Upcoming junior events

Well for most of us our season is over, now to dig out the winter woollies for those brave enough to venture out onto the course (or be dragged out if your like me)

The young guns however still have tournaments to attend luckily for them they are off to warmer climates.

Louise Duncan has qualified to play in the Telegraph Vitality Junior Golf Final on the 19th-24th of November being held at the PGA Catalunya Resort in Barcelona.

Rachel Foster is off to Dubai after qualifying for the Faldo Series Grand Final on the 26th-28th of November being played at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.

Good luck girls! 🍀⛳💛💚

Inaugural Girls Classic - Kingsbarns 3rd November

Freya Russell (Royal Troon) and Cristina McCracken (Troon Ladies) took part in the Inaugural Girls Classic held at Kingsbarns on the 3rd of November. With the wind ever present on a very chilly day on the east coast the girls finished 8th for Ayrshire with 39 points. Well done girls!





Prizegiving 2018

Thank you to all those who came along to Irvine Golf Club on Tuesday for the prizegiving.

The Prize Winners

Joanne Sharp, Audrey Thompson, Sandra Shackleton,  Samantha McKay, Liz Wilson, Cristina McCracken, Sandra Johnson, Aileen Anderson and Sheila Adams 

Aileen Anderson & Sheila Adams 

Cristina McCracken and Samantha McKay


Centenary Trophy


Ayrshire Girls' final competition of the season was played over Barassie Links on Saturday.   This was a first time of playing the course for most of the girls and it couldn't have happened on a better day with blue skies and sunshine all afternoon.  The winner of the stableford competition was Cristina McCracken (Troon Ladies) playing off 28 who finished on 35 points.  Runner-up was Barassie girl Katie Ronnie(30) who had 31 points.   Sarah Ramsay(West Kilbride) was the top silver player on 29 points.

The Pre-handicap girls played the 9 hole Hillhouse course with forward tees at a few of the more difficult holes.   It was a very close contest all the way for these girls, and I'm sure it won't be too long until they get their handicaps.   Results:-
1st   Tammi Grady (Ardeer)             59
2nd  Connie Greig (Barassie)          60
3rd   Melissa Graham (Barassie)    62
The putting competition was won by Melissa.

Very well done to all the girls who played today.   Cristina is pictured with the Centenary Trophy along with the runner-up trophy for the West Girls' Bronze Championship.



West of Scotland Girls' Championship


Two Ayrshire girls qualified through to finals day of the West Girls' Championship, Katy Hill (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) in the semi-finals of the main Championship, and Cristina McCracken (Troon Ladies) in the Bronze final.   In sharp contrast to Saturday's sunshine at Barassie, Sunday morning at Troon Portland was wet and windy.    Katy played well but just failed to make it through to the final losing to Megan Docherty, while Cristina also missed out on the win by a narrow margin.   Well done girls getting to this stage.   Incidentally, the final has been postponed due to worsening of the weather, it will now be played on 21st October.



West Kilbride Girls' Open


Two Ayrshire girls won trophies today at West Kilbride Girls' Open.   Louise Duncansuccessfully defended the Nancy Chisholm Trophy for the best scratch score, with an excellent round of 76 on a bright sunny afternoon, but with a very strong northerly wind making scoring conditions very difficult.   Cristina McCracken (Troon Ladies) won the Kandy Bar Cup for the best nett score 104 (28) 76 bih.   Well done girls 😊

