From the archives of the Ayrshire Post

25 YEARS AGO

Troon Welbeck’s Hugh McKibbin moved into contention after the first round of the British Professional Golf Tour final qualifying school at Hawkstone Park, in Shropshire.

The former Scottish Amateur champion carved out a six-underpar 66 on the Hawkstone course to lie second, one stroke behind former Walker Cup player Darren Prosser, of the North Warwickshire club. McKibbin picked up birdies at the first three holes.

50 YEARS AGO

Red Sweeney, withdrawn from the Grand National with a bruised foot after being the ante-post favourite, is among the 19 declared for the Scottish Grand National, to be run at Ayr Racecourse this Saturday.

And two previous winners of the prestigious race are also expected to go head to head this weekend.

The Spaniard and Young Ash Leaf, winners of the Scottish Grand National in 1970 and 1971, are also scheduled to take part in the marathon chase.

100 YEARS AGO

The new Labour candidate for the Ayr Burghs has been announced, Mr J Earlie now taking on the hopes of the movement.

Mr Earlie, who is organising secretary of the Boilermakers’ Union was at a conference of the Ayr Burghs Labour Party , held in Ayr, and adopted as said Labour candidate for the area.

The conference was attended by representatives of the various Trade Unions in the constituency. Mr Earlie has the support of the Boilermakers’ executive.