The inaugural Irvine Links Strokeplay event took place yesterday with a field of 66 taking on the challenge.
More than 40 visiting Ayrshire low handicap players entered which is an excellent turnout and a representation of the status of our course and where we want this tournament to go.

In what was a first for many, the blue course in windy conditions offended that challenge and led to a 6-way tie at the top with a 74 scratch. Winning on a countback was Irvine’s own Chris Hobson and congratulations go to him.

The top 5, all collecting vouchers, were Chris Hobson, Steven Stamper (Girvan), John Shanks, Mason Chisholm & Gareth Lamb.

The Strokeplay event led to the makeup of the qualification for The Irvine Links Matchplay and our top 15 and defending champion John Shanks, now commence their quest for the title tonight.

Ties are as follows (seeds in brackets): -

John Shanks (1) v Nathan Finnie (16) (TStM)
Ally Berry (8) (Rav) v Sam Moore (9)
Jim Mckechnie (4) (GL) v Jim Mackison (13)
Daniel Forbes (5) v Kenny Hankinson (12)
Darren Mallinson (2) v Jason Stevenson (15)
Ally Wilson (7) v Stuart Fairgrieve (10)
Tom Loy (3) v Andy Gourlay (14)
Greg Cathie (6) v Bruce Fairgrieve (11)

Good luck to all players and thank you to everyone who contributed to the successful staging of yesterday and for the week ahead.

Greg Cathie