South Ayrshire Council News

Councillor Toner, Provost Winifred Sloan and Katie Hodge of main sponsors Dunfermline Building Society pictured with some of the Prize Winners

South Ayrshire Council Provost Winifred Sloan presented the Tom Lehman Golf Trophies at the one day Junior Golf Championship, which is believed to be the largest one day Junior Golf Championship in the world.

The annual competition was played over South Ayrshire Council's popular Lochgreen, Darley and Fullarton golf courses.

The Provost presented claret jugs to winner Scott Brown of Turnberry Golf Club who had a gross score of 70 over Troon Darley and to Connie Jaffrey of West Kilbride Golf Club who had a gross score of 88 over Troon Lochgreen.

Golfing legend Tom Lehman was so impressed with local golfing facilities when he played in the Open at Troon in the 1997 that he donated trophies to be played for annually in Troon by Juniors. He gave a professional fee of £500 to the Council to be used to promote the development of junior golf in the Troon area. The Council used the gift to purchase two silver replica claret jugs, one for the best boy and one for the best girl and in 1998 the first Junior Open for the Tom Lehman Trophies took part.

The Junior Open, an Order of Merit event for Ayrshire boys for the last four years, is firmly established as one of the top events for young golfers in the United Kingdom. Now in its tenth year, the competition attracts more entrants each year with over 350 entrants across all handicap and pre-handicap categories of girls and boys.

After presenting the prizes Provost Winifred Sloan said: "This year is the tenth anniversary of this one day junior golf tournament that brings young golfers together. Since the event was first held in 1998 thousands of junior golfers have played in the competition. The Junior Golf Open attracts entrants from all over the United Kingdom, who come to play on Golf South Ayrshire's fine golf courses.

"It is crucial that young who show an interest in golf are encouraged to play and helped to progress. The standard of play was very high and who knows perhaps one of this young people in future years will become an international champion golfer.

"I would like to thank the members of the Council's Golf and Fine Turf Team who have done a magnificent job looking after everyone and organising the event."

Plans are already being made for the 2009 tournament that will be held on Tuesday 4 August 2009

Darley Golf Course
Competition Scratch Score: 72

Lochgreen Golf Course
Competition Scratch Score:  Boys – 71, Girls 73

Fullarton Golf Course
Competition Scratch Score: Boys - 62, Girls 65