Ayrshire Girls' Championship and St. Nicholas Trophy


Samantha McKay (Loudoun Gowf Club) was a double winner on Sunday at Prestwick St. Cuthbert's.    Claire McLaughlin (West Kilbride) and Samantha both returned scores of 81.   The girls were still locked together on the better inward half, and the last 6 holes, but Samantha clinched the trophy having the better last 3 holes to become County Junior Champion for 2018.    Playing off 14 handicap Samantha had the best nett of the day to win the St. Nicholas Trophy.    
Samantha McKay            81 (14) 67
Sarah Ramsay                  82 (10) 72
Katy Hill                            85 (10) 75
The Bronze winner was Katie Ronnie (Barassie), and in the Telegraph sponsored event Freya Russell had the best Under 14 scratch score - 87.
Pre-handicap Competition
Three girls played 8 holes from the red tees followed by a putting competition.
1st  Melissa Graham (Barassie)
2nd  Connie Greig (Barassie)
3rd  Tammi Grady (Ardeer)
Tammi won the putting competition
 Very well done to all the girls!    More photos (courtesy of Gaynor Russell) can be found under Google Photos

World Junior Championships


Louise Duncan is one of three girls representing Scotland in the above event which concluded today at Camelot Golf and Country Club in Canada.   Louise had a disappointing start returning scores of 83 and 78 in the first two rounds, but on day three was level par on 72 and with a 70 today improved on her overall position to finish T36.   The winner of the event was Atthaya Thitikul from Thailand who finished on -20 for the four rounds! ....her final round today was 60!!   Italy won the team competition.   Well done Louise! 

McCall Salver

Congratulations to Sandra Johnson (Kilbirnie) for winning the final of the McCall Salver at Loudoun against Sandra Shackleton (Irvine) Well Played Ladies!!



x

British Girls' Open Championship


Louise Duncan got off to a great start with two rounds of 77 and 75 to qualify for the match play stages of the above Championship at Ardglass in Ireland.   Out of only 4 Scots entered, Louise and Hannah Darling, the girl who defeated Louise in the final of the Scottish Girls' Championship earlier in the year, made the cut of the top 64 from an entry of 140.   The standard is exceptionally high in this field that includes a vast number of players from overseas. Louise beat her first round German opponent, Nina Lang 2&1 to progress to the second round where she came up against England's Sophie Johnson unfortunately losing by 2holes. Very well done Louise 😊

Loretto Golf Academy Scottish Girls' Under 16's Open


Playing in the above event at Murrayfield this week, Rachel Foster finished in joint 2nd place with two rounds that included 7 birdies!   Her scores of 77 and 73 for 150 (+4) was 1 shot behind the winner Filipa Capelo from Portugal.   Congratulations Rachel - a superb performance in a strong field of continental competitors 😊

Home Internationals

Well done to the Scottish Ladies for winning Home International at Ballybunion Golf Club. Ayrshire players Hazel McGarive and Connie Jaffery were part of the winning team. Well done girls!

Faldo Series

Rachel is continuing her good form....she had rounds of 71, 72 and 70 (Par 71) over Bruntsfield Links this week in the Scottish leg of the Faldo Series to win by 7 shots over her nearest rival.   This victory gives her a trip to Dubai at the end of November to play in the Grand Final. 

St Andrews University Schoolgirls Championship

Playing in the St. Andrews University Schoolgirls Championship, Rachel Foster had three super rounds to finish on 214 to win very comfortably over her nearest rivals.   Rachel's scores were as follows:-

                     Strathtyrum   67     CSS   66
                     Eden               69      CSS  72
                     Jubilee            78     CSS  76

Claire McLaughlin scored 68, 82, 81 to finish in 6th place.   Well done girls!

Scottish Junior Golf Event - Kings Acre

Playing in a further Scottish Golf Junior Tour Event supported by Area and County, Rachel Foster (Prestwick St. Nicholas) had two sub par rounds to win by 5 shots from Lorna McClymont (Milngavie).   Against a SSS of 72, Rachel scored 71 on Saturday and bettered that good round with a 68 on Sunday.   Congratulations Rachel! 😊

Summer Meeting Results-Caldwell Golf Club

Apologies for the delay in getting these up ladies. 

Hope all who played enjoyed our summer meeting at Caldwell, judging by the scores it was a good day!

Best scratch was Liz Keohone, Loudoun, with an 82 beating Liz Wilson, Barassie, on the bih

Four ladies returned a nett score of 71 and also had to be separated by bih's!  Congratulations to Sandra Shackleton, Irvine, who came out on top to win the trophy. 

