semi final line up with a 2 hole win over top qualifer Jasmine Mackintosh.

Freya will face Robyn Fowlie from Murcar tomorrow for a place in the final. Robyn came from behind in her match this afternoon to win at the 19th hole.

Good luck Freya

Scottish update

Freya Russell (Royal Troon) won the battle of the Ayrshire girls this morning when she beat Hannah Ounap (Loudoun) by 3&2

(Picture courtesy of Joanne Sharp)

Freya now faces top qualifer, Jasmine Mackintosh in this afternoons quarter finals.

Good luck Freya

Scottish amateur update

Congratulations to Freya Russell and Hannah Ounap who have both qualified for the match play stages of the Scottish Womens Amateur Championship being played at Nairn this weekend.

Freya finished tied 7th after today's 36 hole stroke play carding rounds of 71 and 76 while Hannah finished 9th with rounds of 69 and 79.

Only 16 players go through to the match play stages and, unfortunately, the Ayrshire girls are drawn against each other in the first round tomorrow morning.

Good luck to both players and we can guarantee one Ayrshire player will go through to the quarter finals!

Scottish ladies

Good luck to Sarah Ramsay (West Kilbride), Freya Russell (Royal Troon), Hannah Ounap (Loudoun) and Joanne Sharp (Barassie) who are playing in the Scottish ladies championship at Nairn this weekend.

Foursomes qualifiers

Of those available to go forward, these are the qualifiers for the West Inter County Foursomes final at Balmore on 10 June -

Scratch -

Pauline Patrick and Christine Halliday (Irvine)

Alex Glennie and Debbie Matthews (Barassie)

Handicap -

Eleanor Lamont (Beith) and Maureen Knox (Dalmilling)

Gillian Pollock and Alyson Hutton (Skelmorlie)

June Dempster and Katie Hodge (St Nicholas)

Chris Daly (St Nicholas) and Paula Mooney (Ballochmyle)

Qualifiers for the Commonwealth Spoons at Ballumbie Castle on 2 September -

Pauline Patrick and Christine Halliday

Eleanor Lamont and Maureen Knox

Carol Thomson and Margaret Ann McCrorie (Irvine)

Sharon Lambie and Jenny Gunson (Barassie)

Gillian Pollock and Alyson Hutton

Good luck ladies

Foursomes result

On a day of very mixed weather, 53 pairs took part in the foursomes today at Rowallan Castle.

Best scratch was Pauline Patrick and Christine Halliday (Irvine GC) with 89 and in second place were Sharon Lambie and Jenny Gunson (Barassie) with 95

Handicap results -

1st Eleanor Lamont (Beith) and Maureen Knox (Dalmilling) 110-31 = 79

2nd Sarah Eckford and Fran Hadden (Barassie) 96-16=80bih

Well done to all, names of qualifiers for the Inter County Foursomes final and the Commonwealth spoons tbc

Full list of scores available on Howdidido

Pauline on form again

Pauline Patrick, Irvine, has won the second event of the season in the West Vets ladies calendar. Having won at Cowglen last month she had another excellent score of 77 at Hayston golf club today.

In a strong field of 84 ladies, Pauline was the best scratch by 3 strokes and she also took the best nett prize in the first division with a nett 72 bih

Well done Pauline.

Medal Finals

Congratulations to Grace Kennedy, Skelmorlie, who finished in first place at the recent Scottish Golf medal finals at Ralston golf club.

Grace had a nett 67 winning the event by 5 strokes from 4 ladies tied on nett 72 and has now qualified for the grand final.

Well done Grace

Winter Foursomes

Congratulations to Elspeth Howie and Janet Harkness (skelmorlie) who won their second winter foursomes title today having previously won in 2021.

In very trying conditions they played very steady golf, didn't put a foot wrong and putted very well against their skelmorlie club mates Gillian Pollock and Alyson Hutton

Winter 4s final

Good luck to both pairs in tomorrow's winter foursomes final

In the all skelmorlie match Elspeth Howie and Janet Harkness will play Gillian Pollock and Alyson Hutton.

Match tees off at 0930 at Skelmorlie, spectators welcome.

Well done Pauline!

Congratulations to Pauline Patrick (Irvine) who took the scratch prize at the west vets meeting at cowglen on Thursday. Her excellent score of 77 was 4 shots better than any other on the day. She also took the best nett with a 71. Well done Pauline!

