New mixed pairs format for No 85

The 85th Ayr Bowling Tournament kicks off on Monday and runs until Saturday ( August 5) with a new format for the mixed pairs.

It will be played Monday to Wednesday with the final, and that of the junior pairs, on Wednesday at Craigie from 6.30pm.

Clubs being used for mixed pairs on Monday at 10am onwards are Seafield, Forehill, Peter Boyle, Craigie and Northfield and 96 teams in total take part.

Gents singles are played at Craigie, Peter Boyle, Forehill and Northfield, with 170 in action.

Brian Fulton ( Northfield) starts his defence on Tuesday at noon at Northfield against George McLeod ( Dunlop).

Junior internationalist Darren Weir from Prestwick takes on Eddie Harris at Peter Boyle on Tuesday at 2pm while his brother Andrew, who is taking part in the Bowl Scotland U- 25 singles, plays Wilson Duffy at Forehill at noon.

There is a big entry from South West Scotland who support the Tournament every year. Games to watch are: Alistair McMillan ( Port William) v D McGuire ( Kirkcolm) at Forehill 2pm; Keith Shuttleworth ( New Abbey) v John Candlish ( Coylton) at Forehill 2pm; Bryce Greenhill ( Kirkcolm) v R O’Keefe ( Stranraer) at Northfield 2pm.

Furthest travelled is Sam McNeill from Melbourne who plays Sandy Cameron ( Lochgilphead) at Craigie at 2pm.

Ladies singles are played at Seafield and Northfield with 50 players taking part.

Sharon Robertson ( Ochiltree) starts her defence at Northfield on Tuesday at noon against Susan Agnew ( Fairlie).

Junior internationalist and Bowls Scotland Ladies Singles representative Dawn Anderson ( Newton Park) plays Hannah Perks ( Stranraer) at Seafield at noon.

Alison Lamont ( Coylton), who has qualified for Super Series in the singles and ladies pairs along with Sharon Robertson, takes on Anne Brown ( Newton Park) at Seafield at 2pm.

Internationalists Laura Cox West Kilbride will play her tie at Seafield at 4pm while Wendy Grant ( West Kilbride) plays Janet Warner ( MMP) at Northfield at noon. Gents pairs have 107 pairs at Northfield while there are 54 pairs with all games at Craigie. Both start on Thursday.

Twelve boys and seven girls compete in the junior singles while there are 11 junior pairs.

Also running is the Tommy Campbell Senior Singles and a 2- Bowl Drawn Triples starting on Friday at 9am.

There is increased prize money in all competitions and although entries are down, sponsorships have been secured from Martin and White Joiners, Jack High Insurance, Taylor Bowls, Peter Wilson & Sons funeral directors and Sheena Thom Catering.

Bowls Scotland and South Ayrshire Council are also key backers.

Other companies showing their support are John Clark Plumbing, Ross Clark Roofing, Showroom Decorators, Avenue Newsagents, Drip Stop Plumbing, Re United, Bennetts, Campbell Electrical, David Gourlay Bowls and Jo Jingles.

Money is being raised for the Ayrshire Hospice. Raffle donations gratefully received.

Annbank Winners of the Browning the Bakers open pairs were Stephen McAllister ( Glaisnock Valley) and Ross Gouldstone ( Troon Portland) who beat Mark Kerr and Reece Martin ( Tarbolton). Also pictured is club president Tom Dean. Thanks to John Gall for...

Ballantrae The Bowler / Non- Bowler competition, sponsored by Gordon Mclwraith, Fishmonger for the Louise Knox Memorial Trophy was won by Gordon McIlwraith and Danny McCulloch. Runners- up were Alan Porter and Brian O’Hare

Girvan Winners of the Woodlands Invitation Rinks were Girvan’s G McCormick, J Black, A Fife and G Milne. Runners- up from Tarbolton were J Thompson, G Woods, J Leitch and S Robertson. Thanks to Alan Forbes for his continued sponsorship

Girvan Winners of the JF Brown Trophy were Graham McCormick and Molly Fulton who beat Margaret Gaff and Betty Johnston. Thanks to Sylvia and Robin for the continued sponsorship in memory of her father

Prize pairs Winners of Ballantrae’s open pairs, sponsored by R Cook Agricultural Engineers, were David Telfer and Robert Dunlop. Runners- up were Kieran Balfour and Jack McCulloch

British Legion Trophy Ballantrae beat teams from Barr, Barrhill and Colmonell to lift the silverware. Barr will be next year’s hosts

Forehill Winners of the Jim Docherty mixed triples were Tom McEwan, Cheryl Borthwick and Keith McHarg