Golfers are pipped at the death

Ayrshire golfers have been pipped at the final hurdle to win the West of Scotland Inter County ‘ A’ League for a fourth successive year.

Despite crushing Stirlingshire 6.5- 1.5 at Glenbervie to close on a high, they lost out when Renfrewshire beat Stirlingshire 5- 3 in a re- arranged fixture at Bonnyton on Sunday.

Ayrshire had gone into their last match of the season knowing that only a victory would keep alive their title hopes. But even that wasn’t enough.

Match details: Jim Johnston ( Belleisle) beat David Buchanan 5& 3; Michael Smyth ( Royal Troon) halved with Richard Johnston snr; Scott Brown ( St Cuthbert) beat James Donaldson 3& 2; Malcolm Pennycott ( Whiting Bay) beat Greg McLellan 3& 2; John Shanks ( Irvine) beat Mark Hyslop 2& 1; Jack Broun ( Turnberry) beat David Cunningham 5& 4; John Haggarty ( Loudoun) beat Colin Mundie 3& 2; Tommy McInally ( Loudoun) lost to Craig McGann 3& 2.

In the corresponding youths’ match at Girvan, Ayrshire lost 4.53.5 to Stirlingshire who lifted the title as a result. Ayrshire finished fifth of six teams.

Match details: Sean Hedger ( West Kilbride) lost to Peter Maxwell ( Glenbervie) 2& 1; Aiden Long ( Belleisle) halved with Calum Bauchop ( Glenbervie); Sandy Walker ( Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Sebastian Sandin ( Dunblane New) one hole; Ross Caddis ( Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to Fraser Gardiner ( Falkirk) 2& 1; Jordan Murray ( Rowallan Castle) halved with Ben Carberry ( Falkirk); Andrew Gordon ( Belleisle) beat Ross Laird ( Falkirk) 7& 6; Glen Wilson ( Ayr Dalmilling) lost to Gregor Johnston ( Dunblane New) 4& 3; Jamie McKinnon ( Caprington) halved with Grant Kirkwood ( Falkirk).