A LONG-established competition sponsored by the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald is still running at Ardeer Golf Club 48 years after being introduced.

The Stevenston club moved from the old course at Ardeer to the new course at Greenhead in 1969.

That same year we first presented the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald Cup to the Merchants Section of Ardeer Golf Club and the first winner was William Higgans.

The most recent victor on April 12 was Gordon Duff.

This trophy carried on a tradition which was started by the Merchants Section in 1915 when the Kemp Cup was introduced. It was reformed in 1946, having been discontinued during the war years with Jackie Newall the leading light in those days.

That competition was formed to allow trades people of the area to play competitive golf on a Wednesday – the traditional half day for shopkeepers - as they could not play on Saturdays.

Ardeer Golf Club continue their affiliation with local businesses, many sponsoring holes on the course and events throughout the year. In return Ardeer hold a sponsors' day event during the season inviting sponsors to test out the course.

The club was founded in 1880, making it the fourth oldest Golf Club in Ayrshire and an integral part of the Three Towns.