IT WAS third time lucky for a group of young Irvine golfers last weekend.

A team of six juniors - aged 18 or under - from Irvine Golf Club travelled to Ayr Belleisle on Sunday, August 13, as they competed in the final of the Ayrshire Junior Golf League Championship.

They faced off in six individual 18-hole matchplay games against Troon Welbeck as they looked to be crowned the best young golf team in the county.

It was the third consecutive year that the Irvine team had made it to the final - though they had just missed out in their previous appearances.

But 2023 has been their year, as the youngsters brought the title back to Irvine for the first time since 2011.

It is also the fifth time that the golf club have won the junior championship since their formation in 1969.

And it was a resounding victory in the end - as Irvine only lost one of the six matches played this weekend.

The game format was simple, with six matchplay games played by six individual players, with stroles given based on each player's handicap. The team who won each match earned one point, the loser of a game earned no points and both teams got a half point if the match ended all square.

Irvine claimed victory 4.5-1.5 - despite each player from the club giving shots to their opponent.

Points were secured by Aidan Hay, who won his match 7&5, Sean Byrne and Mason Chisholm with victories by 6&5 and 4&3 respectively and Ryan Kennedy who won his match one up.

Lewis Trundle secured Irvine's half point as his hotly contested match ended all square, while Liam Moran was unfortunate to be defeated in his match which his Welbeck opponent won one up.

But overall victory was still claimed by Irvine Golf Club, who certainly have a promising group of young golfers at the club.