1st Sandra Shackleton, 92 - 21 = 71
2nd Barbara Kerr, West Kilbride, 95 - 24 = 71
3rd Margaret White, St Nicholas, 90 - 19 = 71
4th Sheila McDougall, St Nicholas, 90 - 19 = 71

The all important CSS for today was 72 - full scores and results on HowDidiDo

We had two 2's, well done to June Dempster, St Nicholas, and Valerie McColl, Troon Ladies

Scottish Girls Matchplay Championship

Louise has successfully seen off another challenger, winning 3&2 this morning to take her through to the final being held this afternoon against defending champion Hannah Darling.

Good luck!! 🥥🍫⛳

Scottish Girls Matchplay Championship

Unfortunately today an Ayrshire player was always going to lose, that also means one was always going to win!
Coming out on top today was Louise Duncan winning 4&2 over Rachel Foster progressing to the Semi finals. This means that Louise is the only West player still in the championship which finishes up tomorrow at Moray Golf Club. 

All the best tomorrow! 🥥🍫⛳

Scottish Girls' Championship Matchplay

Excellent afternoon on Old Moray for the Ayrshire girls! Louise winning by 3&1 and Rachel with an impressive 6&4 win. Unfortunately this now means that they will now fach  eachother tomorrow in the quarter finals. Live scoring can be found here.

Good luck to you both!

Scottish Girls' Championship


So ladies the fantastic golf continues! Rachel Foster and Louise Duncan are through to the matchplay stages of the Scottish Girls' being played this week at Moray over both the Old Course (Par 71) and the New Course (Par 75).  

Rachel, with three birdies in her round of 78 (+3) over the Old Course, combined with a sizzling 65 (-6) where she had 6 birdies and no bogies, is in 2nd place behind current holder Hannah Darling who led the qualifiers.   Louise  finished tied 7th with 74 (+3) over the Old Course and 76 (+1) on the New.   

Well done girls and best of luck in the matchplay 😊

Scottish Senior Women’s Open Championships - Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club


Its been a fantastic week both weather wise and for our lady golfers taking part in the Scottish Senior Women’s Open Championships being held at Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club. Ayrshire’s very own Alex Glennie won then Strokeplay Championship with a fantastic score of 70 (2 under par) in the second round, giving her a six over par total of 150. An Ayrshire win in the scratch is never enough for our ladies, with Liz Keohone scooping up the best net score too! Well done ladies, those bountys are working a treat. ✂ ✂ 🥥 👍🏼💪A full rundown of the scores can be found here.


These fantastic scores meant that both Alex and Liz qualified for the scratch matchplay, with both unfortunately being knocked out in the first round. However fear not ladies! Our very own vice-captain, Joanne Sharpe is still out there battling it out in the net matchplay after winning this morning 3&1 live scoring can be found here


Ayrshire Girls' Runner-up in Kennedy Salver


The Ayrshire Girls' team put in a terrific performance yesterday at Hamilton in their quest to win the trophy they narrowly missed out on last year, but came up half a point short losing once again to Lanarkshire.   Our girls won 2 points from the morning foursomes, an improvement from 12 months' ago leaving us tied with Lanarkshire, D & A and Renfrewshire both on 1 point each.   The afternoon singles was were close all the way, 4 matches finishing on the 18th green and one on the 17th.  We made 4 points giving us a total of 6, Lanarkshire gaining that extra half point from the afternoon to secure the win.  Renfrewshire came 3rd with 3.5 and D & A 4th on 2.   

Congratulations to Lanarkshire, also our hosts........the course was in lovely condition, the weather gorgeous and we all had a super day.   To my Ayrshire team.....you were fantastic!  fabulous team spirit, great golf, very well done to all 😊
More photos from the day at Hamilton can be found on Google Photos, Juniors....scroll down to near the bottom to find the recent photos, double-click to view full size



Kennedy Salver Team - Hamilton GC - 25th June

Congratulations to the girls who have been selected to represent Ayrshire next week at the Kennedy Salver being held at Hamilton Golf Club.

