Ayrshire Post

Michael is a tour de fourth

- Golf latest

Michael Smyth ( Royal Troon) is celebratin­g his fourth Ayrshire Matchplay Championsh­ip title in eight years.

Smyth, playing in his fifth final since 2011, beat first time finalist Shaun Hedger ( West Kilbride) 3& 2 at Rowallan Castle last Thursday.

He now moves ahead of three time winners, Alex Gourlay ( Irvine) and Craig Hamilton ( Ballochmyl­e), but still trails Leslie Crawford ( Kilmarnock Barassie) who won the title seven times between 1970 and 1991.

Semi- finals: Smyth beat Scott Brown ( St Cuthbert) 5& 4; Hedger beat Jim Johnston ( Belleisle) 2& 1.

Quarter- finals: Smyth beat William Fleming ( Ballochmyl­e) 7& 5; Hedger beat Sandy Walker ( Kilmarnock Barassie) 5& 3; Brown beat Robbie Muir ( Kilmarnock Barassie) 2& 1; Johnston beat Stuart Brown ( Loudoun) 4& 3.

The inaugural Troon Welbeck Fourball Championsh­ip will take place over Troon Lochgreen on Saturday, June 23.

Entry to the better ball competitio­n is £ 20 per pair with seven main prizes available as well as longest drive and nearest the pin awards.

Entries to the match secretary at Troon Welbeck by June 10.

Entries are invited for the Stevenson Trophy at Girvan Golf Club on Saturday, May 26.

The competitio­n is a counting event for the Doc Thom Ayrshire Order of Merit.

The Stevenson Trophy will be won by the player returning the best scratch score with the Gary Bryden Jug going to the best net return. Entry is £ 10.

The 36- hole scratch Belleisle Cup will take place at Ayr Belleisle on Sunday, June 3.

A counting event in the Doc Thom Ayrshire Order of Merit, the handicap limit is six and entry fee is £ 15.

Euan Walker ( Kilmarnock Barassie) was runner- up in the Battle Trophy at Crail. He fired rounds of 68, 67, 74 and 75 to finish a shot behind James Wilson ( Tyneside).

 ??  ?? Cheers Michael Smyth
Cheers Michael Smyth

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