Freya - Seminoles Team

FREYA RUSSELL has been selected by Scottish Golf to play in he women’s team at the World Amateur Team Championships in Singapore in October. 

19-year-old Freya (Royal Troon Golf Club and our ALCGA Champion in 2021) is now a sophomore at Florida State University, was runner-up for a second consecutive year in the final of the Scottish Women’s Amateur and a member of the Scotland team for both the Home Internationals and European Ladies Team Championships

Kennedy Salver results

Well done to all the Ayrshire Girls’ today playing in the Kennedy Salver at Ballochmyle Golf Club.

There were some tough matches, and although Ayrshire didn't get the result perhaps they would have hoped for, it was great to see all of the girls’ playing their matches in a friendly and polite manner. A credit to their parents’ and our County.

A special mention to a couple of girls’ who offered to play for other Counties who were short of players’ for their team. This showed true sportsmanship which should be applauded.

Thanks to ALL involved at Ballochmyle Golf Club for the use of their course and their Clubhouse along with their cooperation in organising the event.

Many thanks to Jean MacIntyre (Referee) from Lanarkshire for giving her valuable time today with any on course rulings.

A special mention to Vicki and Lesley (Ayrshire Junior Convenors) for organising a successful Kennedy Salver. Much appreciated taking a day off their work, especially when they both have a young family themselves.

Well done to Dunbartonshire and Argyll for winning this years Kennedy Salver, we look to you hosting the Kennedy Salver in 2026.Venue and date to be announced shortly.

Here are some photos of the day.

Thanks to Sara Bottomley (Captain) for the report

Kennedy Salver

Ayrshire will host the Kennedy Salver this year at Ballochmyle Golf Club on Monday 16 June. The team representing Ayrshire is -

Charlotte Crawford (Turnberry)

Alyssa Gillies (Ballochmyle)

Sarah Melvin (Turnberry)

Orla Moran (Irvine)

Sandi Rogerson (Barassie)

Stefi Rogerson (Barassie)

Mya Wilson (Royal Troon)

This is the junior equivalent of the senior jamboree, the girls will face teams from D&A, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire. First tee off 0915 and afternoon play will start at 1330. All spectators and supporters are very welcome

Good luck girls!

Inter County Matches

A successful jamboree at Milngavie this year, despite some very heavy rain on Monday which was a real test for the players.

On day one Ayrshire faced the hosts D&A and had an excellent win of 5 points to 4. Tuesday was a tough day facing the reigning champions Lanarkshire who have a very strong team that includes the current West of Scotland champion, Scottish Women's amateur champion and a former professional! Ayrshire girls were 2-1 down after the morning foursomes and the afternoon singles went the way of Lanarkshire with overall result being 6.5 to 2.5

With Renfrewshire also having one win and one loss over the first 2 days it meant a battle for second place on Wednesday. Ayrshire were again 2-1 down after the morning foursomes and Renfrewshire came out very strongly in the afternoon singles and the match went their way with a final score of 7-2

There were a lot of close matches that just didn't seem to go our way this year but the team showed their fighting spirit and there were plenty of smiles and laughter along the way regardless of their match scores.

In the other match Lanarkshire completed a clean sweep by beating D&A 8-1 to win the event and will represent the West at the Scottish finals in Alyth on August 29, 30 and 31

This year saw the debuts in the Senior team for 2 of our up and coming young players. Orla Moran (Irvine) and Hannah Ounap (Loudoun) Orla has been a familiar face at our Junior coaching over a number of years and has become an excellent golfer winning the Irvine Golf Club ladies championship last year and was a semi finalist at our own Championship. Hannah is new to the county having played in a lot of European events over the years which usually clashed with our Jamboree! She recently reached the semi final of the Scottish Ladies amateur at Western Gailes. Hannah played all 6 matches this week with 5 excellent wins. Hopefully both of these girls will feature in our team for many years to come.

The Captain would like to thank all the caddies who volunteered to support the team, their time and commitment meant a lot to the players. Thanks also to the Captain and committee of Dunbartonshire and Argyll County for all their hard work into planning a successful jamboree. Also a special mention to the greenkeepers at Milngavie for getting the course playable after the torrential rain on day one. Finally a thanks to the catering staff for keeping everyone fed and watered this week.  

Back row L to R - Pauline Patrick (Irvine), Jenny Linklater (Largs), Orla Moran (Irvine), Roz Purdom (St Nicholas), Audrey Thompson (Loudoun), Sarah Ramsay (West Kilbride), Hannah Ounap (Loudoun)

Front left - Joanne Sharp (Lenzie) and right Sara Bottomley (Captain)

Next year Lanarkshire will host the Inter County Matches on June 15, 16 and 17 at Lanark Golf Club

Scottish Women's Amateur Championship

Having finished runner up in the 2024 event, Freya Russell (Royal Troon) was looking to go one step further at Western Gailes this year.

She got off to a great start with 2 rounds under par in the 36 hole stroke play qualifying on Friday, finishing top qualifier on 3 under par.

Two comfortable wins in Saturdays match play saw her book a place in the semi final where she would play another Ayrshire youngster, Hannah Ounap (Loudoun) 

This was a close battle with Hannah being in front for most of the round. Freya was 2 down with 3 holes to play and won the last 3 holes to take her spot in the final for the second year running.

 Also through to the final was another "west" girl, Susan Woodhouse from East Kilbride. 

Susan also had a close match on her way to the final winning on the 19th hole in her semi final against Jasmine Mackintosh. She came into the week showing some great form having had a good finish at the recent Helen Holm and in the West of Scotland Championship. The final certainly lived up to expectations!

Susan took an early lead of 2 holes but Freya fought back before Susan then restored her 2 hole lead after an impressive sand save for par at the short 15th. 

It looked like Freya was going to repeat her great finish in the semi finals when she won both 16 and 17 but a fantastic birdie by Susan at the 18th sealed the win for the Lanarkshire player.

Hard lines Freya but a great championship. Good luck from all at ALCGA for the British at Nairn next month.