Luisa Gibson (Ardeer)
Zara Mason (Kirkcudbright)
Christina McCracken (Troon Ladies)
Samantha McKay (Loudoun Gowf)
Claire McLaughlin (West Kilbride)
Freya Russell (Troon Ladies)

Good luck to all the players, I'll be cheering you on from my desk! If anyone is free on the 25th I'm sure the girls would love to see some green and yellow support.

European team announced

Congratulations to Louise Duncan and Connie Jaffrey on their team selections for the European Team Championships. I hope you’ll all join me in wishing them all the best of luck! 🍀 🤞 

European Girls Team Championships – Forsgardens, Sweden – 10-14 July 2018
Kirsty Brodie (Strathmore)
Hannah Darling (Broomieknowe)
Louise Duncan (West Kilbride)
Carmen Griffiths (Aboyne)
Lorna McClymont (Milngavie)
Jennifer Rankine (Haggs Castle)

European Ladies Team Championships – Murhof Golf Club, Austria – 10-14 July 2018
Gemma Batty (West Linton)
Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm)
Chloe Goadby (St Regulus)
Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies)
Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey)
Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne)

Stephen Gallagher Junior Tour Event

Playing in a S.G. Junior Tour event supported by Area and County, Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) had two super rounds of 63 and 67 to win by 13 shots over another Ayrshire team player, 15 year old Rachel Foster (Prestwick St. Nicholas) who scored 68 and 78.  Round 1 was played over Ashludie SSS 68 (CSS 68) and Round 2 over Monifieth SSS 74 (CSS 74).   Well done girls!  Legendary work 😊 Keep feeding those swans. 

Jamboree - Erskine Golf Club

Well everyone it's still very fresh and a hard pill to swallow but after lots of sleep in my own bed I'm at least capable of confirming that the wonderful 2018 Ayrshire team lost out on progressing to the County finals by half a point.
We all worked our butts off this week, but unfortunately this wasn't our year. I would like to say a massive thank you to Captain Liz, Vice Captain Joanne, and Caddy Mistress Eleanor who kept us well supported and catered for this week.

Of course we would never of survived Erskine without all our wonderful caddies and supporters who gave up their time to come and watch us play.

I think I speak for the whole team when I say sorry we couldn't get over that line this year but next year we will be back fighting at Prestwick Golf Club on the 17th, 18th and 19th of June.

Jenny and the team.












Double Trouble!


Other than the excitement at the jamboree this week, 2 of our members also had some excitement on the golf course.

Sheila Adams, Loudoun, was at Cally Palace last weekend and had a hole in one at the 17th, then on Monday Moyra Withycombe, St Nicholas, was playing in the Caldwell tri-am and also had a hole in one at the 16th! 

Here are the girls pictured at Erskine during the week, well done to both!



Scottish ladies - Elie GC

Well done to Louise, Hazel and Connie who have all progress through to the second round of the championship matchplay

Full results can be found here

Scottish Women's Amateur Championship


It's been a fantastic week so far for the Ayrshire players competing in the Scottish Ladies at Elie Golf Club.

Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies) is well placed to defend her title, sitting second with fellow Ayrshire player Hazel MacGarvie (Troon Ladies) with a total score of 138. Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) is in 13th place with a total score of 146 and Emma Hale (Troon Ladies) in 27th with 154. Also playing from West Kilbride is Claire McLaughlin finishing with a total score of 169.

The fantastic scores from Connie, Hazel and Louise means the Ayrshire team are the proud winners of the McNeil Trophy.

Top 32 scratch qualify for the championship matchplay. Top 16 gross, not in the championship, qualify for the Clark Rose bowl.

Well done to all the players, enjoy the sunshine and keep up the good golf!!