Helen Holm

Freya Russell, Royal Troon, finished a very respectable tied 19th at this year's Helen Holm which is played over Portland and the Old Course.

In very difficult conditions on Friday she shot an 8 over par round of 80 on the lengthened Portland course. Her 2nd round on Saturday proved to be the highlight of her weekend shooting an excellent 3 under par round of 69.

A 79 round the Old Course today completed a good tournament for Freya.

Sarah Ramsay wins second County Championship

The curtain is now down on the 2024 County Championship at Trump Turnberry.

Audrey Thompson (Loudoun) was the first to book her place with a win over Lorna Ronnie (Barassie). The other semi final went to the 17th hole where Sarah Ramsay (West Kilbride) beat Pauline Patrick (Irvine)

The final was contested in a great manner by the 2 finalists, the sun came out and it was pleasantly warm compared to the previous 2 days!!

Audrey took the first hole then the next 3 holes were halved with Audrey taking the 5th to go 2 up. Sarah then took the next 4 holes to reach the turn 2 up. The next 3 holes were halved before Sarah found bunker trouble on 13 which took it back to one hole. A birdie at 14 restored Sarah's 2 hole lead, a half on 15 then a par on 16 was enough for Audrey to close the gap. A birdie from Sarah on 17 sealed a 2&1 win and a second County Championship for Sarah who won at Prestwick in 2022.

Many congratulations to both finalists and thanks to all those who came out to support.

List of prizewinners from the event -

Best scratch and winner of the Silver King Trophy Audrey Thompson (Loudoun) 86

2nd scratch Sarah Ramsay 89

1st Silver Sheila Shedden (St Nicholas) nett 79

2nd Silver Sylvia Muir (Troon Ladies) nett 80

1st Bronze Grace Kennedy (Skelmorlie) nett 72

2nd Bronze Heather Malcolm (Irvine) nett 79

To celebrate Audrey's hole in one Ricky Hall, Director of golf, presented a certificate and a Turnberry flat and she was also presented with one of our engraved ALCGA hole in one crystal glasses.

Hole in One for Audrey

Audrey picking her ball out at the 12th Thanks Katherine Eland for capturing the memorable moment for Audrey as it is her first playing in a County Competition However Audrey has now had 4 Hole in ’s

Sara

Quarter Final update

TUESDAY AFTERNOON @ TRUMP TURNBERRY FOR THE QUARTER FINALS!

WELL THE WIND CALMED DOWN A BIT FOR THE LADIES’ THIS AFTERNOON AND THE SUN KEPT SHINING!

AUDREY THOMSON HAD A HOLE IN ONE AT THE 12TH!FANTASTIC,WELL DONE

AUDREY V LINDA MACDONALD..

THIS WAS A REALLY TIGHT MATCH WHICH WENT DOWN THE 19TH HOLE WITH AUDREY GOING THROUGH TO THE SEMI-FINALS TOMORROW MORNING.

LORNA RONNIE V ROZ PURDOM

THE DEFENDING CHAMPION (ROZ) WAS BEATEN THIS AFTERNOON BY LORNA WHO WILL NOW PLAY AUDREY IN THE FIRST SEMI FINAL.

SARAH RAMSAY V JENNY LINKLATER

GOOD CAMARADERIE BETWEEN THIS PAIR DURING THEIR ROUND.SARAH COMING UP TRUMPS TO PLAY TOMORROW MORNING IN THE SECOND SEMI FINAL.

PAULINE PATRICK V SARAH ECKFORD

WELL THIS WAS ANOTHER TIGHT GAME WITH PAULINE QUALIFYING FOR THE LAST SPOT IN THE SEMI FINALS.

SO THIS IS HOW THE SEMI FINALS LINE UP TOMORROW MORNING

TEE TIME

9.21 AUDREY V LORNA

9.30 SARAH RAMSAY V PAULINE

WEATHER IS LOOKING BETTER AGAIN FOR TOMORROW SO IT WOULD BE LOVELY TO SEE AS MANY SPECTATORS DOWN TO SUPPORT THE PLAYERS AND TAKE IN WHAT WILL BE SOME FABULOUS GOLF IN SUCH BEAUTIFUL SCENERY AROUND.

FINAL WILL BE AT 1.30P.M. & PRIZEGIVING AROUND 5P.M.

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR FELLOW COUNTY PLAYERS TOMORROW.