HISTORY was made on Saturday night when John Shanks won the Irvine Links Championship at Irvine Bogside Golf Club for the first time in his career.

He took on Irvine Ravenspark player and former winner George Robertson in what was an eagerly anticipated final played in very testing conditions.

It had all the hallmarks of a classic final between two players who are masters of the links.

Robertson, a five-time winner of the Irvine Golf Club Championship and winner of the Irvine Links title on a number of occasions, would have fancied his chances of adding to his considerable array of honours.

However, he was up against a very strong opponent in Shanks, a former Ayrshire champion who held all the aces on the night.

Shanks, who won the prestigious Ayrshire Strokeplay title at Bogside three years ago, played some sparkling golf throughout the evening and outclassed Robertson. He won 6&5 to finally land the top prize on the Irvine golf scene.

The leading qualifier for the championship with a score of 140 was Gareth Lamb (71 over Irvine Ravenspark and 69 over Irvine Bogside).

Sixteen players qualified (15 plus the holder, Alan Connery). In the matchplay stages there were seven players from Ravenspark and nine from Bogside.

Meanwhile also on Saturday, Bogside hosted the Hammy Salver event.

While it is a Bogside competition, invitations also go out to Ravenspark Golf Club and Ardeer Golf Club, where Hammy McInally, after whom the trophy is named, was a member.

The winner with a score of 69 was Irvine Golf Club member Steven Quinn.