Full scores can be found Here
What a glorious day at St Cuthbert golf club, the course was in great condition and all the ladies enjoyed a fabulous day in sunny Ayrshire! Well done to everyone who played and long may this weather last.

The results of the inter county 4somes final were

1st scratch - Audrey Thompson & Liz Keohone Ayrshire
2nd scratch - Lori McDonald & Fiona Rattey D&A

1st handicap - Katie Hodge & June Dempster Ayrshire
2nd Handicap-Joan Anderson & Margaret Marshall Lanark
3rd handicap- Helen Craig& Irene Papworth
4th Handicap - Liz Hale & Lesley Anderson Renfrewshire






Hazel's interview for BBC The Social here 

Scottish Women's Championship


Best of luck to Connie Jaffrey (defending Champion), Hazel MacGarvie, Emma Hale, Louise Duncan and Claire McLaughlin who are all competing in the Scottish Ladies at Elie from Tuesday, 5th June .

Inter-county Team 2018

Ayrshire Ladies Inter-county Team 2018 ha  been announced. Please Click here to see the team.

Not long now till the annual County team matches between Ayrshire, D&A,
Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire. These will take place at Erskine Golf
Club on 11-13 June and we do still need some helpers for trolley pulling
- especially on the Tuesday.

Anybody that is available could you please contact our Caddy Mistress,
Eleanor Watson, on 07dart07@gmail.com

Even if you are unable to help with trolley pulling any Ayrshire support
would be very welcome. It's always a great 3 days of competition
between the top golfers in the West of Scotland.
As always ladies your support is greatly appreciated at these events. The team has a lot of golf ahead of them and seeing the green and yellow supporters around the course really spurs us on!
Look forward to seeing you all there 😁

Scottish Girls Open

Following on from a good start to the season where Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) finished in 15th place in the Scottish Girls' Open at Monifieth last month, an event which attracted a huge number of talented European players, Louise was the winner in another big event at the weekend. Playing in the annual 72 hole Open International Scratch Championship for boys and girls aged 18 or under at Fairhaven Golf Club in Lancashire, Louise's rounds of 73, 71, 75 and 73 for a total of 292 won the girls' event by 2 strokes. If that doesn't make her enough of a legend, this is the first time a Scottish girl has won this event! Many congratulations Louise! 

Girls Under 16's Championship

Players from 11 different countries teed up for the inaugural Girls' Under 16's Open Championship run by the R & A.   Played over Fulford near York, Rachel Foster (Prestwick St. Nicholas) had two excellent rounds of 77 and 75, marred only by an 85 in round 2.   The CSS for the three rounds was 73, 73, 74.   Rachel finished a very creditable 29th out of a field of 90 very talented girls.  Scottish Girls' 2017 champion Hannah Darling came from behind to win the event on 218.   Well done Rachel!

Lorna Ronnie ALCGA 2018 Champion!

It was a very close final this afternoon between Lorna Ronnie and Alex 
Glennie.

Lorna took a 3 hole lead after 14 holes but Alex pulled 2 holes back to stand on the 18th tee one down.  A great approach shot to the green meant she was in with a chance of taking the match to the 19th hole but the putt didn't drop.

Congratulations to Lorna who played some great golf all week to win her first Ayrshire County Championship.

Thanks to all those who came along to support.


Championship Final

Ladies the time has come for the final of the 2018 championship. This year its an all Barassie final with Lorna Ronnie against Alex Glennie. We are hoping to start a bit earlier than originally planned with a tee
off of 1.30pm

Please come along and show your support for these two absolute troopers who have battled through some very tough conditions and I know would greatly appreciate some support for this last push!


Ladies, tomorrow - Wednesday 18th of April is the Ladies Fashion Evening at The West Kilbride Golf Club. They have a number of fantastic ladies brands to offer this year such as Röhnisch, Daily Sports, Ivanhoe, Footjoy and Under Armour.

