AYRSHIRE LADIES COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION

  Happy New Year to all of our Lady and Junior Girl members, and a very warm welcome to those who have joined the County in 2021.   I, and I am sure all of us, had hoped by this time that we would be free of the Covid restrictions!   Alas that is not the case and we are now in the midst of a further period of lockdown. The positive is that we can still get outside and play golf even if it is just in two’s, and the Covid vaccine is on the horizon, which is great news!   Looking forward, Vice Captain Ann, the Committee and I, will do what we can to continue with the schedule of golf that we have in place for 2021. Obviously this will be dependent on Scottish Golf and the restrictions in place at the time of each competition. As always the safety of our members must be our priority.   As you will have seen, we have a good range of courses for you to play this year, so fingers crossed and with my optimistic hat on I look forward to seeing you for our fir...

Captain Joanne, Vice Captain Ann and all the committee hope that all our members had a lovely Christmas and would like to offer our very best wishes for a healthy, safe and better golfing season in 2021

The R&A have this week announced their squads for the 2021 Vagliano Trophy and Curtis Cup teams. The squad consists of the top 17 amateur lady golfers in GB & I and we are delighted that Hazel MacGarvie (Royal Troon) has been included in the squad. Hazel, who turned 21 in October, is the 3rd ranked Scottish player in the World Amateur Golf Rankings behind fellow squad members Hannah Darling, Broomieknowe, and Shannon McWilliam, Aboyne.  The Vagliano is a biennial match between GB&I and the Continent of Europe, Hazel played in the team at Royal St George's in 2019 and was unbeaten with an impressive 3.5 points out of 4. Next years match is due to take place in Switzerland from 25-26 June. The Curtis Cup was due to be played this year but for obvious reasons had to be postponed. It is due to take place in Wales from 26-28 August. We all wish Hazel well for the final team selection.

 It is with great sadness that I have to report the sudden death of Mrs Fiona Gilchrist, Troon Ladies. Fiona was a long time member of the Ayrshire ladies, latterly as a non playing member. She was an excellent golfer and did play in the County team. She continued to be a very loyal supporter of the County and, along with Past Captain Grace Kennedy, supported the annual team matches (Jamboree) travelling all over to offer her services as trolley puller and spectator. This picture was taken at one of these events, Bothwell Castle in 2013. Funeral arrangements are still to be confirmed. Sympathy to her family and friends at this difficult time.

With the current travel restrictions affecting our annual winter foursomes, an all South Ayrshire tie took place at Barassie today between holders Minnie Hamilton and Liz Fitzpatrick and past captain Liz Wilson and her partner Linda McDonald. Minnie and Liz booked their place in the quarter finals with a 4 and 2 victory. They may have a long wait to find out their opponents as ties have been put on hold until travelling between counties can resume.