GOLF LATEST

Holder Craig Hamilton ( Ballochmyle) will begin his defence of the Ayrshire Champion of Champions Trophy at home to Aidan Long ( CAAGS).

Michael Smyth ( Royal Troon), the other former title holder in the 44 strong field field, hosts Colin Wallace ( NB Parkstone) in the first round. • Defending champions Royal Troon are bidding for a third successive title in the scratch club team knockout for the Gary Bryden Memorial Salver.

They have received a bye into round two where they will host Kilmarnock Barassie.

Eighteen clubs will take part. In the first round, Troon St Meddans entertain

Turnberry while Ayr Dalmilling are at home to Ayr Belleisle. • Thirty three clubs will contest the handicap club team knockout for the President’s Putter.

There is only one first round tie - Ayr

Dalmilling play host to Ballochmyle with the winner at home to Ballochmyle.

Holders Alton entertain Drongan in round

two.

The Ayrshire Fourball Championship has attracted an entry of 45 pairs.

• Twenty- eight clubs have entered the

Ayrshire Handicap League Championship with seven qualifying sections each of four teams.

Section ‘ A’: Royal Troon, Stewarton, Annanhill, Prestwick St Cuthbert; Section ‘ B’: Kilmarnock Barassie, Troon Merchants, Ayr Belleisle, Beith; Section ‘ C’: Routenburn, Turnberry, Tam

O’Shanter, Ballochmyle; Section ‘ D’:

Troon Portland, Caprington, Prestwick St Nicholas, Ayr Seafield; Section ‘ E’: Ayr

Dalmilling, Loudoun, West Kilbride,

Alton; Section ‘ F’: Redburn, Troon St Meddans, Moorpark, Auchenharvie 88; Section ‘ G’: Irvine Ravenspark, Kilbirnie Place, Rowallan Castle, Troon Welbeck. • The Ayrshire Scratch Leagues will be contested by 19 clubs when the new season tees off.

Div One: Loudoun, Irvine, Prestwick

St Cuthbert, Turnberry. Ballochmyle.

Kilmarnock Barassie; Div Two: Troon

Portland, Caprington, Largs, Royal Troon,

Troon St Meddans; Div 3a: Ayr Belleisle,

Kilbirnie Place, Irvine Ravenspark,

Rowallan Castle; Div 3b: Prestwick St

Nicholas, West Kilbride, Routenburn, Girvan.

• For mer football manager Jim

Leishman will be guest speaker at the Ayrshire Golf Association’s annual dinner and presentation of trophies at Prestwick St Cuthbert GC on Friday evening.

Tickets, priced £ 17.50, are available from AGA secretary Alasdair Malcolm at ayrshire. golf@ btinternet. com