If you come along on the night, you will receive 15% off any single purchase and if you buy four items, you’ll receive the cheapest for free!

Grab a friend and come along on the night. All members and non members are welcome so please share ⛳️💁🏼‍♀️🏌🏼‍♀️

Championship knockouts

Updated draw HERE



ALCGA CHAMPIONSHIP - QUALIFIER

Ladies

A tough day at Western Gailes today but I think everyone who played enjoyed the course.

The CSS was 76 and it was reduction only.

The top qualifier for this years Championship is Louise Duncan, West Kilbride, who scored an excellent 78.  Second qualifier is Jenny Linklater, Largs, who scored 81.

Handicap winners were -

Silver
1st  Joanne Sharp, Barassie, 84 - 9 = 75
2nd Emma Thomson, Loudoun, 90 - 12 = 78

Bronze
1st Margaret Gillies, West Kilbride, 109 - 22 = 87

Full results should be available on HowDidiDo

Championship match play draw is here the final is due to tee off on Wednesday at 2pm, spectators welcome.  The prize giving will take place once the final is completed and we ask all winners to attend if possible.

There was one 2 today, congratulations to new member Chris Auld, Barassie, who had her 2 at the 7th hole.

West of Scotland Championship

Ladies it's that time of years again! The West of Scotland Championship will be played at Balmore Golf Club on Sunday the 13th of May from 8.30am.

If you wish to enter online please click here or if you prefer the traditional route you can download and post a the entry form found here. Handicap limit is 15. Entry fee is £10, methods for payment will be forwarded to you by email once your entry form is received.

Girls' Spring Salver


Spring was never in the air today as the mini "beast from the east" attacked Ardeer Golf course creating sub zero temperatures from the wind chill factor.   It was bitterly cold so the competition was cut to 9 holes.   Luisa Gibson (12) successfully defended the trophy recording a nett 37 with Cristina McCracken (30) close behind on 39.
Connie Greig and Melissa Graham shared the spoils in the Pre-handicap competition played over 6 holes.

Well done to all the girls for braving the tough elements....you were amazing!




Beetle drive

Hello ladies
Another very successful social event, hosted by Irvine Bogside GC
72 ladies attended, not all members of ALCGA, neighbours,friends and family attended the Beetle Drive/Quiz night last Tuesday13/3/18, well done to Jess Blackwood winner of the beetle drive, Lesley Duncan was 2nd
Well done to Pauline Patrick, Margaret Miller and Sandra Johnson, for all your organizational skills
Thank you also to all Ayrshire Ladies for your continued support and words of encouragement
If you would like to try and win a 4ball at Dundonald GC or Troon Portland,we still have some squares left. The remainder of the squares will be on sale the first day of the championship, at Western Gailes 16/4/18, we will announce the winner  after the match play draw.
Look forward to seeing all of you on a warm and sunny day at Western
Captain Liz

Winter Foursomes Final


L to R Captain Liz Wilson with the finalists - Aileen Anderson, Sheila Adams, Helen Craig and Irene Papworth


Due to temporary greens in play at Prestwick St Nicholas, the final of the Winter Foursomes was moved to Kilmarnock Barassie today.  It was a dry but extremely cold day with everyone well wrapped up against the elements!


Guess who?


We even had some flurries of snow!


Secretary Ann, happy to rake the bunker to generate some heat!



Delighted to see our Honorary President, Nancy Chisholm, brave the elements to come and support the finalists.


To the match itself, Helen and Irene got off to a flying start with a great putt to win the first hole.  However, the Loudoun pair of Sheila and Aileen hit some great form, including a birdie at the Railway hole, to end the front nine 4 up!

They stretched their lead to 5 after the 11th but a fantastic fight back from Helen and Irene, winning 5 of the next 6 holes took them to the 18th all square.

Extra holes looked on the cards but a 2 putt from long range was good enough for Sheila and Aileen to win by one hole.

Well done ladies, a great match in difficult conditions.  Congratulations Sheila and Aileen.